HTC backs Pixar, Lucasfilm and Telltale vets’ VR studio with $5m investment

Vive maker HTC has invested in a start-up virtual reality developer formed by ex-members of major film and games firms.

Steel Wool Studios was founded by veterans from Pixar, Lucasfilm and Telltale Games and launched its first VR titles, Quar: Battle for Gate 18, alongside the Vive back in April.

The $5 million in funding from HTC will go towards bankrolling further VR efforts, including the upcoming simulation Mars Odyssey, which is set for a September release.

“The Steel Wool Studios team carries an impressive pedigree of creative talent that has already proven its ability to build cutting-edge content for the nascent VR category,” commented HTC CEO Cher Wang (via GamesBeat).

“Taking a look at Mars Odyssey and Steel Wool’s other projects under development, it’s immediately clear that this studio will drive VR adoption with great content that balances amazing visual fidelity with strong storytelling.”