Electronic Arts alumni raise $5.3m for India-based gaming startup

Photo Credit: Liquidnitro Games

The gaming industry, which PricewaterhouseCoopers expects will be worth US$321 billion by 2026, has seen a recent funding streak.

This month, India’s Nazara Technologies Limited pledged US$100 million for global expansion, while Animoca Brands announced a US$3 million investment in a gaming firm from the United Arab Emirates, as a way to expand into the Middle East and North Africa.

Now, India-based Liquidnitro Games has joined fellow gaming firms Pixelmelon, 9 Lives Interactive, and Imaginary Ones in raising funds in 2024. A two-month-old venture founded by former Electronic Arts executives, Liquidnitro Games secured US$5.25 million in a seed round led by Nexus Venture Partners, with participation from angel investors.

Based in Hyderabad, Liquidnitro Games helps partner game companies and publishers to transition into and run so-called “live service” games. Also known as games as a service (GaaS), this refers to games that are constantly updated with new content to keep players interested.

This offering also helps partners unlock the Indian market, turn ideas or intellectual properties into games from prototyping to launch, as well as co-produce games. Founders Sandeep Kowdley, Krishna Dhanekula, Arun Kunchala, and Suresh Manthena worked on titles like Tetris, Plants vs. Zombies, and The Sims.

The funds will be used to build a studio, make significant AI and technology investments to boost production pipelines, and offer live services capabilities at scale. The company says it is partnering with “global games companies” to explore opportunities in India and other markets.

See also: One Singapore VC firm’s unique approach to finding next gaming goldmine