Pixel P&L: New Game Studio to Bring Untold Indian and Middle Eastern Myths to Life!

Good morning. It’s Wednesday, November 6. Today, we spotlight the founding of a new game studio focused on exploring narratives from the Indian subcontinent and Middle East. The studio led by a former Microsoft executive aims to bring culturally rich stories to global audiences through its upcoming open-world survival game, promising a fresh take on underrepresented folklore and mythology.

We also preview the India Game Developer Conference, held in Hyderabad from November 13-15, featuring keynotes, panels, and showcases from leaders like KRAFTON India, fostering collaboration in India’s gaming industry. We also report Nintendo’s earnings drop and College Rivals’ new sponsors.

If this is your first time reading this, sign up here.

ILHAM, a newly formed game development studio, is positioning itself as a pioneer in culturally distinct storytelling by focusing on narratives from the Middle East and Indian Subcontinent. The studio, founded by Dr. Sajid Farooq, a former lead on Microsoft’s DirectX team, seeks to tap into stories and philosophies rarely explored in mainstream gaming. Inspired by the success of titles like Black Myth: Wukong, which brought Chinese mythology to international audiences, Farooq believes players are ready for narratives that diverge from Western and East Asian gaming conventions.

ILHAM’s first project is a high-reaching AA open-world survival game for PC and consoles. Set in a world inspired by Middle Eastern and South Asian folklore, such as the Arabian Nights, the game aims to deliver an experience that combines innovative survival mechanics, challenging combat, and a lore-rich narrative. “The eastern hemisphere is full of rich stories yearning to be told,” Farooq wrote on LinkedIn, underscoring his vision to introduce new themes and cultural depth to a genre typically dominated by settings rooted in medieval Europe.

Development of the studio’s debut title is already underway, though details on the title and release date remain undisclosed. To support its ambitious vision, ILHAM is actively seeking additional investment and talented game and level designers to join the team. As ILHAM builds its foundation, the studio’s approach signals a fresh direction in gaming, appealing to players looking for new cultural perspectives and storytelling diversity.

The India Game Developer Conference (IGDC) is back from November 13-15 at the Hyderabad International Convention Centre! With over 5,000 attendees, 250 speakers, and countless networking opportunities, IGDC 2024 is set to be the premier event for gaming industry professionals.

✨ Event Highlights:

• Leading Industry Speakers: Hear from gaming and esports leaders, including celebrated international developers, top executives from Meta, Google, and Microsoft, and major players from India’s gaming sector like Krafton India, Nodwin Gaming, and Nazara. Representatives from investment firms such as Lumikai, Play Ventures, and MIXI Global Investments will also be in attendance, offering valuable insights into the future of gaming.

• Expansive Expo & Exhibits: Explore over 100 exhibitor booths, from developer studios to country pavilions and major sponsors, each showcasing the latest innovations, tools, and services driving the gaming industry forward.

• IGDC Awards Night: Join the excitement on November 14 for IGDC’s annual Awards Night, celebrating outstanding achievements in game development with ten categories and two jury awards. 

• Investor-Publisher Connect: This exclusive, invite-only event will bring together 100+ investors and publishers to connect with studios seeking partnerships. With 1,800 curated meetings held last year, IGDC remains a powerful platform for deal-making in gaming.

• Expanded Indie Zone & Young Indie Scholarship Program: The indie showcase features 40 independent developers and 20 Xbox-sponsored tables, giving creators a unique platform to showcase their work. The new Young Indie Scholarship Program aims to support young talent with conference access, accommodations, and mentorship.

We’ll be diving into each of these exciting highlights in upcoming newsletters, so stay tuned for in-depth insights! 

Secure your tickets today atindiagdc.com and be part of the excitement!

Nintendo Lowers Full-Year Forecasts Amid Declines in Sales

Nintendo reported further declines in sales for the six months ending September 30 as consumers await a successor to the Switch console. The company’s net sales fell 34% year-on-year to ¥523.3 billion ($3.4 billion), with hardware sales down 31% and software sales down 27.6%. Operating profit dropped 57% to ¥121.5 billion ($798.3 million). The company adjusted its full-year forecasts, now expecting ¥1.28 trillion ($8.4 billion) in net sales, down 5% from prior estimates. Operating profit projections were also cut 10% to ¥360 billion ($2.4 billion). 

India's College Rivals Season 2 Secures Major Sponsors

Indian college esports event, College Rivals Season 2, has signed Nissin Cup Noodles, Red Bull, and Kreo as Associate Sponsors. The event, featuring 200,000 students and a prize pool of INR 50 lakh, runs until early 2025, offering immersive activities and professional gaming opportunities.

KRAFTON India to Showcase Games and Host Pitch Fest at IGDC 2024

KRAFTON India announced that it will be a key participant at the India Game Developer Conference (IGDC) 2024. Highlights include an interactive booth showcasing Bullet Echo India and titles from the KRAFTON India Gaming Incubator, plus the KIGI Pitch Fest for aspiring developers. Key KRAFTON leaders, including CEO Sean Hyunil Sohn, will lead sessions on industry trends and future game launches, underscoring KRAFTON’s commitment to India’s gaming ecosystem.

Rome is about to become a new global hub for video game enthusiasts. VIGAMUS, the renowned Video Game Museum of Rome, will unveil a second video game museum, GAMM – Game Museum, on November 30, 2024. The launch will coincide with the Checkpoint Festival of Interactive Experiences, adding to the excitement around this new cultural attraction.

Located at Piazza della Repubblica, GAMM spans 700 square meters and is divided into two levels with three thematic areas. This innovative space promises to combine "cutting-edge digital content with a collection of unique, valuable artifacts" to tell the story of video game evolution. Visitors will be immersed in interactive exhibits highlighting the history, technology, and artistry of video games.

The museum will be managed by Kabuto, a start-up founded by VIGAMUS and staffed by entertainment industry veterans. Marco Accordi Rickards, director of GAMM, describes the museum as a journey through the "cultural and artistic value of video games as interactive works," while Kabuto co-founder Luisa Bixio calls it an "immersive museum space" where visitors from around the world can explore the origins and latest innovations in gaming.