Curio Raises $5.7 Million to Launch Duper Season One, Co-led by Bain Capital Crypto and SevenX Ventures
Get ready to experience high-stakes fun and strategic gameplay with Duper!
Curio, a leading games studio and developer, has secured an additional $5.7 million in funding, supported by Bain Capital Crypto and SevenX Ventures, with participation from OKX Ventures. This latest round follows the $2.9 million raised in 2022, led by Bain Capital Crypto.
Alongside the funding announcement, Curio has introduced Duper, its flagship strategy game, and kicked off its first season. Duper is a dynamic wagering social strategy game that emphasizes collusion, deception, and teamwork, where 5 players engage in intense 40-minute high-stakes matches filled with strategic maneuvers and chaotic fun. Drawing inspiration from real money skill-based games like Poker, Duper combines these elements with a digital medium that players are familiar with, all within the browser.
“Our vision for Duper is to be the ultimate digital-native, skill-based wagering game. Existing skill-based wagering games like Poker and Mahjong were created decades ago, long before video games were prevalent. Duper merges the exciting mechanics of a skill-based wagering game with the immersive nature of a video game,” stated Yijia Chen, CEO and Co-Founder.
“While most crypto games try to replicate traditional video games, we took a different approach by looking at classic board games and card games that are simple, endlessly replayable, and seamlessly integrate stakes with the gameplay as part of the core design. Due to this unique format, Duper is highly accessible. We aim for Duper to become a household name, akin to Catan and Poker,” added Kevin Zhang, Co-founder.
The Duper team comprises gaming veterans from prominent web2 studios like MiHoYo (Genshin Impact) and Lilith (Rise of Kingdoms), as well as top web3 talent, collaborating to redefine the gaming landscape. Established in 2022, Curio is committed to developing innovative games and infrastructure that leverage blockchain technology to deliver fresh and unique experiences.
“Duper offers a seemingly infinite well of strategic depth. Forming alliances, making trades, deception, and taking heart-pounding risks are all part of the game. In Duper, every player has a shot at claiming the pot, provided they consider all possibilities,” added PhyzixTeacher, core contributor at Citadel.
Presently, web3 games struggle to retain players due to uninspired game design. Without a compelling core loop that synergizes with crypto, these games tend to be lackluster or mere replicas of existing web2 games. There is currently a gap in the market for games that seamlessly integrate stakes and money with engaging, novel gameplay. While many developers focus on hyper-casual games or massive multiplayer online games (MMOs), which often struggle to compete with web2 games in the long term, Duper takes a different approach by positioning itself as the “poker for web3” or the go-to crypto board game, developed from scratch with a unique IP.
“We have been working with the Curio team since their inception and are continually impressed by their vision for the future of games leveraging blockchain components,” said Stephan Cohen, Partner at Bain Capital Crypto. “By focusing on emerging social dynamics and skill-based wagering, Curio combines the best aspects of timeless games like Poker and Mahjong with the immersive qualities of video games. We are thrilled to partner with them as they pioneer the next generation of strategy games.”
Today marks the release of Duper’s first season — a month-long tournament with substantial prize pools. Players can currently acquire loot boxes, unlocking emblems that serve as the economic foundation of the Duper ecosystem.
To start playing Duper and stay informed about upcoming news, visit duper.gg.
About Curio
Curio is a leading crypto games studio dedicated to creating groundbreaking games that leverage blockchain technology to enhance player experiences. Their debut game, Treaty, is a 4X strategy game that enables players to form on-chain social agreements and “treaties” with each other. Curio is supported by Bain Capital Crypto, SevenX Ventures, TCG Crypto, OKX Ventures, Formless Capital, Smrti Labs, and Robot Ventures.
About Duper
Duper is a distinctive social strategy game that blends wagering with elements of collusion and teamwork. Launched in May 2024, Duper offers an immersive and replayable gaming experience where players can engage in high-stakes strategic battles.
For more information and updates, follow Curio and Duper on Twitter: Curio Twitter and Duper Twitter.
ContactSenior PR ManagerKayla Gillbcc@serotonin.co