India’s Shortgun Raises $1 Million to Bring a Bold New Shooter Game to Life Indian gaming startup Shortgun, co-founded by developers behind the cult title Rogue Heist, has
Indian gaming startup Shortgun, co-founded by developers behind the cult title Rogue Heist, has raised ₹8.3 crore ($1 million) in seed funding from a group of angel investors. The fresh capital will go toward building a highly cinematic, action-first shooter game that blends storytelling, emotional decision-making, and intense gameplay.
And this is just the beginning. The studio plans to raise an additional $5 million in the next round to move from a polished “vertical slice” into full-scale production.
Unlike typical shooter games flooding the market, Shortgun is focused on delivering something that feels different from the first second you pick up the controller. The first milestone: a polished, playable 5–8 minute vertical slice that gives players a taste of the game’s mechanics, tone, visuals, and combat systems.
Think of it as a proof-of-concept—but with heart, narrative depth, and Bollywood-style action sequences choreographed by none other than Vicky Arora, the man behind stunts in URI, RRR, TANAAV, and the much-anticipated Ramayan Part.
This collaboration marks the first time a top-tier Indian action director has partnered on a video game—blurring the lines between cinema and interactive storytelling.
Shortgun’s approach stands out for one reason: player-first development. The studio is not chasing hype. Instead, it’s prioritizing refined systems, a bold narrative, and emotionally impactful design from day one.
“We’re not just building another shooter game,” said Jeet Chandan, Managing Director at Shortgun. “Our vision is to craft a flagship IP that blends cinematic storytelling, emotional decision-making, and tight gameplay mechanics—a top-notch experience on a mid-sized studio budget.”
Co-founder Vidhit Mehta added, “This funding allows us to go beyond prototypes and deliver a vertical slice that encapsulates the heart of our game. It’s our invitation to publishers and players to see what an Indian studio can really do.”
Though based primarily in India, Shortgun has attracted top development talent from across the globe, with over 25% of its team operating internationally. Former Rogue Heist developers Ashish Beuria, Neha Hooda, and others bring deep technical expertise and creative energy to the project.
Ashish Beuria, who now serves as Game Director at Shortgun, said:
“We’re not just scaling production. We’re exploring new mechanics, testing bold ideas, and building a shooter that challenges expectations of what an Indian-made game can be. This is our moment to surprise players.”
India’s gaming industry was valued at $5.21 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow fourfold to $22.53 billion by 2034. Investors are taking notice. Between FY20 and FY24, the online gaming sector alone attracted over ₹22,931 crore ($2.75 billion) in funding.
Shortgun is entering the scene at just the right time—riding a wave of investor interest and a massive, engaged player base hungry for original IPs. But unlike studios chasing trends, Shortgun is building for longevity and legacy.
Its goal? To create India’s first globally respected game studio, and establish a franchise that competes on quality, creativity, and emotional impact.
With seed funding secured, Shortgun is now:
While details about the game’s name and story are still under wraps, early hints suggest a genre-defying shooter that fuses real-world stakes with intense, choice-driven gameplay.
If Shortgun delivers on even half of what it promises, this won’t be just another indie game. It could become the first Indian-developed shooter with true global impact—one that merges cultural storytelling, cinematic action, and deep, responsive gameplay.
This isn’t about copying the West. It’s about setting a new standard for what Indian studios are capable of—on their own terms, with their own voice.
And with names like Vicky Arora behind the combat and a vision that balances commercial appeal with artistic ambition, Shortgun may just be India’s best shot yet at making gaming history.
