Strategic Pivot: ELYSIUM Game & Elysia AI Ascend Beyond Kickstarter

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — September 26, 2026. Mercenary Games, the innovative studio behind the ambitious ELYSIUM game and the groundbreaking Elysia AI, today announced a strategic decision to conclude its current crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter. This move marks a significant evolution in the company's trajectory, shifting focus from small-scale fundraising to securing substantial investment and pursuing major platform releases.
A Strategic Realignment: From Micro-Funding to Macro-Vision
When we launched our initial campaign, our goal was to connect with our first 5,000 players and validate the core concept of ELYSIUM. However, the landscape has evolved dramatically. Our proprietary AI system, Elysia AI, is now valued (as of January–March 2026, before game development even started) at approximately $10 million, and the development investment in the ELYSIUM game itself has already reached tens of thousands of dollars.
Attempting to raise a mere $5,000 through crowdfunding, especially without a significant paid advertising budget, feels akin to selling a supercar for parts at a flea market. It simply doesn't align with the immense value and potential we've cultivated. Our resources now allow us to self-fund initial stages and pursue partnerships that match our scale.
The Future is Grand: Targeting $100M+ Investment and Major Platforms
Mercenary Games is embarking on a new chapter. We are setting our sights on securing investment rounds exceeding $100 million to fully realize the potential of ELYSIUM and Elysia AI. Our advanced AI technology, which powers everything from intelligent NPC behavior to dynamic world generation, positions us as a truly unique entity in the gaming industry.
Our next steps involve direct engagement with major digital distribution platforms, including Steam, Epic Games Store (EGS), and VK Play. We are confident that these platforms, alongside strategic partnerships with industry leaders, will provide the ideal environment for ELYSIUM's launch and growth.
A Message to Our Community
While we are closing this chapter on Kickstarter, our commitment to building a groundbreaking game and a revolutionary AI remains unwavering. The vision for ELYSIUM is to create an unparalleled interactive experience, driven by cutting-edge artificial intelligence.
We understand that this decision may come as a surprise. However, it is a necessary step to ensure that ELYSIUM, Elysia AI, and Mercenary Games can achieve their full potential on a global scale. We believe this pivot will ultimately serve our community and future players better by allowing us to build a truly next-generation experience without compromise.
We extend our sincere gratitude to everyone who has supported us thus far. We look forward to sharing our progress as we move towards major platform releases and significant investment rounds.
About Mercenary Games
Mercenary Games is a forward-thinking game development studio dedicated to pushing the boundaries of interactive entertainment. Our core projects include the highly anticipated ELYSIUM game, powered by our proprietary Elysia AI, and the studio itself, focused on creating AAA experiences.
About Elysia AI
Elysia AI is a proprietary artificial intelligence system developed by OS, designed to revolutionize game development through advanced machine learning, procedural content generation, and intelligent character behavior.
About ELYSIUM Game
ELYSIUM is an upcoming next-generation game developed by Mercenary Games, leveraging the power of Elysia AI to deliver an immersive and dynamic player experience.
Contact: Oleg Siryi, CEO — Mercenary Games. Main website: https://elysiumo.com/
Best Regards, The Teams Behind the Vision
- ELYSIUM — ELYSIUM — Next-Gen Multiplayer Game
- Elysia AI — Elysia AI — Proprietary Artificial Intelligence
- AI Elysia in Person — AI Elysia in Person
- AskElysia — AskElysia community
- Elysia Robot — Elysia Robot
- Elysia Companions — Elysia AI's personal companions system
- Mercenary Games — Mercenary Games — Game Development Studio