India’s digital landscape has radically transformed in recent years, driven by widespread smartphone adoption and affordable data plans. Amidst this evolution, Zupee has emerged as a pioneering platform that has created a unique category of games by reimagining traditional Indian pastimes for the digital age. By transforming classic games into skill-based, competitive formats, Zupee has built a successful business and preserved and promoted India’s rich cultural legacy.
Bringing Back Beloved Childhood Games
Zupee started by focusing on games that many Indians grew up playing. Titles like Ludo and Snakes & Ladders were always more than mere games; they were part of family time, festivals, and friendly rivalries. Zupee reimagined these classics with sleek digital designs while keeping their original charm. For example, the click of virtual dice in their Ludo games still sparks the same excitement as rolling a wooden die on a physical board. This mix of old and new has made these games popular across generations, from teenagers to grandparents.
Turning Luck into Skill
Traditional board games often depend on luck, but Zupee changed the rules. Take Ludo Supreme: instead of waiting to roll a six to start, players begin moving pieces right away, with time limits to plan their moves. These tweaks reward strategy over chance, making every match a test of quick thinking. Players now analyze risks, predict opponents’ moves, and adapt tactics, turning a casual pastime into a brain-training exercise.
What makes Zupee stand out is its focus on real rewards. Players can earn actual prizes by winning matches, with some tournaments offering a chance to win up to ₹10 lakh. But beyond money, playing and winning with Zupee is more about the recognition that follows. Whether it is a homemaker in Rajasthan or a college student in Karnataka, both can showcase their skills and earn rewards, adding purpose to play. Free versions let newcomers practice, while paid contests challenge seasoned players.
Matching India’s Competitive Spirit
Indians love competition in cricket, exams, or even local card games. Zupee tapped into this spirit by creating fair, transparent tournaments. Over 100 million users log in to test their skills against others nationwide. Wins feel earned because outcomes depend on strategy, not random luck. This fairness has built trust, turning casual players into loyal fans.
Designing for the Future
Zupee’s games are super quick. Most of them wrap up in under 10 minutes. This respects players’ time and avoids addiction risks. Features like RNG certification (ensuring random outcomes are truly random) and blockchain checks (for tamper-proof records) keep games honest. The platform also offers choices: free play for fun, low-stakes contests for practice, and high-reward tournaments for experts.
Keeping Culture Alive in the Digital Age
Beyond entertainment, Zupee’s games act as cultural time capsules. When a teenager plays a digital version of Pachisi (an ancient cross-and-circle game), they are connecting with a 4,000-year-old tradition. By making these games trendy and accessible, Zupee ensures they are passed on to new generations. Regional variations and festival-themed tournaments deepen this cultural link, reminding players of India’s diverse heritage.
Zupee’s success shows there is a growing demand for games that feel uniquely Indian. Other studios now explore regional stories and traditional art styles, but Zupee leads by blending culture with competition. As India’s gaming market grows, Zupee’s unique model of honoring Indian roots while also embracing innovation acts as a roadmap for other players in the domain. Whether through nostalgic gameplay, skill-based challenges, or meaningful rewards, Zupee proves that cultural heritage can thrive in the digital world.
India’s ‘Design in India, Design for World’ initiative aspires to establish the nation as a global hub for design and manufacturing. A pivotal contributor to this vision is the rapidly expanding gaming startup ecosystem, which not only showcases India’s creative talent but also makes significant economic contributions. This article delves into how gaming startups are invigorating this ambitious vision.
The Indian gaming industry has experienced remarkable growth in recent years. As of 2023, the country boasts over 442 million online gamers, positioning it as the second-largest gaming market globally, just behind China. Among these, approximately 90 to 100 million are dedicated and regular players. The online gaming segment has emerged as the fourth-largest sub-sector within India’s Media & Entertainment industry and is projected to reach INR 231 billion by 2025, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 20%.
Gagan Arora, Founder, Vertex Global Services
Gaming Startups: Catalysts for Innovation and Design
Indian gaming startups are at the forefront of innovation, developing games that resonate globally while reflecting local narratives. By creating culturally rich content, these startups appeal to domestic audiences and capture international markets. This approach aligns seamlessly with the ‘Design in India, Design for World’ ethos, as games designed locally are gaining global recognition.
Economic Contributions and Employment Generation
The rapid expansion of the gaming sector has significant economic implications. The industry is currently valued at $1.8 billion and is expected to grow to $6-7 billion by 2025, with a staggering CAGR of 35-40%. Moreover, the industry is a substantial employment generator. As of 2023, it employs over 50,000 individuals directly, with projections to generate more than 250,000 jobs by 2025. This job creation spans various roles, including game development, design, marketing, and support services, contributing to the broader economic development of the country.
Technology Incubation and Development of Entrepreneurs (TIDE 2.0) Scheme: Launched in 2019 with an outlay of ₹264.62 crore over five years, TIDE 2.0 extends financial and technical support to institutes of higher learning and premier R&D organizations engaged in supporting ICT startups using emerging technologies. To date, 51 TIDE 2.0 Incubation Centres have been supported and made operational.
Startup Accelerator of MeitY for Product Innovation, Development, and Growth (SAMRIDH) Scheme: This scheme supports existing and upcoming accelerators to select and accelerate potential IT-based startups to scale and solve India’s technological challenges, thereby creating a positive social impact. The SAMRIDH scheme provides support to selected accelerators for extending services to startups, along with one-to-one matching funding support of up to ₹40 lakh. In the first cohort, 22 accelerators across 14 states and 12 cities were selected to support 175 startups.
Next Generation Incubation Scheme (NGIS): Approved to support the software product ecosystem and address a significant portion of the National Policy on Software Product (NPSP) 2019, NGIS aims to handhold 300 tech startups in Tier-2/3 cities over three years, with a total budget outlay of ₹95.03 crore. The scheme is proposed to be launched from 12 locations, including Agartala, Bhilai, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Dehradun, Guwahati, Jaipur, Lucknow & Prayagraj, Mohali/Chandigarh, Patna, and Vijayawada.
Domain-Specific Centres of Excellence (CoEs): The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has operationalized 42 CoEs in diverse areas of national interest to drive self-sufficiency and create capabilities in emerging technology areas. These CoEs act as enablers, aiding in making India an innovation hub through the democratization of innovation and realization of prototypes.
These initiatives are instrumental in creating a conducive environment for gaming startups to thrive and contribute to the ‘Design in India, Design for World’ vision.
Regulatory Frameworks: The absence of a uniform national policy across states leads to varying interpretations of games of skill versus chance, creating uncertainties for startups. Addressing these regulatory hurdles is crucial to sustain growth and encourage innovation.
Infrastructure Limitations: Disparities in internet connectivity between urban and rural areas pose challenges. Overcoming these barriers will require concerted efforts from both the government and private sectors to ensure inclusive growth.
Access to Funding: While government schemes provide initial support, scaling startups often require substantial funding. Facilitating access to venture capital and private investments is essential for the sustained growth of the gaming ecosystem.
Skilled Workforce: The rapid evolution of gaming technologies necessitates a continuous supply of skilled professionals. Investing in specialized education and training programs will be vital to meet industry demands.
India’s gaming startup ecosystem is a dynamic force propelling the ‘Design in India, Design for World’ vision. Through innovation, economic contributions, and cultural representation, gaming startups are redefining the entertainment landscape and positioning India as a global design hub. With continued support and strategic investments, the gaming industry is poised to play a pivotal role in India’s journey toward becoming a global leader in design and technology.
(The author is the Founder and CEO of Vertex Global Services and Trade Commissioner for the India-Africa Trade Council)
(This article is a guest publication and does not have journalistic/editorial involvement of Scope Magazine. Scope magazine will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article.)
Bengaluru, 27th February 2025: Bengaluru GAFX 2025, India’s largest and most influential Bengaluru GAFX 2025 Conference, commenced today at The Lalit Ashok, Bengaluru, and will run from February 27th to March 1st, 2025. Organized by the Department of Electronics, IT & BT, Government of Karnataka, in collaboration with ABAI, the event reinforces Bengaluru’s position as the world’s leading hub for AVGC-XR and a key driver of India’s global leadership in immersive media and entertainment.
The grand inauguration witnessed the esteemed presence of Shri Priyank Kharge, Hon’ble Minister for Rural Development, Panchayat Raj, and IT & BT, Government of Karnataka, alongside key industry leaders and policymakers driving the future of immersive storytelling. The event had the privilege of welcoming Mr. Sanjay Jaju, Secretary, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India, as the Special Guest of Honour.
Shri Priyank Kharge, Hon’ble Minister for Rural Development, Panchayat Raj, and IT & BT, Government of Karnataka
Among the distinguished attendees were Dr. Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Executive Chairperson & Founder, Biocon Limited; Shri Rizwan Arshad, Member of Karnataka Legislative Assembly; Shri Sharath Bachegowda, MLA & Chairman, KEONICS; Mr. Marc Lamy, Consul General of France, Bengaluru; Ms. Hilary McGeachy, Consul General of Australia, Bengaluru; Mr. Alfonso Tagliaferri, Consul General of Italy, Bengaluru; Mr. Nitish Mittersain, CEO & MD, Nazara Technologies; Mr. Ashish Kulkarni, Founder & CEO, Punnaryug Artvision Pvt. Ltd.; Dr. Ekroop Caur, IAS, Secretary, Department of Electronics, IT, BT & S&T, Government of Karnataka; Mr. Sai Srinivas Kiran Garimella, Co-founder, MPL; Shri Rahul Sharanappa Sankanur, IAS, Director, Department of Electronics, IT & BT, Government of Karnataka; Shri Daljeet Kumar, IAS, Deputy Secretary, Department of Electronics, IT, BT & S&T, Government of Karnataka; and Mr. Biren Ghose, Chairman, Bengaluru GAFX & President, ABAI.
With the theme “Future of Immersion: EXPERIENCE. EXPLORE. DISRUPT.”, GAFX 2025, champions its commitment to furthering the frontiers of creativity and technology. Attendees will experience the power of immersive technologies in storytelling, from real-time rendering breakthroughs to the transformative potential of virtual and augmented reality. As a premier platform, GAFX 2025 will bring together global thought leaders, visionary creatives, and cutting-edge innovations, fostering collaboration and shaping the future of the industry.
A patron of Bengaluru GAFX 2025, Shri Priyank Kharge, Hon’ble Minister for Information Technology & Biotechnology and Rural Development & Panchayat Raj, Govt. of Karnataka said “This event holds significance not just for the government of Karnataka but for the entire nation. Our professionals are not just contributing to global projects—they are leading them, bringing unique perspectives and unmatched expertise to the forefront. In animation and visual effects, Indian artists are instrumental in delivering cutting-edge visuals for domestic and international productions. Our contributions have garnered global acclaim, positioning India as a hub of high-quality animation and VFX services.
Despite the central government’s 28% GST, we remain the fastest-growing market in the gaming sector, achieving an impressive 23% year-on-year growth. By the end of the 2024 financial year, we are set to reach $3.8 billion. Looking ahead, I hope to see Karnataka host its own national e-sports festival this year, with the vision of creating the country’s—and possibly Asia’s—largest e-sports event.”
“Karnataka has always been at the forefront of technology and digital innovation, and our leadership in AVGC-XR continues to shape the industry. Home to over 300 AVGC studios and 15,000+ professionals, Karnataka contributes significantly to India’s digital content revolution. We were the first state to introduce an AVGC-XR policy in 2012, and our third five-year policy, announced last year, strengthened this sector with production grants, tax incentives, and skill development initiatives. With India’s 500 million gamers, Karnataka leads with the highest number of gaming startups, positioning Bengaluru as the hub for next-gen game development. Our AVGC-XR fund, the first of its kind in India, supports startups and SMEs with investments up to ₹2 crore. Additionally, we are setting up India’s first AVGC-XR Park, offering production studios, incubation spaces, and research facilities. By 2029, we aim for a 30% increase in operational efficiency, a 20% boost in creative output, and a 25% expansion in digital marketing reach. GAFX 2025 reflects this vision, bringing together industry leaders, professionals, and students. Let’s collaborate, innovate, and strengthen Karnataka’s position as the global capital for AVGC-XR excellence.” – said Dr. Ekroop Caur, Secretary, Department of Electronics, IT, Bt, Science & Technology, Government of Karnataka.
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, Mr. Biren Ghose, Chairman, Bengaluru GAFX & President, ABAIsaid, “Storytelling is evolving beyond screens into immersive experiences that redefine how we engage with content. Just as astronomers explore the cosmos, we are visionaries shaping the visual language of tomorrow. Disruption isn’t an obstacle—it’s a catalyst, much like black holes and supernovae giving birth to new creations in the universe. Bengaluru stands at the heart of this transformation, where technology, artistry, and innovation unite to take India to the world and bring the world to India. From animation and gaming to AR, VR, and beyond, we are forging global alliances, building billion-dollar franchises, and nurturing the talent that will drive the next era of entertainment. This isn’t just ambition—it’s a roadmap. The seeds are sown, and the wave of change is here. Welcome to the future of immersion.”
Bengaluru GAFX is a premier event in the AVGC industry, serving as a vital platform for collaboration between Indian and global talent. The event brings together leading international and domestic studios, along with industry veterans, to showcase some of the most acclaimed and high-profile titles. By fostering cross-industry synergy, GAFX continues to drive innovation and excellence in the animation, visual effects, gaming, and comics landscape.
Key Highlights of Bengaluru GAFX 2025
Unveiling a Landmark Collaboration:Cine star Rana Daggubati, known for his role in Baahubali and a strong advocate for Indian storytelling, will unveil an exciting partnership between Zebu Animation and Tinkle, bringing India’s iconic comics to life through cutting-edge animation.
India Pavilion:A first-of-its-kind showcase of AVGC talent from across Karnataka, Rajasthan, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Goa, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and Assam, fostering regional co-production and collaboration.
Esports National Championship:India’s top 4 esports teams from different zones will battle it out in the Counter-Strike 2 grand finale, bringing high-energy gaming action to GAFX 2025.
Investor Connect:Over 25 leading investors will engage with 50 AVGC-XR startups, offering exclusive opportunities for funding and mentorship.
Spotlight on Indian Comics:Tinkle, Amar Chitra Katha, Raj Comics, and Pran Studios will discuss the future of Indian comics, their potential to generate original IPs, and their influence on the media industry.
AI & AVGC-XR Convergence:Experts from Deloitte, Autodesk, AMD, Nvidia, Myelin Foundry, and Adobe will explore the impact of AI in content creation, virtual production, and immersive experiences.
Startups Innovation Zone:AVGC startups from Karnataka’s Centre of Excellence (CoE) will showcase groundbreaking work, offering a glimpse into the future of the AVGC-XR industry.
Strengthening International Alliances:The Karnataka Government will establish a Global Innovation Alliance (GIA), bringing together France, Australia, the UK, Scotland, Uzbekistan, and Italy to foster global collaborations in AVGC-XR.
With an expected footfall exceeding 20,000 attendees, world-class speakers, immersive showcases, and disruptive innovations, Bengaluru GAFX 2025 is set to elevate India’s role in the global AVGC-XR landscape.
More than 150 developers from across five continents, along with over 650 aspiring creators from India, are participating in an exciting handheld video game design challenge organized by the Indian Digital Gaming Society as part of the WAVES 2025 initiative. Recently launched by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, this initiative aims to empower young innovators and foster a new wave of digital gaming talent.
The challenge has seen widespread participation across India, with students from 20 states and four Union Territories stepping up to compete. An official commented, “The diverse participation, including from regions previously lacking strong economic indicators, demonstrates the far-reaching success of the Digital India initiative.”
Notable areas such as Barmer (Rajasthan), Rayagada and Bhadrak (Odisha), Sonbhadra and Fatehpur (Uttar Pradesh), Vizianagaram and Jammalamadugu (Andhra Pradesh), Shivpuri and Balaghat (Madhya Pradesh), and Nandura (Maharashtra) have all seen registrations. This year’s participants include professionals, freelance developers, and students from colleges and schools. Among them, 33 participants come from India’s vibrant startup ecosystem.
Unlike traditional game development challenges, this competition uniquely integrates both hardware and software. Participants must create standalone, non-mobile, LCD handheld gaming devices using microcontrollers such as Arduino Uno and Raspberry Pi. By excluding mobile or computer screens, the challenge ensures a glare-free, non-addictive gaming experience—perfect for educational settings.
Participants must design a fully functional gaming device, blending game mechanics with physical hardware to create an independent and adaptable learning tool. “This challenge bridges multiple disciplines, from programming to electronics and mathematics, to develop an efficient, cost-effective hardware solution,” the official added. Unlike traditional software-based game development, this hands-on approach encourages developers to focus on gameplay logic and hardware integration, avoiding the complexities of Android or Windows operating systems.
The shift to microcontrollers significantly reduces costs and enables modular hardware prototyping, allowing devices to be repurposed with new hardware configurations, ensuring long-term versatility.
The global response to this challenge has been remarkable. European participants hail from Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and the U.K., while African nations such as Algeria, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa have shown strong interest. Registrations have also poured in from the U.S., Canada, Brazil, Singapore, Vietnam, Taiwan, Japan, Indonesia, and several other countries.
“This initiative not only promotes the fusion of hardware and software in gaming but also lays the groundwork for future innovations in IoT (Internet of Things) and embedded systems. It could serve as a stepping stone for the development of smart learning tools, automation technologies, and homegrown gaming hardware in India,” said the official.
The focus on low-power, simple display technologies aligns with global sustainable tech trends, opening the door to next-generation smart toys, wearables, and automation projects. It also supports India’s ‘Semiconductor Mission,’ which seeks to drive semiconductor innovation and self-reliance.
In essence, this challenge not only aims to revolutionize gaming but also ignite technological progress in India, fostering a thriving ecosystem of innovation in the years to come.
The apex body of India’s online gaming sector, All India Gaming Federation (AIGF) has announced the upcoming second edition of the AIGF Knowledge Series. The much-awaited event is scheduled to be organized at Bengaluru GAFX 2024– annual flagship event of Indian AVGC industry.
The said “AIGF Knowledge Series” is one of it’s kind module to instill knowledge and initiate awareness about online skill gaming ecosystem. Supported by different states, the event is be attributed to foster insightful and intriguing discussions, fireside chats with experts from diverse domains from industry and gaming industry. The success of the pilot edition of the event held in Meghalaya has summoned the necessity of second edition to be held at Lalit, Bengaluru on 31st January 2024 starting at 3 PM. The event will be a congregation of domain experts, thought leaders and key stakeholders who will be sharing recent developments, insights, challenges and potential solutions in the Indian gaming industry.
The Indian online gaming industry is poised to take big leap and is expected to reach Rs. 625 billion in the next five years. AIGF Knowledge Series intends to help game creators, corporate houses, gamers and the overall industry as a whole. Aligned with the missions laid by Digital India, the primary objective of AIGF Knowledge Series is to create a safe, secured, trusted and accountable gaming ecosystem in India.
As stated by Mr. Roland Landers, CEO of All India Gaming Federation: “Our objective with this series is to facilitate insightful and engaging discussions on strategic gaming themes. We also aim to collaborate with other key states in the future to enhance outreach and awareness towards online gaming. Through this knowledge series, we invite all stakeholders in the gaming industry to actively participate in this insightful event. By fostering collaboration and sharing knowledge, we can collectively contribute to the development of a safer and more trusted online gaming ecosystem.” With the inclusion of Indian gaming industry as the new Sunrise sector of Indian economy, the AIGF Knowledge Series at Bengaluru GAFX 2024 plays a crucial role in shaping the gaming ecosystem towards a safe, transparent, reliable and self sustaining industry.
What is All India Gaming Federation: AIGF is the apex body for online gaming industry in India. With more than 100 online gaming companies across esports, card games, casual games, fantasy games and other formats in their kitty boasts of a combined user base of over 500 million users. AIGF is also the oldest, largest and one of the most diverse associations of Indian gaming industry. Since its inception in May 2016, AIGF happened to be a forerunner in policy framing, consulting and standardizing the AIGF’s self-regulatory framework. Advanced by All India Skill Gaming Council, AIGF’s Skill Games Charter was established by eminent domain experts from the judiciary, executive, education, data science and sports backgrounds
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