Veteran video game developers have joined forces to establish Chamo Games. Founded by Zoher Toutanji, former COO of Hitman developer IO Interactive, and Roberto Schiavulli, ex-creative director at Raid: Shadow Legends developer Plarium, Chamo Games’ team includes devs from Riot Games, Ubisoft and CD Projekt Red and more.
Based in Malmö, Sweden, the venture-backed studio aims to bring a uniquely diverse European perspective to its physics-based shooter currently in development. Chamo’s team has scaled quickly, growing from its two founders to a team of 25 between September 2023 and March 2024. Today, Chamo’s staff works remotely from all around the world, allowing the company to blend even more cultural perspectives.
“Chamo Games is more than a studio; it’s a community dedicated to crafting innovative gameplay experiences. We’re eager to share our upcoming project that pushes the boundaries of gaming genres,” said Toutanji, CEO of Chamo Games.
The studio has committed to combining masterful craftsmanship with kindness and sustainable business practices. In line with its mission, the upcoming title is a “non-lethal FPS” promising additional innovative twists on conventions of the genre.
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“We believe in making games that prioritize player enjoyment and team well-being. Our diverse team is united in our vision to elevate PC and console gaming to new heights. Our first project is an unconventional game of skills, but it is also super fun. And from that fun we are building a game that is worth your time,” said Schiavulli, creative director of Chamo Games.
In addition to Toutanji and Schiavulli, Chamo Games’ leadership includes CTO David Lind, executive producer Stephanie Pecaoco, lead game designer Bastian Wendzinki and art director Sylvia Dybiec.
Chamo Games’ venture backing
Chamo Games secured venture backing for its unique mission-driven approach to games. While the company did not disclose details of the financing round, its most prominent investors include Lakestar, Sisu Game Ventures and Griffin Gaming Partners.
“We are incredibly excited to partner with Chamo Games on their journey. Roberto and Zoher are visionary founders with a proven track record of working on some of the most successful games out there,” said Mika Salmi, venture partner at Lakestar. “They combine this experience with a deep understanding of players. Together, they are bringing a much-needed fresh perspective to the European games industry.”
“We’re excited to support Chamo Games’ intentions of injecting more ambition into the European games landscape, bringing the player experience to the forefront in every decision, and building a friendly environment for top games talent,” said Jere Partanen, principal of Sisu Game Ventures. “With player expectations for games rising, every small gameplay detail deserves the level of focus and polish that Zoher, Roberto, and the rest of the Chamo team are committed to in their games.”
“Chamo Games stands out for its fusion of seasoned talent and innovative spirit. Their blend of understanding and passion, combined with a genuine focus on respect and enjoyment, makes them a studio to watch. We look forward to supporting a team that’s not just making games but shaping a new way to engage with them,” said Ibrahim Hafeez, investor at Griffin Gaming Partners.
Chamo Games is currently finalizing its first playable build and plans to have monthly playtests thereafter. Interested players and content creators can sign up to test the studio’s upcoming non-lethal FPS today.
