Might and Magic creator nets $70M in VC

While World of Warcraft has dominated the massively multiplayer online game genre for years, there's no shortage of potential competitors on the horizon. One possible usurper to the throne got a boost this week, as startup developer Trion World Networks announced that it has secured an additional $70 million in funding, bringing its total seed money to $100 million.

Trion was founded in 2006 by Might and Magic series creator and former NCsoft developer Jon Van Caneghem and for EA vice president of global online Lars Buttler. The operation is currently split between offices in Texas (Austin) and California (Redwood City and San Diego), but has not yet released any games.

In announcing the funding this week, Trion said it was provided by venture capital firms and media companies including Time Warner, NBC Universal, and GE Commercial Finance. As for what that cash injection will fund, Trion has announced two projects it will self-publish in North America and Europe. One is a fantasy role-playing MMO game overseen by Van Caneghem, and the company also has a separate MMO title being developed in conjunction with Sci Fi Channel.