London studio Space Ape Games raises $7m

London-based mobile developer Space Ape Games has secured $7m in a series C funding round.

The studio plans to use the money to hire up to 30 to 40 staff during the next six months. The funding round was led by Northzone , Accel Partners, Initial Capital and Connect Ventures, bringing total investment in the developer to $11m to date.

Former Zynga and EA EVP Barry Cottle and David Gardner have take advisory roles at the studio while Northzone’s Jeppe Zink will join the board.

Space Ape has also announced its second game, mobile RTS Rival Kingdoms: Age of Ruin. Tomb Raider writer Rhianna Pratchett was enlisted to develop the game’s backstory and characters.

The studio’s first game Samurai Siege was released on mobile and tablets last year and has so far been downloaded ten million times, generating more than $20m in revenue.