A16z and other Web3 game investors show continued support for Azra Games

Azra Games, a blockchain game studio led by veteran RPG builder Mark Otero, has raised $10 million in seed funding backed by a16z Crypto. Coupled with the $15 million raised in May 2022, the company's total funding now stands at $25 million.

The fundraising has attracted participation from other Web3 VCs, including NFX, Coinbase Ventures, Play Ventures, and global investment manager Franklin Templeton. According to the announcement, Azra Games will use the fresh capital to develop its first blockchain title, Legions & Legends. 

Legions & Legends is a sci-fi fantasy RPG where players will lead valiant heroes to fight against terrifying monstrosities and earn massive rewards. As a former general manager at Electronic Arts, Mark Otero has recruited the best talents to work on this project. Many of them have previously worked on well-known titles, such as Star Wars: Galaxy of Heroes, Mass Effect, Dragon Age, Apex: Legends, and Battlefield.

"Over the last nine months, we've seen Mark Otero and the seasoned games team he's assembled execute in a world-class way," wrote Arianna Simpson, General Partner at a16z Crypto. "Their unique approach focuses on fun: it's a gameplay-comes-first philosophy, which we believe will appeal deeply to traditional players and game developers, as well as crypto natives." 

Last year, Azra Games released a set of NFT PFPs known as The Hopeful collection, which holders can use as passes to gain pre-launch access to Legions & Legends and future Azra titles. Although NFTs will be used in the game, Fortune reported that these would not be the gameplay's foundation. The action RPG will eventually launch on PC and mobile devices at a later date.