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Shifty Eye Games has raised $580,500 in funding from Canadian government groups and recruited a trio of game industry veterans as advisers.

The Calgary, Alberta, Canada-based independent game studio has appointed game veterans Vikas Gupta, Justin Ratushniak and Bungie cofounder Alex Seropian to its board of advisers. The company also
announced its ongoing search for key talent additions.

These strategic moves coincide with a significant milestone for the company: as Shifty Eye prepares for the company’s biggest project yet – a stealth-adventure game based on a world-famous movie franchise.

“Adding deeper insight and expertise to our advisory board is a critical step in Shifty Eye’s rapid evolution into a premier game development studio,” said Tuncer Deniz, ex-Bungie project lead and CEO and founder of Shifty Eye Games, in a statement. “Alexander, Justin and Vikas bring incredible media and entertainment experience to Shifty Eye, and we look forward to leveraging their acumen as we continue to build our upcoming game project.”

He added, “With Shifty Eye also receiving funding through the Creative Canada Export Project, we now have the resources to promote the Canadian gaming industry around the world, bolster our talent pool, and provide our team with the necessary support to make our next – and every project – a hit.”

The funding comes from the Government of Canada and Canadian Heritage through the Creative Export Canada program, Export-Ready Stream.

Seropian, who will be a speaker at our GamesBeat Summit 2024 event, is an entrepreneur and video game developer known for founding iconic American video game studio Bungie. Over his 30-year career in the video game industry, Seropian co-created popular games such as Halo, Marathon and Myth. He is also the founder of game studio Look North World, which develops and publishes a variety of games and entertainment for creator communities. Previously, Seropian held executive positions at Microsoft, Disney, and Electronics Arts.

“I’m always trying to find the soul of any project I’m working on,” said Seropian, in a statement. “That soul usually comes from a team of new, inspired talent and the leadership of trusted, industry veterans. Shifty Eye Games has embraced that ethos and is constructing something remarkable that reminds me of my earlier collaborations with Tuncer Deniz while at Bungie. They’ve reached an outcome at the studio that will provide an exciting new avenue to assemble that team, find that spark, and build the best core game experience possible.”

Gupta is a prolific technology CEO and entrepreneur with over 30 years of experience in the technology, interactive digital media and electronic entertainment industries, known for building and growing platforms used by millions of people online. Gupta has worked with and negotiated strategic agreements with Activision, Electronic Arts, Disney, Google, Paramount, Skybound Entertainment, Sony, Ubisoft, just to name a few, on the world’s biggest video game franchises including EVE Online, FIFA, Need For Speed, Prince of Persia, Spore and The Sims.

Gupta said in a statement, “Tuncer Deniz is a certified veteran in the video games space whom I have known and respected throughout my interactive digital media career. He and Shifty Eye Games have embarked on an exciting journey in bringing a massively beloved franchise to avid gamers across multiple platforms. I’m honored to advise such experienced, creative leaders and developers as they take on their biggest project to-date with the addition of new talent, especially those with such a deep respect for the craft.” 

Ratushniak is the managing partner at Monolith Marketing Agency. He joins as a marketing adviser, having developed disruptive strategies for a wide portfolio of industries. His tenure at Asgard Consulting, marked by securing over $50 million in funding for his clients, has been an essential asset for companies building their own brand.

“It’s a privilege to witness this convergence of seasoned expertise and creativity at Shifty Eye Games, especially at such a pivotal moment in the company’s journey,” said Ratushniak, in a statement. “My passion lies in crafting meaningful experiences, and over the last two years, as I’ve collaborated closely with the team on various strategic initiatives – from corporate strategy and staffing to securing significant funding through the Creative Export Canada grant – I saw the same passion here at the studio. Alongside my esteemed colleagues on the board, who bring a wealth of gaming industry expertise, I look forward to contributing to the strategic direction that will propel Shifty Eye Studios to new heights.”

Shifty Eye Games has closed to 30 games on Apple Arcade and the iOS app store. It is targeting its unnannounced original game for multiple platforms for release in 2025. More details are coming soon.

Shifty Eye Games started in 2019 and it has raised $6 million to date. It has 25 employees, and it is starting to raise another round. Some of its popular games include Stranded Sails, Discolored, Operator 41, and Earthnight.

The company’s motto is, “No rinse and repeat. A focus on fun and unique gaming experiences. That
means an emphasis on a broad range of gameplay, with every level being meticulously crafted.”