DENMU announces updates on some of its portfolio developers and game projects, and introduces its collaboration with the PlayStation China Hero Project
San Francisco, November 5, 2026 (Thursday) – Global gaming investment firm DENMU announced today that its inaugural fund, DENMU Fund I, has completed its final close. The fund was oversubscribed, with total committed capital exceeding the initial target of $50 million, supporting game developers from development through launch and subsequent growth. Following the fundraising progress announced in June this year, DENMU has now completed its final close, continuing to expand its portfolio across PC, console, and mobile platforms, spanning from indie games to AAA productions. The fund's limited partners include strategic investors from the gaming industry, corporate founders, family offices, and foundations.
Ryan You, Managing Partner and CEO of DENMU, stated: "We founded DENMU to support games with distinct creative identities and to build long-term partnerships with the creators behind them. This oversubscription gives us greater capacity to achieve this goal. Each game company has unique needs regarding funding, production support, and player reach. Our job is to understand these specific needs and establish partnerships that can support the long-term development of both games and companies."
Alongside the announcement of the final close, DENMU also revealed the latest progress of some portfolio companies and game projects:
• Fuse Games: Its developed title STAR WARS: Galactic Racer was released on October 6, 2026. DENMU supports the studio Fuse Games behind this game; the game was published by Secret Mode in collaboration with Lucasfilm Games. It received a nomination for "Ultimate Game of the Year" at the Golden Joystick Awards. According to Forbes, its Metacritic score is the highest for a Star Wars game in nearly 23 years.
• DABA: Land of Water Scar: This action RPG developed by Dark Star Games will be published by Sony Interactive Entertainment (PlayStation) and is scheduled for release in spring 2027. DENMU is working closely with PlayStation on this project and has become an official strategic partner of the PlayStation China Hero Project.
• Well Dweller: A dark fairy tale-style Metroidvania created by Kyle Thompson, recently published by Top Hat Studios, an affiliate of DENMU. Released in September 2026, the game currently holds a Metacritic score of 89 and has received "Overwhelmingly Positive" reviews from Steam players.
• CLUTCH: Developed by Maverick Games, founded by former members of the Forza Horizon creative team, the game is set against the backdrop of the French Riviera, blending professional racing with underground street racing in an open world. Published by Focus Entertainment, the game is scheduled for release in 2027.
• MOTORSLICE: Developed by Brazilian studio Regular Studio, it reached the top ten of Steam's global best-sellers list and is one of the best-selling indie games developed in Brazil.
• The Hundred Line -Last Defense Academy-: Ranked seventh in Rolling Stone's list of "The 25 Best Video Games of 2025."
• Labyrinth of the Demon King: Named "Best Horror Game of 2025" by PC Gamer.
DENMU's previously announced portfolio also includes Star Resonance, Bleach: Brave Souls, Silly Polly Beast, and Chinese Paladin 4 Remake.
As of November 5, 2026, based on released premium games, the average Metacritic score of DENMU's portfolio exceeds 80, and the global positive review rate on Steam is over 90%.
Sony Interactive Entertainment recently announced that DENMU will participate as a strategic partner in the upgrade of the support system for the China Hero Project. Launched by PlayStation, the China Hero Project aims to further expand its global partnership network and provide highly customized professional services to Chinese game developers. DABA: Land of Water Scar is a selected title in the third phase of the China Hero Project.
DENMU designs financing solutions tailored to the actual needs of games and companies, including single-project financing and multi-project portfolio financing. With expertise in investment, publishing, and production, the team helps developers and publishers expand into Asian and Western markets, establishing long-term partnerships that go beyond individual titles. DENMU is currently evaluating a batch of potential investment projects covering indie, AA, and AAA games.
About DENMU
Co-founded in 2025 by Michael Fan, Devin Maa, and Ryan You, DENMU is a gaming investment firm headquartered in San Francisco. DENMU helps creators with distinct creative visions realize their works through flexible capital, industry expertise, and market expansion support targeting global players. For more information, please visit denmu.com.