The Seattle-based independent production studio responsible for the successful video game Pacific Drive has raised $4 million in seed funding.
The investment round, spearheaded by Lifelike Capital, is intended to finance the upcoming game from Ironwood Studios, headquartered in Redmond, Washington.
Pacific Drive, which was launched in February 2024 for PlayStation, Xbox, and PC platforms and published by Kepler Interactive, offers a unique “driving survival” experience set in 1998. Players must construct, repair, and customize an old station wagon to navigate a science-altered zone in the rural Pacific Northwest.
Unlike traditional combat games, PD focuses on outsmarting and avoiding environmental threats while utilizing scrap metal and salvaged components to maintain the vehicle’s functionality. Ironwood Studios CEO and creative director, Cassandra Dracott, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to continue producing games and excitement for the studio’s future prospects.
Ironwood Studios has confirmed that PD has sold over 1.5 million copies since its launch and is available on the Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Plus subscription services. The studio also introduced a paid expansion pack for PD, titled Whispers in the Woods, in October.
In a significant development, filmmaker James Wan, known for movies such as Saw and The Conjuring, acquired the television rights for Pacific Drive in 2024. However, details about the project remain undisclosed to the public.
