GDAI launches Supernova to help Indian game studios go global

MUMBAI: Every blockbuster game starts with a spark, and India’s game developers have just been handed a fresh power-up. The Game Developer Association of India (GDAI) has unveiled Supernova, a national incubation programme aimed at helping promising Indian game studios transform creative ideas into globally publishable titles.

Designed as a three-month online programme, Supernova will support 40 high-potential game studios in its inaugural cohort, providing mentorship, business guidance and direct access to publishers and investors as India’s gaming industry looks to create more home-grown intellectual property (IP) with global appeal.

The initiative has been developed in collaboration with industry partners including Tencent, 1312 Interactive, Sanchi Connect and other ecosystem stakeholders. The programme will culminate in a Demo Day at the India Game Developer Conference (IGDC) 2026, scheduled for 28-29 October, where participating studios will showcase their projects to publishers, investors and industry leaders.

Selected studios will receive stage-specific mentoring from game industry veterans, along with publisher and investor readiness support, AI-powered game development guidance, and advice on business strategy, legal matters and intellectual property. Participants will also gain access to cloud infrastructure, startup technology tools and direct connections with publishers, platform holders and ecosystem partners.

Speaking about the initiative, Rajan Navani, Board Member and Chairperson of GDAI’s Incubation Subcommittee, said India already possesses the ingredients needed to become a global game development hub, including creative talent, entrepreneurial ambition and a rapidly expanding domestic market. He added that the next phase of growth would depend on helping founders build sustainable studios capable of creating globally successful gaming IP.

Applications for the first Supernova cohort are open until 31 July 2026, with the selected studios expected to be announced in August 2026.

The launch comes as India’s game development ecosystem gathers momentum through structured incubation programmes. Earlier, the LVL Zero game incubator also announced its first cohort, featuring studios including Arckon Arts, Impulse Mechanics and Kalp Studio, signalling growing efforts to nurture India’s next generation of game creators.

With Supernova, GDAI is betting that India’s next gaming success story will not just be played locally, but exported to players around the world.