88 Pictures, the renowned Indian animation and VFX studio, has ventured into the gaming industry with the launch of its new division, 88Games. This move marks a significant step for the studio, which has established itself as a creative force in international markets with its award-winning work on projects like “Trollhunters: Tales of Arcadia” and “Gremlins: Secret of Mogwai.”
88Games aims to bring a fresh perspective to gaming by blending high-quality visuals with storytelling rooted in India’s rich history and culture. The studio’s multicultural and diverse team, led by industry veterans Milind D. Shinde and Shiben Bhattacharjee, is dedicated to developing games that capture India’s cultural heritage in captivating ways.
“88 Games represents the next step in our journey at 88 Pictures,” said Milind D. Shinde, Founder & CEO of 88 Games. “Our team is dedicated to producing premium games that are not only visually stunning but also deeply rooted in our cultural identity.”
88Games plans to introduce titles that will give global gamers a unique glimpse into India’s folklore and history. Through intricately crafted art styles and immersive sound design, each game will present an authentic, engaging experience, drawing from classic Indian tales, legends, and mythological characters.
“At 88 Games, we see storytelling as a powerful bridge between cultures,” stated Shiben Bhattacharjee, Game Director at 88 Games. “Our mission is to create games that entertain while connecting players to India’s rich history and mythology.”
88Games currently has three games in the pipeline. The first game, slated to be launched on Xbox and PlayStation, is scheduled to be revealed at the upcoming India Game Developers Conference (IGDC) 2024.
The launch of 88Games comes at a time when India’s gaming market is rapidly expanding. According to the recently released ‘Levelling Up: State of India Interactive Media & Gaming Research FY’24’ report by Lumikai, India is a key producer of global Animation/VFX services, with the industry valued at $1.6 billion in FY 24. The report also states that the nation’s gaming market added 23 million new gamers, bringing the total to 590 million gamers in FY 24. It is expected to surpass $9.2 billion by FY 29, growing at a 20% 5-year CAGR.
88 Pictures, with its expertise in Animation and VFX, is well-positioned to capitalize on India’s growing influence in the global AVGC-XR sector. With the launch of 88Games, the studio is set to further elevate India’s presence in the global gaming landscape.
