Founded by Damian Lee, former Head of Investments at KRAFTON, Inc. (parent company of PUBG Studios, Unknown Worlds, and others), Blue Ocean Games aims to discover and empower promising indie developers who fall outside traditional investment criteria. Through its unique funding model, Blue Ocean Games creates pathways for groundbreaking game concepts that might otherwise never reach players. The company's first fund is backed by KRAFTON, Inc.
“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,” said Damian Lee, Founder and Managing Partner of Blue Ocean Games. “Beyond simply filling a funding gap, we are trying to reimagine the ecosystem itself. By aligning player demand with developer passion through community validation and reliable funding, our goal is to create an environment where mutual benefits naturally drive success and growth. This isn't just about picking winners; it's about expanding the playing field so that more visions can become reality.”
The fund employs a distinctive investment instrument called SAIL (Structured Agreement for Indie Launch), which provides developers with:
- Investment at the concept stage, before the first playable build
- Funding of $100,000 per developer (up to $300,000 per team), disbursed over two years
- Objective, market-validation milestones rather than subjective checkpoints
- Hybrid equity and revenue share agreement that balances developer control with investor returns
- Developer retention of IP ownership
“At KRAFTON, we believe that innovation in the games industry often comes from the indie community, yet early-stage funding is one of the biggest challenges for new developers,” said Maria Park, Head of Corporate Development at KRAFTON Inc. “Blue Ocean Games offers indie developers a forward-thinking model that provides critical financial support that fosters a sustainable path to success. We’re looking forward to working closely with them and seeing the incredible games that emerge from the program.”
Central to Blue Ocean Games’ talent discovery approach is “Rising Tide,” a new, ongoing series of online competitions and challenges designed to help developers validate ideas, gain recognition, and advance their projects—whether or not they seek funding. The first Rising Tide challenge will launch on May 1, 2025, in partnership with Global Game Jam, with applications for direct funding opening simultaneously.
“Rising Tide is an idea proving ground for game developers at every stage and from every background,” explained Lee. “It's a great opportunity to validate ideas and gain the confidence needed to dedicate more time and resources to a project. Participants can pursue funding if they choose, but there's no obligation. By supporting developers at the concept stage with validation and potential funding, we are not just investing in games—we're investing in the future of the industry and the next generation of creative talent.”
Indie developers worldwide interested in participating in Rising Tide or seeking funding through Blue Ocean Games are encouraged to visit http://www.blueoceangames.com/.
About Blue Ocean Games
Blue Ocean Games is an early-stage venture fund dedicated to supporting the next generation of indie game developers. With a focus on funding “blue ocean” concepts with market validation, we empower ambitious creators to turn their ideas into commercially viable games. Blue Ocean Games was established in Toronto with the assistance of the Toronto Global and The Embassy of Canada to South Korea. Founded by former KRAFTON investment head Damian Lee, Blue Ocean Games is committed to breaking down barriers to entry in game development and fostering a more inclusive, innovation-driven industry. For more information, visit http://www.blueoceangames.com/.
About KRAFTON, Inc.
Headquartered in South Korea, KRAFTON, Inc. is dedicated to discovering and publishing captivating games that offer fun and unique experiences. Established in 2007, KRAFTON is home to globally renowned developers that include PUBG STUDIOS, Striking Distance Studios, Unknown Worlds, VECTOR NORTH, Neon Giant, KRAFTON Montréal Studio, Bluehole Studio, RisingWings, 5minlab, Dreamotion, ReLU Games, Flyway Games, Tango Gameworks and inZOI Studio. Each studio strives to continuously take on new challenges and leverage innovative technologies. Their goal is to win over more fans by broadening KRAFTON’s platforms and services.
KRAFTON is responsible for premier entertainment properties, including PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS, PUBG MOBILE, The Callisto Protocol, NEW STATE MOBILE, Moonbreaker, Defense Derby and TERA. With a passionate and driven team across the globe, KRAFTON is a tech-forward company that possesses world-class capabilities and is set on expanding its business horizons to encompass multimedia entertainment and deep learning. For more information, visit www.krafton.com.