India Pavilion Shines at Game Developers Conference 2025: Showcasing Gaming Innovation and Global Aspirations

WAVES 2025 is envisioned as a dynamic forum fostering innovation, trade, and partnerships within the media, gaming, and entertainment sectors.

The India Pavilion made a grand and impactful debut at the prestigious Game Developers Conference (GDC) 2025, held in San Francisco from March 17 to 21. The GDC, recognized as the world’s largest and most influential event for the gaming industry, brings together game developers, publishers, technology providers, and investors from across the globe. It serves as a vital platform for discussions on game design, technology advancements, business trends, and the future of the gaming industry.

The India Pavilion was inaugurated by Dr. K. Srikar Reddy, Consul General of India, San Francisco, in the presence of Deputy Consul General Shri Rakesh Adlakha and Shri Tanmay Shankar, Head of Digital Growth, NFDC, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB). The Pavilion marks a significant step toward India’s global positioning in the gaming and interactive entertainment industry.

Promoting WAVES 2025: India's Landmark M&E Summit

A primary highlight of the India Pavilion was its dedicated efforts to promote the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025, set to be held in Mumbai from May 1 to 4, 2025. This ambitious summit, organized by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB) and led by the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), aims to bring together key stakeholders from the global Media & Entertainment (M&E) industry.

WAVES 2025 is envisioned as a dynamic forum fostering innovation, trade, and partnerships within the media, gaming, and entertainment sectors. It aims to establish India as the Content Hub of the World, attracting investments, facilitating cross-border collaborations, and accelerating growth in gaming, animation, VFX, and immersive media technologies.

India Pavilion: A Hub of Gaming Innovation and Excellence

The India Pavilion at GDC 2025 highlights the remarkable advancements and innovations within India's gaming industry. It showcases a curated selection of top Indian game development companies and studios that have been pushing creative and technological boundaries in gaming.

Some of India’s leading game development firms, including Nazara Technologies and WinZO, have set up an engaging presence at the Pavilion. These companies are pioneers in India’s gaming ecosystem, bringing cutting-edge mobile, PC, and console games to global audiences. Alongside them, the Pavilion features the IGDC 2024 Award Winners, including Wala Interactive, Brewed Games, Xigma Games, and Singular Scheme, who have gained international recognition for their exceptional contributions to game design and storytelling.

Spotlighting Bharat Tech Triumph Champions

Another exciting element of the India Pavilion is the focus on winners of Bharat Tech Triumph Season 3, an initiative under the Create in India Challenge—a flagship program within WAVES 2025 that champions next-generation game development and tech innovation.

The India Pavilion is proud to showcase a diverse group of trailblazing studios and startups, including:

• Yudiz Solutions
• Brahman Studios
• Godspeed Gaming
• Second Quest
• Over the Moon Studios
• Game2Maker
• Pariah Interactive
• Lysto
• Mixar
• Little Guru
• Mono Tusk Studios
• GameEon
• Funstop
• Abracadabra

These companies are driving innovation across diverse gaming verticals, including VR, AR, AI-driven gaming, blockchain gaming, esports, and serious games designed for education, healthcare, and social impact.

A Strategic Platform for Global Collaboration

The India Pavilion serves as a gateway for collaboration, enabling Indian gaming companies to connect with global developers, publishers, investors, and technology providers. Through networking events, business matchmaking, and panel discussions, Indian studios are gaining opportunities to explore co-production deals, technology partnerships, and international content distribution agreements.

With India emerging as a major gaming market—boasting over 450 million gamers and a rapidly growing gaming economy—the Pavilion underscores the country’s ambitions to expand its global footprint in game development and digital entertainment.

India’s Rising Influence in the Global Gaming Industry

India’s gaming industry is witnessing exponential growth, fueled by increasing smartphone penetration, affordable data, and a young, tech-savvy population. Industry estimates suggest that the Indian gaming sector will surpass $8.5 billion in revenue by 2026, driven by mobile gaming, esports, and emerging technologies like cloud gaming and Web3.

With government support through initiatives like ‘Create in India’ and ‘Digital India,’ India is positioning itself as a global hub for game development, animation, and interactive entertainment.

Looking Ahead: India’s Roadmap for Gaming Innovation

Beyond GDC 2025, India is gearing up for WAVES 2025, which is expected to attract global gaming giants, investors, policymakers, and content creators. The event will provide a unique platform for knowledge exchange, market expansion, and strategic partnerships that will shape the future of India’s gaming and entertainment ecosystem.

With its presence at GDC 2025 and the upcoming WAVES Summit, India is sending a strong message to the global gaming industry: India is ready to lead, innovate, and redefine the future of gaming and interactive entertainment on a global stage.