From being at the receiving end of parental ire to transforming into a full-fledged industry, gaming has come a long way in India. This year, the sector is touted to see more progress as the Government of India looks to support stakeholders and game developers with the upcoming World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (or WAVES).
The first WAVES—a milestone event for the Media and Entertainment sector, which gaming is a part of—is scheduled from May 1 to 4 this year at the Jio Convention Centre in Mumbai.
With WAVES 2025, the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB) hopes to present India as a business-friendly investment destination to the world, focusing on its growing media and entertainment infrastructure.
“WAVES is set to magnify India’s creative strength, amplifying its position as a hub for content creation, intellectual property, and technological innovation,” according to the MIB.
The summit, where gaming is set to take centre stage, will include industries and sectors such as broadcasting, print media, television, radio, films, animation, visual effects, comics, sound and music, advertising, digital media, social media platforms, generative AI, augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and extended reality (XR).
“The summit provides avenues for job creation, skill development, economic growth, knowledge exchange, cross-cultural dialogue, collaborations with global stakeholders, and the leveraging of cutting-edge technologies to boost the entrepreneurial spirit,” stated the WAVES organising team.
WAVES 2025 is expected to be a game-changer, with the event set to feature sessions covering various aspects of the media and entertainment industry, cultural evenings, exhibitions, tech and cultural showcases, masterclasses, workshops, and a three-day media marketplace.
With the summit, MIB looks to create a “premier global platform for media and entertainment, driving the creative economy, and showcasing India’s potential as a hub for intellectual property creation and innovation.”
This week, 20 game developers in India were recognised at the third edition of the Bharat Tech Triumph Program (BTTP), a flagship initiative of Interactive Entertainment and Innovation Council (IEIC) and WinZO Games organised in collaboration with the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB) and the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).
These 20 winners at BTTP are now set to represent India at the Game Developers Conference 2025 (GDC) in March in San Francisco, USA.
1. Sportsverse by Yudiz Solutions: A multi-sport VR experience featuring cricket, basketball, archery, and interactive mini-games
2. Winds of Arcana: Ruination by Brewed Games: A 2.5D dark fantasy Metroidvania with deep combat customization and rich world exploration.
3. AUM - The Game by Brahman Studios: A 3D multiplayer action arena blending RPG elements, Indian mythology, and a unique Karma system.
4. Lysto: An AI-powered platform that helps game studios with playtesting, player acquisition, and retention strategies.
5. Ilavath: Battle Arenas by 5th Ocean Studio: A team-based strategy game inspired by Indian legends, where players battle for Moksha in a cosmic arena.
6. 1000 Deaths by Pariah Interactive: A gravity-bending 3D platformer where player choices shape levels, mechanics, and story.
7. Hospital Rush by Over The Moon Game Studios LLP: A time management simulation game set in a fast-paced hospital environment.
8. Battle Legion: Mass Troops RPG by GodSpeed Games: A mass-battle multiplayer game where troops fight under players’ command in strategic battles.
9. Judgment Day by Gamer2Maker: A story-driven narrative game exploring justice, fate, and morality with an immersive design.
10. Model Trains by Second Quest: A sandbox game for railway enthusiasts, allowing players to design and automate intricate railways.
11. AeroMayhem PvP by Teapot Games: A high-octane air combat simulation game dominating simulation charts in 80+ countries.
12. Climate and Sin by Zher Blast: A dystopian adventure game where a young boy fights to save the last surviving tree in a polluted city.
13. Dominate the Skies by Blue Squirrel Studios: A VR anti-gravity racing game with aerial combat and high-speed action.
14. Mixar: The first AI-native 3D editor that enables game studios to create 3D assets using AI.
15. Palm Sugar: A Village Story by Mono Tusk Studios: A story-rich pixel RPG set in rural South India, blending traditional storytelling with engaging gameplay.
16. Orangutan Gaming: A professional eSports organization competing at global tournaments across multiple titles.
17. Arcado Champs by Gape Labs: A real-time slot-based strategy game with elements of tower defence.
18. SENA MayaVerse by GauravGo Games Technologies Pvt. Ltd: A metaverse-based multiplayer battle royale game integrating play-to-earn mechanics.
19. Little Guru Sanskrit Learning by Little Guru: A gamified AI-driven platform for learning Sanskrit through interactive gameplay.
20. MetaShot: A motion-sensing cricket bat that delivers an immersive virtual cricket experience at home.
Apart from representing the country at the GDC 2025, these winners would be showcasing the indigenous gaming IPs to investors, publishers, and industry stakeholders at WAVES 2025 in Mumbai.
