Gaming
Krafton India levels up with new batch of gaming startups
MUMBAI: Krafton India is doubling down on its mission to shape the future of gaming in the subcontinent, welcoming a cracking cohort of six new startups into the second round of its Krafton India Gaming Incubator (Kigi). Building on the roaring success of its first batch, Kigi has upped its intake from four to six, casting its net wider to exciting new gaming hotspots like Kolkata and Madurai, among others. This move reinforces their grand plan to cultivate a nationwide ecosystem of top-tier game developers.
Kigi is throwing its weight behind emerging game development talent in India with mentorship programmes lasting from six months to a year, and a financial boost of up to $150,000. This aims to give these studios the firepower they need to craft best-in-class games and inject some serious innovation into the industry.
So, who are these bright sparks joining the fray?
* Kleanup Games from Madurai, led by studio director Jaiwanth Shanmugam, is cooking up ChromadiI, a rapid, retro-inspired shoot-’em-up with a rather clever colour-mixing mechanic and a focus on bagging those high scores. With original tunes from audio director Niranjan Nair and production by Nandini Nachiar, this game looks set to blend old-school arcade thrills with a modern twist, slated for a 2026 release.
* Advaita Interactive, hailing from Kolkata and founded by Judhajit Sarkar, is brewing Inspectorium, a hidden object detective game set in a steampunk-infused version of Victorian-era Calcutta. Expect episodic cases, real-time AI interrogations, and some proper immersive puzzle-solving. This one’s aiming for mobile, PC, and VR platforms between 2025 and 2026.
* Singular Scheme, a Mumbai-founded indie outfit led by Ahad Oomerbhoy and a team of eight, is crafting Frontier Paladin, an RPG with action-tower defence bits set on a cursed battlefield brimming with divine relics and ancient baddies. Sounds like a proper rumble!
* Smash Head Studio, a Bangalore-based crew with over a decade in the game, is gearing up to unleash Cricket Rivals, a fast-paced, real-time multiplayer mobile game that’s reimagining the spirit of cricket with quick, competitive matches designed to appeal to a global audience. That’s not cricket… it’s better!
* Unwind Games, a mobile studio from Hyderabad founded by industry veterans Jayant Shukla and Khozema Abuwala, is developing BaoBao’s Journey, a heartwarming casual puzzle game starring a lovable panda on a quest to build his dream mountain lodge. Expect soothing puzzles and cozy customization for a relaxing and emotionally engaging experience. Aww, bless!
* Ginger Games, a Delhi-based studio founded in 2024 by Shrey Mishra, Sumit Batheja, and Piyush Kumar, is conjuring up Monkey Mayhem, a vibrant hybrid-casual action-adventure mobile game set in the bonkers “Monkey Universe.” Featuring fast-paced auto-shooter gameplay, dynamic environments, crafting, combat, and a rich story following a brave monkey named Piklu on a chaotic mission to rescue his mates. Keep your bananas peeled for its February 2026 release.
This new batch of Kigi hopefuls follows the successful completion of its first incubation cycle, where several gaming startups, spanning the length and breadth of India, wrapped up their development phases and are now prepping to officially launch their KIGI-built games.
The first Kigi cohort is already making waves. ReDimension Games is live on Steam, while Shura Games and Dunali Games have successfully soft-launched their titles on the Play Store. Arjuna Studios is also gearing up for its own release. Their progress is a proper testament to Kigi’s mission to empower India’s next generation of game developers, giving them the tools, guidance, and support needed to bring world-class games to the market.
Krafton India incubator program and India publishing advisor Anuj Sahani said, “India’s game development talent is brimming with potential, and at Kigi we are dedicated to unlocking new opportunities for them to thrive. With an expanded cohort, a wider regional focus, and strengthened partnerships with some of the biggest names in technology, we are equipping game developers with the resources, mentorship, and support they need to build games that can stand out globally. We look forward to seeing how these talented teams push creative and technical boundaries in the coming months.”
Krafton India chief executive officer Sean Hyunil Sohn added, “At Krafton India, we see the future of gaming as a vibrant tapestry woven with diverse ideas and bold creativity. Gaming is more than just a form of entertainment, it’s a tool for connection, expression, and cultural influence. By empowering diverse voices and championing innovation, with our second cohort, we’re setting the stage for a future where Indian game developers are defining trends, telling new stories, and pushing the boundaries of what gaming can be.”
AccelByte chief commercial officer Rob Schoeppe chipped in, “Partnering with Krafton India’s Kigi program is a natural extension of our mission at AccelByte to empower developers with the tools they need to stay focused on making great and exceptional games. India’s gaming landscape is evolving rapidly, and we see immense potential in the talent and innovation emerging from this market. Through Kigi, we’re excited to support the next wave of Indian game studios by providing them with scalable, developer-friendly backend solutions that remove technical hurdles and accelerate their path to success.”
By strategically spotting and nurturing these high-potential studios, Kigi is well on its way to shaping India’s growth as a proper powerhouse in the global game development and innovation scene. The second cohort is getting a leg up from an expanded network of global tech giants like AWS, AccelByte, AppMagic, and Liftoff’s GameRefinery, ensuring these incubated startups get crucial cloud computing power, backend infrastructure, and expert guidance to develop and scale cracking gaming experiences for the world stage. Game on, India!
Gaming
Konami concludes successful eFootball India campaign
Campaign featuring Rinku Singh, Varun Chakravarthy and other stars boosts engagement ahead of FIFA World Cup 2026.
MUMBAI: When cricket meets football in the virtual world, even the biggest fans can’t help but score and Konami’s latest eFootball campaign in India has clearly hit the back of the net. Konami Digital Entertainment has successfully wrapped up its India campaign for eFootball, which brought together cricketers Rinku Singh and Varun Chakravarthy, actors Naslen Gafoor and Chandu Salim Kumar, and footballers Sahal Abdul Samad and Shubhasish Bose. The multi-star campaign generated strong excitement across gaming, football, and creator communities through social content, fan participation, and in-game engagement.
Building on the initial launch that featured a limited-time Lionel Messi card, the campaign united fan communities, lifestyle creators, football creators, and competitive eFootball influencers. It significantly expanded the game’s visibility and deepened engagement with fans across the country.
The campaign also saw thousands of entries submitted as part of its social media engagement challenge, reflecting high levels of community enthusiasm and active creator involvement.
Looking ahead, Konami plans to build on this momentum with more eFootball experiences for Indian fans as the FIFA World Cup 2026 approaches. With global attention on the tournament set to rise, India will remain a key market for deepening community engagement and bringing fans closer to the action.
In a country that lives and breathes sport, Konami has shown that mixing real-world stars with virtual thrills is a winning formula leaving fans eagerly waiting for the next goal.
