LightFury Games unveils its first studio in Bengaluru; strengthens leadership team

LightFury Games, a gaming company co-founded by former Unacademy Partner and Chief marketing officer Karan Shroff, announced the launch of its first studio in Bengaluru on July 9.

The launch comes after the startup raised $8.5 million in a seed funding round in April 2024, led by Blume Ventures.

The round was led by Japanese mobile entertainment firm Mixi, Gemba Capital, and angel investors such as Cred founder Kunal Shah and Unacademy co-founder Gaurav Munjal.

Shroff, who left Unacademy in September 2022, teamed up with former Unacademy and Tencent Games executive Tina Balachandran and gaming industry veteran Anurag Banerjee to launch LightFury Games in January 2024.

Developing AAA title games

LightFury Games aims to develop high-quality AAA titles, initially focusing on mobile games and later expanding to consoles.

The newly inaugurated 60-seater India studio, located near Bengaluru International Airport, is equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure and equipment essential for developing these games.

"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," said Karan Shroff, CEO of LightFury Games.

LightFury's leadership team

LightFury Games has bolstered its leadership team by appointing seasoned professionals. Justin Farren, a gaming industry veteran with over 20 years of experience, has been named Chief Creative Officer for the India studio.

Farren previously worked at Wargaming and Ubisoft, where he was involved in popular series like Assassin’s Creed and Skull and Bones.

Chong-U Lim, with a PhD in Computer Science and AI from MIT, joins as Chief Technology Officer and will lead the UK studio.

Daniel Hall, who has over 12 years of experience in the gaming industry and previously worked at Improbable, has been appointed Vice President of Engineering and will split his time between the UK and India.

"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, setting new standards in the industry,” said Justin Farren.

The startup aims to establish new benchmarks in quality and innovation, positioning India as a global leader in game development.

Creating impact on the Indian gaming industry

The launch of LightFury Games' studio in Bengaluru is a significant step for the Indian gaming industry, which is experiencing rapid growth.

According to Niko Partners, India's gaming market is projected to reach $943 million in 2024 and surpass $1 billion in 2025, with a compound annual growth rate of 11.1%. 

"The Indian gaming industry holds immense potential, yet it hasn't achieved its rightful prominence. LightFury Games is here to change that narrative," said Anurag Banerjee, the group's Chief Product and Technology Officer.