LightFury Games, a gaming startup managed by industry veterans, has secured an investment of $8.5 million in a seed funding round led by well-known investors including Blume Ventures, Mixi Inc, and Gemba Capital. The funding round also saw participation from investors such as Kunal Shah and Gaurav Munjal, highlighting the growing interest in the Indian gaming market.
As reported by The Economic Times, the primary objective behind this funding is to strengthen the development of AAA (Triple-A) games within India. AAA games, known for their high production values, top-tier graphics, and immersive gameplay, are associated with major gaming companies worldwide. LightFury Games, under the leadership of Karan Shroff, former Chief Marketing Officer at Unacademy, aims to pioneer the creation of such titles within the Indian gaming landscape.
LightFury Games aims to draw inspiration from successful global companies like Tencent as it strategizes its expansion into the Indian market. The company has intended to allocate its funds towards building a team of highly skilled professionals and incorporating technological advancements. This approach highlights the startup’s commitment to delivering gaming experiences to players while simultaneously uplifting the Indian gaming industry on the global stage.
An integral part of LightFury Games’ leadership includes industry leaders such as Anurag Banerjee, renowned for his contributions to AAA titles like Assassin’s Creed and Batman’s Arkham Asylum, and Tina Balachandran, who brings extensive experience from her tenure at Tencent Games. Their combined expertise positions LightFury Games as a significant player in the growing gaming sector.
The funding round not only signifies a milestone for LightFury Games but also reflects the growing investor confidence in the potential of India’s gaming market. Karthik Reddy, Co-founder and Managing Director at Blume Ventures, expressed enthusiasm about the investment, highlighting the startup’s ability to attract top talent and shape the future of gaming in India.
India’s gaming world has been witnessing growth, with a user base of over 568 million gamers and 9.5 billion gaming app downloads recorded in 2023. Despite this, the country has yet to produce a homegrown AAA game. However, initiatives like LightFury Games, alongside efforts from other industry players, signify a promising trajectory towards establishing India in the global gaming arena.