LightFury Games unveils first studio in Bengaluru, eyes AAA game development

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LightFury Games, the gaming startup co-founded by former Unacademy Chief Marketing Officer Karan Shroff, has officially opened its first studio in Bengaluru. This strategic move marks a significant step for the company, which is backed by an $8.5 million seed investment led by Blume Ventures. The funding round, completed in April, also saw participation from Japanese mobile entertainment firm Mixi, Gemba Capital, and notable angel investors including Cred founder Kunal Shah and Unacademy co-founder Gaurav Munjal.

As reported by Money Control, the Bengaluru studio, located near Bengaluru International Airport, has infrastructure and equipment designed to support the development of high-quality AAA titles. Initially focusing on mobile games, LightFury Games plans to expand its offerings to include console platforms in the future. The 60-seater studio is a testament to the company’s commitment to producing world-class gaming experiences.

Karan Shroff, who serves as the CEO of LightFury Games, has joined forces with Tina Balachandran, former Unacademy and Tencent Games executive, and Anurag Banerjee, a gaming industry veteran. Banerjee will take on the role of Group Chief Product and Technology Officer (CPTO), while Balachandran will serve as Chief People and Operations Officer. The leadership team aims to use their extensive experience to drive innovation and excellence in game development.

In addition to the core team, LightFury Games has recently appointed Justin Farren as Chief Creative Officer for the India studio. Farren, with over 20 years of game development experience, previously held senior roles at Wargaming and Ubisoft Singapore, where he worked on titles like Assassin’s Creed and Skull and Bones. His appointment highlights LightFury’s commitment to building a capable team.

LightFury Games is not only focused on establishing a presence in India but also has plans to expand internationally. The funds raised will be used to set up additional game studios in the United Kingdom and to hire top talent globally. Chong-U Lim, former Improbable and Electronic Arts executive, has been appointed as Chief Technology Officer (CTO) to lead the UK studio. Daniel Hall, with over 12 years of experience, will serve as Senior Director of Engineering, splitting his time between the UK and India.

The launch of LightFury Games comes at a time when India’s gaming sector is experiencing growth. According to Niko Partners, India is the fastest-growing games market in Asia, with combined mobile, PC, and console gaming revenue projected to reach $943 million in 2024. The market is expected to surpass $1 billion in revenue by 2025 and reach $1.4 billion by 2028, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.1 percent.

Karan Shroff emphasized the company’s vision, stating, “The opening of our state-of-the-art studio in Bangalore marks our first step toward reinventing gaming experiences in India and developing world-class AAA titles from this region.” Anurag Banerjee echoed this sentiment, highlighting the potential of the Indian gaming industry and the company’s goal to change the narrative with its leadership team and Bengaluru studio.

Justin Farren added, “At LightFury Games, we are committed to pushing the boundaries of creativity and innovation to deliver unparalleled gaming experiences. Our goal is to build a powerhouse that produces groundbreaking AAA titles.”

LightFury Games is positioned to contribute to the global gaming landscape, driven by a team of industry veterans and a vision to create quality gaming experiences. As the Indian gaming market continues to mature, LightFury Games is well-positioned to lead in delivering top-tier games that resonate with gamers worldwide.

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