Xigma Games, the developers of Metal Heaven, are a prime example of how awesome game development in India can be.
Xigma Games, an indie studio based in Bangalore, India, is known for its creative, fun, original, and innovative game ideas. The studio has developed popular games such as The Bonfire 2: Uncharted Shores, The Bonfire Forsaken Lands, Rubek, and Super Nano Jumpers, and they are currently busy working on a new game, Metal Haven.
Xigma Games’ achievements and the quality of its games have earned it a significant following among gamers. And here we will highlight how the developers at Xigma Games are really passionate about making games that stand out and are fun to play, and what they have done to show the world how awesome game development in India can be.
About Xigma Games and Himanshu Manwani
Xigma Games is an independent game development studio founded in 2015 by Himanshu Manwani. The studio is based in Bangalore, India, and Himanshu Manwani, the founder, serves as the CEO, and Govardhan Gosavi is a co-owner and partner. Together, they lead a passionate team of 10 members dedicated to creating games on creative, fun, original, and innovative ideas.
The core values of Xigma Games revolve around creativity, originality, and innovation. And with a plethora of titles under their name that have gained several awards and recognition, they aim to put India on the global map of game development.
To put things into perspective, Xigma Games has created several games like The Bonfire 2: Uncharted Shores, The Bonfire Forsaken Lands, Rubek, and more for the PC and Android, and are now working on Metal Haven for mobile, PC, and console.
Himanshu Manwani, the mastermind behind Xigma Games, was disappointed by the quality of games being developed in India and believed that Indian games didn't have to be low-quality affairs. This belief led him to work towards creating games that appeal to a global audience. He was then joined on this mission by Govardhan Gosavi, and together they established their studio in Bangalore, Xigma Games.
Notable Hits and Metal Haven: The Projects of Xigma Games
Xigma Games has developed several notable titles that have been well-received by players:
- Super Nano Jumpers: The journey of Xigma Games and Himanshu began with Super Nano Jumpers. This is a hardcore platformer with the power to teleport. The game packs in a tough but rewarding challenge, crisp retro visuals, and a fantastic soundtrack.
- Rubek: Rubek is a game that was conceived when Himanshu was still working on Super Nanno Jumpers. However, thanks to the support from Govardhan, the game was released before Super Nanno. It is a minimalist color-based puzzle game where players roll a cube to pick up and match colors on a grid while uncovering a path to reach the endpoint.
- The Bonfire: Forsaken Lands: After Nano Jumper and Rubek, the studio worked on The Bornfire. This is a survival strategy game where players build, discover, craft, and survive. Players manage resources to advance and thrive in their settlement.
- The Bonfire 2: Uncharted Shores: Thanks to the success of the first Bonfire game, we got another title in the series, “Uncharted Shores.” As a sequel to The Bonfire: Forsaken Lands, this game expands on every aspect of the original. Players design their city, manage resource chains, manage workers with unique personalities, explore procedurally generated world maps in ships, trade with free cities, and discover dungeons.
Currently, Xigma Games is working on an upcoming action-strategy title, Metal Haven. The game requires players to establish outposts on planets that experience cycles of day and night.
The game was first announced in 2022, and although we don’t have a lot of info about this title, we do know that the game has been part of several major events like GDC 2024, IGDC 2023, and IGDC 2022, and has received a lot of praises from the community.
A Focus on Innovation and Creativity
While most game developers are still trying to create fresh and innovative titles, Xigma Games is already recognized for its unique approach to game design and innovative features.
Their games often feature mind-bending puzzles, challenging handcrafted levels, super tight control mechanics, and a variety of game modes. For instance, their game Rubek offers minimalist aesthetic and color-based puzzles, while Super Nano Jumpers provides a hardcore platformer experience with the power to teleport.
Moreover, Xigma Games is not just innovating in terms of game design, but also in terms of technology. As mentioned earlier, they are releasing their games on various platforms, which shows how they can adjust to different types of technology and platforms. This highlights their creative way of doing things even more.
Overall, Xigma Games has developed a strong community engagement through its innovative games. The studio's games have been well-received, offering unique player experiences, and their contribution to the industry is significant, with their games putting India on the global map of game development.