Now we have all heard the saying – cricket is not only a sport; it’s an emotion. With a world viewers of two.5 billion, together with 600 million viewers in India alone, cricket stands as one of many most-watched and broadly performed sports activities. Whereas outside cricket stays the perfect alternative, the fervour for the sport has seamlessly transitioned indoors with interactive and immersive experiences shaping the gaming format.
Bengaluru-based startup MetaShot is redefining house leisure by merging cricket with immersive gaming know-how. Co-founded by Prince Thomas, Ranjit Behera, and Ajith Sunny, Metashot has developed an revolutionary hardware-based gaming system that permits customers to play cricket of their dwelling rooms. The concept stemmed from their love for the game and the realisation that motion-based gaming remained largely costly and inaccessible in India.
Launched in September 2023, the startup claims to have offered out two months’ value of stock in simply 10 days. To date, MetaShot has offered roughly 25,000 items, with income rising fivefold year-over-year.
Not like conventional gaming consoles that depend on costly {hardware}, MetaShot’s system integrates with a wise bat and a motion-tracking sensor. “No matter you do in your front room, your avatar will do the identical factor on the display,” Thomas stated, evaluating the system with a Nintendo Wii-like expertise at a fraction of the associated fee.
This innovation has additionally struck a chord with mother and father. “We’ve had many testimonials from moms who’re joyful that their child is at the least having some type of bodily train,” Thomas added.
Gaming with Sensible Tech
MetaShot’s cricket simulation works with out cameras or infrared monitoring, not like conventional gaming consoles corresponding to Xbox Kinect or VR headsets, which use a number of cameras for movement detection. As a substitute, it depends solely on 9-axis sensors embedded within the good bat, which monitor a participant’s actions, shot angles, and energy.
The information is processed utilizing a smartphone, pill, or laptop computer, eliminating the necessity for an costly console.
Apparently, MetaShot has expanded its buyer base, with 37% of customers being each kids and adults, 33% being adults alone, and 30% youngsters.
“There are adults taking part in, they use it for occasion video games, they join with their buddies, they purchase in bulk, three or 4 buddies will purchase and they’ll play collectively. So, we’re more and more seeing these sorts of use instances,” stated Thomas.
Made in India
Considered one of MetaShot’s core ideas is to fabricate domestically. “From the start, we have been very clear [that] we might attempt to make it in India,” Thomas stated. Whereas sensors are imported, the bat moulds, parts, and meeting are carried out fully in Bengaluru. This determination aligns with India’s push for home manufacturing and avoids reliance on Chinese language parts, regardless of the challenges of constructing a {hardware} ecosystem domestically.
Metashot has additionally expanded its retail presence, partnering with Blinkit for fast deliveries, making their product accessible inside minutes for last-minute purchases, particularly for events and group play.
Lengthy Manner Forward
As of January 2025, MetaShot has raised roughly $2.19 million throughout a number of funding rounds, together with a ₹11 crore seed spherical led by Sauce.vc. Furthermore, the startup secured ₹1.6 crore for a 5% fairness stake in Shark Tank India.
Regardless of its distinctive positioning, MetaShot competes with main international gaming manufacturers. Merchandise just like the Nintendo Wii and Xbox Kinect launched motion-based gaming years in the past however failed to realize traction in India attributable to excessive prices.
“An analogous product at this worth level doesn’t exist,” Thomas identified. Whereas a Nintendo Swap or PlayStation prices between ₹40,000 and ₹50,000, MetaShot’s cricket recreation is priced considerably decrease at ₹5,000, making it way more accessible.
Gaming giants corresponding to Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo dominate the high-end console market, promoting 2-3 lakh items yearly in India. Thomas believes that if MetaShot reaches its full potential at a cheaper price level, the corporate might surpass these numbers. “If we begin hitting our potential, we are able to do rather more.”
MetaShot just isn’t alone within the sports-tech gaming market. Firms corresponding to StanceBeam and Freebowler have developed good cricket gear, whereas Movement Sense AI is engaged on AI-powered movement monitoring for gaming.
As MetaShot expands, its subsequent frontier contains multisport gaming. The crew is already creating a common motion-tracking system that permits customers to change between cricket, tennis, and different sports activities by merely altering the bat or racket attachment.
“We’re engaged on a common system that allows you to play a number of video games. Most certainly, we are going to launch it [in the] subsequent monetary yr,” Thomas concluded.
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