Xsolla champions indie innovation at Indie Game Utsav in Mumbai

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Xsolla champions indie innovation at Indie Game Utsav in Mumbai

April 28, 2025

On April 12th, 2025, Xsolla took center stage at Indie Game Utsav, India’s premier indie game festival, held at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai. The event, co-located with Mumbai’s Comic Con, brought together India’s most promising indie developers, global publishers, and passionate gamers for a day of collaboration, inspiration, and insight. Xsolla’s participation reinforced its commitment to supporting emerging gaming markets and helping indie creators scale their businesses globally. From keynote insights to high-powered panel discussions, the day was a celebration of India’s growing role in the global gaming industry. The Q1 2025 Edition of The Xsolla Report revealed that APAC has a projected revenue of $242.9 billion in 2025, and has the largest gaming market than any other region with over 1.48 billion active gamers.

Unlocking India’s Indie Potential

India’s indie game scene is booming, with passionate creators pushing boundaries across genres and platforms. Yet, challenges like funding, global exposure, and monetization remain. That’s where Xsolla stepped in to help bridge the gap between creative ambition and commercial success. At the event, Pranab Punj, Strategic Advisor for APAC Business Development at Xsolla, joined industry leaders for two critical sessions that addressed the future of Indian indie gaming.

Spotlight on D2C and Scaling Smart

In his keynote session, ‘Why D2C Strategies Are Essential for Video Game Success,’ Pranab shared practical insights on the power of direct-to-consumer (D2C) strategies. He explored how developers can take control of their games’ distribution, engage players more directly, and unlock new revenue streams through D2C approaches - using Xsolla’s powerful toolset to make it all possible. “Owning your relationship with the player is the future,” said Pranab. “D2C models aren’t just for the big players anymore. With the right tools, any developer can build a scalable, global business.”

Panel: The Rise of Indie in India

Pranab also participated in the panel ‘India’s Indie Game Scene’s Explosive Growth: Challenges, Observations and Outcomes’ alongside industry veterans including Arvind Neelakantan, Solutions Architect at Epic Games; Mikhail Bhuta, Founder of DirtCube Interactive; and Arjun Varma, Xbox Indie Lead. Moderated by Avichal, Co-Founder of Nodding Heads and Director of Indie Game Utsav, the conversation explored how India’s indie scene has evolved - and what’s needed to take it to the next level. Topics included funding gaps, publishing bottlenecks, and strategies for international success.

Xsolla’s Mission in India

Xsolla’s presence at Indie Game Utsav isn’t a one-off - it’s part of a broader initiative to support indie developers across the APAC region. By meeting developers where they are, listening to their challenges, and providing localized solutions, Xsolla is investing in India’s gaming future. “Indie Game Utsav showcased the extraordinary talent coming out of India’s gaming community,” Pranab added. “At Xsolla, we’re committed to giving developers the strategies and tools they need to succeed - not just locally, but globally.”

What’s Next?

With D2C enablement, global publishing infrastructure, and a suite of powerful tools, Xsolla is creating pathways for indie developers to thrive in today’s competitive market. Events like Indie Game Utsav highlight the power of community, mentorship, and innovation, and Xsolla is proud to be part of that journey.