India has one of the largest entertainment industries in the world. This should come as no surprise given the country’s population and its penchant for connecting through recreation, whether dancing or competing in a sport like kabaddi. The goal is to get out, have fun, and make connections.
Over the last five years, new sectors have started to take off. Mobile gaming, in particular, became the pastime of choice for millions of Indians who were facing quiet stints at home in 2021. With limited options to leave the house, mobile games and, to a lesser extent, traditional video games took off.
There are plenty of smaller games for players to choose from, including online slots from virtual casinos. These mini-games simply require players to set their bets and spin the reel. With Indian-themed titles like Super Elephant and Genie Jackpots available, slots have taken off. Players can access these games via mobile or another type of device, including PCs.
Other games have taken a more in-depth approach. For example, Raji: An Ancient Epic was released in 2020 and has since become the premier Indian video game. Developers designed the game in the style of Pahari paintings. Players navigate the familiar dunes of Rajasthan as the main character works with Hindu deities to try to find her brother.
The range and variation in these games highlight just how quickly the Indian gaming market is growing—but they’re just the tip of the iceberg. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most exciting new releases heading for Indian gamers, along with other projects that recently dropped.
Indus Battle Royale (Mobile)
This project from SuperGaming is set to hit the market this year. It will be available for iOS and Android devices. The game is a battle royale with a wide range of characters that reflect Indian mythology and culture. If you’ve ever played Garena Free Fire, which includes heroes from Filipino culture and beyond, then you understand the gift of this game.
However, there’s a highly unique twist that shifts the focus away from history. This title, though it will incorporate well-known deities and figures from across India, is more squarely focused on futuristic and sci-fi themes. That makes this a hugely exciting project that explores Indo-Futurism.
Yodha Ram: The Warrior (Mobile)
This new project from TV Today Network just hit shelves—which means you can be one of the first players to download and play it on a mobile device. This game is a very simple and straightforward 2D archery game, which doesn’t have quite the same in-depth play that Indus Battle Royale will include.
However, it follows the journey of the Indian hero Yodha Ram as he traverses the world and takes on increasingly difficult foes. Most of the game is written in Hindi, meaning Indian players will feel at home as they step into the shoes of the main character and take down their enemies.
Mumbai Gullies (PC)
Mumbai Gullies is a huge project that was released in 2023 by Mumbai studio GameEon—and it’s been one of the most hotly followed projects from the subcontinent. This open-world RPG takes players into the streets of Mumbai in a GTA-style adventure—only a bit more on the tame side.
The goal is for players to take on quests to start wielding more control over their neighborhood and, eventually, the entire city. It’s certainly a grittier take on Mumbai, which fearlessly delves into the dichotomous nature of life in the city. There are moments of touching courage and beauty, along with descents into truly dangerous missions. Along the way, players have access to a highly realistic and engaging open-world take on India’s largest city.
Since its release, Mumbai Gullies has become one of the premier games that depicts life in India. Though it hasn’t garnered the same attention and nominations that Raji: An Ancient Epic did upon its release, the project is ongoing. Developers will release the final chapter sometime in 2025.