Gaming
Gaming’s leading ladies: Trailblazing women at the helm
Mumbai: In an industry that is conventionally dominated by male figures, these remarkable women have emerged as trailblazers, shaping the gaming landscape and inspiring countless others. As we celebrate International Women’s Day, we turn the spotlight on these visionary leaders who have defied conventions and spearheaded projects that engage audiences worldwide. From breaking barriers to setting benchmarks, these women have not only made their mark in the gaming industry but have also paved the way for a more inclusive and diverse future.
. Hitwicket co-founder Keerti Singh
Keerti Singh, as the co-founder of Hitwicket, has played a pivotal role in steering the gaming company to new heights. Her strategic vision and leadership have contributed to the success of Hitwicket, making it the best-rated mobile cricket game in the country.
. 99Games VP Shilpa Bhat
Shilpa Bhat, as the VP of 99Games, has been a driving force in the Indian gaming sector. Her leadership has propelled Evo Games to prominence, showcasing India’s capabilities in the global gaming industry.
. Apar Games co-founder Laxmi Khanolkar
Laxmi Khanolkar, in her role as the co-founder of Apar Games, has been instrumental in the company’s growth. Under her wise and steady leadership, Apar Games has not only achieved success but has also showcased India’s prowess in game development, handling projects for various companies.
. SuperGaming co-founder Christelle D’Cruz
Christelle D’Cruz has played a crucial role in shaping the gaming landscape. Through her hard work, she built a game development company that has successfully created over a hundred games, positioning SuperGaming as one of the best gaming studios in the country.
. Teenage game developer Anushka Naiknaware
Anushka Naiknaware, a teenage prodigy, has made waves in the Indian gaming landscape. Recognized as the youngest developer at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference, her achievements highlight the emerging talent in India’s gaming industry.
Gaming
IICT signs three MoUs to boost AVGC-XR and esports
Partnerships with Zenfluencers, Yologram and Eruditio at Chennai Gaming Show 2026 strengthen education, XR innovation and nationwide talent outreach.
MUMBAI: IICT has just levelled up the game in a big way. The Indian Institute of Creative Technologies signed three strategic Memorandums of Understanding on 17 April 2026 at the CII Summit FX – India Gaming Show in Chennai, forging alliances with The Zenfluencers, Yologram Style Pvt. Ltd. and Eruditio Consultants to accelerate India’s AVGC-XR ecosystem.
The tie-ups combine IICT’s strengths in education, skilling and research with specialist expertise across esports, immersive technologies and large-scale outreach.
- With The Zenfluencers, IICT will roll out globally benchmarked esports programmes, including joint certification courses, industry workshops, tournaments and masterclasses, creating clear career pathways across the full esports value chain.
- The partnership with Yologram Style Pvt. Ltd. focuses on gaming, immersive storytelling and extended reality (XR), delivering industry-aligned curriculum, faculty mentorship, student showcases and collaborative research in immersive AI and virtual production.
- Collaboration with Eruditio Consultants targets awareness, accessibility and career alignment, with nationwide counsellor training, institutional engagement and structured guidance frameworks to reach students beyond Tier-1 cities.
IICT CEO Vishwas Deoskar said, “As the AVGC-XR sector evolves at a rapid pace, strong collaborations between industry and academia are essential. These partnerships will create meaningful impact across education, innovation and outreach.”
Yologram Style Pvt. Ltd. founder Aditya Mani added, “AI-driven creator worlds are transforming games into engines of culture, commerce and careers. Together we aim to empower a generation to build immersive futures.”
Eruditio Consultants founder Indrajit Ghosh noted, “This is not just about awareness, it is about building a structured ecosystem that connects aspiration with opportunity.”
The Zenfluencers CEO Atharva Gupta said, “This MoU is a big unlock moment for the esports ecosystem in India. We’re building a structured pipeline for talent across the full stack.”
By bringing together academia, industry leaders and ecosystem players, IICT is creating scalable models that blend cutting-edge skills with real-world relevance. In a sector racing toward the future, these three partnerships ensure India’s next generation of creative technologists won’t just keep up, they’ll set the pace.
