Shortgun, a game development studio co-founded by the developers behind Rogue Heist, has closed a USD 1 million seed funding round backed by a group of angel investors and a family office. The studio aims to use the capital to build a console-grade, story-driven shooter designed for global competitive gaming.
The funds will be primarily deployed towards developing a polished vertical slice- a five- to eight-minute playable prototype that demonstrates the game’s narrative, visual direction, and core mechanics. The investment will also support strategic hiring to expand the development team, which currently operates out of India with support from international collaborators.
Shortgun has brought on board Vicky Arora, a Bollywood action director associated with films like URI, RRR, and TANAAV, to lead action design and choreography for the game. The studio includes former Rogue Heist developers Ashish Beuria and Neha Hooda, and around 25 per cent of its development team is based overseas. Shortgun follows a player-first design philosophy focused on immersive storytelling and refined gameplay systems from the outset.
The Indian gaming market is seeing rapid growth, currently valued at USD 5.21 billion in 2024 and projected to reach USD 22.53 billion by 2034. According to industry estimates, the online gaming segment has attracted over USD 2.75 billion in funding between FY2020 and FY2024 to date. Analysts expect the industry could generate up to USD 63 billion in investor value by 2029, pointing to India’s increasing importance in the global gaming ecosystem.
Shortgun’s immediate focus is to develop its vertical slice as a proof of concept to attract publishing partners and demonstrate the viability of the title. The studio is also planning to raise an additional USD 5 million in the next funding round to scale from prototype to full production.
Founder Vidhit Mehta said the goal is to create a high-quality game that challenges existing norms in Indian game development. “This funding will allow us to go beyond prototypes and deliver a polished vertical slice that encapsulates the heart of our game,” he said. “We’re deliberately focusing on quality-first development, taking time to refine systems, narrative tone, and gameplay depth.”
Managing Director Jeet Chandan added that the studio is taking a long-term view, with ambitions to create a flagship intellectual property. “Our vision is to craft a flagship IP that blends cinematic storytelling, emotional decision-making, and tight gameplay mechanics,” he said. “This investment allows us to take calculated risks, experiment boldly, and innovate in ways the market here hasn’t seen before.”
Shortgun’s Game Director Ashish R. Beuria noted that the current phase of development allows for creative exploration. “We’re not just scaling up production,” he said. “We’re exploring new mechanics, testing bold ideas, and shaping a player experience that feels truly different.”
With its vertical slice in development, international collaborations underway, and a global publishing strategy being formulated, Shortgun is positioning itself as a contender to build a genre-defining shooter franchise from India.
