Nodding Heads Games is an award-winning indie game studio, known for titles like Raji: An Ancient Epic, and is currently based in Pune, India.
Nodding Heads Games studio is renowned for its title “Raji: An Ancient Epic,” an action-adventure game set in ancient India, which has received over 36 international and national accolades.
The development team comprises industry veterans from Rockstar Games, EA, and Zynga, including the talented co-founders, and their collective vision is to create quality games that reflect the stories, myths, and lore of the Indian subcontinent. With the success of Raji, they have put India on the global game development map, so it's worth looking at the journey of Nodding Heads Games, and how they have managed to create a history with Raji.
Nodding Heads Games: A Solid Studio with Industry Veterans
Nodding Heads Games is an independent game development studio founded on January 10, 2017. The studio is based in Pune, India, and Shruti Ghosh and Ian Maude are the co-founders of Nodding Heads Games along with Avichal Singh who also acts as its chief executive officer.
Ian Maude, known affectionately within the team as “Grandpa”, has over two decades of experience in the gaming industry, having worked with acclaimed companies like Rockstar, Ubisoft, and The Chinese Room.
Shruti Ghosh, a co-founder and Art Director, has a 1st Class degree in Fine Art from Rabindra Bharati University and over a decade of game development experience. On the other hand, Avichal Singh, the CEO, holds a Master’s Degree in Game Design and Project Management. He has participated in 12 game jams and worked on IPs like FarmVille and Empires and Allies at Zynga.
To summarize, the team at Nodding Heads Games is composed of passionate individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences. They have faced challenges such as funding and investor perceptions of Indian-made games. Despite these hurdles, they have managed to create a game that has put India on the global game development map.
Nodding Heads Games' mission is to deliver quality games that reflect the stories, myths, and lore of the Indian subcontinent. Their passion for indie game development and their commitment to quality and cultural representation are evident in their work.
Raji DLC and Other Upcoming Projects
Nodding Heads Games is currently working on an upcoming DLC for their award-winning title, "Raji: An Ancient Epic". The team is also engaged in research and development for their next project. However, specific details about the new title are yet to be announced.
The company is also continually looking to expand its team with talented individuals who are excited about creating cutting-edge visuals. They are also exploring opportunities to further develop and enhance their existing titles. Their commitment to quality and cultural representation presents significant potential for growth in the global gaming industry.
Raji: An Ancient Epic - The Most Notable Title of Nodding Head Games
The most notable title from Nodding Heads Games is Raji: An Ancient Epic. This action-adventure game set in ancient India tells the story of a young girl, Raji. Gods have chosen Raji to stand against the demonic invasion of the human realm and her destiny is to rescue her younger brother and face the demon lord Mahabalasura.
The game has been a major success, receiving over 36 accolades and coverage from both international and national media. It was first released on Nintendo Switch in August 2020 and the community feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.
The success of Raji: An Ancient Epic has helped Nodding Heads Games achieve its mandate to put India on the global game development map.
Innovation and Focus on Indian Lore
Nodding Heads Games is known for its unique approach to game design and innovative features. The studio’s creativity is evident in their award-winning title, Raji: An Ancient Epic. The game is an apt mix of mythology and architecture from India, combined with popular gameplay elements such as environmental puzzles and close combat.
The studio’s innovative approach extends to its development process. They have a strategy where the art pipeline is the primary focus during the development phase of any game. This approach allows them to develop any title for different platforms efficiently.
Nodding Heads Games is actively using 27 technologies for its website, including Viewport Meta, iPhone/Mobile Compatible, and SPF. They also have a diverse team with a strong academic background in computer science and video game programming, which contributes to their innovative capabilities.
Their creativity is also reflected in their storytelling. They spent days and weeks deciding on the characters and their stories, applying the five Ws (who, why, when, what, and where) to every aspect — whether character, props, environments, etc.
Overall, Nodding Heads Games has promoted strong community engagement and received positive player experiences. Their ongoing legacy is marked by their commitment to creating games that reflect Indian culture. Their industry contribution is significant, with their innovative approach influencing the perception of Indian-made games. Their success story can certainly inspire new game developers in India and elsewhere.