Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently met with several of the country's top gaming personalities and influencers.
The roundtable discussion featured influential gamers and content creators like:
8Bit_Thug (Animesh Agarwal)
Mortal (Naman Mathur)
PayalGaming (Payal Dhare)
SKRossi (Ganesh Gangadhar)
GamerFleet (Anshu Bisht)
MythPat (Mithilesh Patankar)
They discussed various topics from the rise of Indian mythology-inspired games to government recognition and support for the gaming and esports industries.
With gaming's immense popularity among India's youth, the discussion likely centered on ways to nurture this booming ecosystem.
PM Modi Play Raji: An Ancient Epic
After the talks, PM Modi got hands-on experience with various games across VR, mobile, PC, and console platforms.
One highlight was Raji: An Ancient Epic, an acclaimed action adventure steeped in Indian mythology and ancient culture.
Developed by Indian indie studio Nodding Heads Games, Raji follows a young girl's quest to rescue her brother and stop the demon lord Mahabalasura's nefarious plans.
The game has won multiple awards including Game of The Year Asia 2020, Nomination for Best Debut Game at The Games Awards 2020 and GDC 2020, "Best Narration" and "Grand Prix" at the Taipei Game Show 2021, lauded for its gorgeous depictions of Hindu mythology and ancient architectural marvels.
With its distinct Indian flavor, it's the perfect game to showcase to leaders.
Released in 2020, the game is available on various platforms, including PC via Steam, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.
The developer has also announced its enhanced version for PS5 and PS Plus set to release on April 16, 2024.
PM Modi's interest could motivate more developers to mine the nation's epic tales and histories for future hits.
A Promising Future For Indian Gaming
The high-profile meeting suggests the Indian government recognizes gaming's importance as an entertainment and economic force.
According to latest Winzo's report, Indian Gaming revenue will be $6 billion by 2028, double that of 2023.
With the right policies and initiatives, India could emerge as a global gaming powerhouse, buoyed by its mythology, talent, and vast youth audience.