Sinn Studio, a Toronto-based studio dedicated to XR games, has secured $2.5 million in funding to develop a real-time player-versus-player (PvP) VR combat game. The funding round was led by Hartmann Capital, with participation from Boost VC, Republic, Alumni Ventures, Mana Ventures, MetaVision, and industry angels like Chris Ye of Uken Games. The studio plans to leverage groundbreaking spatial computing technologies and its proprietary Combat Engine to create a free-to-play PvP game. The Combat Engine is supported by a neural network called the Large Intent Model (LIM), which learns from the subtleties of human motion during combat. This technology addresses complex challenges in spatial computing and paves the way for the future of combat in VR.
The CEO of Sinn Studio, Alex Sinn, expressed gratitude towards Hartmann Capital and other investors for believing in their mission to redefine combat in spatial computing. He mentioned that the technology they are building will power incredible first-party combat experiences and potentially bring popular intellectual properties (IPs) into the VR space.
Felix Hartmann, managing partner of Hartmann Capital, emphasized the transformative potential of virtual reality in enhancing human experiences. He stated that combat, as both a fundamental aspect of human competition and one of the oldest sports, is poised for a groundbreaking evolution in VR. Hartmann praised Sinn Studio for leading this transformation and setting the stage for immersive combat to become a pivotal part of sports and cultural landscapes.
Sinn Studio has already achieved success with its game Swordsman, which was acclaimed as a “Most Popular Game” of 2023 on Meta Quest and a top 10 best seller on PlayStation VR. The studio started fundraising in September 2023, despite skepticism about the market due to the upcoming launches of Meta Quest 3 and Apple Vision Pro. However, Sinn highlighted the strong traction of XR technology among the age groups of 13 to 17 and 18 to 24, indicating a positive indicator for the industry’s growth.
The origins of Sinn Studio trace back to its founder, Alex Sinn, who initially pursued animated films and virtual reality for linear films or 360-degree concerts. However, he eventually shifted his focus to VR games due to the new opportunities it presented. The company was established in 2017, and Almir Brljak joined as COO. They launched three products from 2017 to 2019 before working on Swordsman, which proved to be a turning point for the company. Despite facing financial challenges, the game became a best-seller on PlayStation VR, allowing Sinn Studio to scale up its team and expand its expertise in combat experiences.
Sinn Studio is now working on a free-to-play PvP game that focuses on real-time melee combat. They aim to create an intuitive and impactful combat experience using their Large Intent Model and AI technology. The game is expected to be released on multiple platforms such as Quest, Steam VR, and PlayStation, with cross-play functionality. The studio aims to go into open early access by the end of the year.
In conclusion, Sinn Studio’s recent funding round and focus on developing a PvP VR combat game demonstrates their commitment to pushing the boundaries of spatial computing and revolutionizing combat experiences in virtual reality. With their innovative technology and successful track record with Swordsman, the studio is well-positioned to make a significant impact in the XR gaming industry.