Indus, Garuda Saga, Detective Dotson, Kamla: How Devs Are Putting 'India' First In Their Games
Indie developers are busy putting their foot through the door with fresh ideas inspired by everything India, and building a strong community while doing so.
Gaming worlds are a fascinating place to get lost in. Be it something ultra-realistic, like Red Dead Redemption II’s Wild-West US, or something fantastical, like Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild’s Hyrule - gaming maps are not just a backdrop, they often become an entity of their own thanks to unique design and memorable lore.
Now, when it comes to games set in an Indian backdrop (or, you know, a setting that resembles India), global AAA developers haven’t been too keen on exploring the rich heritage and colourful landscapes the subcontinent has to offer.
Don’t get me wrong. There have indeed been a handful of games which have embraced the Indian (subcontinent) backdrop. You have the painstakingly detailed Mumbai city assassination mission in Hitman: World of Assassination (fans of the series may even remember the Temple City Ambush mission set in Punjab from Hitman 2: Silent Assassin). Call of Duty: MW3 had its ‘Persona Non Grata’ escape mission set in Himachal Pradesh. You have Uncharted: The Lost Legacy set in the beautiful Western Ghats. Of course, you have Prince of Persia: Sands of Time (needless to say where it’s set) and Far Cry 4 (Himalayas). And you also have the side-scrolling Assassin's Creed Chronicles: India, which is more of a minigame rather than anything else.
Apart from the honourable mentions above, there aren’t many global developers and games truly exploring the many facets of India, which goes beyond just a brownish filter and a bunch of Hindu-esque Gods and Goddesses strewn about hither and thither.
Time then, for Indian (and a handful of global) developers designing games set in India, which are not only set under a familiar backdrop but also celebrate everything India, without falling victim to typical cliches.
Raji: An Ancient Epic by Pune-based Nodding Heads Games has already (sort of) shown the way, coming back strong from being a canceled Kickstarter project to earning a user score of 7.6 on Metacritic. There are several Indian games which are making all the right kinds of noice.
Do Gaming Worlds REALLY Matter?
Ask any pseudo-gamer (you know, the ones who only play FIFA on their friends’ couches) and they might argue it is the gameplay that matters and not the setting. However, any proper gamer would regale you with stories of how they still get goosebumps when it starts raining in their games.
“Yes. Worlds matter. Games as a medium excels at immersion. Even more so than films, because the worlds in games can be engaged with,” explains Shalin Shodhan, CEO, Masala Games. His studio is currently developing a rather curious ‘mini-series inspired by Indian cinema,’ called Detective Dotson, which is marked by a unique 2D-meets-3D pixel art design.
“In our case, India is 3D and realistic, while the people inside it are cute, emotive and made with 2D-pixel art. This juxtaposition immediately gives a cosy, wholesome vibe and invites the player in,” Shodhan said.
Apart from games with Indie vibes, you also have major developers cashing in. Take Krafton for example, whose Battlegrounds Mobile India is easily one of the top draws when it comes to mobile battle royales in the country. Earlier this year, it released its first Indian-themed rogue-like RPG, Garuda Saga, which is marked by Indian-themed music and design. “We've noticed a surge in interest from both Indian gamers for titles that incorporate Indian themes. The rich cultural tapestry and captivating narratives of India have resonated deeply with the Indian audience, enhancing player immersion and enjoyment,” said Karan R. Gaikwad, who leads the India Product Management Team at Krafton India.
“By leveraging themes that resonate with the target audience, developers can create meaningful differentiation and cater to diverse player preferences,” Gaikwad added.
Fantastical Or Real-World - Which Backdrop Appeals More?
When it comes to game design, a lot of planing and research goes into figuring out exactly how the game is intended to look like, even before the first (digital) brushstroke is applied. “Prior to any project, extensive research is undertaken to understand the intricacies of the landscape, geography, architecture, mythology, and folklore to ensure accuracy and authenticity,” Gaikwad explained. “Google Trends, CTR testing via Ad networks, and competitor analysis are some methods employed to decide on a concept. Following this, the team works on concept art, which undergoes testing and iterations. Whether opting for an Indian theme or not, a rigorous analytical process is essential as it cannot be altered once the game enters production.”
Now, for some games, a truly real-world design offers the best immersion and storytelling. In other cases, an otherworldly setting works best to unfold the developers’ vision. Take Indus for example. Developed by SuperGaming, it’s a battle royale driven by a unique theme of ‘Indo-futurism’.
When developing Indus and the whole Indo-futurism aesthetic, the developers began with what they were most familiar with - history, especially the Indus Valley civilisation.
“We wanted to take a unique approach that didn't confine us to primitive weapons or high fantasy settings. Instead, we posed 'What If' scenarios, ultimately leading us to envision a future where the Indus Valley Civilization thrived and advanced into the space age. This concept served as our launchpad into the world of Indo-Futurism,” said SuperGaming co-founder and CEO, Roby John. “Inspiration for this also came from Black Panther's interpretation of Afro-Futurism, which showcased a blend of rich cultural heritage with a hopeful future. This encouraged us to craft a world that celebrates India's glorious past while embracing the possibilities of a technologically advanced future.”
To drive home the ‘futurism’ bit of Indo-futurism, SuperGaming decided to set Indus in a different fictional world altogether, called Virlok. The idea was to present a world where the Indus Valley civilisation never went extinct but simply packed its bags and moved to a different galaxy altogether.
“So how does this guide us? Well, it aids in being able to extract elements from Indian arts and culture and create a fictional world using them to convey the feeling of being Indian at the same time as being futuristic,” John said.
So, what works better? Fiction? Or real world? Well, it mostly depends on the premise of the game and the overall authenticity the game wants to offer to players.
Gaikwad explained, “A real-world Indian setting offers familiarity and authenticity to players, allowing them to immerse themselves in environments they recognise and relate to. It provides a sense of connection to the culture and surroundings, which can enhance the overall gaming experience.”
“On the other hand, a fantastical, mythology-steeped Indian setting offers a unique and imaginative twist, drawing players into a world filled with rich elements, mystical creatures, and epic quests inspired by Indian mythology. It allows for creative storytelling and exploration of fantastical elements, which can be incredibly captivating as well,” he added.
What About The Already-Popular Indian Icons?
Now, to add Indian magic masala to games, you might think an easy way would be to bring the two biggest icons of the nation - cricket and Bollywood - into the mix. Not only would that guarantee popularity, but also might keep the bank happy.
Well, it's not really as easy as you think. “For indie game developers, venturing into cricket or Bollywood IP games might not be the best idea, since cricket is dominated by major companies with millions in budget, and acquiring licenses for Bollywood IPs is not cheap either,” explained Shubham Rajanwar, Game Developer and Designer at MadMantra Games, who earlier this month released the old-school Bollywood horror-inspired indie survivor, Kamla.
Inspired by the movies of Ramsay Brothers (and a few others such as “Bhool Bhulaiyaa” and “Tumbbad”), Kamla puts you in the shoes of a Tantrik, who must exorcise a newlywed bride in a spooky haveli by finding a myriad of objects needed for the ritual. He must do so carefully and quietly, for a possessed Kamla roams around the hallways, eager to devour the Tantrik if they cross paths. Kamla feels like the indie love child of “Alien: Isolation” and “Purani Haveli”.
“People were happy to see our main character, Kamla, since she wears a saree, and that is not a common thing in games. An Indian chudail in a game seems to be interesting to everyone. We love seeing that,” Rajanwar said.
Then again, there are some games which are embracing both Bollywood and cricket happily. “Both cricket and Bollywood are strong themes in Detective Dotson,” claimed Shodhan. “As they are a core part of the Indian experience!”
What Are The Development Challenges For Indian Games
Lack of 3D assets prove to be the first major hurdle for games set in an Indian backdrop. Shodhan explained, “At first, we went looking for some assets in the marketplace to get a running start, but soon realized that there are no 3D assets representing modern India. So we had to build all of that on our own.”
Shodhan plans to give some of the Dotson assets back to the community “so other creators don't hit roadblocks in telling their stories from modern India.” The dev community is pretty solid, and actions like this are truly commendable.
Rajanwar further expanded on a major hurdle with designing Indian games. “The difficult part is making these from scratch since many Indian objects have a very original geometrical look, and you will not find any ready-made objects to edit on the internet. Indian games are a relatively new phenomenon, which means there is a lot of extra effort needed to create 3D Indian models.”
He added, “We used applications like Notion and Milanote to plan these assets and brainstorm with references. Hopefully, it becomes easier for future Indian developers.” Just like Shodhan, Rajanwar also plans to make in-game assets available on Unity Asset Store.
Of course, sensitivity and cultural association are also primary concerns. Krafton India’s Gaikwad explained, “Choosing an Indian theme for a game requires careful thought. An Indian theme may not fit all games or genres, moreover it may include elements of mythology that will need to be carefully chosen. When opting for an Indian theme, developers must also consider the audience. They need to assess if they are aiming for a Western audience, enticed by the allure of an exotic Indian setting, or if they are targeting Indian players who seek familiarity and connection.”
He added, “When conceiving a game set in a real-life Indian city-inspired map, it's essential to approach it with sensitivity and cultural understanding. Research is key to accurately representing the landscape and cultural nuances. For us, as developers, it is essential to strike a balance between creativity and authenticity while still crafting an immersive experience for our players. A theme can get your foot in the door, but the success of the game will ultimately depend on how good the game is irrespective of the theme.”
What Does The Future Look Like?
Games are becoming more affordable, in a certain sense. Be it smartphone titles, or be it games on Steam, gamers nowadays certainly have a lot more options to choose from, and comparatively more buying power to afford titles that they want.
The gaming market in this country is projected to reach $7.5 billion by FY28, as per a Lumikai report. It’s safe to speculate that more developers and studios will come onboard in the coming years with more fresh ideas of their own.
So, would it be too wrong to bet on seeing some more homegrown games with authentic settings inspired by ‘everything India’? Well, this author thinks so.
- Garuda Saga is available to download on Google Play and App Store
- Indus Battle Royale is out on Closed Beta, an official release date is yet to be announced
- Detective Dotson is available to wishlist on Steam, with a Q4 2024 release expected
- Kamla is available to buy on Steam
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