Indian Gaming Industry Sees Surge in High-Budget Game Developments as Developers Cautiously Eye Global Market
In a significant development, the Indian gaming industry has witnessed a surge in high-budget game developments, bolstering its presence on the global market. Homegrown companies are now creating AAA-quality games that rival international giants.
The recent launch of Indus Battle Royale and Rage Effect: Mobile, two high-profile heavy-budget games developed by SuperGaming and Dot9 Games respectively, marks a notable shift in the focus area of Indian game developers. The game battle royale Indus Battle Royale has garnered close to 5 million downloads on Android and iOS platforms since its release in October, while AAA shooter Rage Effect: Mobile has crossed 120,000 pre-registrations in its open beta version.
"We're proud to be creating a game that resonates with local audiences while competing globally," said Roby John, co-founder and CEO of SuperGaming. "Our year-long esports tournament with a Rs 2.5-crore prize pool will support upcoming gaming talent in India."
SuperGaming's Indus Battle Royale has been developed by a team of 160 people at the Pune-based game developer. The project has attracted significant investment from leading investors such as Bandai Namco, Akatsuki Entertainment, and 1Up Ventures.
The emergence of high-budget titles from India marks a positive shift in the industry, said Roland Landers, spokesperson of All India Game Developers’ Forum (AIGDF). "In recent years, several studios have secured large-scale investments and are developing AAA-quality games, showing a commitment to meet global standards."
UnderDOGS, a Mumbai-based gaming studio, is currently engaged in the full-scale production of Mukti, a first-person story exploration game. Founder and CEO Vaibhav Chavan said, "We're witnessing a notable increase in developers creating high-quality homegrown titles that can stand out globally. Success stories will boost confidence in the industry."
Despite significant progress, funding remains a major challenge for Indian game developers. "Game development is a capital-intensive process," said John of SuperGaming. "Local investors often lean towards sectors with quicker returns and are hesitant to support longer, costlier development cycles associated with more sophisticated gaming projects."
To address this challenge, government support is essential. "Under Prime Minister Modi's 'Digital India' vision, the government has improved infrastructure and developed policies at both central and state levels," said Landers of AIGDF. Financial support through grants, tax incentives, and skill development initiatives can significantly boost the industry.
Meanwhile, some companies are now coming forward to help homegrown gaming startups grow on a global level. WinZO's "Bharat Tech Triumph" initiative showcases inspiring stories of Indian entrepreneurs and startups, igniting innovation and export globally.
The surge in high-budget game developments marks an optimistic turning point for India's AAA gaming aspirations.