Reveals plans for developing two new VR gaming titles within both its Japan and US-based studios; Kunimitsu to bring strong background in blockchain technology and vision for the virtual metaverse
TOKYO, Japan – August 10, 2021 – Thirdverse Inc., a virtual reality game development, distribution and management company paving the path to the metaverse, today announced that Hironao Kunimitsu has been appointed as the company’s Chief Executive Officer. Kunimitsu co-founded Thirdverse in 2020 with Kiyoshi Shin, Satoshi Ban and Masaru Ohnogi. In 2007, he established gumi Inc. (3903.T) and served the company as President and CEO, taking the company public in 2014. During this time, Kunimitsu launched the Virtual Reality Fund, gumi Cryptos Capital and VR incubators in Tokyo, Seoul and Helsinki. He also founded the blockchain startup FiNANCiE and was a major investor and board member for double jump.tokyo, the company behind the blockchain game called ‘My Crypto Heroes’. He will leverage his experience in gaming, VR, blockchain and expanding global businesses into new markets to help accelerate Thirdverse’s growth.
Thirdverse also revealed that it has secured a total of $20 million USD in Series A and B rounds, led by JAFCO with participation from Presence Capital, Sisu Ventures, Incubate Fund and Animoca Brands. Additionally, renowned video game producer and founder of inXile Entertainment, a Microsoft Xbox Game Studio, Brian Fargo has joined the Thirdverse advisory board.
Hironao Kunimitsu said: “Thirdverse is building a world-class tech development and publishing team that spans across gaming, VR and blockchain. With the additional funding from Animoca Brands, we also have the trust of key partners and the ability to accelerate the business. My goal moving forward is to bring Thirdverse properties to the global market and further drive our multi-year vision of the metaverse.”
Masaru “Nogi” Ohnogi said: “This is an exciting time for Thirdverse with our best-in-class team growing and highly supportive investors. We are delighted Kunimitsu-san has joined as CEO to help us rapidly grow our global business and support our mission to create within the virtual metaverse. His expertise in global market expansion and building high-growth, high-scale teams along with his understanding of how to work closely with global companies makes him ideally suited to accelerate our business.”
Tomotake Kitazawa, Partner at JAFCO Group, said: “Kunimitsu’s vast experience and keen vision for the future of VR, which the best team has gathered around, and the VR market that has clearly begun to take off are just a few of the many reasons that attracted us to investing in both Thirdverse’s Series A and B. JAFCO will do its utmost to support Thirdverse as it takes on the vast market of the VR metaverse that is steadily approaching.”
Yat Siu, co-founder and chairman of Animoca Brands said: “Kunimitsu-san’s breadth of experience at the executive level will be invaluable as Thirdverse expands its gaming distribution and management business globally and advances its global footprint. We look forward to contributing our extensive expertise in the NFT space while working closely with Kunimitsu-san and the Thirdverse team.”
Fargo added: “I’m really looking forward to working as an advisor to Thirdverse as they explore the future of VR and I’m especially pleased that Hironao Kunimitsu is the CEO. I’ve found Hiro to be a thoughtful, passionate and insightful leader that cares and has true vision.”
For more information about Thirdverse, visit www.thirdverse.io.
About Thirdverse Inc.
Founded in 2020, Thirdverse Inc. is a virtual reality game development, distribution and management company paving the path to the metaverse, and based out of Tokyo, Japan and San Francisco. In 2019, the studio released the world’s first VR multiplayer sword-fighting action game, SWORDS of GARGANTUA. Thirdverse is also currently promoting the “Thirdverse Plan”, aiming to create a “Third Space” in the virtual metaverse.
Thirdverse is best known for its flagship title SWORDS of GARGANTUA, a top-rated VR game in the Oculus and Steam stores, which has continued to grow its fanbase as well as its breadth through the release of feature expansions, such as with the adventure modes, Tesseract Abyss 1 and 2. Additionally, the company currently has several unannounced VR and blockchain projects in development.
For more information visit www.thirdverse.io.
Thirdverse Names gumi Founder Hironao Kunimitsu as Chief Executive Officer, Secures $20M in Funding to Accelerate Growth
