RallyHere
RallyHere, a subsidiary of Hi-Rez Ventures, emerged from a 2023 restructuring of Hi-Rez Studios that split the game developer into three independent units.
Profile
Provides backend infrastructure for live service video games
RallyHere, a subsidiary of Hi-Rez Ventures, emerged from a 2023 restructuring of Hi-Rez Studios that split the game developer into three independent units. Originally founded as an internal support platform for Hi-Rez's live service games like Smite and Paladins, RallyHere now operates as a standalone provider of live service game infrastructure. The company specializes in backend tools for multiplayer game operations, including matchmaking, player analytics, and monetization systems.
Its technology underpins several major free-to-play titles, though the 2023 layoffs of nearly 30 staff—primarily in publishing roles—signaled growing pains during the spinout. The games-as-a-service sector faces turbulence post-pandemic, with RallyHere's CEO Stewart Chisam acknowledging an industry 'oversupply' of live service games that led to studio closures and missed revenue targets. Despite this, the company maintains that cross-platform multiplayer and free-to-play models remain durable trends.
RallyHere's financials are not publicly disclosed, but its parent company Hi-Rez Ventures employed over 450 people prior to restructuring. The subsidiary now competes in a consolidating market for game operations platforms, where it must prove its tools can withstand the pressure of shrinking player hours across non-marquee titles.
Who buys this
- Mid-sized game development studios
- Free-to-play multiplayer game publishers
- Teams transitioning from single-player to live service models
- Cross-platform game operators
- Studios needing matchmaking and player analytics
Strengths and what to watch
Strengths
- Proven tech stack scaled across Hi-Rez's own successful titles like Smite
- Specialization in free-to-play monetization and cross-platform play
- Firsthand experience with post-pandemic live service market corrections
Watch for
- Dependence on a shrinking pool of non-AAA live service games
- Unproven traction beyond original Hi-Rez studio ecosystem post-spinout
- Potential conflicts serving competitors to parent company's games
Key Information
- Founded
- 2016
- Headquarters
- Alpharetta, Georgia, United States
Frequently Asked Questions
What is RallyHere?
RallyHere provides backend infrastructure for live service video games, spun off from Hi-Rez Studios in 2023. It offers matchmaking, player analytics, and monetization systems, originally developed for Hi-Rez titles like Smite. The company now serves third-party studios with multiplayer game operations tools.
Who uses RallyHere's game backend services?
Mid-sized studios and free-to-play publishers adopt RallyHere, particularly those transitioning to live service models or requiring cross-platform support. Its tools cater to teams needing scalable matchmaking and analytics without building in-house solutions, serving games similar to Hi-Rez's own Smite and Paladins titles.
How does RallyHere handle cross-platform multiplayer?
RallyHere's infrastructure supports cross-platform play by managing player identities, matchmaking pools, and progression systems across devices. The tech was proven in Hi-Rez's titles before becoming a standalone service, though post-spinout adoption beyond the parent company's ecosystem remains unconfirmed.
What challenges does RallyHere face?
The company navigates industry oversupply of live service games and shrinking player hours for non-AAA titles. Its 2023 layoffs reflected restructuring pains, while potential conflicts may arise serving competitors to Hi-Rez's games. Market consolidation also pressures its standalone viability.
Is RallyHere good for free-to-play monetization?
Yes, RallyHere specializes in free-to-play systems, with tools for battle passes, in-game purchases, and player retention analytics. Its tech scaled successful monetization in Hi-Rez's titles, though post-pandemic market corrections require studios to carefully evaluate player spending trends.
How did Hi-Rez Studios' restructuring affect RallyHere?
The 2023 split created RallyHere as an independent unit, separating it from Hi-Rez's development teams. While retaining core technology, the spinout involved layoffs (primarily publishing staff) and required RallyHere to establish itself beyond its original internal service role.
Sources
- www.gamesindustry.biz — CEO commentary on live service market oversupply
- www.gamesindustry.biz — Restructuring details and layoff figures
- rallyhere.gg — Corporate branding and structure
- www.bloomberg.com — Market context for tech spending