GDC 2025: The Indian Video Games Industry Was Represented by… Real-Money Gaming Again

 

GDC 2025: The Indian Video Games Industry Was Represented by… Real-Money Gaming Again

At the 2025 Game Developers Conference (GDC), held from March 17 to 21 in San Francisco, the Game Developers Association of India (GDAI) showcased Indian games under development at the India Pavilion. The theme of this year’s pavilion was "India: Uniting Innovation, Creativity, and Opportunity!" The event marked a significant moment for the Indian video games industry, presenting a curated selection of games and innovations, many of which were winners from the 2024 Indian Game Developers Conference (IGDC). However, while the spotlight on Indian game development was exciting, there was an ongoing controversy regarding the involvement of real-money gaming (RMG) companies as sponsors, prompting questions about the industry's future direction.

GDAI’s Role and the India Pavilion

The GDAI conceptualized and orchestrated the India Pavilion at GDC 2025, with support from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) of the Government of India, marking the first time the MIB backed this significant showcase. Nazara Technologies, one of India’s leading gaming companies, also provided support, but a significant concern arose from the involvement of an RMG company sponsoring the pavilion for yet another year. This raised eyebrows, as RMG companies have a business model focused on real-money gaming, such as poker and rummy, where players compete for cash rewards rather than focusing solely on entertainment.

The Pavilion featured a wide array of exhibitors from the Indian gaming industry, showcasing their latest products and services. These included several IGDC 2024 award-winning companies like Wala Interactive, Brewed Games, Xigma Games, and Singular Scheme, along with other notable developers like 5th Ocean Studios, Pay3, Yudiz Solutions, Brahman Studios, and Godspeed Gaming, among others. These creators demonstrated India's increasing contribution to the global gaming landscape with innovative titles across various genres.

The Controversy: RMG Companies at the Forefront

While the showcase of Indian game development was a proud moment, the involvement of an RMG company as a primary sponsor of the India Pavilion has reignited the debate about the blurred lines between video games and real-money gaming. RMG companies, often presenting themselves as simple entertainment providers, offer online games that involve financial stakes. These games differ fundamentally from traditional video games, where there is no monetary reward involved in gameplay.

Real-money gaming companies tend to market their games under terms like “skill-based gaming,” which can mislead the public into thinking that games like rummy or poker are similar to conventional video games. This comparison is problematic, as video games like Call of Duty or Grand Theft Auto do not require players to wager money in order to participate, nor do they carry the risk of financial loss. The entertainment provided by traditional video games is purely that—entertainment—without any underlying financial stakes or gambling elements.

The growing presence of RMG companies at global gaming events, including GDC, raises critical questions about the ethical implications of mixing real-money gaming with traditional video gaming. By supporting RMG companies, organizations like GDAI risk inadvertently normalizing gambling in the video gaming sector, which is particularly concerning when it comes to younger, more impressionable audiences. Moreover, the inclusion of such companies could potentially misrepresent the goals and values of the Indian video game industry as a whole, especially when the focus should be on innovation, creativity, and responsible gaming.

The Ethical Debate: GDAI’s Role and Industry Concerns

GDAI, the organization that spearheads the India Game Developers Conference (IGDC) and advocates for the ethical development of the gaming industry in India, finds itself in a difficult position. The group has long been vocal about the need for clear distinctions between video games and real-money gaming (RMG), but their collaboration with RMG companies raises doubts about their commitment to these values. Despite claims of upholding ethical standards, the sponsorship of the India Pavilion by an RMG company contradicts the association’s stated position on gaming ethics.

As gaming continues to grow in India, the line between traditional video games and RMG is becoming increasingly blurred. This is not an isolated issue; many other industry entities and stakeholders are concerned about the growing normalization of RMG within the gaming space. A recent report from High Chaos Run highlights how some companies involved with GDAI have disclaimers about addiction and financial risks on their websites, a stark contrast to the traditional video game industry, where such disclaimers are absent.

Furthermore, the controversy has sparked concerns in the Indian Parliament, with questions being raised about the potential risks of online gaming and its impact on youth. During the Lok Sabha proceedings on March 19, 2025, Cabinet Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw addressed concerns about online gaming addiction and suicides reportedly linked to RMG platforms. The government has responded by banning hundreds of RMG websites, but there is a growing fear that the misrepresentation of RMG as “online gaming” could hurt the reputation of legitimate video games.

The Growing Risk of Confusion: RMG vs. Video Games

The confusion between RMG and video games is not a new issue, but it has gained increasing attention as RMG companies continue to sponsor large-scale gaming events. The problem is compounded by the fact that the general public, and even policymakers, may struggle to differentiate between these two distinct sectors. As noted in a recent statement by the Ministry of Education, there is a risk that “online gaming” could be classified under the same umbrella as real-money gaming, further blurring the lines between the two industries.

This misclassification could have serious consequences for the video game industry in India. If video games continue to be lumped together with RMG, it could affect public perception, leading to stricter regulations and government action that harms the gaming community. It also risks undermining the legitimate efforts of developers who are working hard to make games that are safe, fun, and free from financial stakes.

GDAI’s White Paper and the Future of Indian Gaming

Amidst these debates, GDAI has also released a white paper aimed at positioning India as a major player in the global gaming industry. The white paper emphasizes the need for clear regulation and the importance of ethical standards in game development. It also advocates for the creation of a formal distinction between video games and real-money gaming, a stance that many Indian developers support.

However, the ongoing controversy surrounding GDAI’s partnerships with RMG companies casts doubt on the future of these efforts. As one executive within GDAI noted, there is significant internal disagreement about how to approach the issue, and many believe that the collaboration with RMG companies sends the wrong message to both the public and policymakers.

Conclusion: A Crossroads for the Indian Gaming Industry

The representation of Indian gaming at GDC 2025 marked an exciting milestone for the country’s game developers, showcasing the innovative and creative talent emerging from India. However, the continued involvement of real-money gaming companies as major sponsors raises serious ethical concerns, especially in the context of a growing movement to differentiate video games from gambling-based platforms. As the industry continues to evolve, stakeholders, including GDAI, developers, and policymakers, must address these challenges head-on to ensure that the future of Indian gaming remains healthy, sustainable, and ethical.

The Indian video game industry is at a crossroads. The coming years will be crucial in determining how it navigates the complex relationship between gaming and real-money platforms. Only by drawing clear lines between the two can the industry protect its integrity and ensure that it remains a force for creativity and entertainment, not financial risk.