Building Successful Games in India | Akshat Rathee & Avichal Singh Interview #IGNFix

Summary

The video highlights the dynamic evolution of India's indie game scene, with insights from Akshhat Rai and Avichel Singh, co-founders of Nwin Gaming and Nodding Heads Games. They emphasize the importance of understanding game economics, marketing, and distribution for success. The discussion covers India’s unique digital payment landscape, the rise of games like *Raji: An Ancient Epic*, and the invaluable support systems available for indie developers. They also stress the significance of community building, networking, and iterative development in navigating challenges. The message is clear: with perseverance, research, and collaboration, indie developers can thrive in India's growing gaming industry.

Takeaways

• 😀 No one owes you anything. Building a game doesn't guarantee success without understanding market dynamics, funding, and business strategies.
• 🎮 India's gaming market is evolving rapidly. There’s potential for indie developers, with India ranking in the top countries for games like Raji on Steam.
• 💡 Game developers must focus on understanding game economics, distribution methods, and monetization strategies to succeed.
• 📈 Indian gaming is not primarily driven by microtransactions. Instead, players are more inclined to pay for subscriptions and bulk value purchases (e.g., Netflix, telecom).
• 🚀 Events like Comic-Con and collaboration between industry leaders, such as Raw Fury, Devolver, and Epic Games, provide crucial mentorship for indie developers.
• 💰 Investors are looking for games with clear monetization strategies. Developers need to understand how to generate revenue from ads or in-app purchases.
• 🎉 The 2021 Indian Harvest Festival at Comic-Con was a breakthrough for indie games in India, offering invaluable exposure and mentorship to developers.
• 📅 Successful game development takes time, research, and persistence. Developers must iterate, learn from mistakes, and adjust strategies to succeed in the market.
• 🧠 India’s telecom industry model shows that the market is willing to pay, but developers need to use local payment systems like UPI to tap into this potential.
• 📊 Indie game developers today have more support than ever before, with programs like Xbox Developer Accelerator, Sony's Hero Project, and Epic Games Mega Grants to help them grow.

Q & A

What is the key advice given regarding building games and attracting players?

The key advice is not to simply build a game and hope people will come. Developers need to understand game economics, the importance of marketing, and how to effectively monetize their game. Building a game without a clear plan for distribution and monetization is not a viable strategy.

What was the significance of the 2021 Indian Harvest Festival?

The 2021 Indian Harvest Festival played a pivotal role in bringing together indie game developers and international publishers. It marked a milestone for the Indian gaming community, providing a platform for developers to showcase their games and gain valuable mentorship from major publishers like Devolver and Raw Fury.

How did the Indian gaming industry react to Raji: An Ancient Epic?

Raji: An Ancient Epic was initially considered an outlier in the Indian gaming market, with doubts about its viability. However, the game's success has proven those doubts wrong, with Raji ranking among the top three games in India on Steam, showcasing the growing potential of the Indian gaming market.

What is the stance on microtransactions in the Indian gaming market?

India is not considered a microtransaction-driven market. Instead, Indian gamers prefer to make larger, one-time payments for value over small, frequent microtransactions. The country follows a different payment model, with many users paying for subscriptions like Netflix or telecom services, which demonstrates the potential for larger transactions in gaming.

What does the speaker say about funding in the gaming industry?

The speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding how game funding works before seeking investment. Game developers should focus on how to generate revenue, either through ads or in-app purchases, and ensure that their game has a solid business model. If these factors are not addressed, attracting investors will be difficult.

What role do mentorship and events like Comic-Con X play for indie game developers?

Mentorship and events like Comic-Con X are invaluable for indie game developers. They provide opportunities for developers to gain insights from industry experts, connect with potential publishers, and learn about effective marketing and distribution strategies. These events help indie developers navigate the complexities of the gaming industry.

How does India’s telecom market relate to its gaming industry?

India’s telecom market is used as an example to illustrate how the Indian market operates. Just as the telecom sector thrived despite low costs and small payments, the gaming industry in India operates on similar principles, with gamers willing to pay for value in ways that may not align with traditional Western models.

What is the advice for developers trying to secure funding for their games?

Developers should first explore available resources, such as Xbox’s Developer Accelerator, Sony’s Hero Project, and grants from Epic Games. If these avenues don’t work, they can approach investors. However, investors who are not passionate about gaming may be harder to convince, so it’s crucial to understand the investment process and present a solid business case.

What does the speaker mean by the importance of iterative development and feedback?

Iterative development and feedback are crucial for improving games and making informed decisions. Developers should regularly share their progress with the community and be open to making changes based on feedback. This process allows for quick adjustments and continuous improvement of the game.

What strategies are suggested for indie game developers to succeed?

Indie developers are encouraged to utilize all available resources, such as grants, mentorship programs, and community support. They should focus on building quality games, engaging with their audience, and learning how to effectively market and distribute their games. Success is often a result of persistence, research, and leveraging opportunities that arise from events like Comic-Con X.