Game development studio Shortgun raises $1 Million in Seed round

Shortgun, India’s emerging game development studio has raised $1 million in a seed funding round led by angel investors.

The studio aims to raise an additional $5 million in its next round to scale the project from a polished vertical slice to full production.

Shortgun will use the funds to build its game’s MVP, featuring a polished 5–8 minute “vertical slice” that highlights core gameplay, storytelling and visual style.The capital will also support strategic hiring to bolster its India-based team and select global collaborators.

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"This funding will allow us to go beyond prototypes and deliver a polished vertical slice that encapsulates the heart of our game," said Vidhit Mehta, Founder of Shortgun Games.

"We’re deliberately focusing on quality-first development, taking time to refine systems, narrative tone, and gameplay depth. This proof of concept will be key to attracting publishing partners and setting new benchmarks for what an Indian studio can achieve on a global stage."

"We’re not just building another shooter game," said Jeet Chandan, Managing Director at Shortgun Games. "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. This investment allows us to take calculated risks, experiment boldly, and innovate in ways the market here hasn’t seen before. Our long-term goal is to establish Shortgun as a globally respected name from India, proving we can deliver games with both commercial appeal and artistic depth."

"What’s interesting about this phase is the freedom to experiment," said Ashish R. Beuria, Game Director at Shortgun Games and former developer of Rogue Heist. "We’re not just scaling up production, we’re exploring new mechanics, testing bold ideas and shaping a player experience that feels truly different. This investment gives us the space to build a game that surprises players and challenges expectations of what an Indian-made shooter can be."

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About Shortgun Games

Co-founded in 2021 by Jeet Chandan and Vidhit Mehta, Shortgun Games, founded by the original creators of Rogue Heist, is a next-gen game studio aiming to build India’s first genre-defying third-person shooter for PC and console. The team blends expertise in interactive storytelling, cinematic action, and high production quality.

The studio recently collaborated with acclaimed Bollywood action director Vicky Arora, known for his work on blockbuster titles like URI, RRR, TANAAV, and the upcoming Ramayan film.