One Singapore VC firm’s unique approach to finding next gaming goldmine

In 2021, Sandy Klar, a 31-year-old gamer from Germany, was introduced to G.Round, a US-based platform for testing games, providing feedback, and engaging in discussions with developers.

Initially, she approached the platform with caution. Despite having played numerous game demos and providing feedback, the concept of receiving rewards for game testing was unfamiliar to her.

Tatyana Dyshlova (left), CEO & co-founder of US-based gaming firm FuzzyBot, received a prize from Round Ventures for her pitch of the company’s pre-released game, Project Saturn. / Photo credit: Round Ventures

“But after checking out the website as well as the Discord server, it seemed like a really nice community of people that enjoy games,” she says.

Klar is among the 350,000 gamers from over 190 countries who have joined G.Round to participate in pre-release game testing.

The platform aims to assist publishers and investors in discovering games validated by users, departing from the conventional method of relying on offline events.

In 2022, G.Round’s sister company Round Ventures, an investment firm, was launched. Both operate under the South Korean gaming group GXC, but Round Ventures is based in Singapore.

Round Ventures aims to raise US$80 million to fund early-stage gaming startups. The VC firm intends to leverage G.Round’s expertise in game testing to identify potential investees.

A unique approach

In the entertainment industry, relying on user feedback to gauge the potential success of a product is a well-established practice. For decades, TV pilots have played a crucial role in helping networks determine the next big hit among their shows.

In the same way, G.Round lets users submit reviews after playing an unreleased game for at least 30 minutes. Each title tested on its platform receives an average of 700 to 800 reviews and survey responses.

Testers evaluate aspects such as story, artwork, and clarity. They then earn points from G.Round that can be used to avail of the company’s branded gaming gear.

Moreover, the platform’s Discord channel, with over 16,000 members, allows players to interact directly with game developers.

See also: The rare SG indie game studio making millions on original IP

G.Round isn’t the only name in the gaming industry that does this. Berlin-based PlaytestCloud, for example, has 1 million pre-approved game testers. Earlier this week, it launched a live testing feature that lets developers engage with users as they review the game.

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Looking beyond Asia