How Zupee is Building New Gaming Experiences Rooted in India’s Culture

How Zupee is Building New Gaming Experiences Rooted in India’s Culture

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.

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Rewards That Matter

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.

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A Blueprint for the Industry

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.

Leveling Up: How India’s Gaming Startups Energize the ‘Design in India, Design for World’ Vision

Leveling Up: How India’s Gaming Startups Energize the ‘Design in India, Design for World’ Vision

Authored by: Gagan Arora

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
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.

Also Read: A Giant Eyeball That Sees the Future of Entertainment

Government Initiatives and Policy Support

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.

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Challenges and the Road Ahead

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.)

Ultimate Guide to Game UI/UX: From Concept to Creation

Ultimate Guide to Game UI/UX: From Concept to Creation

Ultimate Guide to Game UI/UX: From Concept to Creation

The world of gaming has changed significantly over the years as visuals and experience (UI/UX) playing a crucial role in the success of a game. If you’re a budding game designer or an experienced professional seeking to improve your skills, knowing the intricate details of designing game UI/UX is vital. This guide will take you through the fundamental stages, from concept to design, in order to help you design an engaging and user-friendly game experience.

Understanding UI/UX in Gaming

The term UI (User Interface) refers to the visual elements players interact with, including icons, menus, buttons as well as HUDs (Heads-Up Displays). An attractively designed UI is user-friendly attractive, visually appealing and seamlessly blends into the overall design of the game.

The UX (User Experience) The UX (User Experience) on contrary, concentrates on the overall experience and satisfaction when playing the game. This is reflected in the simplicity of navigation, control’s responsiveness, as well as the ease of instruction. A good UX design means that gamers can fully immerse themselves into the game without causing any frustration or confusion.

Learn game UI/UX from a leading game dev company and become a professional game designer in 9 months.

 

Step 1: Research and Planning

Before you dive into designing, thorough research is vital. Start by studying successful games in your genre to discover the elements that work and what does not. Take note of their UX/UI design, focusing on factors that can enhance your gaming experience.

Next, define your target audience. Knowing their preferences, behavior and expectations will help guide your design decisions. Personas are created to represent various groups of your target audience and help you customize the user interface to meet their requirements.

Step 2: Conceptualization

After you’ve done your research Begin to conceptualize the UI/UX of your game. Draw out your initial concepts and then create wireframes to show the design of the game’s interface. This is essential to test different layouts and identifying any potential problems before they become a problem.

Take a look at the following concepts during conceptualization:

Simple: Don’t clutter the screen by adding unnecessary elements. Make sure that the most important information is prioritized and that it is easily accessible.

Consistency: Ensure an identical style of visuals all through the gameplay. This includes colors, fonts and buttons.

Feedback: Create interactive elements that offer feedback, for example, by highlight buttons when hovered or clicked.

Step 3: Design and Prototyping

Once you’ve got a solid idea, proceed to the design stage. Utilize graphic design tools such as Adobe XD, Figma, or Sketch to create high-resolution sketches of your user interface. Make sure to create attractive elements which are in line with the theme of your game and style of art.

Prototyping is an essential stage in this process. Make interactive prototypes to evaluate the usability and flow of your user interface. This lets you identify and fix any issues with usability before going on to the development phase.

Step 4: User Testing and Iteration

User testing is an important component of the UI/UX design process. Conduct usability tests on real users to get feedback about your product. Be aware of their interactions taking note of any points of confusion or dissatisfaction.

Based on the feedback you receive, revisit your concept. Make any necessary adjustments to enhance your overall experience for users. This process will ensure that the final design is refined and user-friendly.

Step 5: Implementation and Integration

With a well-crafted design you are now ready to integrate the UI/UX design into your game. Partner with developers to ensure that your design is properly transferred in the actual game. Make use of tools like Unity and Unreal Engine, which offer powerful UI designing capabilities, which will help you bring your ideas to reality.

Step 6: Post-Launch Evaluation

Even after the game is launched the design of UI/UX remains ongoing. Keep collecting feedback from players and track their interactions. Utilize analytics tools to monitor player behavior and highlight areas of improvement. Regular updates and improvements made based on feedback from players will keep players enjoying a great gaming experience.

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Conclusion

The creation of a captivating and easy UX/UI to your games is a multi-faceted procedure which requires careful planning, creative thinking and constant refinement. If you follow this guide, you’ll be able to design engaging user experiences that will entice players from conception to finalization. Be aware that a well-designed UI/UX does more than just enhance the user’s enjoyment, but it also aids in the overall achievement in your sport. Happy designing!

Top 10 Highest Paying Jobs in the Indian Gaming Industry

Top 10 Highest Paying Jobs in the Indian Gaming Industry

The Indian gaming industry is experiencing explosive growth, driven by advancements in technology, widespread internet connectivity, and a growing audience of gamers across the country. As the industry expands, it offers lucrative career opportunities for professionals with diverse skill sets. Here, we explore the top 10 highest paying jobs in the Indian gaming industry.

  1. Game Developer

Game developers are the architects of the gaming world. They design, code, and test games, ensuring they are engaging and bug-free. Proficiency in programming languages like C#, C++, and Python is essential. Experienced game developers in India can earn between INR 10-20 lakhs annually, with senior developers earning even more.

  1. Game Designer

Game designers conceptualize the game’s mechanics, storyline, characters, and overall experience. They work closely with developers and artists to bring their vision to life. A strong portfolio and creativity are crucial for this role. Game designers can earn around INR 8-15 lakhs per year, depending on their experience and the complexity of the projects they handle.

  1. Game Artist

Game artists create the visual elements of a game, including characters, environments, and textures. They use software like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and 3D modeling tools. Skilled game artists in India can command salaries ranging from INR 6-12 lakhs annually, with senior artists earning higher amounts.

Learn Professional Game Development and get placed in 9 months.

  1. Game Animator

Game animators bring characters and environments to life with movement and expressions. They use animation software such as Maya, Blender, and Unity. The demand for talented animators is high, with salaries typically ranging from INR 6-15 lakhs per year, based on experience and expertise.

  1. Game Producer

Game producers oversee the development process, managing budgets, schedules, and communication between different teams. They ensure that the game is completed on time and within budget. Producers need strong organizational and leadership skills. Experienced game producers can earn between INR 12-25 lakhs annually.

  1. Quality Assurance (QA) Tester

QA testers play a critical role in ensuring that games are free of bugs and provide a seamless experience to players. They rigorously test games, identify issues, and work with developers to fix them. While entry-level QA testers may earn around INR 3-6 lakhs per year, experienced testers can earn up to INR 10 lakhs or more.

  1. Sound Designer

Sound designers create the audio elements of a game, including background music, sound effects, and voiceovers. They use software like Pro Tools and Logic Pro. A keen ear for detail and creativity are essential for this role. Sound designers in India can earn between INR 5-12 lakhs annually, with experienced professionals earning higher salaries.

  1. Game Writer

Game writers craft the storylines, dialogues, and scripts for games. They ensure that the narrative is engaging and aligns with the game’s design. A strong command of language and storytelling skills are vital. Game writers can earn around INR 4-10 lakhs per year, with experienced writers earning more based on the complexity of the projects.

  1. Marketing Manager

Marketing managers in the gaming industry are responsible for promoting games and increasing their visibility. They develop marketing strategies, manage campaigns, and analyze market trends. Strong analytical and communication skills are necessary. Marketing managers can earn between INR 8-20 lakhs annually, depending on their experience and the success of their campaigns.

  1. Esports Manager

Esports managers handle the organization and promotion of esports events and teams. They manage logistics, sponsorships, and player relations. With the rise of esports in India, this role is becoming increasingly lucrative. Esports managers can earn salaries ranging from INR 8-18 lakhs per year, with potential for higher earnings through successful event management and sponsorship deals.

Also Read: 250000 jobs in Indian gaming industry

Conclusion

The Indian gaming industry offers a wealth of high-paying job opportunities for professionals with the right skills and passion for gaming. From creative roles like game designers and artists to technical positions like developers and QA testers, there is a diverse range of careers to explore. As the industry continues to grow, the demand for talented individuals will only increase, making it an exciting field to be a part of. Whether you are just starting your career or looking to make a switch, the Indian gaming industry holds immense potential for growth and success.