Big Viking Games gets $21m round of funding

Toronto-based Big Viking Games reported yesterday that it’s managed to snag $21.75m in funding from Canadian finance institutions.

It’s a solid endorsement for the social games outfit, and they’re planning to put the cash to good use building HTML5 games using the web that’ll load for players near instantaneously. This round of funding was led by The Royal Bank of Canada with $18m, alongside $3.75m from BDC Capital.

Big Viking are already one of the biggest independant studios in Canada, with over 100 employees and several games to their name already, including YoWorld, Tiny Tappers and Monsters and Dungeons.

As part of that trend, Toronto-based Big Viking Games reported today that it has attracted $21.75 in funding from Canadian financial institutions. The Royal Bank of Canada led the round with $18 million in financing alongside Export Development Canada and $3.75 million from BDC Capital’s Growth and Transition division. Big Viking plans to use that cash to expand its efforts building HTML5 games for the web that load instantaneously for players around the world.

HTML5 gaming made a big splash when it was unveiled, with its potential to let developers publish titles that were high quality but didn’t require a download or making consumers go to an app store before playing.

In a statement, Albert Lai, cofounder of Big Viking, said: “Starting in 2012, we made the decision to make significant investments in HTML5 instant games, We saw the potential of the technology and how it will define the future of mobile gaming and entertainment. Others have moved away from HTML5 due to the technical investment required, but we believe that open standards and more powerful devices will pave the way for a massive shift on mobile phones and tablets.”