In recent years, the Indian gaming industry has seen exponential growth, driven by the rise of homegrown game developers producing high-quality, big-budget games. With the rapid advancements in technology and a growing passion for gaming, the Indian video game market is now competing on a global scale. From casual games to AAA titles, Indian game studios are proving they can deliver world-class experiences that resonate with both domestic and international audiences.
Record-Breaking Games: The Indian Gaming Revolution
Two Indian-made video games are currently making waves in the gaming world, breaking records and attracting global attention. These games, Indus Battle Royale and Rage Effect Mobile, are setting a new benchmark for Indian game development.
- Indus Battle Royale is a battle royale game that has seen impressive success, with nearly 5 million downloads on both Android and iOS platforms since its release on October 16. Developed by Supergaming, the game is fast becoming one of the most popular Indian titles in the genre.
- Rage Effect Mobile, a AAA shooter game, has also made an impact, crossing 120,000 pre-registrations during its open beta phase.
Supporting India’s Gaming Talent
Supergaming’s CEO, Robbie John, who is behind the development of Indus Battle Royale, has emphasized the importance of supporting the gaming talent emerging in India. In a bid to foster the next generation of gaming stars, the company has announced a year-long eSports tournament with a prize pool of Rs 2.5 crore. This initiative will undoubtedly provide a platform for Indian gamers to showcase their skills and grow the country’s eSports ecosystem.
The Indus Battle Royale game alone was developed by a dedicated team of 160 people and has attracted major investments from prominent backers, including Bandai Namco, Akatsuki Entertainment, Skycatcher, and One Up Ventures. These investments highlight the immense potential the Indian gaming industry holds, and how international companies are eager to support this emerging market.
Indian Themes Gaining Popularity
In addition to the success of these AAA games, the rise of Indian-themed video games is also noteworthy. Domination, an India-made first-person shooter game, is already creating a buzz before its official release. The game is set to launch in early 2025, and early playtests in Gurugram, Mumbai, and at the Indian Game Developers Conference in Hyderabad have shown an overwhelmingly positive response from gamers. Notably, 90 percent of players expressed a liking for games featuring Indian military themes, while 70 percent said the gameplay exceeded their expectations.
This surge in interest shows that Indian gamers are drawn to local themes and narratives, which is a significant development in the gaming world. It’s clear that Indian game studios are tapping into the rich cultural heritage of the country to craft games that resonate with a diverse audience.
The Future of Indian Gaming
As the Indian gaming industry continues to grow, more and more studios are focusing on quality, pushing boundaries to create world-class games. The focus is shifting from casual games to bigger, more complex projects that can compete on the global stage.
Vaibhav Chavan, founder and CEO of Underdogs, a Mumbai-based gaming studio, highlights that the Indian gaming scene has grown beyond expectations over the last five years. Underdogs, the creators of over 250 games, is currently working on Mukti, a first-person story exploration game that won the prestigious India Hero Project award. This success demonstrates the potential for Indian developers to create globally competitive games.
According to Ali, a representative of dot9games, the operating expenses for game development studios in India range between $1-2 million per year, which is relatively lower compared to global counterparts. This cost-efficiency, combined with the rise of highly skilled developers, makes India an attractive destination for both local and international gaming companies looking to invest in new projects.
Conclusion
The rise of Made-in-India video games marks a new chapter in the country’s tech and entertainment industries. With more developers focusing on creating AAA games that meet global standards, the future looks bright for Indian gaming. As the market continues to expand, these games will undoubtedly push the boundaries of what’s possible and inspire a new generation of gamers and developers in India.
Leave a comment