Global game development companies are looking at forging local tie-ups to create games exclusively for India. Besides, they are trying to tap the country’s potential as a development hub.
Plan to make India a hub for their products
MUMBAI: Global game development companies are looking at forging local tie-ups to create games exclusively for India. Besides, they are trying to tap the country’s potential as a development hub.
These companies now plan to focus on complete creation of games, even massive multi-player online games (MMOGs), in India.
In the past, major game developers were involved only in partial development projects in the country.
Sony Online Entertainment (SOE) has already short-listed probable local partners for a joint venture to set up a studio in Bangalore which will develop game content for the Indian markets.
Zapak, which has played a key role in revolutionising the Indian online gaming segment, is all set to open its own development studio. Rohit Sharma, chief operating officer, Zapak Digital Entertainment, said: “For the 500 games that we have online, 80% of the content is outsourced. We intend to establish a full-service game development studio in India in a joint venture with an international firm.”
Although like SOE, Zapak, too, has not yet finalised a partner yet, but the idea is the same — combining local understanding of the market along with international expertise. This sort of heavy commitment from both the companies sounds like good news for the gaming industry.
Shashi Reddi, founder and chairman, FXLabs Studio, said he is glad that giants are finally taking an interest and investing in the Indian markets. His company is already working on a game based on Bollywood movie Dhoom which will be out soon.
“Once the Archie game for the global audience and Dhoom for local consumption are out in the market, we will consider raising funds through venture capitalists for building a strong online presence and creating MMOGs for India.”
The obvious reason for this newfound interest is the speedy growth of the gaming industry in the country.
According to NASSCOM, the Indian gaming industry was estimated at $48 million in 2006 and is expected to cross $424 million by 2010 at a compounded annual growth of more than 70%.
Internet broadband connections are gaining in popularity and the growing incomes of people are making desktops and notebooks a commodity now.
With this growth, the demand for good content will be on a rise. For most, this poses as an issue since till now, even the local players have found it difficult to understand the psyche of the Indian gamers.
Vishal Gondal, founder and director, India Games, said: “There is a lack of understanding of what the Indian consumer wants. Is it the usual hardcore action games or a game on Ramayana. Without understanding what people want, investing in developing games is very risky and I feel doing so is a little premature.”
s_tanvi@dnaindia.net
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