2 Crore Investment to Indian Studios
Nikhil Kamath and Nazara have collectively invested a total of ₹2 crore in two gaming companies. One of these companies, Nordian Games, is developing a dinosaur simulation game called Alien of Ancients. The other company, Sigma Games, is well-known for its Bonfire IP and is currently working on a new game titled Metal Heaven.
New Updates in The Rogue Prince of Persia
A major update for The Rogue Prince of Persia is set to release on November 21st, doubling the game’s content. This update will include a graphical overhaul along with several new additions, such as new biomes, bosses, enemies, and an extra story act. The visuals will be significantly improved, with enhancements to both the prince’s design and the background art. Additionally, multiple save slots and other quality-of-life improvements have been introduced.
Minecraft New DLC
Moana 2 is coming soon, and Minecraft has released a new DLC themed around the movie. Priced at approximately ₹750, the DLC includes new characters like Sime and Tamatoa, along with new locations and cosmetic items. Players can explore new islands and embark on adventures with Moana and Maui. This DLC will be available for the Bedrock version of the game.
India Won Silver in Tekken 8
As I mentioned earlier, the Bricks Esports Championship is taking place, along with the Tekken 8 Championship. In this tournament, India secured a silver medal, thanks to Vasvi Bilal, also known as Yoshi Killer. In the finals, Yoshi Killer faced off against China’s Xizhi, ultimately earning the silver medal. Another Indian player, Shubham Khodwal, also delivered an impressive performance, finishing in 4th place. This was their first international tournament, and they performed exceptionally well. We congratulate them on their success!
BGMI Future Plans Revealed
Kaftan has shared some exciting updates about his future plans and record-breaking sales. During his latest earnings call, he revealed that he is focusing on the Indian market and plans to launch new games. Kaftan announced two new mobile games: Cookie Run India and Archery King India, both tailored specifically for the Indian audience. Cookie Run India is already available for pre-registration on the Play Store and is set to release on December 11th. The report also mentioned plans for localized content, multi-language support, and large-scale esports events for BJMI. Additionally, Kaftan has acquired the license for Palweld and is working on Palworld Mobile, with updates expected soon. Kaftan also shared his record-breaking earnings, reporting cumulative sales of over ₹17,000 crore this quarter and a profit of ₹6,000 crore, the highest in the company’s history.
Government Fulfilled Game Developers Wish
Finally, the government has listened to developers and decided to separate real money gaming (RMG) from video games. This move is expected to greatly benefit gaming companies, as it will allow for the creation of distinct policies for each sector and enable better regulation of real money games. Going forward, RMG will be regulated by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, while video games, which are purely for entertainment, will fall under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
Monster Hunter Mobile Game
Capcom has officially announced that Monster Hunter Outlanders is coming to mobile. The game will be free-to-play and will be available on both iOS and Android. Monster Hunter Outlanders is an open-world survival game in which players will face powerful beasts. It will feature fully integrated multiplayer hunts and explorations, allowing players to play solo or with friends. While the release date has not yet been announced, playtests will be conducted soon.
Indian Gaming Industry Rapid Growth Report
According to a report by Lumegey, the Indian gaming market could surpass Bollywood in size by 2029. Currently valued at $3.8 billion, the market is projected to grow to $9.2 billion by 2029, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 20%. India has 591 million gamers, the majority of whom play on mobile devices, making it the second-largest consumer of mobile games in the world. The esports industry is also expanding rapidly, with an increasing number of competitive gamers. In 2020, there were only 25 notable gaming companies in India, but today, that number has skyrocketed to over 2,300. With such rapid growth, it is possible that the gaming industry could surpass Bollywood in the coming years.
IGDC Details
According to a report by Lumegey, the Indian gaming market could surpass Bollywood by 2029. Currently valued at $3.8 billion, the market is projected to reach $9.2 billion by 2029, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 20%. India has 591 million gamers, the majority of whom are mobile gamers, making it the second-largest consumer of mobile games in the world. The esports industry is also growing rapidly, with an increasing number of competitive gamers. In 2020, there were only 25 notable gaming companies in India, but now that number has risen to over 2,300. With such rapid growth, it’s possible the gaming industry will surpass Bollywood in the coming years.
I always enjoy attending IGDC each year because it’s filled with game developers and gamers, and you learn so much. However, there were some aspects that could have been improved this time. For instance, the Indie booth was moved to a corner, making it difficult to try out the games. In the past, Indie booths were placed on both sides of the hall, allowing big investors and company owners to easily spot games that could change the lives of Indie developers. This time, the Indie games were squeezed into a small space, and personally, I didn’t feel motivated to visit because the area felt so cramped. It could have been better, as supporting Indie games is key to discovering the next big hit in the industry.
GTA Trilogy New Update
A new update has been introduced for GTA Trilogy: Definitive Edition, which took everyone by surprise. The update includes several enhancements aimed at bringing the game closer to its classic roots. One of the most requested features, classic lighting, has now been added to both consoles and PC. This feature allows players to experience the original game’s sky and atmosphere. Additionally, character models and swimming animations have been improved. Players can now also shoot while running in GTA 3 and Vice City. Streetlights have been given an orange flare, further enhancing the nostalgic feel of the original games.
Rockstar’s New Controversy
With this update, the name of Groove Street Games has been removed from GTA Trilogy: Definitive Edition. Previously, their name appeared on the splash screen, but it has now been taken out. Thomas Williamson, the head of Groove Street Games, commented that this decision was made by Rockstar. He also mentioned that their developers had made several fixes in this update. As a result, Groove Street Games has stopped following Rockstar Games on Twitter. However, it’s important to note that their name is still credited in the final credits; it has just been removed from the main screen. This change has sparked some controversy between the two companies.
New Helpful Platform for Indian Game Developers
Nazara Technologies has launched a new in-game monetization platform, G-Commerce, in collaboration with ONDC. The platform aims to address the challenges faced by Indian game developers, such as low in-app purchase conversion rates and poor advertising revenues. G-Commerce integrates e-commerce into games, creating new revenue streams for developers. Through the Affiliate Revenue Sharing model, developers can earn commissions on every successful transaction. The platform is currently in a soft launch phase and is expected to fully launch in Q1 FY26.
Best Games Of The Year Announced
The nominees for this year’s Game Awards have finally been announced. As the biggest award show for video games, it will take place on December 13th. Nominations for various categories are now live, and you can visit the official website to cast your votes.
In the Most Anticipated category, you’ll find all the upcoming games for next year, including GTA 6, which seems like a guaranteed winner. In the Best Multiplayer category, nominees include Space Marine 2, Tekken 8, and Helldivers 2. For Best Indie, games like Pacific Drive and Manor Lords are nominated. In Best Mobile, Wuthering Waves and AFK Journey stand out. This year, Techno Gamers has also been nominated for Content Creator of the Year, so congratulations to him!
The Game of the Year nominees include Astro Bot, Black Myth: Wukong, Bellatro, Metafer, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, and Elden Ring: Shadow of the Earth 3. However, this has sparked major controversy. Fans of Elden Ring are questioning how a DLC can be nominated for Game of the Year. Many feel it should have been placed in the Best Ongoing category or a new category specifically for Best DLC and Expansions. There are accusations that the Game Awards might be biased toward major franchises. Even though Elden Ring is the highest-rated game of the year, critics argue that it’s just a DLC for an existing game, meaning you can’t even play it without owning the main game.
In my opinion, there could also be a category for Best Remaster or Remake, where games like the Silent Hill 2 Remake could get the recognition they deserve.
Sophie Turner As Lara Croft In Tomb Raider Series
According to a report from Deadline, Sophie Turner, known for her role in Game of Thrones, may play Lara Croft in the upcoming Tomb Raider series on Amazon. However, nothing has been confirmed yet, so we’ll have to wait and see what happens.
The Last Of Us Part Season 2 Release Window
The Last of Us has officially announced the release window for Season 2. HBO has confirmed that Season 2 will premiere in Spring 2025. The story will be based on The Last of Us Part 2 and will be spread across multiple seasons. Showrunner Craig Mazin mentioned that the story is so rich that it would be difficult to cover it in just two seasons. While it’s unclear if there will be additional seasons after this, Season 2 will consist of 7 episodes.
India's First Game Movie - Detective Dotson
At Comic Con Hyderabad, India’s first game-based movie, Detective Rodson, received an unexpected update. I learned that the movie will have a runtime of around one hour. The story will be intense, set before the events of the main game, and will focus on the development of Rodson’s character. In contrast, the game will feature a more relaxed storyline, with an emphasis on exploration. The movie is expected to be released in the first half of 2025.
Gray Zone Warfare Night Ops update
The Night Ops update for Grey Zone Warfare is set to release on November 27, 2024. This update will introduce night vision goggles, flashlights, a day-night cycle, new tools, and new weapons.
Microsoft Xbox Handheld Console
Phil Spencer, head of Xbox, has confirmed that Microsoft is working on an Xbox handheld console. The device is currently in the prototype stage, and it may take a few years before the final product is released. Spencer also mentioned that the focus is currently on improving the Xbox app experience on existing handheld devices.
Fortnite First-Person Mode
Fortnite’s long-awaited first-person mode will launch on December 11, 2024. However, it will be available exclusively in Fortnite Creative Mode, with no support for Battle Royale. Additionally, the original Fortnite map will return permanently on December 6.
Stellar Blade PC Port
Stellar Blade, previously a PS5 exclusive, will be available on PC starting next year. The exact release date has not yet been confirmed.
Overwatch Classic Event
With the Overwatch Classic event, the iconic 6v6 matches are returning to the game. This limited-time event will run from November 12 to December 2, bringing back the original Overwatch heroes, abilities, and maps.