Quantum Shrimp Studio

Fast Forward is a fast-paced action game where players race through colorful digital worlds, fighting off enemies and chasing the fastest time. Inspired by retro tech and 80s aesthetics, it blends stylish visuals with smooth, momentum-driven movement.

Fast Forward has already gained early momentum with over 200 organic downloads, despite no formal marketing or promotional efforts. The game received highly positive feedback during its debut at the Lake Washington Institute of Technology Senior Showcase, where several AAA industry professionals played the demo and encouraged further development. The team has completed a fully playable vertical slice, showcasing polished core mechanics, level design, and visual identity. We are now preparing for a public demo at PAX West 2025, with pitch materials and marketing assets in development to support publisher and investor outreach.

Our primary customers are core and hardcore gamers aged 16–35, primarily located in North America, Europe, and parts of Asia, who actively seek fast-paced, skill-based action games with strong replay value and unique aesthetics. These players are highly engaged with digital platforms like Steam, YouTube, and Twitch, and are often influenced by indie showcases and influencer coverage.

The global PC gaming market is projected to reach $63.7 billion by 2027 (Statista), with the indie FPS niche showing consistent growth. Titles like Ultrakill, Neon White, and Cruelty Squad have collectively sold millions of units, proving a strong appetite for high-speed, stylized shooters. Fast Forward targets this growing segment by offering a distinctive vaporwave-glitch aesthetic, momentum-based gameplay, and short-session depth ideal for both casual and competitive players.

The market is currently rising, supported by platforms like Steam Next Fest and a surge of influencer-driven discovery in the indie space. Based on comparable titles, we estimate our potential customer base to be in the hundreds of thousands to low millions globally.

There is a growing demand among core and hardcore gamers for fast-paced, skill-based FPS titles that offer both replayability and a distinct visual identity. While the indie shooter space has seen success from titles like Ultrakill and Neon White, there is still a gap for games that blend high-mobility combat with a strong narrative and bold aesthetics. Fast Forward seizes this opportunity by delivering a vaporwave-glitch style and momentum-driven gameplay experience that rewards player mastery. Our target audience is highly engaged and actively seeks new, stylish, and challenging FPS games—making this a timely and attractive opportunity with clear market demand.

The game solves a demand in the market for highly replayable, visually distinct action games by offering momentum-based movement, time-extension mechanics, and layered level design. Players are rewarded for mastering speed and style, creating a deep sense of progression and engagement. With a completed vertical slice, strong early traction, and plans to showcase at PAX West, we are positioned to expand production and bring the game to a broader audience through platforms like Steam and, eventually, console.

Ultrakill – high-speed, retro-inspired FPS with gore-heavy combat
Neon White – parkour-based FPS with card mechanics and speedrunning focus
Cruelty Squad – surreal, low-fi FPS with open-ended levels and satirical tone
Post Void – ultra-fast arcade FPS with psychedelic visuals and time pressure mechanics
Ghostrunner – cyberpunk slasher with precision parkour and one-hit kills
Turbo Overkill – neon-soaked boomer shooter blending mobility and brutality

Fast Forward stands out through its distinct vaporwave-meets-glitchcore aesthetic, creating a surreal digital world rarely explored in the FPS space. Unlike competitors that prioritize chaos or linear gameplay, we focus on momentum-based traversal, rewarding mastery of movement and flow over brute force. The game also features a time-extension mechanic, encouraging players to chain kills and optimize routes for high scores and replayability. Our narrative is tightly woven into gameplay through a retro-futuristic setting and a protagonist who “digitally dives” into corrupted systems, giving context and personality to each level. This blend of style, speed, and storytelling positions Fast Forward as a fresh entry in a growing genre.

Our primary revenue stream will come from unit sales on PC platforms, starting with Steam. The expected base price at launch is $19.99, with periodic discounts to boost visibility and sales volume. Over time, we may expand to console platforms (e.g., Xbox, PlayStation) and consider additional revenue from merchandise, digital soundtracks, and potential DLC.

Based on projections and comparable indie titles, we estimate 200,000–500,000 total unit sales within the first 5 years. At an average net revenue of ~$10–12 per unit after platform fees and discounts, this equates to $2M–$6M in gross revenue.

On the cost side, our modest development budget is $640K, with a full-scale budget at approximately $1M. These costs include salaries, software licenses, marketing, workspace, QA, and operations. Ongoing costs post-launch are expected to be minimal aside from support and optional content development.

Our business model is based on direct digital game sales, with Fast Forward launching on Steam as our primary distribution channel. Future plans include expansion to console marketplaces (e.g. PlayStation, Xbox) and supplemental revenue from DLC, merchandise, and soundtrack sales.

We will leverage marketing channels such as Steam Next Fest, influencer outreach (Twitch/YouTube), social media, and PAX West exposure to drive awareness and organic growth.

Key performance metrics include unit sales, user retention, average playtime, and community engagement. Our pricing model is fixed at $19.99 USD, with projected unit sales of 200K–500K over the first 5 years.

We are seeking between $640,200 and $1,004,800 in funding to support the continued development of Fast Forward. Our Modest Budget supports 10 full-time developers and 5 stipend contributors, covering essential salaries, software licenses, marketing, and testing. The Full Budget allows for a fully staffed 15-member team, expanded marketing efforts, workspace rental near Bothell, and infrastructure like cloud hosting and merchandise. This funding will take us from our current vertical slice through PAX West and into full production.

We are currently open to negotiating equity terms based on the amount invested and the strategic value the investor brings to the project. For reference, we anticipate offering between 5% and 15% equity for investments ranging from $100,000 to $500,000. Smaller investments (starting at $25,000) may be structured as convertible notes or revenue-sharing agreements, with full details to be discussed during formal negotiations.

Like any indie game project, Fast Forward faces several potential risks. The most significant include market saturation in the FPS genre, where competing titles from both indie and AAA studios could overshadow our visibility. Additionally, delays in production or underperformance at key showcases (such as PAX) could impact momentum and investor confidence. There is also some risk from emerging technologies (e.g. VR or AI-generated content) potentially shifting consumer expectations. However, our modular development approach and unique aesthetic positioning help mitigate these risks by allowing us to adapt quickly and stand out in a crowded market.

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Fast Forward was showcased at the Lake Washington Institute of Technology Senior Capstone Showcase, where it received Top Honors from faculty and strong praise from attending industry professionals. While not part of a formal competition, the game was recognized for its outstanding design, visual identity, and polish among over a dozen capstone projects. We are currently preparing for submission to major indie festivals and showcases, including PAX Rising and IndieCade.