Will the new IGPDA association change the future of Indian game development?
At the beginning of June, an association appeared in India that could become a major driving force for the entire national gaming industry. Nine leading companies in the country, including Nazara Technologies, Tara Gaming, and nCore Games, announced the creation of the Indian Game Publishers and Developers Association (IGPDA).
The goal of the initiative is to give India a chance to become a significant player on the international video game scene. But why has the need for such a coalition arisen precisely now, and can a single association really change the balance of power on the global market? Is India ready for its own breakthrough in the gaming industry?
The state of the Indian gaming industry: challenges and opportunities
Today, India is one of the largest mobile gaming markets, with the number of active players exceeding 400 million people, according to KPMG India. Despite this impressive scale, the industry’s revenues still lag behind world leaders such as China, the US, and South Korea.
The main reason is the overwhelming dominance of mobile applications, which provide millions of downloads but do not bring in sufficient revenue. Certainly, the most well-known games, including iGaming brands, are present on the country’s market. Each mobile application offers hundreds or thousands of gambling entertainments. The selection is particularly broad in Pin Up or Melbet. And on https://app1win.com/ we found that in addition to games, 1win also offers extensive opportunities for sports betting. All of this is a subject of financial expenditure. However, in the case of India, spending still falls short of the global average.
Moreover, most top games come from abroad, mainly from China, while local content remains rare. This situation raises a logical question: what needs to change so that the industry not only grows quantitatively but also begins to bring the country significant revenue and international recognition?
IGPDA: objectives and key directions
The association has set itself ambitious objectives. First and foremost is to support the creation of original game projects (IP) based on Indian stories and cultural codes. Another important focus is the development of a comprehensive AVGC chain (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, and Comics), which includes animation, visual effects, video games, and comics. This chain covers not only developers, but also graphic specialists, scriptwriters, special effects experts, and animators.
To achieve success, IGPDA unites developers, studios, publishers, investors, educational centers, and technology platforms around itself. Thus, the association aims to become not just an interest-based union, but a true driving force for the creation of large-scale world-class projects and for increasing the competitiveness of the entire industry.
IGPDA founders: who is behind the changes
At the center of the association are nine companies, each of which has already established itself in the market. Nazara Technologies, one of the largest mobile game publishers, actively invests in Indian startups and esports projects. Gametion is known for the hit Ludo King, which became popular not only in India but also beyond. nCore Games works on large multiplayer projects and focuses on collaboration with the local community. Reliance Games and SuperGaming are actively developing their own franchises. Tara Gaming draws attention by integrating mythology and literature into game scenarios.
Other participants, such as Underdogs, Aeos Games, and Dot9 Games, ensure diversity of genres and technologies. According to experts from IGN India, such a coalition for the first time creates conditions for genuine market consolidation and the launch of large-scale initiatives that are competitive at the global level.
Partnership with the state and a bet on Mumbai
One of IGPDA’s first projects is a strategic partnership with the authorities of Maharashtra state. The association, with government support, proposes to turn Mumbai into a global gaming hub by attracting investment and creating a favorable environment for gaming companies.
The Chief Advisor for Investment and Strategy to the Government of Maharashtra, Kaustubh Dhavse, officially welcomed the initiative and stated that support for infrastructure and regulatory development is a priority for the region. By analogy, such public-private partnerships have helped other industries—for example, in Singapore and South Korea, similar measures accelerated the growth and export of video games.
Legislative changes: new rules for the market
A significant change for the sector was the adoption of the Online Gaming Bill, which officially separates video games and gambling applications. Now, video games and esports are recognized as a separate industry, which legalizes the market and reduces risks for developers. The law prohibits platforms associated with online betting, gambling, and lotteries.
According to analysts at IGN India, this is an important step for attracting foreign investment and increasing confidence in local projects. However, there is still a discussion among experts: whether the new legal framework will cope with the rapidly changing digital environment and whether it will be able to protect the interests of small studios.
Leaders’ opinions: why India needs its own games
nCore Games president Kavale Bambra emphasizes that the task of IGPDA is to become the collective voice of the industry, promoting the interests of developers at the level of legislation and investment. Tara Gaming co-founder Amsh Tripathi notes: “Video games are the largest creative industry—bigger than film, books, and music combined—and India currently receives only a small part of this market. If we create our own projects that reflect our culture, the country will be able to export not only games but also its identity.”
The experience of national associations in other countries, such as Korea and China, confirms: support for local IP often leads to the emergence of world-famous brands and stimulates the development of creative industries.
Context, concepts, and examples
AAA games are called big-budget blockbusters created by dozens or hundreds of specialists, featuring modern graphics and deep storylines. AVGC is an abbreviation for the chain of Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, and Comics, where each stage requires skilled professionals. Among Indian studios that have already achieved success, SuperGaming, which released the popular Battle Stars, is often mentioned, as well as Underdogs, whose projects have been recognized at international exhibitions. In China and South Korea, it was precisely the national association of companies and state support that allowed them in a decade to grow their own flagships, such as Tencent and Nexon.
What will the appearance of IGPDA change for the industry?
The video game industry in India can become a new engine for the export of culture and technology if key market participants and the government continue to cooperate. As IGN India experts emphasize, the launch of IGPDA promises not only an acceleration of growth but also the emergence of ambitious projects capable of competing at the global level. However, risks remain ahead: complex regulation, lack of funding, and high competition from global giants. Will India be able to take advantage of this opportunity and nurture its own champions?
Official sources: IGN India, statements by representatives of the founding companies, comments by the government of Maharashtra. According to market participants, the outlook remains optimistic, but ultimate success will depend on determination and real investments in national game development.
