Trion World Network, Publisher and Developer of Connected Games and Entertainment, Raises 30 Million From Global Media Giants, Top VCs

Trion World Network, Inc. (Trion) has raised 30 million dollars of funding in its latest round led by Rustic Canyon Partners, the LA-based VC firm with strong ties to the media and entertainment industry. Time Warner, a leading media and entertainment company, GE/NBC Universal’s Peacock Equity Fund, as well as Bertelsmann Digital Media Investments (BDMI), a unit of global media company Bertelsmann AG, Europe’s leading entertainment group, invested side-by-side, strengthening Trion’s unique ability to bring a new level of original entertainment to the Broadband era on a global scale. Existing Trion investors, DCM and Trinity Ventures also participated.

“Receiving the backing of three of the world’s top five media companies and three top VCs is an exceptional endorsement and provides Trion with unrivaled access and support that further strengthens our unique position in defining the future of connected games and entertainment,” commented Lars Buttler, CEO and co-founder of Trion.

Trion will utilize the additional funding and relationships with the media stalwarts and content IP owners to develop and publish new connected games and entertainment franchises. Nate Redmond, Partner at Rustic Canyon, will join the board.

“The global media and entertainment industry is entering a disruptive cycle,” Nate Redmond, Rustic Canyon, said. “Trion is uniquely positioned to define the future standard for dynamic games and entertainment across connected devices, by leveraging innovative technologies to build premium content channels around live programming. Rustic Canyon is pleased to be working with the top talent assembled at Trion to bring a new model to this large opportunity.”

“Trion’s network service model for connected entertainment has the potential to dramatically impact how our industry creates and monetizes content and how consumers participate in the entertainment experience,” noted Rachel Lam, senior vice president, Time Warner Investments.

Trion’s mission is to revolutionize entertainment by combining the best of online, gaming and traditional media. By designing and developing powerful new technologies, new content, and new publishing capabilities, Trion is poised to be a leader in the emerging global multi-billion dollar connected entertainment market.

Led by Dr. Lars Buttler, former Vice President for Global Online at Electronic Arts, and Jon Van Caneghem, former founder and CEO of New World Computing and creator of the best-selling Might and Magic and Heroes game franchises, Trion has assembled a world-class team of gaming and online veterans with proven success and talent in business, original content development and technology who have developed and shipped more than 100 original titles.