How India and Russia Are Reshaping the Future of Global Gaming.

The second Moscow International Game Week highlighted potential collaborations with India and explored shifting market trends. Dev Mukesh, founder of the Indian firm Banzan, attended the event to discuss the evolution of India’s gaming landscape and the prospects for joint ventures with Russian entities, ranging from game adaptation and co-publishing to investment and talent cultivation.

"India is a large market for us, and it is evolving rapidly. We are familiar with Western and Asian gaming ecosystems, and we were curious to see what is happening in Russia," Mukesh said. He believes that the deep-rooted cultural and economic connections between the two nations offer a solid base for building partnerships within the gaming sector.

Mukesh observed that Indian gamers have historically gravitated toward mobile titles, with low-cost data plans allowing a whole generation to access smartphone gaming. However, there is a shift underway: PC and console gaming are gaining traction, and users are increasingly willing to explore diverse genres. Additionally, he pointed to a surge in demand for virtual and augmented reality (VR and AR) technologies, alongside location-based gaming.

"The market is going through a period of change and is ready to experiment with formats, platforms and genres again," Mukesh said.

He highlighted several avenues for collaboration with Russian firms, such as co-publishing, localizing content, and creating titles that weave together the cultural narratives of both nations. Expanding game IP into other media formats represents another viable path. Furthermore, Mukesh is keen on fostering partnerships that extend beyond specific projects, focusing instead on investment, mentorship, and talent development.

"I work to develop the gaming ecosystem, take part in an industry association and run a state-backed gaming accelerator. That is why I am interested in partnerships that go beyond company-to-company deals: developing talent, providing global mentorship, publishing and investment, as well as exchanges of knowledge, practices and people between countries," he said.

Held from October 29 to November 1 at the Moscow Game Hub, the second Moscow International Game Week hosted over 85 companies and attendees representing roughly 25 countries. The event’s business agenda included more than 50 sessions led by over 250 industry experts. Centered on the theme "Beyond the Industry," the conference facilitated conversations regarding global market growth and the intersections between gaming, film, animation, literature, and other creative sectors.