The digital revolution has fueled the gaming industry of India tremendously, transforming the nation into a bustling hub for game development and innovation. It was further pushed by the startup culture in which the Indian business world itself thrived. By 2019, the number of people who play online games in India crossed 300 million and it is increasing over the years.
It is expected that by 2025 global gaming market is expected to exceed $256.97 billion. As the internet became cheaper and widely accessible, the number of online gamers increased. A large number of gamers from tier 1 and tier 2 cities were added to it.
Driven by the exponential growth of internet users, increased smartphone penetration, and the rise of esports, the gaming landscape in India has evolved into an enchanting realm of opportunities for both players and entrepreneurs.
As the industry continues to gain momentum, a new generation of visionary startups has emerged, reshaping the gaming landscape and captivating the hearts of millions of gamers across the nation. From mobile gaming sensations to cutting-edge virtual reality experiences, these gaming startups have demonstrated their mettle in the highly competitive arena, setting new benchmarks for creativity, technology, and user engagement.
In this blog, we’ll delve into the captivating narratives of trailblazers who dared to dream big and turned their passion for gaming into thriving ventures. So buckle up, and let’s dive into the exhilarating world of the top gaming startups in India!
Top Gaming Startups in India
- Dream11
- Nazara Technologies
- Paytm First Games
- Games2Win
- Moonfrog Labs
- 99 Games
- Octro
- JetSynthesys
- Hashcube
- Mech Mocha
Dream11
| Website | www.dream11.com |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Mumbai, Maharashtra |
| Founders | Harsh Jain, Bhavit Sheth |
| Founded | 2008 |
Established in 2008, Dream11 stands as one of top gaming startups in India, revolutionizing the gaming landscape by introducing sports enthusiasts to a thrilling world of fantasy sports. Catering to a wide array of sports, including cricket, kabaddi, football, basketball, and hockey, the platform has garnered immense popularity among fans looking to immerse themselves in their favorite games.
Dream11 achieved an extraordinary milestone in 2019 by becoming the first gaming startup to attain unicorn status. In a monumental move, Dream11 secured the coveted title sponsorship for the prestigious Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 in August 2020. Since its inception, this gaming giant has set unprecedented milestones, establishing itself as the pinnacle of success and influence in India’s gaming landscape.
Anik Banerjee
Nazara Technologies
| Website | www.nazara.com |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Mumbai, Maharashtra |
| Founders | Nitish Mittersain |
| Founded | 1999 |
Founded in 2000, Nazara Technologies has emerged as a leading force in India’s gaming industry, making significant strides in transforming the gaming landscape across the nation. With an unwavering commitment to innovation and a deep understanding of the Indian gaming market, Nazara has captivated the hearts of millions, redefining how players experience and engage with digital entertainment.
It is boasting diverse segments such as subscription, freemium, e-sports, and skill-based gaming. With a global reach spanning over 64 countries, the company has been on a steady trajectory of growth, continuously expanding its influence and services worldwide. Over the years, the company has successfully acquired several prominent entities like NODWIN Gaming and Sportskeeda, solidifying its position as a key player in the gaming ecosystem and broadening its offerings to cater to a vast array of gaming enthusiasts. Today, Nazara Technologies stands tall with an impressive user base of over 100 million, a testament to the immersive and engaging gaming experiences it delivers to players worldwide.
Aniket Mandal
Paytm First Games
| Website | www.firstgames.in |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Noida, Uttar Pradesh |
| Founders | Vijay Shekhar Sharma |
| Founded | 2018 |
Paytm First Games, a dynamic venture by Paytm, one of India’s leading digital payment platforms, has taken the nation by storm with its captivating and rewarding gaming experience. Launched as a part of Paytm’s ecosystem, this innovative platform brings together entertainment and gaming, offering players an opportunity to indulge in a diverse array of games while earning exciting rewards.
Since its inception, Paytm First Games has emerged as a prominent player in India’s gaming industry, catering to an extensive user base with a wide variety of gaming options. From casual games to esports tournaments, the platform offers something for every gaming enthusiast, making it an all-encompassing destination for players of all ages and interests.
It caters to a wide variety of games and has over 45 million players on board. From their launch in 2018, today they have reached their zenith as e-gaming witnesses its boom in the industry.
Avantika Bhardwaj
Games2Win
| Website | www.games2winmedia.com |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Mumbai, Maharashtra |
| Founders | Alok Kejriwal and Mahesh Khambadkone |
| Founded | 2005 |
Since its inception, Games2Win has remained at the forefront of India’s gaming revolution, captivating players worldwide with its innovative and engaging offerings. Established in 2005 by Alok Kejriwal and Mahesh Khambadkone, this dynamic gaming company has become synonymous with top-notch gaming experiences, entertaining millions across the globe. From casual and arcade-style games to simulation and sports titles, the platform caters to a broad spectrum of gaming enthusiasts, ensuring there’s something for everyone.
They offer ads and social networks for games apart from being a traditional gaming platform. They have over 15 million users every month. Their games are available across Google, Apple, Microsoft and Amazon.
PV Vyshnavi
Moonfrog Labs
| Website | www.moonfroglabs.com |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Bangalore, Karnataka |
| Founders | Tanay Tayal, Kumar Puspesh, and Ankit Jain |
| Founded | 2013 |
Moonfrog Labs, an online gaming startup, came into being through the collective efforts of a close-knit group of friends who were once colleagues back in 2013. Their passion and perseverance fueled the creation of a card-based game called “Teen Patti Gold,” which garnered instant acclaim, amassing an impressive 20 million downloads right from its inception.
Building upon this early success, Moonfrog Labs continued to push the boundaries of gaming innovation. Introducing a game centered around the beloved Bollywood actress Alia Bhatt, they marked India’s first-ever narrative adventure gaming experience.
They further expanded their creative repertoire, introducing India’s first war strategy game, inspired by the blockbuster movie “Baahubali.” This strategic masterpiece took players on a thrilling journey through epic battles and commanding armies, allowing them to relive the grandeur of the beloved film. With each new venture, Moonfrog Labs solidified its reputation as an innovative and trendsetting force within the gaming industry.
PV Vyshnavi
99 Games
| Website | www.99games.in |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Udupi, Karnataka |
| Founders | Rohith Bhat |
| Founded | 2006 |
99 Games is a Udupi-based game company that was launched in 2008 by Rohit Bhat. Their first game Wordsworth became a hit with more than 1 million downloads among Apple users. From developing casual games for iOS, today they have expanded to Windows and Android.
In 2013, they came across a great opportunity to develop a game based on a Bollywood movie – Dhoom 3. The success it garnered opened numerous opportunities for 99Games. They subsequently developed 20 more such games. Two of them were based on movies like Fan and Sultan.
Octro
| Website | www.octro.com |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | New Delhi |
| Founders | Saurabh Agarwal |
| Founded | 2006 |
Octro has emerged as a trailblazing force in India’s gaming industry, captivating players with its innovative and immersive gaming experiences. The mastermind behind the famous games Indian Rummy and Tambola House was launched in the year 2006. They introduced the concept of productivity along with gaming in India. Their games are available in various forms and are tailor-made to fit both mobile phones and tablets. Hailing from Delhi, this gaming company’s innovative approach caught the attention of industry giants, and in 2014, they secured an impressive $15 million in funding from Sequoia Capital.
Avantika Bhardwaj
JetSynthesys
| Website | www.jetsynthesys.com |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Pune, Maharashtra |
| Founders | Rajan Navani |
| Founded | 2014 |
Established in 2014 by Rajan Navani, JetSynthesys is a prominent game development company, operating under the umbrella of the esteemed Jet Line Group. With a diversified presence in fields like fintech and digital media, the Jet Line Group has earned a reputable brand status across various industries.
JetSynthesys is hailed as a pioneer in the realm of celebrity-based gaming experiences, where they have left an indelible mark. Among their remarkable portfolio, standouts include games like “Sachin Saga Cricket Champions,” “Being Salman,” and “Bajrangi Bhaijaan.” These celebrity-inspired titles have successfully captivated players, offering an immersive and unique gaming journey.
The company has ventured into newer avenues of gaming, including the realm of virtual reality (VR) games. Demonstrating their pioneering spirit, they have already unveiled the VR version of their acclaimed “Sachin Saga Cricket Champions” game, further enriching the gaming experience for players.
Ashwini
Hashcube
| Website | www.hashcube.com |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Bangalore, Karnataka |
| Founders | Ramprasad Rajendran and Deepan Chakravarthy |
| Founded | 2008 |
From being a simple website that lets users play sudoku online, Hashcube has developed into one of the top gaming startups in India. Co-founded by Deepan Chakravarthy and Ramprasad Rajendra in 2008, the company’s journey has been nothing short of remarkable.
Today, Hashcube boasts an impressive range of games, accessible through the iOS App Store, Google Play Store, or Facebook, catering to a diverse audience. Among their standout creations are engaging titles such as “Sudoku Quest,” “Gummy Pop,” and “DotGame.” However, it is their “Sudoku Quest” that has garnered widespread acclaim, resonating with over 2 million players, making it one of the most popular game sensations to emerge from India.
Abinaya Arangarajan
Mech Mocha
| Website | www.mechmocha.com |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Bangalore, Karnataka |
| Founders | Arpita Kapoor and Mohit Rangaraju |
| Founded | 2015 |
Mech Mocha was founded by Arpita Kapoor and Mohit Rangaraju in 2015. Their aim was to make gaming accessible and comprehensible in tier 2 and tier 3 cities.
They have a variety of games like Ludo, carrom, cricket and knife rain to their credit. They have created a vernacular gaming platform for their users. Their mobile app is called Hello Play. Their growth has been so commendable that they have attracted investors like Accel, Blume Ventures, Shuwei Capital etc. The Indian Gaming startup was acquired by Flipkart in 2020.
Other Indian Gaming Startups
Some other gaming startups in India are:
- PlaySimple Games
- Rolocule
- Zapak
- Deftouch
- Gameberry Labs
Conclusion
As we conclude our exploration of the top gaming startups in India, one thing becomes abundantly clear – the gaming industry in the country is thriving, and its potential knows no bounds. These visionary startups have harnessed the power of technology, creativity, and passion to craft exceptional gaming experiences that have resonated with players worldwide. Embrace the gaming revolution, and let the joy and excitement of these top gaming startups take you on a thrilling journey like never before!
FAQs
How many gaming companies are there in India?
According to Ambitionbox, there are over 333 gaming companies in India.
Which are the top Gaming Startups in India?
Top Gaming startups in India are:
- Dream 11
- Nazara Technologies
- Paytm First Games
- Games2Win
- Moonfrog Labs
- 99 Games
- Octro
- JetSynthesys
- Hashcube
- Mech Mocha
How are gaming startups contributing to India’s gaming industry?
Gaming startups in India are playing a crucial role in shaping the gaming landscape by introducing unique and culturally relevant gaming experiences. They are fueling innovation, creating employment opportunities, and establishing India as a significant player in the global gaming market.
Which is the leading Game app development company in India?
Hyperlink InfoSystem is a leading game app development company in India.
Which gaming startup in India has achieved unicorn status?
Dream11 is one of the gaming startups in India that achieved unicorn status in 2019.
What are the best game developer company in the world?
Some of the best game developer companies in the world are:
- Nintendo
- Ubisoft
- Sony Interactive Entertainment
- Activision Blizzard
- Epic Games
How do gaming startups monetize their games?
Gaming startups typically employ various monetization models, including in-app purchases, advertisements, subscriptions, and virtual currency systems. These strategies enable them to generate revenue while offering players free or freemium gaming experiences.
What is the future of the gaming industry in India?
The future for gaming startups in India is promising, with continued growth driven by technology adoption, an expanding user base, and the rise of esports. These startups are poised to explore new genres, embrace emerging technologies, and make India a significant player in the global gaming industry.
