Mumbai Comic Con 2025: The air buzzes with excitement as controllers click and keyboards clatter. Animated discussions about game mechanics and art styles fill the hall. Developers nervously watch as players experience their creations for the first time. This isn’t just another gaming event—this is Indie Game Utsav, and it’s about to change the landscape of Indian gaming forever.
Mark your calendars, gaming enthusiasts. On April 12-13, 2025, Mumbai Comic Con will transform the Jio World Convention Centre into a paradise for gamers and pop culture enthusiasts alike. For the first time, India’s biggest pop culture event will host the inaugural edition of Indie Game Utsav—a festival dedicated exclusively to independently-developed PC and console games from India.
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Indie Games India: Showcasing 40+ Titles at Indie Game Utsav
The showcase of indie games India has assembled represents the country’s most innovative and creative game development talent. With over 40 high-quality PC and console games on display, visitors will experience firsthand the incredible diversity and imagination of Indian game creators.
“I’ve been developing games in my bedroom for three years,” says Priya Sharma, an independent developer showcasing her narrative adventure game at the event. “To finally have a platform where thousands of people can play my creation—it’s like a dream come true.”
What makes Indie Game Utsav special isn’t just the games—it’s the vision behind it. Founded by Avichal Singh, the Co-Founder and Game Director of Nodding Heads Games (creators of the breakthrough title “Raji: An Ancient Epic”), the festival aims to elevate Indian indie games to international recognition.
“Indie Game Utsav wants to pave the way for upcoming quality indie games from India to find success just like Raji,” explains Singh. “We are aiming to resolve long-existing B2B and B2C problems for indies. I’m grateful for Nodwin’s support to help us celebrate India’s best and brightest indie developers at Mumbai Comic Con.”
Why Indie Game Festival India Matters for Developers
For too long, Indian game developers have struggled with limited visibility and access to global publishing opportunities. Indie Game Utsav represents a watershed moment for India’s growing game development scene—a dedicated space where creativity meets opportunity.
The festival is backed by industry heavyweights, with Xbox, Xsolla, Specter, and Nodwin Gaming providing support. The International Game Developers Association (IGDA) India serves as the Community Partner, ensuring the event addresses the real needs of the development community.
Akshat Rathee, Co-Founder and MD of NODWIN Gaming, the company behind Comic Con India, shares his perspective: “NODWIN started with two guys who just loved PC gaming, so supporting indie developers feels like coming full circle. We’ve always believed in the incredible talent of Indian indie game creators and that their work should be easily accessible to gamers. Indie Game Utsav at Comic Con is just the beginning—one of many steps towards making gaming more open and exciting for everyone.”
PC Gaming India: Building a New Culture Through Indie Game Utsav
The timing couldn’t be better. PC gaming India contributes to 22 percent of video game revenue in the country, showing the growing importance of this platform. With over 132 million players globally on Steam alone, the potential audience for quality Indian indie games is enormous.
Indie Game Utsav aims to capitalize on this momentum, introducing and educating India’s growing gaming community about quality made-in-India games. The long-term vision? Building a thriving culture of PC and console gaming in India that can compete on the global stage.
“For too long, mobile gaming has dominated the Indian market,” notes gaming analyst Vikram Mehta. “What’s happening now is a renaissance of deeper, more complex gaming experiences on PC and console. Indie Game Utsav is perfectly positioned to accelerate this trend.”
The event comes at a pivotal moment for the Indian gaming industry, which is projected to reach $10.06 billion by 2025, with a user penetration of 19.5%. By 2029, the market is expected to grow to $14.77 billion with 328.9 million users. This rapid growth creates fertile ground for indie developers looking to establish themselves.
Discover the Best Indie Games in India at This Landmark Event
Visitors will get hands-on experience with some of the best indie games in India across various genres and platforms. From narrative adventures that explore Indian mythology to innovative puzzle games that challenge conventional thinking, the diversity on display showcases the breadth of talent in the country.
The curation process ensures that only the best indie games in India make it to the showcase floor. Each title has been selected for its quality, creativity, and potential to resonate with both Indian and international audiences.
“What I’m most excited about is seeing players’ reactions,” says Rohan Verma, whose studio is showcasing a tactical RPG inspired by ancient Indian warfare. “You can test your game a thousand times, but nothing compares to watching someone experience it for the first time.”
Indian Game Developers Set to Connect with Global Publishers
Perhaps the most valuable aspect of Indie Game Utsav for Indian game developers is the unprecedented access to international publishers. The event will host representatives from major companies including Krafton, Garena, Epic Games, Neon Doctrine, Dangen Entertainment, Xbox, Xsolla, 1312 Interactive, and Untold Tales.
These face-to-face meetings could be career-changing for developers seeking publishing deals or funding. Beyond the physical presence, digital meet-and-match sessions will feature additional publishers including Devolver Digital, RawFury, PluginDigital, Women in Games, WhiteThornGames, BrightGambit, Herocraft, Spielfabrique, and Toge Productions.
“Getting your game in front of the right publisher can be the difference between obscurity and success,” explains Anita Desai, a game marketing consultant. “What Indie Game Utsav is offering—direct access to decision-makers from top publishers—is invaluable for Indian developers who typically struggle to make these connections.”
The Future of Indie Game Development in India
The event represents more than just a two-day festival—it’s a glimpse into the future of indie game development in India. By bringing together developers, publishers, and players, Indie Game Utsav is creating an ecosystem that can sustain and nurture creative talent.
“We’re not just showcasing games,” Singh emphasizes. “We’re building infrastructure for the future. Every connection made, every deal signed, every player who discovers a new favorite game—these are the building blocks of a sustainable indie game industry in India.”
What to Expect at Mumbai Comic Con 2025’s Indie Game Utsav
Beyond the game showcases and publisher meetings, attendees can look forward to:
- Hands-on gameplay with over 40 indie titles
- Developer panels discussing the creative process
- Industry workshops on game design, marketing, and business development
- Networking opportunities with fellow gamers and industry professionals
- Exclusive merchandise from participating studios
The partnership between Indie Game Utsav and Mumbai Comic Con creates unprecedented opportunities for indie developers to showcase their work to the 45,000+ attendees expected at the event. This crossover between gaming and broader pop culture opens new avenues for visibility and fan engagement.
Pre-Event Activities: Building Momentum for Indie Game Utsav
The excitement doesn’t start on April 12—it’s already building through a series of pre-event activities designed to prepare developers for success:
Rawfury X Indie Game Utsav (March 24-25, 2025)
Swedish indie publishing specialist Rawfury will host a two-day intensive session for Indian game developers. The program includes:
- AMA sessions with publishing experts
- Pitch deck reviews to refine developer presentations
- Game reviews providing professional feedback
- Industry discussions on current trends and opportunities
Epic Games for Indies (Date TBA)
Veterans from Epic Games will host Indian game developers on their Discord server, offering valuable insights on:
- Video game development approaches
- Business development strategies
- Community engagement techniques
- Marketing activities for indie games
Game Maker Mixer (April 11, 2025)
The day before the main event, indie game developers and publishers will connect in a casual setting, allowing for relaxed networking and relationship building before the busy festival begins.
MGN Indie Game Events (Throughout 2025)
As part of Indie Game Utsav’s mission to take the best Indian games to the world, selected titles will be showcased at MGN Indie Game Events in China throughout the year. This partnership opens the massive Chinese market to Indian developers—an opportunity that would be difficult to access otherwise.
“The pre-event workshops are designed specifically to help Indian game developers improve their skills and business strategies,” notes program coordinator Sanjay Patel. “We want developers to arrive at Indie Game Utsav fully prepared to make the most of the opportunities available.”
A Turning Point for Indian Gaming
Raji: An Ancient Epic proved that Indian games could succeed globally, receiving acclaim for its stunning visuals, innovative gameplay, and authentic cultural elements. Now, Indie Game Utsav aims to create the conditions for many more success stories.
The event addresses the key challenges facing Indian indie developers:
- Visibility – Showcasing games to 45,000+ attendees
- Publishing Opportunities – Direct access to international publishers
- Knowledge Sharing – Learning from industry experts
- Community Building – Connecting with fellow developers and players
“What Nodding Heads Games achieved with Raji was just the beginning,” Singh reflects. “India has thousands of talented developers with stories to tell and games to create. What they need is a platform, and that’s exactly what Indie Game Utsav provides.”
Join the Revolution
Whether you’re a developer looking to showcase your game, a publisher seeking the next big hit, or a gamer eager to experience the cutting edge of Indian game development, Indie Game Utsav at Mumbai Comic Con 2025 promises to be an unforgettable event.
The full list of participating games is available at https://bit.ly/indiegameutsav2025.
Mark your calendar for April 12-13, 2025, at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai. Be part of history as India takes its rightful place on the global gaming stage.
Will you be attending Indie Game Utsav at Mumbai Comic Con 2025? Which aspects of the event are you most excited about? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
