The global mobile gaming industry continues to attract strong investor interest, especially in fast-growing casual gaming segments. In a significant development, Soloband Games has secured a Series A investment from Zubr Capital. This funding marks a major milestone for the studio as it accelerates growth, enhances its flagship title, and strengthens its position in the competitive global gaming market.
The investment highlights increasing confidence in the Merge 2 gaming genre and the ability of emerging studios to scale globally with the right mix of creativity, technology, and strategic backing.
Soloband Games: A Rising Player in Mobile Gaming
Founded in Cyprus, Soloband Games focuses on creating casual mobile games designed for a worldwide audience. The studio has quickly established itself as a promising name in the industry, thanks to its innovative approach to gameplay and storytelling.
At the center of its success is its flagship title, World Tour Merge. This game belongs to the rapidly expanding Merge 2 category, which blends puzzle mechanics with narrative-driven gameplay.
The studio operates with a lean but highly skilled team of 25 professionals, bringing together expertise from well-known gaming companies such as Playrix and Melsoft Games. This combination of experience and innovation has allowed Soloband Games to deliver a polished and engaging product in a competitive market.
Understanding the Merge 2 Gaming Trend
The Merge 2 genre has gained significant traction in recent years, appealing to a broad audience of casual gamers. These games typically involve combining items to unlock new elements, progress through levels, and uncover storylines.
What sets Merge 2 games apart is their ability to merge:
- Simple, intuitive mechanics
- Engaging storytelling
- Long-term progression systems
This combination creates a highly addictive gameplay loop that encourages retention and repeat engagement.
World Tour Merge leverages this formula effectively by integrating a narrative centered around travel, exploration, and personal growth.
Inside World Tour Merge: Gameplay and Storyline
World Tour Merge is more than just a puzzle game—it is a story-driven experience designed to keep players emotionally invested.
The game follows Ellie, a character who receives a long-awaited ticket for her dream journey. Accompanied by her loyal dog Max, she embarks on an adventure across different countries.
Key Gameplay Elements:
- Puzzle-based merging mechanics
- Exploration of diverse global locations
- Interaction with unique characters
- Gradual story progression
As players advance, they unlock new environments, discover hidden elements, and experience a narrative that evolves over time. This storytelling approach not only enhances engagement but also opens opportunities for future expansions and franchise development.
Strong Market Performance and User Engagement
Soloband Games has already demonstrated strong market traction with World Tour Merge.
Key Metrics:
- Over 1 million downloads
- 4.8-star player rating
- Positive revenue growth
These figures indicate a strong product-market fit and highlight the game’s appeal among global audiences.
The high rating reflects user satisfaction, while the growing download numbers demonstrate the game’s ability to attract and retain players in a competitive marketplace.
Investment Driven by Growth Potential
The decision by Zubr Capital to invest in Soloband Games was influenced by several key factors:
- A highly experienced development team
- A proven product with strong user engagement
- Positioning within a rapidly growing gaming segment
The Merge 2 category continues to expand, both in terms of downloads and revenue, making it an attractive space for investors.
Leadership Vision and Strategic Goals
Aleksandr Kislitsyn emphasized the company’s focus on balancing innovation with user experience:
“Since 2024, we have been focused on building products that feel modern and meet the highest industry standards while also reflecting our own experience and perspective.”
He further noted that the investment represents a turning point for the company, enabling it to scale its flagship product and enhance its overall strategy.
How the Funding Will Be Used
The Series A investment will allow Soloband Games to accelerate its growth across multiple areas.
Key Focus Areas:
- Expanding in-game content
- Improving monetisation strategies
- Enhancing user retention systems
- Strengthening user acquisition efforts
The company also plans to reach new global markets and refine its live operations to ensure long-term sustainability.
Expanding Global Reach
With additional funding, Soloband Games aims to broaden its international presence. This includes:
- Targeting new geographic markets
- Localizing content for diverse audiences
- Increasing marketing and acquisition efforts
By expanding its reach, the company hopes to capitalize on the growing demand for casual mobile games worldwide.
Zubr Capital’s Investment Perspective
Nikita Krivelevich explained the rationale behind the investment:
“Soloband Games represents exactly the kind of company we look to support: a team with deep industry expertise and a product with proven market fit.”
Zubr Capital sees strong potential for the studio to capture a significant share of the Merge 2 segment as it continues to grow globally.
The Global Mobile Gaming Market Outlook
The broader mobile gaming industry is experiencing rapid growth, driven by increasing smartphone adoption and evolving player preferences.
According to industry projections, the global mobile gaming in-app market is expected to approach $100 billion by 2028.
Within this ecosystem, casual games—and particularly Merge 2 titles—are gaining popularity due to their accessibility and engaging mechanics.
This trend creates a favorable environment for studios like Soloband Games to scale and innovate.
The Importance of Live Operations
One of the key success factors in mobile gaming today is effective live operations. This involves:
- Regular content updates
- Event-driven engagement
- Continuous performance optimization
Soloband Games plans to invest heavily in this area, ensuring that World Tour Merge remains fresh and engaging for players over time.
Building a Scalable Gaming Franchise
Beyond its current success, Soloband Games is also focused on long-term growth through franchise development.
The narrative-driven structure of World Tour Merge provides a strong foundation for:
- New chapters and story expansions
- Spin-off titles
- Cross-platform experiences
This approach allows the company to build a sustainable gaming ecosystem rather than relying on a single product.
About Soloband Games
Soloband Games is a Cyprus-based mobile game studio dedicated to creating casual games for a global audience. With a team of 25 professionals and experience from leading companies like Playrix and Melsoft, the studio focuses on delivering scalable and engaging gaming experiences.
About Zubr Capital
Zubr Capital is a growth equity firm managing approximately $250 million across 30 technology companies. The firm is expanding its presence in Cyprus as part of its long-term strategy.
Its investor base includes the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, reflecting strong institutional backing.
Conclusion
The Series A investment in Soloband Games marks a significant step forward for the studio and highlights the growing importance of the Merge 2 gaming segment.
With a strong team, a successful flagship product, and the backing of Zubr Capital, Soloband Games is well-positioned to expand its global footprint and continue delivering engaging gaming experiences.
As the mobile gaming market approaches the $100 billion milestone, studios that combine creativity, data-driven strategies, and scalable operations will lead the next wave of growth—and Soloband Games is clearly on that path.
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