Vela Games

High-Level Overview

Vela Games is a Dublin-based independent game studio specializing in cooperative multiplayer games, particularly in the Multiplayer Online Co-Operative (MOCO) genre. The company develops *Evercore Heroes*, a real-time, skill-based competitive PvE game where teams of four players coordinate to battle bosses, level up characters, and compete against rival teams in a dungeon-crawling experience powered by Unreal Engine.[1][2][3][4] It serves gamers seeking positive, approachable online multiplayer experiences that emphasize teamwork over toxicity, solving the problem of intimidating competitive gaming communities by fostering coordination, growth mindset, and fun through player-first design.[2][4] With $17.3M in funding, including a 2021 investment from Novator, Vela has grown from 12 to 50 employees, achieving milestones like a closed beta launch in June 2022 and leveraging AWS for 60% faster build times to accelerate development.[3][4][6]

Origin Story

Vela Games was founded in 2017 or 2018 by former Riot Games developers, including co-founder Travis George, who drew inspiration from MOBAs like *League of Legends* but pivoted to create cooperative alternatives.[2][6] Based in Dublin, Ireland, at 45 Blackburne Square, the studio emerged from a vision to build friendlier multiplayer games amid frustrations with toxic online communities.[2][4] Early traction came from assembling a world-class team and securing funding, including Novator's 2021 investment, enabling rapid growth to 50 employees and development of *Project V* (later *Evercore Heroes*), which entered closed beta in 2022.[1][3][4][6] Pivotal moments include adopting AWS infrastructure for scalable development and unveiling the game at industry events, emphasizing iteration and player feedback from day one.[3][4]

Core Differentiators

• Cooperative PvE Focus: Unlike traditional MOBAs, *Evercore Heroes* pits four teams of four against shared bosses and maps, blending competition with coordination to prioritize skill, strategy, and team diversity over individual PvP toxicity.[1][2][4]
• Player-First Philosophy: Emphasizes positive experiences through deliberate gameplay, community tools, and technology choices, with principles like "growth mindset," "co-op at every level," and rapid iteration based on feedback.[2][4]
• Technical Edge: Uses AWS (e.g., Amazon EC2, FSx for OpenZFS) for 60% faster build times, over 1M IOPS, and scalability, allowing a small infra team to support hybrid/remote growth while focusing on game dev.[3]
• Independent Agility: Fully independent with a "players first, not bottom line" ethos, community-driven betas, and Unreal Engine for immersive, near-real-time play, backed by $17.3M funding.[3][4][6]

Role in the Broader Tech Landscape

Vela Games rides the wave of cooperative gaming trends, capitalizing on post-pandemic demand for social, non-toxic multiplayer amid MOBAs' dominance and industry burnout from hyper-competitive titles.[2] Timing aligns with cloud gaming's rise—leveraging AWS for efficient scaling—and a shift toward PvE experiences that retain players longer through teamwork, as seen in successes like *Destiny 2* or *Helldivers 2*.[3] Market forces like AR/VR growth, hybrid workforces, and investor interest in indie studios (e.g., Novator's backing) favor Vela's model, influencing the ecosystem by pioneering MOCO genres and promoting healthier online communities via deliberate design.[1][2][5] As gaming firms like Riot lay off staff, independents like Vela demonstrate resilience through focused innovation and player retention.[2]

Quick Take & Future Outlook

Vela Games is poised for expansion with *Evercore Heroes* potentially launching post-beta, targeting global gamers via PC/console platforms and building on AWS efficiencies for cross-play scalability.[3][4] Trends like AI-driven personalization, metaverse co-op, and esports for teams (not solos) will shape its path, amplifying influence as a antidote to toxic gaming. Expect partnerships, sequels in MOCO, and ecosystem impact through talent attraction—proving that player-first studios like Vela can thrive independently, uniting gamers as promised from their Dublin origins.[2][4]