*By Chloe Aiello* Former Take-Two CEO Kelly Sumner is looking for the next big game. But rather than investing hundreds of millions, his blockchain-based video game publisher Planet Digital Partners is targeting mid-level games often ignored by big publishers. "Electronic Arts, Take-Two, Activision ($ATVI), etc., they are spending hundreds of millions of dollars on a game, expecting to be ... getting billions. And the kind of middle, where there's sort of really good, exciting games, isn't there," Sumner told Cheddar Friday. Planet Digital launched a Security Token Offering on Thursday with the goal of democratizing game development and funding alternative games. The company is offering 38 million "Rocket Tokens" at $1 per token to accredited investors. Sumner said he expects investors will be paid dividends as soon as the first quarter of 2020. "This raise will allow us to actually go out and find maybe the next 'Grand Theft Auto,' maybe the next 'Guitar Hero,' because they started off ー not as billion dollar franchises ー but they became billion dollar franchises," Sumner said. For investors, the token launch represents investment in a portfolio of games. Three games in the pipeline for distribution so far are Cabela's "The Hunt," "Cooking Mama," and Bass Pro "The Strike." Sumner admitted they aren't games he would necessarily play, but said they have a promising market. "We're not trying to get the next soccer game or the next 'Call of Duty,' etc. We are looking at the opportunity of investing $5 million into a game, $10 million into a game ー a game that will have revenues of $50 million plus, where our competitors ... won't even get out of bed for that," he said. Sumner also said blockchain offers opportunities for Planet Digital, not only in funding and security, but in interactive game-play. He said there's potential to introduce interactive trading features between game players and game watchers, which could unveil a whole new element to game play. "Blockchain brings some really interesting opportunities," he said.

Share:
More In Culture
On a Positive Note: High Schoolers Headed to Africa to Connect with Their Roots
Members of the Kappa League mentoring program at Wyandanch Memorial High School in Long Island, NY are preparing for an educational trip to Ghana. Principal Paul Sibblies is on a mission to enrich his students' lives to put some of them in touch with their roots. "When you invest in young people, then it's the greatest investment you can make," he said.
On a Positive Note: Students With Disabilities Graduate from SANYS
A group of 15 students recently graduated from SANYS U., a six-week program held by the Self Advocacy Association of New York State. The course helps people with disabilities to advocate on their own behalf, learning more about their rights, legislation and issues that matter most.
The Minivan Is Turning 40 Years Old This Year
The minivan is turning 40 years old this year. While it made up just 1.8 percent of the car market in 2022, that number could begin to tick up, as more families increase interest in the car's advantages. Cheddar News' senior reporter Michelle Castillo takes a deeper look at the minivan's lineage.
Load More