Discovery Bay Games, a maker of gaming accessories and add-ons for tablet computers and smartphones, has raised $15 million from Trilogy Equity Partners and computer hardware maker Logitech. The Seattle company will use the new funds to continue development of its Duo accessories, devices that combine digital and physical gameplay in new ways.
We reported on a portion of the funds back in June, money that came just a few weeks after former Microsoft and Clearwire exec Michael Sievert joined as CEO. Trilogy is led by wireless veteran John Stanton, a board member at Clearwire.
Started as a traditional board game maker in 2006, Discovery Bay has expanded its lineup of Duo devices in recent months. It has developed a Duo-powered controller for classic Atari arcade games, as well as a $40 “Let’s Play Backpack” accessory with the theme of Dora the Explorer.
In the case of the Dora backpack, it connects wirelessly with the Duo iPad ap, unlocking new adventures and games such as ‘Let’s Listen,’ ‘Let’s Pack,’ ‘Let’s Match,’ and ‘Say It Two Ways.’
Discovery Bay has three more themed game accessories and controllers in the works for launch this fall. It is also developing new products for next year, including products developed with Atari, Gameloft and HIT Entertainment.
“Discovery Bay Games has a strong team and a major opportunity to be out in front of a significant trend,” said Trilogy’s Stanton in a statement. “The company has the potential to lead an entirely new category of consumer products built to enable enhanced gameplay on iPad, iPhone and iPod touch.”
With the new round of cash, Discovery Bay has raised about $40 million. The company, which laid off an unspecified number of staffers in June, didn’t disclose its current headcount.
