[The Epoch Times, April 23, 2022](The Epoch Times North Carolina News) Epic Games, a major game development company based in Cary, recently announced that the company has received another $2 billion in investment, bringing its company valuation to 31.5 billion. Dollar. It is estimated that this could soon have a positive effect across the Triangle region.
Venture capitalists say it’s the largest fundraiser in the region in recent memory and has the potential to bring more jobs and opportunities to the Triangle.
The gaming company behind the hit game Fortnite and video game development tool Unreal Engine said the funding round will “advance the company’s vision of building virtual worlds and continuing to grow.”
The round includes existing backer Sony Group Corporation and KIRKBI, the holding and investment company behind The LEGO Group. Each company invested $1 billion.
Epic Games has raised $1 billion in 2021 and $1.78 billion in 2020, both times Sony has invested. In 2018, the company raised $1.25 billion. After 2020, the company is valued at $17.3 billion.
For now, Epic Games is still under the control of its CEO and founder, Tim Sweeney. Executives, including Sweeney, declined to speak outside the press release, according to a spokeswoman.
Last week, Epic and LEGO announced a long-term partnership “to shape the future of virtual worlds where children and families feel safe and fun.”
In the press release, Sweeney said the company needs partners “who share our interests.”
“This investment will accelerate our work to build the virtual metaverse and create spaces where you can have fun with friends, creating creative and immersive experiences where creators can build community and grow,” he said.
Sony CEO Kenichiro Yoshida said in a statement that the company is “pleased to invest in Epic to deepen relationships in the virtual metaverse, a space where creators and users share time.”
“Part of our investment is focused on trends that will shape the future world we and our children will live in,” KIRKBI CEO said in a prepared statement. He also said, “This investment will accelerate our commitment to participation in the digital gaming world, and we are excited to invest in Epic Games to support their continued growth and long-term focus on the future of virtual worlds.”
Editor in charge: Xie Manxue◇