Blue Ocean Games Launches $30 Million Fund to Support Indie Game Developers
- Sagar Mankar
- 10 hours ago
- 2 min read
A new $30 million venture fund called Blue Ocean Games has been created to help indie game developers bring their ideas to life. The fund, backed by PUBG maker Krafton, aims to support around 100 indie developers over the next three years.
Blue Ocean Games was founded by Damian Lee, the former head of investments at Krafton. The fund's goal is to help promising indie developers who might not qualify for traditional investment.
"There is a structural problem in the indie game industry where the gap between what investors are willing to fund, what developers dream of creating, and what players crave has grown too wide," Lee explained.
The fund uses a unique investment model called SAIL (Structured Agreement for Indie Launch). This approach offers several benefits to developers, including:
Investment at the concept stage, before a playable version exists
Funding of $100,000 per developer (up to $300,000 per team) spread over two years
Market-validation milestones instead of subjective checkpoints
A mix of equity and revenue sharing that balances developer control with investor returns
Developers keep ownership of their intellectual property
According to Lee, many talented indie developers struggle to get funding unless they have a popular IP or are already well-known in the industry. Yet each year, small teams of just one to three people create unexpected hit games.
"I tried to think about this area where a lot of creativity happens and see the opportunity, but no investor wants to touch it," Lee said in an interview with VentureBeat.
Beyond financial support, Blue Ocean Games will provide practical assistance, including help with incorporation, bookkeeping services, and mentorship from industry veterans. Developers will be grouped in cohorts to create a community where they can share knowledge and resources.
The fund will also run a series of online competitions called "Rising Tide." This competition will allow developers to showcase their ideas through trailers rather than complete games. Winners will receive a "fast track pass" for an expedited application process and guaranteed interview with the fund.
The first Rising Tide challenge will launch on May 1, 2025, in partnership with Global Game Jam.
The fund's name comes from its focus on funding "blue ocean" concepts – innovative game ideas without many competitors.
Lee believes this initiative could become a standard for funding developers working on their first game. For many, it will provide two years of financial support to progress their careers while creating games they're passionate about.
Indie developers worldwide interested in participating in Rising Tide or seeking funding through Blue Ocean Games can find more information on the company's website.