A new mobile gaming studio, Cheer Games, has launched in Barcelona with a mission to create enduring casual puzzle franchises. Founded by a team of former senior leaders from AppLovin’s Lion Studios, the company has secured seed funding from prominent investors Makers Fund and Play Ventures. This strategic investment will fuel the development of its upcoming titles and the expansion of its global team.
A Vision for Longevity in Mobile Gaming
Cheer Games was established with the ambition to counter the short-term thinking prevalent in the mobile gaming industry. CEO Emre Gercel stated the goal is to build games that become lasting franchises and a studio that becomes an institution. The company will apply a structured, product-driven approach to create engaging gameplay experiences for a worldwide audience.
An Experienced Founding Team
The studio is led by a cohesive team with a long history of collaboration on successful titles like Hexa Sort. The founding members include CEO Emre Gercel, CPO Berkay Ozturk, CTO Ertan Ünver, and CMO Kutay Koralturk. Their collective experience shipping top-grossing games provides a strong foundation for their new venture.
This founding group covers every critical discipline required to build a top-tier game studio, from product design to growth and live operations. Gercel highlighted the team's synergy, noting that his partners built games the industry measures itself against. This comprehensive expertise is considered a significant asset for navigating the competitive market.
Investor Confidence and Strategic Backing
The studio's vision and leadership have attracted significant backing from venture capital firms specializing in interactive entertainment. Curtis Urbanowicz of lead investor Makers Fund praised the contagious chemistry and shared philosophy among the founders. He expressed confidence in their ability to create fresh game concepts that retain players over the long term.
Anton Backman, General Partner at Play Ventures, echoed this sentiment, calling the founders a truly complete team. He emphasized that their recent, battle-tested experience from developing hits like Hexa Sort gives them a meaningful edge. This innate understanding of the puzzle genre is crucial for success in today's market.
Future Plans and Expansion
Cheer Games will use the new capital to accelerate the development of its portfolio of mobile puzzle games. The funding is earmarked for advancing its upcoming titles through the production pipeline. It will also support the strategic expansion of its headquarters in Barcelona.
The company has already assembled a core team of eleven professionals with deep roots in the mobile industry. It is now actively hiring to build a focused, high-talent-density organization to support its growth. This recruitment drive aims to attract top global talent to its European base.
With a proven leadership team, a clear vision for longevity, and the backing of key industry investors, Cheer Games is positioned to make a notable impact. The studio's focus on creating high-quality, lasting puzzle franchises sets it apart in the fast-paced mobile market. The gaming community will be watching closely as the Barcelona-based team prepares to unveil its first titles.