88 Games is the game development division of 88 Pictures, a premium animation and VFX studio with offices in Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, and Toronto. Founded on the pillars of creativity, innovation, and storytelling, 88 Games combines the studio’s expertise in animation and VFX with a passion for crafting immersive, culturally rich gaming experiences.
More than just entertainment, the titles of 88 Games aim to serve as an accessible means to learn about India’s vast and colorful traditions while delivering a deeply immersive and entertaining experience. With characters, settings, and narratives inspired by Indian myths, 88 Games added that it is committed to bringing India’s timeless stories to the global gaming audience.
Medianews4u.com caught up with 88 Games founder and CEO Milind Shinde.
Q. Last year, 88 Pictures launched a new gaming division, 88 Games. What impact is it looking to create in the gaming landscape in the coming three years?
At 88 Games, our vision is to redefine how Indian culture is represented in gaming on a global stage. Over the next three years, we aim to create a portfolio of games that authentically blend Indian folklore, mythology, and pop culture, making them resonate with both local and international audiences. Our goal is to build experiences that are not only visually stunning but also deeply meaningful, serving as a bridge that connects gamers to the rich heritage of India in a modern, interactive way.
With 88 Pictures’ legacy of award-winning storytelling, our expertise in crafting compelling narratives is a major strength, enabling us to deliver games that deeply engage players on an emotional and cultural level. We’re also focused on pushing the boundaries of what Indian game development can achieve—investing in cutting-edge technology, fostering homegrown talent, and collaborating with storytellers and artists who share our passion. Ultimately, we want to establish India as a global powerhouse for high-quality, culturally grounded gaming content.
Q. Could you shed light on how its approach will allow it to make an impact in a competitive industry?
The Indian gaming industry is filled with incredible talent, and we see this as a huge positive—healthy competition drives innovation and pushes everyone to do better. What sets us apart at 88 Games is our ability to combine storytelling excellence with innovative game design that feels both culturally distinct and universally engaging. Drawing from our roots in 88 Pictures, an Emmy award-winning animation studio, we bring a unique strength in visual storytelling and high-quality production values that allow our games to shine in both narrative and aesthetics.
What truly differentiates us is our commitment to authenticity. By weaving Indian folklore and mythology into our games in a fresh and relevant way, we tap into a niche with immense global appeal. While others may focus on quantity, we focus on quality, blending rich cultural narratives with modern gameplay mechanics to deliver experiences that resonate across geographies. We’re confident in our ability to not just compete but to make a lasting impact with games that are not only entertaining but culturally enriching.
Q. Will the company’s focus rest on both PC and mobile gaming?
Our focus will initially rest on PC and console gaming, as these platforms allow us to deliver the premium, high-fidelity experiences required to do justice to India’s rich folklore and history. Our expertise in animation and VFX positions us perfectly to create visually stunning, story-driven titles that resonate with a global audience.
That said, we understand the significance of mobile gaming, especially in a country like India, where it dominates the gaming ecosystem. Our approach remains clear. Instead of spreading ourselves thin across platforms, we’re ensuring that every game we develop is purpose-built for the platform it’s intended for, delivering a seamless and impactful experience tailored to its audience.
Q. Prime Minister Modi on Independence Day called for Indian developers to make their mark internationally. What are the learnings from a game like Angry Birds that has become a global phenomenon?
Prime Minister Modi’s call is a great reminder of what Indian developers can achieve on a global scale. The key is to focus on simplicity—creating games that anyone can pick up and enjoy, no matter where they’re from.
It’s also about making stories and characters that feel universal but still carry a cultural identity. And let’s not forget the bigger picture—building a world around the game, whether that’s through merchandise, movies, or other media, to turn it into something iconic. That is exactly what a game like Angry Birds has done for itself.
At 88 Games, we’re excited to take these ideas forward and bring India’s rich heritage to players everywhere.
Q. How has AI been integrated within 88 Games? How is AI helping quicken the game development process?
AI has become a boon for developers. It’s integrated into several stages of the development process, helping developers work smarter and faster without compromising on quality.
For instance, AI tools assist in generating procedural environments, saving time on repetitive tasks while allowing artists to focus on the finer details. It’s also being used in character animation and rigging, speeding up processes that traditionally take weeks.
On the narrative side, AI is helping developers simulate player interactions and test scenarios to refine gameplay mechanics. It’s like having an extra team member that ensures the team is delivering a seamless, immersive experience.
At its core, AI enables the balance of creativity with efficiency, letting game developers focus on what truly matters—crafting stories and experiences that resonate with players.
Q. In ad campaigns, companies are increasingly including a gamification element. Do 88 Games have plans to tie up with companies to enable gamification in their ad campaigns?
Gamification has quickly become a powerful tool to engage audiences and foster brand loyalty. Such partnerships not only elevate the brand’s visibility but also expand the reach of gaming as a medium, aligning perfectly with our mission to bring interactive entertainment to new horizons.
Q. How big an opportunity will cloud gaming be in 2025?
Cloud gaming is definitely going to be huge in 2025. With better internet speeds and more access to high-quality connections, it’ll make playing big, demanding games possible on just about any device. That’s a revolutionary move, especially in markets like India.
For us at 88 Games, it’s exciting because cloud gaming will let us reach players anywhere in the world, without the barrier of hardware limitations. Gamers will be able to jump into our worlds anytime, on any device.
Additionally, the rise of handheld gaming consoles is set to complement this trend, enabling gamers to experience high-quality gaming on the go. With advancements in portable hardware and cloud integration, these devices are poised to redefine how and where players engage with games.
The potential is massive, and we’re excited to see how cloud gaming reshapes the industry in the coming years. 2025 is just the beginning, and it’s going to open up so many new possibilities.
Q. How will the Government’s National Centre of Excellence for AVGC-XR give the gaming industry a boost?
The National Centre of Excellence for AVGC-XR is a game-changer for India’s gaming industry. By providing access to advanced tools, training, and resources, it fosters innovation and equips studios to compete globally.
For gaming, this means enhanced collaboration between animation, gaming, and immersive technologies like AR/VR, unlocking creative potential. At 88 Games, we see it as a catalyst to develop world-class, culturally rooted games while nurturing homegrown talent.
This initiative positions India as a global hub for high-quality gaming content, and we’re excited to contribute to this transformative journey.
Q. Is the business model going to be advertising or subscription?
Our primary business model will focus on a one-time purchase approach, especially for PC and console games. This aligns with our commitment to delivering high-quality, premium gaming experiences where players can fully immerse themselves without interruptions. This approach ensures we maintain the integrity of our storytelling while providing value to players and sustaining long-term growth.
