Over the years, I’ve seen India’s gaming scene constantly flirt and fumble with its own potential but never quite pull off that breakout moment – until now (fingers crossed). Enter Indie Game Utsav, an ambitious new festival that promises the largest showcase of Indian-developed PC and console titles our country’s ever seen. Taking place at Mumbai Comic Con 2025, this event could spark a genuine renaissance in India’s indie game ecosystem.
I remember the early 2010s, when Indian game developers mostly aimed at mobile or side projects. The big console hits were a rare dream, overshadowed by the conventional wisdom that India “isn’t a console market” or that “we can’t compete with the West.” Indie Game Utsav is attempting to overcome these outdated assumptions, trying to shine a bright spotlight over 40 high-quality, made-in-India PC and console games for not just India but the entire world to witness.
Also read: Kurukshetra: Ascension tops 1 million players across PC, Android and iOS – here’s why
“Indie Game Utsav wants to pave the way for upcoming quality indie games from India to find success just like Raji,” says Avichal Singh, the man who’s putting it all together, from Nodding Heads Games – best known for “Raji: An Ancient Epic,” the first major Indian success story on PC and console.
NODWIN Gaming, the folks who run Comic Con India, are only too happy to throw their support behind the inaugural Indie Game Utsav. For those unfamiliar, NODWIN started out as an e-sports venture that championed PC gaming. “We’ve always believed in the incredible talent of Indian indie game creators, and that their work should be easily accessible to gamers,” says co-founder Akshat Rathee. That synergy between the old guard of e-sports enthusiasts and these new wave indie developers feels like a missing puzzle piece finally clicking into place. Let’s be real for a second here, because Indian gamers are hungry for more than just mobile rehashes or foreign AAA blockbusters. This could be a start of something big, a much-needed first step in a journey that culminates into e-sports tournaments in India and around the world being played on an Indian game.
The presence of global publishers at Indie Game Utsav – like Neon Doctrine, Dangen Entertainment, and a whole lineup of others – suggests that people outside our borders are starting to pay attention, too. The ability to pitch your dream project to, say, Devolver Digital (even if only digitally) could be a game-changer for smaller studios. These devs don’t just get funds, as they get mentorship, marketing, and that vital shot of confidence that can make or break an indie outfit.
Also read: Best Gaming PC with RTX 3060 in March 2025
All of this, of course, goes down at Comic Con, where pop culture fans converge. Typically, you’d expect to see cosplay, comics, and maybe some mainstream AAA showcases. But letting indie PC and console games grab the spotlight at an event like this? That’s important. It signals a shift in the broader Indian pop culture mindset, acknowledging that locally made games can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the biggest international franchises.
For years, I’ve believed that if Indian gaming is ever to hit its stride, it’ll happen through the passion and innovation of indie developers. These creators aren’t tethered by giant studios or handcuffed by conservative boardroom demands. They can – and often do – pour their hearts into culturally resonant, experimental titles that echo the complexity of India’s identity. And now, with Indie Game Utsav, they finally have a public stage to show the rest of us what they’re capable of.
If you’re in Mumbai between April 12 and 13, swing by Jio World Convention Centre. You might discover a new hidden gem, chat with an Indian indie game developer who’s about to become the next big thing, or just soak up the energy and vibe of Indian gaming. Who knows, you might just walk away with renewed faith in the potential of “Made in India” gaming.
Also read: Breaking Barriers: Lumikai’s Salone Sehgal on Investing in Future of Gaming
Follow Us
Jayesh Shinde
Executive Editor at Digit. Technology journalist since Jan 2008, with stints at Indiatimes.com and PCWorld.in. Enthusiastic dad, reluctant traveler, weekend gamer, LOTR nerd, pseudo bon vivant. View Full Profile
