Cricket strategy and mythical legends shine at IGDC 2024

Hyderabad: The India Game Developer Conference (IGDC) 2024, held in Hyderabad, was a vibrant showcase of India’s burgeoning gaming industry, drawing nearly 6,000 attendees. The event was a melting pot of young talent, with many developers still pursuing their studies, eager to make their mark in the gaming world. Lively conversations buzzed across stalls, with bright-eyed students, indie developers, and global industry leaders all coming together under one roof, unified by their love for gaming.

Among the standout exhibitors was Hitwicket, a Hyderabad gaming company, which is a cricket strategy game that has garnered over 10 million users globally. The game offers a unique experience where players act as the owner, coach, and captain of their cricket team.

“Our user base ranges from 10-year-olds to 60-year-olds, with 20 per cent being women. Each match lasts just three minutes, making it accessible and engaging for everyone,” said co-founder and CEO, Kashyap Reddy.

The game’s ad-free model and immersive gameplay have led to users spending over 40 minutes daily on the platform.

“It’s a game that allows you to interact also with cricket fans across the globe, choose your team, multiple players, finish it even within 3 minutes and more than 20 per cent of our regular players are women,” he added.

Visitors were seen captivated by the demo matches, with some engaging for hours and discussing strategies with fellow attendees.

In a different corner, Fifth Ocean Studios, also from Hyderabad, mesmerised audiences with their upcoming title Ilavath Battle Arenas, set to bring Indian mythology to life.

CEO Yasasway Sarma Veluri, animatedly describing the project, said, “We wanted to build a game for the world, telling stories rooted in Indian lore. Our characters, from Indra to Mahishasura, provide a fresh perspective, even for the Indian Gen Z population.”

The game, currently in its pre-alpha stage, has already generated a buzz on international platforms. “Foreign audiences at gaming shows in San Francisco and Tokyo were thrilled. They’d never seen games on such themes, where mythology becomes interactive and immersive,” Veluri explained. The game promises intense battles and character-based action, drawing players into a world where history and strategy collide.

The IGDC was also a platform for next-gen technology, with numerous AI-driven stalls offering immersive gameplay experiences. Young developers excitedly demonstrated their creations, from hyper-casual mobile games to multiplayer strategy games that blur the line between storytelling and player control.

One particularly intrigued visitor, Navya Sri K, a 25-year-old software engineer, said it was inspiring to see so many young developers showcasing their work. “The AI-driven games are particularly impressive, offering a level of immersion I’ve never experienced before. I came expecting to just browse, but I’ve been amazed by how interactive and creative these games are,” she told DC.

Panel discussions were equally vibrant, covering a range of topics, including “Level Up Game Development Using Generative AI” and “Web Games: The Game Changer Revolutionising the Gaming Landscape.” Attendees hung onto every word of industry leaders like Keerti Singh of Hitwicket, Roby John of Super Gaming, and Sean Sohn, CEO of Krafton India, as they dissected the present and future of gaming in India.

The floors of IGDC 2024 was more than just a visual treat - it was an experience of energy, possibility, and the promise of a thriving future for India’s gaming industry, as young minds and experienced developers come together to shape what’s next, showing that India is carving its own path on the global gaming stage.