The Game Developer Association of India (GDAI) has unveiled the inaugural roster of its Supernova incubation initiative, naming fifteen game studios that will participate in the first round of the program. The selection was made from a pool of more than 260 applications, highlighting the growing interest among Indian developers to receive structured support and industry exposure.
Supernova, which launched in July 2026, is designed as a three‑month intensive incubator that equips chosen studios with a blend of mentorship, technical credits, and strategic introductions to potential investors and publishing partners. At the conclusion of the period, the cohort will have the chance to showcase their projects at a dedicated Demo Day held during this year’s India Game Developers Conference (IGDC), providing a high‑visibility platform for networking and potential deals.
The incubator operates in close collaboration with several prominent industry players, including Tencent, IVIPRO, SpielFabrique, Indus Appstore, Mintegral, and Lakshya Digital. Among the benefits, Indus Appstore has committed to offering participating studios priority onboarding and a bundle of advertising credits, a move intended to accelerate user‑acquisition efforts once the games are ready for launch. These credits can be used to run targeted campaigns across the Appstore’s extensive user base, helping fledgling studios gain early traction without the burden of large upfront marketing budgets.
"The selection of this inaugural cohort marks the beginning of a focused journey for these 15 studios," said Rajan Navani, a board member and chair of GDAI’s Incubation Subcommittee. "Over the next three months, Supernova will bring together mentors, technology partners, publishers and investors to help each studio address its specific development and business priorities." Navani emphasized that the program’s structure is deliberately flexible, allowing each studio to tailor the mentorship and resources they receive to the unique challenges they face, whether those are related to game design, engine optimization, monetisation strategies, or scaling their development teams.
The fifteen studios that earned a place in the program are: - Absurd Games - Team Quasar - AbhiTech Games - Konkan Coast Studios - Dunali Games - Chitrakala Interactive - Ashdev Studios - Compiling Shaders - Brahman Studios - Yaari Games - Funwave Studio - Arcadon Games - Shivaansh Artvision - AnonVision Creative Labs - Parkince These studios represent a diverse cross‑section of the Indian gaming ecosystem, ranging from indie teams focused on narrative‑driven experiences to technically ambitious groups experimenting with emerging technologies such as augmented reality and procedural generation. By bringing together such a varied group, Supernova aims to foster cross‑pollination of ideas and best practices, encouraging collaboration that could lead to innovative gameplay mechanics and new business models. GDAI itself serves as the collective voice for more than 200 member studios across the country. Its broader mission includes talent development, international outreach, and advocacy for policies that support a thriving game development industry.
The Supernova program is positioned as a flagship effort within this larger agenda, reinforcing GDAI’s commitment to nurturing home‑grown talent and expanding the global footprint of Indian games. In addition to the mentorship and credit packages, the program will feature a series of workshops and master‑classes led by experts from the partner organisations. Topics will cover a wide array of subjects, such as advanced Unity and Unreal Engine techniques, data‑driven user acquisition, legal considerations for publishing, and strategies for securing funding from venture capital firms.
Participants will also have the opportunity to pitch directly to a panel of investors during a dedicated session, receiving real‑time feedback that can sharpen their business plans and improve their chances of securing follow‑on financing. The ultimate goal of Supernova is not only to help these fifteen studios bring their current projects to market but also to create a sustainable pipeline of knowledge and connections that will benefit the wider Indian gaming community.
By the end of the three‑month cycle, GDAI hopes that each studio will have a clearer roadmap for growth, a stronger network of industry contacts, and a set of tangible milestones that can be presented to potential partners. Looking ahead, GDAI aims to scale the Supernova model, with plans to accommodate a larger number of studios in future cohorts and to extend the program’s reach beyond major urban centres.
The association also intends to measure the impact of the first cohort through key performance indicators such as funding secured, games released, and user acquisition metrics, using this data to refine the program for subsequent iterations. Overall, the launch of Supernova represents a significant step forward for the Indian game development landscape. By aligning the resources of global giants like Tencent with local expertise and providing a structured pathway for early‑stage studios, GDAI is laying the groundwork for a more vibrant, competitive, and internationally recognised ecosystem. The fifteen selected studios now have a unique opportunity to accelerate their development cycles, refine their business strategies, and ultimately bring innovative gaming experiences to audiences both within India and around the world.
GDAI’s broader vision includes reaching more than 25,000 students nationwide through educational initiatives, ensuring that the next generation of developers is equipped with the skills and mentorship needed to continue this upward trajectory. The success of the Supernova cohort will be a key indicator of how effectively the association can translate its advocacy and talent‑development goals into concrete outcomes for the industry.