India’s independent gaming industry is set to receive a major boost with the arrival of Indie Game Utsav (IGU) 2026, a week-long initiative designed to celebrate local game development talent while connecting independent studios with international industry professionals, investors and gaming communities.
Held under Comic Con India, the event will take place from 7 to 13 December 2026, with its main conference and workshop sessions scheduled for 9 and 10 December. The initiative aims to provide a platform for independent developers to showcase their creative work, gain industry knowledge and explore opportunities to grow their studios.
30 Indian Indie Games to Take Centre Stage
One of the main highlights of Indie Game Utsav 2026 will be its showcase featuring 30 independent game titles developed by Indian creators.
The lineup will cover different genres and creative approaches, giving visitors an opportunity to discover the variety of original games emerging from India’s growing gaming industry.
Among the featured titles are Raji: Kaliyuga, Street Cricket, Appa, Cosmic Race, Raahi, Dodo Duckie, Gods of Cricket and FENDERSHOT, alongside other independent projects.
The showcase is more than just an opportunity for gamers to discover new titles. It also gives independent studios a chance to introduce their work to a wider audience, connect with fellow developers and potentially meet publishers, investors and other industry partners.
Learning from Global Gaming Industry Experts
Beyond showcasing games, IGU 2026 will put a strong focus on helping independent developers understand the business and creative challenges of building a successful gaming studio.
The event will feature an intensive mentorship programme where selected developers can connect directly with experienced professionals from the international gaming industry.
Each participant will have the opportunity to choose six mentors and attend dedicated one-hour, one-on-one mentoring sessions across three to four days. Developers will also receive a structured follow-up call after the event, allowing them to continue building relationships and seek further guidance.
The mentorship programme will bring together professionals and representatives from well-known industry names, including Ubisoft Paris, thatgamecompany, Upside Up Games AB, Nodding Heads Studio and Cassini Sound.
It will also feature founders and industry leaders from independent studios such as Hyperboreal, Goldpact Goblins and Papercoda Games.
With expertise covering game design, production, storytelling, sound development and studio management, the programme aims to provide practical advice for developers looking to take their projects to the next level.
Workshops, Funding and Publishing Opportunities
The conference and workshop sessions on 9 and 10 December will feature panel discussions, keynote presentations and practical sessions covering various aspects of game development.
Topics will include game production, funding, publishing and scaling an independent gaming business.
These sessions are expected to provide valuable insights into the realities of turning a creative idea into a commercially viable game, particularly for smaller studios navigating the competitive global gaming market.
First Public Playable Demo of Raji: Kaliyuga
Another major attraction at IGU 2026 will be the first-ever public playable demo of Raji: Kaliyuga.
Attendees will get the opportunity to experience the highly anticipated game firsthand. The developers will also host an exclusive trailer breakdown session, exploring the creative process and campaign behind its trailer, which has already surpassed 13 million views.
The session will offer an interesting look at how the development team approached its promotional campaign, from creative decisions to audience engagement.
Strengthening India’s Gaming and Creative Ecosystem
Indie Game Utsav is also part of a wider effort to strengthen India’s creative industries by connecting gaming with animation, visual effects, digital entertainment and pop culture communities represented by Comic Con India and IndiaJoy.
According to Akshat Rathee, Co-founder and Managing Director of NODWIN Gaming, India has the talent and ambition to develop games that can reach audiences worldwide. However, independent developers need better access to industry knowledge, business opportunities and potential partners to turn their ideas into successful projects.
Avichal Singh, Founder of Indie Game Utsav, also highlighted the importance of giving developers the freedom to connect with mentors who understand their individual challenges and ambitions.
With 30 Indian indie games, international mentorship opportunities, industry workshops and exclusive gaming experiences, Indie Game Utsav 2026 aims to become an important platform for India’s independent gaming community.
For gamers, it offers an opportunity to discover fresh ideas and upcoming titles. For developers, it could be the beginning of new partnerships, valuable industry connections and bigger opportunities on the global gaming stage.
For more information on Indie Game Utsav, visit www.indiegameutsav.com.
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