Independent game development studio Emptyvessel has announced it has raised a total of $11 million in funding to date. The amount includes both a previously secured seed round and a recently completed Series A round. The funding will support the continued development of its debut title, Defect, as well as the growth of the studio's team and infrastructure. The expansion effort comes as anticipation builds around the game's development progress and public interest in its future release.
Emptyvessel Raises $11 Million For FPS
$11 Million Raised to Date
NCSoft and 1AM Gaming led the Series A round, with Black Phoenix Games, Anurup Joseph, and Sebastiaan Hejne also participating. Sisu Game Ventures, Raptor Group, and Compute returned from earlier rounds. NCSoft has entered into a long-term strategic partnership with Emptyvessel that includes both equity investment and publishing and development resources. Jeonghee Jin, CEO of NC America, has joined Emptyvessel's board of directors as part of the deal.
The funding will support development of Defect across console platforms and enhance the single-player experience. It will also enable strategic hires, improved development infrastructure, and sustainable production practices as the team expands. The studio plans to use the capital to scale operations while maintaining its creative focus on building a distinctive game in the FPS space.
Cyberpunk First Person Shoooter
Defect is a cyberpunk-themed, squad-based immersive objective shooter set in a dystopian future where artificial intelligence enforces control through militarized police forces. Players engage in multi-objective combat scenarios against rogue factions in a city ruled by automation. The game features both single-player and multiplayer modes. Emptyvessel's distributed team includes veterans from Doom, Quake, Call of Duty, The Last of Us, and Borderlands.
The studio currently employs 14 core developers and plans to expand over the next year. Team members are based across the United States, Europe, Japan, Australia, and other locations. Emptyvessel emphasizes measured growth, prioritizing creative quality and long-term development sustainability over rapid scaling.
The game's debut trailer has accumulated more than 1.9 million views on YouTube. Development updates have showcased new screenshots, an overview of the "Meatstack" map, and previews of in-game assets like the "Crowd Control" weapon. These previews offer a glimpse into the atmosphere and design direction the studio is pursuing.
Emptyvessel Raises $11 Million For FPS
Studio Vision and Market Position
Emptyvessel is positioning Defect as a title that challenges existing norms in the first-person shooter market. The studio takes a design-forward approach to gameplay and visual storytelling. CEO and game director Emanuel Palalic has stated the team remains committed to creating a unique FPS experience through immersive environments and well-developed mechanics.
Award-winning composer Mick Gordon, known for his work on Doom, Prey, and Borderlands 3, is developing the soundtrack for both the game and the studio brand. His involvement contributes to the game's distinct tone and atmosphere.
Investors have expressed confidence in Emptyvessel's vision and capabilities. NCSoft highlighted the studio's approach to player experience and game design as a core reason for their investment. Gregory Milken, managing director at 1AM Gaming, called the studio's work a fresh approach to the FPS genre. Dan Bunting, venture partner at 1AM Gaming and an early supporter, emphasized the potential of Defect to reshape expectations in the shooter market.
Emptyvessel Raises $11 Million For FPS
Looking Ahead
Defect is currently in development for PC and console platforms. It is available for Wishlisting on both the Steam and Epic Games Store. Emptyvessel plans to share additional gameplay details in the near future. With its new funding, the studio is positioned to advance toward a more complete reveal and eventual launch.
As interest in the game continues to build, Emptyvessel's development progress reflects broader trends in independent game development, including distributed teams, sustainable production, and growing collaborations with larger industry players. While the studio maintains a deliberate pace, its expansion and funding mark a significant step toward realizing its creative goals.
