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Velan Studios

Games & Interactive
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9
Founded
2016
Employees
51-200
Offices
2

About Velan Studios

Velan Studios is an independent game developer and publisher founded in 2016 by brothers Karthik Bala and Guha Bala. The studio develops original interactive entertainment and works with major platform and entertainment partners on games that combine inventive play concepts with polished cross-platform production.

A defining part of Velan's work is its mixed-reality approach: blending physical, camera-equipped remote-controlled vehicles and sensors with real-time digital game systems. This model shaped Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit, which brought augmented-reality racing into players' homes through physical karts, and later Hot Wheels: Rift Rally, developed with Mattel. The studio also builds virtual-reality and multiplayer experiences, including the Meta Quest title Bounce Arcade and the proximity-chat horror party shooter Midnight Murder Club.

Technology and capabilities

Velan supports projects across the full game-development lifecycle, from prototyping and design through production, publishing, player support, and live operations. Its capabilities include:

  • Gameplay, systems, level, and narrative design
  • Hardware-to-software mixed-reality integration and rapid prototyping
  • Graphics, networking, custom netcode, and tools engineering
  • 2D and 3D art, technical art, animation, and visual effects
  • Cross-platform multiplayer and live-service operations

The studio's proprietary VIPER engine is used to deliver 60 FPS gameplay and real-time cinematics. Its work spans Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation platforms, Meta Quest, PC, and iOS.

Games

Velan's released work includes Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit, Knockout City, Hot Wheels: Rift Rally, Bounce Arcade, and Midnight Murder Club. In 2026, it released Star Fox for Nintendo Switch 2 in collaboration with Nintendo, using the VIPER engine.

The company combines self-published original properties with co-development and external-IP partnerships, including work with Nintendo, PlayStation, Electronic Arts, and Mattel. It remains an active, privately held studio focused on new forms of interactive play.

More about Velan Studios

Leadership and background

  • Karthik Bala is co-founder and CEO; Guha Bala is co-founder and President.
  • Before founding Velan, the Bala brothers built Vicarious Visions in 1991 and led it for 25 years before departing in April 2016. The name “Velan” derives from a Tamil word meaning “spear bearer.”

Studio practice

Velan describes a collaborative hybrid and on-site working model, with team members expected in the studio at least three days each week. Its early mixed-reality development included a remote-controlled racing prototype that Nintendo approved in Kyoto in 2017; that concept became Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit.

Notable credits

6 credits
  • Star Fox
  • Midnight Murder Club
  • Bounce Arcade
  • Hot Wheels: Rift Rally
  • Knockout City
  • Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit

Offices

Where Velan Studios is based

2 locations

  • Velan Studios Headquarters

    Headquarters
    5 3rd Street, Suite 300, Troy, NY 12180, USATroy, New York, United States
    About this office

    Global corporate headquarters and primary development studio, housing executive management, game design, core engine development, R&D labs, and central publishing operations.

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  • Velan Studios Toronto

    180 John Street, Toronto, ON M5T 1X5, CanadaToronto, Ontario, Canada

    Opened 2026

    Canadian branch studio focused on engineering, gameplay animation, level and systems design, visual effects, and art production.

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