Qila Games, a rising star in the mobile gaming space, has secured $1 million in a pre-seed funding round. Chimera Ventures led the round, while Visceral Capital, Atrium Angels, Ventatana Ventures, 91 Ventures, Untitled Ventures, and several angel investors also participated. This early capital injection marks a major milestone for the company, which officially launched in 2024.
With this new funding, Qila Games plans to accelerate its journey by building original intellectual properties (IPs), growing its game portfolio, and strengthening its in-house technology and game design teams. Founders Dhananjai Hari and Neeraj Mishra, both veterans in the gaming and tech ecosystem, believe that hybrid-casual games represent the next big leap in mobile entertainment.
Redefining Casual Gaming
Qila Games focuses on a relatively new but fast-growing genre in the mobile ecosystem—hybrid-casual games. This format merges the ease and accessibility of casual games with the depth and complexity of mid-core gaming mechanics. Players experience engaging narratives, strategic gameplay, and progression systems, all wrapped in a mobile-friendly, easy-to-learn interface.
Instead of chasing fleeting trends or cloning existing hits, Qila Games aims to build enduring franchises. The company takes inspiration from the success of genre-defining titles like Clash Royale and Archero, which have set new benchmarks for mobile game design. By balancing user retention, monetization, and innovative gameplay, Qila Games wants to carve its own niche in a saturated market.
“We see a gap in the current mobile gaming space,” said co-founder Dhananjai Hari. “Most casual games get boring quickly, while mid-core games often feel overwhelming. We want to offer players the best of both worlds—a game they can pick up easily, but one that keeps surprising them as they progress.”
A Strong Debut with Ludo Hero
In February 2025, Qila Games launched its first title, Ludo Hero. Rather than delivering a standard take on the classic board game, Qila reinvented it with layers of strategy, hero-based powers, and conquest elements. The game introduces characters with special abilities, skill-based challenges, and a progression system that rewards smart play over mere luck.
Players embraced the twist. Early feedback praised Ludo Hero for its competitive edge and addictive gameplay loop. By combining familiarity with novelty, Qila Games managed to draw in casual audiences while keeping more experienced players engaged.
Neeraj Mishra, who leads product design at Qila, shared his philosophy: “We didn’t want to just make another Ludo app. We asked, ‘What would Ludo look like if it evolved into a strategy game?’ That’s how Ludo Hero was born. We’ve added elements like base conquest, PvP leagues, and unlockable hero units to give players more depth and ownership.”
Within a few weeks of release, Ludo Hero crossed tens of thousands of downloads and began climbing app store charts in emerging markets. The company plans to support the game with regular content drops, balance updates, and seasonal events.
Backing from Strategic Investors
Qila’s ability to raise $1 million in a pre-seed round reflects growing investor confidence in hybrid-casual gaming and the founding team’s vision. Chimera Ventures, the lead investor, brings deep operational expertise and a strong network in the consumer tech and gaming industries.
Visceral Capital, Atrium Angels, Ventatana Ventures, 91 Ventures, and Untitled Ventures contributed not just capital, but also strategic guidance and industry access. The angel investors who joined the round include seasoned entrepreneurs and former executives from leading gaming companies.
These investors see enormous potential in Qila’s approach. Rather than chasing short-term virality or hyper-casual monetization tricks, the team wants to build original IPs with longevity and cross-platform scalability.
“Qila Games is building for a future where mobile gamers demand more sophistication and depth, without losing the pick-up-and-play appeal,” said one of the participating investors. “Their ability to execute a high-quality game like Ludo Hero right out of the gate impressed us. We believe they can build a portfolio of breakout hits.”
Investing in Talent and Technology
With fresh capital in the bank, Qila Games has laid out a clear roadmap for 2025 and beyond. The team plans to hire across multiple functions—game development, live operations, product analytics, and UX design. The goal: to build a studio that blends creative excellence with technical innovation.
The company also wants to develop proprietary game engine tools and AI-powered analytics systems that improve player engagement and monetization. These tools will help the studio optimize game loops, predict churn, and personalize player experiences without relying heavily on ads or aggressive monetization.
“We’re not building throwaway games,” said Dhananjai. “We’re building systems that support growth, live operations, and player communities over years—not weeks.”
By scaling its internal tech stack, Qila can iterate faster and ship updates more efficiently. This agility becomes critical in hybrid-casual gaming, where content cadence and player feedback often determine a game’s success or failure.
A Competitive Landscape in India’s Gaming Boom
India’s mobile gaming industry continues to surge, backed by affordable smartphones, cheaper data, and a young, digital-first population. According to industry reports, India now ranks among the top five gaming markets globally in terms of downloads. While casual and hyper-casual games still dominate the volume, hybrid-casual and mid-core titles are quickly gaining momentum.
Recent funding activity underscores this trend. Just last week, mobile game publisher Felicity Games raised $3 million in a seed round led by 3one4 Capital. In February, Triple Tap Games secured $1.2 million from Eximius Ventures and Kalaari Capital to build narrative-driven games for mobile.
Qila Games enters this booming landscape with a differentiated approach. While many Indian studios rely on outsourcing, reskinning, or replicating global trends, Qila wants to lead with original content and world-class design. The studio also sees opportunities in Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets, where players crave both familiarity and innovation.
Neeraj believes localization and cultural relevance will play key roles. “India has a huge appetite for games, but most of what we see is imported content,” he said. “We want to tell stories, design heroes, and create mechanics that feel native—without compromising on global quality.”
The Road Ahead
Qila Games stands at an exciting crossroads. With early success, strong investor backing, and a compelling vision, the company looks poised to lead India’s hybrid-casual gaming revolution.
In the coming months, the studio plans to release two more titles—both currently in prototype testing. These games will explore new genres and gameplay styles, while sticking to the core philosophy of hybrid-casual design.
Meanwhile, Ludo Hero continues to evolve with fresh updates, community tournaments, and social features aimed at increasing retention and virality. Qila’s founders remain hands-on with both game development and studio building, keeping player feedback at the center of every decision.
As the mobile gaming landscape matures, Qila Games wants to be more than just a developer—it wants to be a creative force that shapes how the next generation of players engage with games. With bold ideas and strong execution, the company is just getting started.