India’s rising talent in game development is set to be in the spotlight as the Top 10 games from the inaugural Road to Game Jam will be showcased at the upcoming WAVES Summit 2025 in Mumbai. The event, to be held from May 1 to 4, is part of the Government of India’s Create in India Challenge: Season 1, under the World Audio-Visual Entertainment Summit (WAVES), spearheaded by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
Organised by the Game Developer Association of India (GDAI) in collaboration with KGeN (Kratos Gamer Network), the Road to Game Jam falls under Pillar 2 of WAVES, which focuses on Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, and Comics (AVGC-XR), including emerging technologies such as Augmented and Virtual Reality and the Metaverse. The initiative has provided a national platform for aspiring game developers, encouraging creativity and collaboration while supporting the growth of India’s game development ecosystem.
The response to the competition has been remarkable, with over 5,500 registrations from more than 1,650 colleges across 453 cities and towns in the country. Participants took part in AMA sessions and workshops led by industry experts, offering insights into game design, storytelling, and the business side of gaming. Following multiple rounds of evaluation, more than 175 original games were submitted and reviewed by a jury comprising seasoned professionals from the gaming industry.
The Top 10 selected games represent a diverse mix of student teams, solo developers, and early-stage startups. These winning entries will be featured at the WAVES Summit, where the developers will present their work to a global industry jury. The winning teams will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to Mumbai for the event. The top three entries will be awarded a total prize pool of ₹7 lakh, with ₹3.5 lakh for the first place, ₹2 lakh for second, and ₹1.5 lakh for third.
India’s position in the global gaming industry continues to grow, with a rapidly expanding user base and increasing creative output. According to a recent report by Lumikai, the country has over 550 million gamers, with 175 million making in-game purchases. This is supported by factors such as affordable internet access, a mobile-first gaming culture, and a large, young population—over 65 percent of whom are under the age of 35.
While India’s consumption of games is substantial, its creative strength is becoming equally prominent. With a large pool of engineering and design talent, a vibrant indie developer community, and increasing support from both the government and industry, India is well on its way to becoming a global hub for game development.
