A digital store that sells one game at a time just earned a big investment.
Chrono.gg announced today that it has secured $ 1 million in funding, which it will use to build its team and launch new services. It’ll also try to grow awareness for its brand. AIM Group, the largest angel investor network in the Southeast, led the funding. Chrono.gg’s site differs from large digital game stores like Steam or GOG in that it highlights one game that it sells for a limited time at a discounted price.
“Our success comes and will continue to grow from providing the most frictionless experience possible for our customers and our partners,” Justin Sacks, chief executive officer of Chrono.gg, told GamesBeat. “For example, the website is essentially just one page. There’s only one way to purchase any of our games and only one game to purchase with everything you need up right there, clearly defined.”
Above: Justin Sacks, CEO, Chrono.gg.
It might seem strange to intentionally offer such a limited selection, but it stands out in a market that’s become crowded with new releases.
“There are more than 80 games launched on Steam every week (about 4200 in 2016), gamers finding the games that are of the quality they want and the mechanics/playstyle they’re looking for is getting more and more difficult,” Sacks said. “On the other side of the same coin – it’s becoming increasingly challenging for a game publisher to actually connect their game with its ideal audience. By us featuring just one at a time, we’re putting our stamp of approval on the title. If it’s a genre you’re interested in then we essentially guarantee your enjoyment.”
Chrono.gg also tries to connect indie titles with influencers like streamers.
“Influencer marketing is one of the ideal ways to create awareness and sales for any game product,” Sacks said. “But even the triple-A game publishers with hundreds of thousands of dollars and teams of 25 plus marketing folks are having trouble connecting with influencers. It’s hard to know who to reach out to, how to get in contact with them, and how to structure the relationship. Our background and networks help to solve this. We deeply understand the value of influencers and know how to put them together with the best game publishers.”
These influencers have included John “TotalBiscuit” Bain, whom Sacks calls Chrono.gg’s most successful partner.
