Discovering a Unique Niche: Ogre Head Studio's Journey with Indian Folklore

Ogre Head Studio, the developer behind the successful debut title Asura, is currently working on its next project, a roguelike deckbuilder called Yodha. In a recent conversation with GamesIndustry.biz, founder Zain Fahadh shared the story of how the studio came to be and the significance of creating games rooted in Indian culture and folklore. Fahadh's journey in the gaming industry began as a 3D artist at an outsourcing studio, where he worked on AAA titles for five years before deciding to start his own studio. "We established Ogre Head Studio with the goal of developing PC and console games inspired by local folklore and culture," he explains. As an independent developer, Fahadh notes that Ogre Head has not received external funding or support from investors, relying on his initial personal investment of $2,000. After burning through the initial funds, the studio showcased a prototype for Asura in Dubai, generating significant interest in the game. Released in 2017, Asura is an action roguelike featuring a procedurally generated skill tree, ensuring unique gameplay experiences. The success of Asura enabled the studio to expand its services, offering outsourcing and consultation to companies like Warner Brothers and Paramount. By building entire games for these firms and managing localization and marketing through partners, Ogre Head generated revenue to fund its own game development. Fahadh recalls industry reactions to Asura, with some questioning the decision to develop a PC and console game instead of a casual mobile title. "We're passionate about what we do, and we didn't want to compromise on our vision," he says. With a six-person team, Ogre Head balances its workload by managing downtime and leveraging Fahadh's 14 years of industry experience. The studio's games, including Asura and Yodha, are distinct and heavily inspired by Indian folklore, a relatively untapped source of inspiration in the gaming industry. Fahadh believes this will change in the next decade as a new generation of developers, who are more connected to their cultural heritage, take on leadership roles in the industry. "People haven't even explored medieval India, which offers a wealth of stories and inspiration," he notes. Fahadh's approach to storytelling is influenced by his cultural background, using examples from Dungeons & Dragons to illustrate how Ogre Head incorporates Indian cultural elements into its games. The studio's goal is to create games that are accessible to a broad audience, regardless of region or cultural background. "We're making games for everyone, and our focus is on genre rather than region," Fahadh says. Looking to the future, Ogre Head aims to build strong IPs that can be leveraged across various media, including comics, movies, and animation. "My vision for Ogre Head is a creative hub that produces innovative ideas and stories, with gaming as a key tool for sharing our message of Indian fantasy," Fahadh concludes.