In response to India’s sweeping new Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, a wave of established gaming companies, including Nazara Technologies and nCore Games, have formed the Indian Game Publishers and Developers Association (IGPDA). Their goal? Build a unified industry front to champion Made-in-India gaming IP and nurture storytelling rooted in local cultural sensibilities.
Why This Association Matters Now
The creation of IGPDA happened at an important time. India has just passed a new online gaming law. This law not only bans games that involve real money but also sets up a proper licensing and support system through a National Online Gaming Commission (NOGC). At the same time, the law promotes e-sports and casual games, like fantasy sports, with certain rules in place.
In light of this legal overhaul, gaming companies have faced increasing uncertainty and financial risks, which has led to efforts to unify their voices and protect the value chains of homegrown gaming.
What the IGPDA Stands For
With Nazara and nCore as notable backers, the IGPDA aims to:
- Champion Indian IP in the global gaming arena.
- Advocate for developer-friendly licensing, fair compliance norms, and intellectual property protection.
- Encourage local storytelling and culturally resonant game experiences.
Nazara, for instance, has long been active in enabling and promoting Indian game devs, through its Nazara Publishing arm, which invests heavily in local titles like FAU-G: Domination (in partnership with nCore’s Dot9 Games). This saga of Nazara makes them a credible leader in this new association.
The Industry Landscape: Why It’s a Turning Point
The gaming market in India is forecasted to grow significantly in the near future. In 2023, it is worth ₹23,000 crore (about $2.8 billion) and is projected to reach ₹70,000 crore by 2027. However, unless developers collaborate, the room for innovation may decrease as regulations tighten beyond 2025.
IGPDA members want to make sure that legislation stays balanced, protecting consumers without limiting creativity. It is a calculated step towards a more resilient, proudly Indian gaming community or culture.
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