Mission Control Games Raises $4 Million in Pre-Seed Round
Mission Control Games, a game tech firm operating out of Turkey and the UK, has successfully raised $4 million in a pre-seed funding round. The investment was led by General Catalyst, with participation from Arcadia Gaming Partners and e2vc. This funding aims to support the development of new casual puzzle games that promise fresh gameplay experiences.
Company Background
Founded in 2026 by Kivanc Okutur and Murat Gurel, both former members of the Merge Dragons team, Mission Control Games focuses on mobile casual puzzle games. The studio seeks to innovate within the genre by developing new gameplay systems through rapid experimentation and AI-assisted development. According to CEO Kivanc Okutur, "Mission Control is a small, highly empowered team built for speed. Our ambition is to become the largest mobile gaming startup with the smallest team."
Strategic Use of Funds
The $4 million in funding will be primarily used to expand the company's team and accelerate the development of its initial game title. The new capital will also facilitate testing and refining of game concepts, leveraging AI to enhance player experiences. This approach aims to create dynamic and evolving games built on simple rule-based mechanics.
Investors
General Catalyst, a prominent venture capital firm managing over $43 billion in assets, led the funding round. The round also saw contributions from Arcadia Gaming Partners and e2vc, both of which are known for investing in innovative gaming and tech startups.
Founders and Vision
Kivanc Okutur and Murat Gurel, the co-founders of Mission Control Games, bring their expertise from previous roles in the gaming industry, particularly from their work on Merge Dragons. Their vision is to create a company where exceptional people take ownership and deliver unique experiences for players. "We couldn't find a company that fully matched how we wanted to build games, so we decided to build the one we'd want to work for," said Okutur.
Mission Control Games is now poised to make a significant impact in the mobile gaming industry by introducing novel puzzle game mechanics that are both engaging and innovative.