Priyank Kharge kicks off community playtest for India’s first AAA Battle Royale game by Mayhem Studios
Bengaluru: Priyank Kharge, Minister for IT/BT and Rural Development & Panchayat Raj, on Saturday inaugurated the new office of Mayhem Studios, marking a significant milestone for the company as it prepares to launch India’s first AAA battle royale game. The inauguration also coincided with the kick-off of the company’s first community playtest for the game titled, Underworld Gang Wars.
The event saw the presence of some of India’s top gamers, including Dynamo Gaming (Aditya Sawant) and Rawknee (Ronodeep Dasgupta). Minister Kharge took the opportunity to interact with the gaming community, discussing the future of ‘Made in India’ games and support required by gamers.
Speaking at the inauguration, Minister Kharge, said, “The Indian gaming sector has grown by leaps and bounds over the last few years, yet we face a dearth of large-scale gaming titles developed domestically. With Bangalore’s status as a leading tech hub, there is a unique opportunity for us to elevate the city into the gaming and skill capital of India. The exceptional creativity and talent within our city’s tech ecosystem is unparalleled, and the government is committed to further bolster this sector.From 2020 to 2023, the online gaming segment in India experienced a rise of 28%, with a market size of 16,428 crore in 2023 And Industry estimates suggest it will reach 33,243 crore in 2028”
The minister also added, “I am excited to see companies like Mayhem take a step towards building a gaming title that highlights the depth of Indian storytelling and local characters. I am confident that this will not just appeal to Indian gamers but also the global audience.”
Mayhem Studios, set up specifically to develop AAA games from India, aims to leverage the country’s rich cultural heritage and immerse gamers through its uniquely-Indian characters, elements, and locations. Ojas Vipat, CEO, Mayhem Studios, added, “We are focused on creating a blockbuster Indian game and leveraging the incredible talent we have in India to foster growth in the sector. Our goal is to not only develop high-quality games in India but also establish multi-decade IPs that will make a substantial impact on the gaming industry, both domestically and internationally.”
