“Being private really helped us refine our gameplay, improve our communications, and incorporate anti-bullying technology,” Rassás said.Ĭreative Art Studio - Accessible from Centrum, this art gallery gives players tools to compose works of art by themselves, or collaboratively with others - from canvas paintings, 3D sculptures, and 2D animated flip books. But it has reduced down to a core of nine people now, and it pushed out its launch date until now. Rassás said that the reverse merger was “less than satisfying.” So the company went private about a year ago, reduced its overhead, and kept working on Hypatia. But in 2016, to get more financing, TimefireVR went public via a reverse merger, where a private company allows itself to be acquired by a publicly traded shell company.

That’s a tough task for a company based in Phoenix, Arizona.Įarly on, angel investors put $1 million into the company. All told, the company has raised $4 million to date. It’s been challenging bringing it to market. The company started working on the game in 2014. Upon launching the game, players get keys to the city to explore Hypatia’s streets and buildings. The city will change and grow over time, as players make their marks and new game updates arrive, Rassás said. In the city of Hypatia, creators and players can find a safe space for players of all ages, Rassás said.

Each building and district offers activities and minigames, such as boat racing between islands, shopping at zero gravity malls, or taking part in alien space battles. Rassás said that careful moderation will ensure the city remains a welcoming, inclusive space.

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