Top 10 Indian Games Set to Shine at WAVES Summit 2025 in Mumbai

India’s rising gaming talent is all set to take the spotlight at the upcoming WAVES Summit 2025, scheduled to take place in Mumbai from May 1 to 4. This high-profile event will showcase the Top 10 games selected from the first edition of the Road to Game Jam—an initiative rolled out under the Create in India Challenge: Season 1, which is part of the Government of India’s broader World Audio-Visual Entertainment Summit (WAVES), led by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

The initiative showcases India's potential as an emerging powerhouse in game development, putting a spotlight on new and original titles crafted by students, solo creators, and startups.

What is the 'Road to Game Jam'?

A National Platform for Emerging Game Developers

The Game Developer Association of India (GDAI), in collaboration with Kratos Gamer Network (KGeN), is hosting the Road to Game Jam initiative. It forms a core part of Pillar 2 of the WAVES initiative, which focuses on the AVGC-XR sector—Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, Extended Reality, and cutting-edge technologies like AR, VR, and the Metaverse.

Focus on Innovation and Inclusion

With this initiative, the government aims to strengthen the Indian gaming ecosystem by offering a platform to nurture innovation, creativity, and collaboration among the country's youth.

Overwhelming Participation from Across India

The response to the first season of the Road to Game Jam has been nothing short of phenomenal:

• 5,500+ registrations

• 1,650+ colleges

• 453 cities and towns

Participants engaged in AMA sessions and workshops led by leading gaming professionals, learning about game design, storytelling, monetization strategies, and the future of gaming.

Out of 175+ original game entries, the Top 10 were chosen through a rigorous multi-stage evaluation conducted by an expert jury from the gaming industry.

Meet the Top 10 — India's Best Gaming Talents

The selected games represent a mix of:

• Student-led teams

• Independent solo developers

• Early-stage gaming startups

These 10 winning games will be showcased at the WAVES Summit 2025 in front of a global jury, and the developers will attend the summit in Mumbai with all expenses covered.

The top 3 winners will share a cash prize of ₹7 lakh, distributed as:

• ₹3.5 lakh (1st place)

• ₹2 lakh (2nd place)

• ₹1.5 lakh (3rd place)

India’s Gaming Ecosystem is Thriving

India’s Gaming Boom in Numbers

According to the latest Lumikai report:

• India has 550 million gamers

• 175 million users make in-game purchases

This rapid growth is driven by:

• Affordable smartphones and internet

• A mobile-first gaming culture

• A massive youth population (over 65% under the age of 35)

India as a Creative Powerhouse

While India’s consumption of global games is rising, its creative contributions are also making waves. The country boasts:

• A large talent pool in game design and engineering

• A vibrant indie game developer community

• Increased support from government initiatives and industry stakeholders

These factors position India as a potential global leader in game development.

Quotes from the Official Release

“Top 10 games from the inaugural Road to Game Jam will be showcased at the upcoming WAVES Summit 2025 in Mumbai.”

“The event, to be held from May 1 to 4, is part of the Government of India’s Create in India Challenge: Season 1, under the World Audio-Visual Entertainment Summit (WAVES), spearheaded by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.”

Conclusion: A Defining Moment for India’s Game Development Ecosystem

The WAVES Summit 2025 is poised to be a transformative event for India’s fast-evolving gaming industry. By showcasing the Top 10 games from the inaugural Road to Game Jam, the summit is not only celebrating the country's young and emerging talent but also creating a powerful launchpad for the next generation of game developers.

The initiative—part of the Government of India’s Create in India Challenge: Season 1—reflects a strong commitment to nurturing innovation, creativity, and technological excellence within the AVGC-XR (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, Extended Reality) sector.

This landmark event brings together aspiring developers, industry experts, government stakeholders, and global investors under one roof, providing an unmatched opportunity for networking, mentorship, and recognition. With more than 5,500 registrations from over 1,650 colleges across 453 cities, the overwhelming response to the Road to Game Jam signals the tremendous interest and untapped potential in India’s gaming landscape.