Can LightFury Build India’s First PUBG-Scale AAA Game?

You don’t have to be a hardcore gamer to know where India stands in the AAA gaming universe. While many have dreamt of putting the nation on the global stage alongside gaming powerhouses like the US, Japan, and Canada, little has been achieved.

For starters, it was not before October 2024 that India got its first AAA game, Indus Battle Royale, a battle royale game developed and published by SuperGaming. While this was a milestone, the game has its fair share of critics for not being on par with what their Western counterparts have to offer.

So, what is holding Indian game developers back from turning their dreams into reality? One major factor is the capital-intensive nature of the industry. The technology required to develop AAA games costs Indian studios and publishers an arm and a leg. Among other hurdles, there’s also the challenge of finding skilled talent.

Now, even if game developers and publishers manage to overcome these obstacles, there is little surety that their titles will be well-accepted in the global market dominated by names like Activision, Electronic Arts, Capcom, and Ubisoft, just to count a few.

Aware of the risks, the erstwhile Unacademy CMO and partner, Karan Shroff is hell-bent on developing AAA games from India for the world.

In his quest, he launched his gaming studio, LightFury Games, in Bengaluru last year. Shroff is joined by industry veteran Anurag Banerjee, who has over 19 years of expertise in crafting AAA games and building integrated gaming ecosystems.

While Banerjee’s portfolio includes stints at renowned gaming studios such as Ubisoft, Rocksteady Studios, WB Games Montreal, and Improbable, Shroff has played a key role in scaling multi-billion-dollar businesses like Xiaomi and Unacademy in India.

However, when it comes to Lightfury, Shroff’s vision is shaped by his desire to represent India on the global podium of AAA games.

But how?

“While there are many sports-focussed AAA games worldwide, there are not many AAA cricket titles,” Shroff said, explaining what led to the idea of developing a high-quality cricket game with a AAA approach.

The studio aims to launch E-Cricket, a real-time multiplayer AAA game, by early next year. While AAA games typically take three to four years to develop, the studio aims to ship E-Cricket in under 24 months.

While AAA games are traditionally associated with high production costs, advancements in technology, especially AI, are significantly reducing these costs, according to the founders. Leveraging AI from the start, the team has been able to streamline both coding and content creation processes.

E-Cricket: A Bold Bet In The AAA Gaming Zone

According to the founders, E-Cricket will be a sports simulation game, and one of the key aspects of this game will be the unpredictability of the outcome. Secondly, since the game is multiplayer, one would know who they are up against. The game also allows players to set a target, chase it, and communicate with their opponent throughout the match.

“However, one of our bigger priorities is delivering a broadcast-style experience. We want to present the game in a way that fans are used to seeing in professional broadcasts. Looking at everything we’re doing, we’re doubling down on interactivity, intuitiveness, and a detailed player progression system,” Shroff said.

A key factor in AAA titles is a longer lifetime value (LTV) from a player’s perspective. When developing such games, studios focus on retention, which is how long a gamer stays engaged.

PUBG is a great example of a AAA title with long-term player engagement, multiplayer experiences, and strong social elements. LightFury Studios aims to take the same approach with E-Cricket.

“The unpredictability of match outcomes in a multiplayer environment will be a key factor in driving player engagement. Next, the social aspect of the game will contribute to its long-term appeal,” Shroff said.

He stressed that E-Cricket aims to deliver this experience with high-fidelity graphics and gameplay, ensuring an immersive and competitive experience for players.

Speaking with Inc42, the founders said that before committing to E-Cricket, Lightfury Studios conducted extensive research to understand why cricket would make a great bet.

What’s The Monetisation Plan, Lightfury?

The startup primarily focusses on mobile. However, it is not limited to that and aims to create a cross-platform experience. As of now, the founders plan to launch E-Cricket in all major cricket-playing markets, including regions with a strong cricket following such as the Middle East.

“We will explore different monetisation models that make sense for each platform while ensuring a fair system without pay-to-win mechanics. Our focus will be on cosmetic upgrades, live events, and optional content expansions tailored to specific platforms as we continue to develop the game,” Banerjee said.

Going forward, Shroff said that the ultimate goal for E-Cricket is to become a professional esports title. He added that E-Cricket will be a skill-based game rather than a pay-to-win model, ensuring fair competition. Players will be able to upskill their characters, progress through the game, and compete against each other.

Banerjee added that extensive testing is being conducted on progression mechanics, ensuring that players advance through levels and compete effectively.

“The game’s core engagement lies in its retention loops—players will keep coming back because of the competitive and rewarding gameplay experience. While E-Cricket will be easy to pick up and play, progression will introduce skill-based matchmaking, allowing players to develop new abilities and improve over time,” he added.

What’s Next For Lightfury?

While E-Cricket is Lightfury Gaming’ first title, it is focussed on perfecting it. However, Lightfury Studios does not intend to be a one-product company. Beyond E-Cricket, the studio has plans for multiple titles and proprietary technology, positioning itself as a game tech company developing AAA titles out of India.

Just as E-Cricket went through months of research and planning before development began, future projects will follow the same process — understanding the gaming ecosystem, identifying key features, and ensuring the game aligns with market demands before making any announcements.

While E-Cricket aims to fill a noticeable gap in the gaming industry by offering a AAA multiplayer cricket experience, it is not going to be an easy road for LightFury Gaming.

Come as it may, the success of E-Cricket will be the ultimate test for LightFury. If the game resonates with players and gains traction in key cricket-playing markets, it could pave the way for more AAA titles from India.

But for now, all eyes are on LightFury’s first major release. If the game delivers on its promise, it could put India alongside major AAA game-developing nations in the world.

[Edited By Shishir Parasher]