It’s no secret that casual games and their associated microtransactions are pulling down some very big numbers lately (Zynga’s nine figure revenues anyone?), and so it should come as no surprise that web-based casual games company WonderHill recently announced their successful results of a first round of funding. $7 million worth of success.
Building on an initial investment of $750,000 from Ooga Labs, WonderHill’s newest influx of cash comes from Charles River Ventures and Shasta Ventures. As reported by Dean Takahashi, Saar Gur of Charles River Ventures said that the firm decided to give a green light to WonderHill based on the veteran team with the ability to create viral web hits over and over again.
Just who are these veterans? Let’s take a look at the top slot, filled by one Mr. James Currier. To say that Currier knows a thing or two about web development in relation to games and entertainment might fall a bit short, as he’s the former CEO of Tickle, and also a member of the board of directors of Linden Lab (be that good or bad).
The top creative guy in charge belongs to Nick Rush, former creative officer with EA’s Pogo.com, and former VP of creative with iWin. Rush is the creative juice behind all time classics such as Word Whomp! and Poppit! at Pogo (they’re still ranked as some of the top games there). With iWin, Rush managed the development of top hits Jewel Quest, Mah Jong Quest, JoJo’s Fashion Show, and Family Feud Online Party.
Rockin’ the CTO chair is Stan Chudnovsky. Together the three started WonderHill in 2008, and now employ a staff of 15 from their San Francisco based HQ, and yes…they are hiring.
The trio intends on following a Rebel Monkey’s CampFU path, and ditch the head-to-head violent games path favor of a “magical design style and cooperative game play”. WonderHill hopes that this style of play will reach a broad audience, ranging from kids right on through to the 30 somethings market. Adding to this wide ranging appeal, the company also noted that that they intend to branch out into iPhone territory once the launch of initial products are established. Presumably, this iPhone version of WonderHill products will take advantage of the microtransaction capabilities of the upcoming 3.0 software update.
Currier did however point out that while $7 million might seem like a healthy chunk of change, some of it’s rivals including Zygna, which raised $35 million and Playfish, $17 million, have at least a monetary advantage.
