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Seattle-based Starform announced a $6 million funding round on November 12, 2024, to expand development of its live air-combat game Metalstorm and reach more players. BITKRAFT Ventures led the round, with Dune Ventures also participating. At the time, Starform reported more than 3 million players across the Epic Games Store, Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
What Starform’s $6 million raise was for
The November 2024 financing was a growth round for Metalstorm, not a new-game announcement. Starform said the funding would help it expand its development team and reach a larger audience for the game. GeekWire reported that the round brought the studio’s total funding to more than $13 million, following earlier rounds in 2019 and 2021. Those figures describe the company’s funding as reported in November 2024, not its current capitalization. GeekWire’s November 12, 2024 report covered the financing and investor participation.
BITKRAFT Ventures led the round and Dune Ventures participated. Starform is an independent Seattle studio led by CEO Lou Fasulo and co-founders Taylor Daynes and Jason English. In its announcement, BITKRAFT founding partner Malte Barth said, “Starform’s vision for accessible, cross-platform multiplayer competitive gaming is compelling.”
What kind of game is Metalstorm?
Starform describes Metalstorm as an air-combat arena shooter. Matches are 5v5 and designed for short sessions; aircraft have abilities that draw on their historical roles. The studio framed the game as accessible, team-based competition rather than a rigorous flight simulator. Its 2024 release called it the studio’s first “coffee break esport” and said players can join Squadrons, the game’s term for guilds.
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CEO and co-founder Lou Fasulo said in the 2024 announcement, “We believe in crafting short-session experiences that unite players across platforms.” At that time, the game was available through the Epic Games Store, Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
How Metalstorm’s reported audience and platform plans changed
Player totals below are company or executive claims as reported at the time; the sources do not establish an independent audit. Starform’s November 2024 announcement reported more than 3 million players across its three listed stores. In a September 23, 2026 interview, PocketGamer.biz reported Fasulo’s later figure of 15 million players. These are dated claims from different points in the game’s growth, not independently verified comparable counts.
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The same 2026 interview said a Steam launch had been announced for autumn 2026. A June 2026 update on the Metalstorm Steam Community update feed described new aircraft system upgrades and Flight Pass content, evidence that the game remained in active operation. The cited material does not confirm whether the autumn Steam launch had taken place; availability should be checked on Steam for the latest status.
Fasulo’s interview also quoted his view that “Studios that don’t have passionate players that are willing to invest their time and money become irrelevant.” That comment reflects his perspective on building a durable audience, rather than an independent assessment of Metalstorm’s player base.
Quick Recap
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- RAZER HYPERCLEAR CARDIOID MIC — Improved pickup pattern ensures more voice and less noise as it tapers off towards the mic’s back and sides
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