KIGI PitchFest 2026 Concludes, EvolX Studio Wins Top Honor at IGDC

KRAFTON India’s Gaming Incubator (KIGI) concluded its fourth PitchFest competition at the India Game Developer Conference (IGDC) 2026 on October 30, bringing together eight shortlisted game development studios to present their work to an industry jury. EvolX Studio was awarded Game of the Year (Upcoming Mobile).

The event, held at the Chennai Trade Centre, drew over 100 attendees and featured a 12-member international jury from India, South Korea, and the US. The eight participating studios were selected from more than 300 applications received within a 30-day period, underscoring rising interest in India’s independent game development sector.

Participating Studios and Evaluation Process

The shortlisted studios included AbhiTechGames, Arckon Arts, Team Quasar, Compiling Shaders Games, Kalp, Xigma Games, Tandoori Pixels Pvt. Ltd., and 2Tellers Studio Pvt. Ltd. Each studio was allocated 10 minutes for its pitch and gameplay demonstration, followed by a 10-minute question-and-answer session with the jury.

Studio selections prioritized teams with playable builds, clear pitch decks, and strong alignment with the KIGI program’s objectives. The platform aimed to provide participants with industry feedback, mentorship opportunities, and engagement with industry leaders to support their development paths.

KIGI’s Expanding Scope and Industry Impact

The 2026 PitchFest reflects KIGI’s expanded approach to fostering Indian game developers. Following its Cohort 4 expansion, the program now supports both early-stage teams and more mature studios developing mobile titles in beta or soft launch, as well as PC games with live Steam demos. This structure is designed to guide developers from conceptual stages towards market readiness.

Previous KIGI-supported studios have demonstrated market traction. Advaita Interactive, from KIGI’s third cohort, received a nomination for Best Art Direction at the India Game Awards 2026 during IGDC. Additionally, Singular Scheme’s “Frontier Paladin,” a Mumbai-based KIGI-supported title, was recognized as Upcoming PC/Console Game of the Year at IGDC 2025. Two KIGI-associated studios also secured award nominations at IGDC 2026, signaling sustained progress within the independent Indian gaming community.

Anuj Sahani, Head of the KRAFTON India(https://www.krafton.co.in/) Incubator Programme, noted the volume of applications and inquiries, attributing them to the increasing interest in the program and the opportunities it provides. He highlighted the diversity of games presented by this year’s shortlisted teams, covering various genres and platforms, and acknowledged the valuable perspectives offered by the expert jury. These developments are indicative of growth within the nation’s gaming ecosystem, reflecting broader trends in [latest game development news(https://technosports.co.in/).

KRAFTON India stated that initiatives like the KIGI PitchFest aim to create avenues for Indian game development teams to showcase their projects, access industry guidance, and find pathways to bring original games from development to market.