Brooklyn-based art and media company MOTHER Games announced its launch out of stealth and $5 million in funding for its mobile game Le Zoo. Launched by two visionary mothers, Kelsey Falter and Raissa Chagas, MOTHER creates transformative experiences designed to awaken players to their mental programming and expand their inner worlds through play.
MOTHER’s productions are designed to liberate rather than oppress, helping players recognize and break free from the cultural programming of the mind.
And unlike traditional mobile games that exploit the dopamine system to addict players, MOTHER’s first game Le Zoo, focuses on the serotonin cycle to expand perception and generate awareness. Le Zoo stands out for its mission, philosophical depth, and beautiful visuals, offering players a surreal and psychedelic world that is fun and satisfying to explore. MOTHER has secured $5 million in pre-seed funding from BoxGroup, Shine, and Lerer Hippeau, which will support the continued development of Le Zoo and future productions.
Le Zoo by MOTHER is a platform where players can explore a multi-tiered theme park packed with diverse neighborhoods, park attractions and characters that challenge perception of reality. And the platform features emergent mechanics and a 3D open world, enabling players to craft their own experiences and interact with an ever-evolving storyline. With creative flexibility across various experiences and session types, Le Zoo offers a surprising take on mobile gaming, blending new and nostalgic art styles.
Launched in 2023, MOTHER brings together a visionary trio of makers:
1.) Kelsey Falter – Tech entrepreneur (CEO of Poptip, which was acquired by Palantir), award-winning movie producer (30+ awards, debut at Venice Film Festival 2021), and accomplished designer and artist (2023 Design Miami Art Basel Curio Award Winner)
2.) Raissa Chagas – IMG Talent and multimedia creative with deep expertise in culture and entertainment
3.) Nikita Antonov – Former founder of neuroscience lucid dreaming company Luciding
MOTHER has emerged from their collective journey of industry disillusionment, the paradigm shifts of motherhood, psychedelic exploration and personal mind-body practices. Headed by a vision to transfor the system they once left behind, the founders returned with a mission to transform the industry from within. Their bold approach has attracted a global team of industry veterans, including Brian Alcazar, lead of Grand Theft Auto V and contributor to over 20 gaming titles; Matias Corea, co-founder of the world’s largest creative platform Behance (acquired by Adobe); Christof Stanits, award-winning digital artist; and Yvgen Kopa, former Ubisoft engineering lead.
KEY QUOTES:
“With the launch of MOTHER and the announcement of Le Zoo, we’re giving people a key to unlock the cages of the mind through the power of play. Life is a game, but too often we find ourselves playing by rules we never consciously chose. We built Le Zoo to help players remember who they really are—with less ‘doing the work’ and more fun.”
-Kelsey Falter, co-founder and CEO of MOTHER
“Le Zoo is more than just a game – it’s a mirror that reflects our reality back to us in new and surprising ways. By blurring the line between game and life, we create opportunities for players to see their world with fresh eyes.”
-Raissa Chagas, co-founder of MOTHER
“MOTHER is breaking new ground in the gaming industry with its visionary understanding of how to change your mind and their commitment to creating deeply transformative experiences. Their focus on blending wild and captivating gameplay with consciousness expansion sets them apart from the rest. With the state of the world we live in today, we’re proud to support MOTHER and eagerly anticipate the impact Le Zoo will have on players globally.”
-David Tisch, Partner at BoxGroup
