KIGI Studios Shine at IGDC 2025 With CHROMADI, Rookie Tales, Frontier Paladin
- Sagar Mankar
- 6 hours ago
- 3 min read
Three studios from the KRAFTON India Gaming Incubator (KIGI) have earned nominations at the India Game Developer Conference (IGDC) 2025.
The nominees include Kleanup Games, Dunali Games, and Singular Scheme, each bringing unique projects to the table.
Kleanup Games’ debut title, CHROMADI, is up for Upcoming Mobile Game of the Year. The Madurai‑based studio has already made waves internationally, with the game featured at the Tokyo Game Show (India Pavilion), the Game Devs of Color Expo 2025, and even the GDWC Summer Finals, where it was a finalist for Best Mobile Game.
Joining them is Gurugram’s Dunali Games, whose title Rookie Tales also secured a nomination in the mobile category. The studio has built a reputation for creativity and storytelling, having previously participated in the Google Indie Games Accelerator.
Mumbai‑based Singular Scheme rounds out the trio with Frontier Paladin, nominated for Upcoming PC/Console Game of the Year. The studio has showcased its work at major events like GDC, Indie Game Utsav at Comic Con, and WAVES 2025, while also appearing at Gamescom LATAM and Tokyo Game Show in 2024.
Speaking about the nominations, Anuj Sahani, Head of KIGI, said:
It’s inspiring to see the KIGI studios earn recognition across global and Indian stages. At KIGI, our mission has always been to nurture talent and give independent creators a platform to thrive globally. These nominations reflect not just the innovation and passion of these young teams, but also the evolution of India’s gaming ecosystem – one that’s beginning to stand tall on the global map.”
The developers themselves echoed this sentiment. Jaiwanth Shanmugam of Kleanup Games described the nomination as “truly special,” noting how CHROMADI began as a small idea with big ambitions. Dipender Kaushik of Dunali Games called the recognition “humbling and motivating,” crediting KIGI and programs like Google Indie Games Accelerator for their growth. Meanwhile, Ahad Oomerbhoy of Singular Scheme highlighted how the nomination validated the team’s countless hours of iteration and playtesting.
IGDC 2025, being held in Chennai for the first time, will also see KRAFTON showcase its flagship titles Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) and Real Cricket 24, developed by Nautilus Mobile.
Some FAQs Answered:
What is KIGI?
The KRAFTON India Gaming Incubator (KIGI) is an initiative launched by Krafton India to support early‑stage gaming startups and indie developers.
What does KIGI do?
KIGI provides:
Mentorship from industry experts and Krafton advisors.
Flexible milestone funding to help studios progress through development stages.
Access to resources like cloud services (Google Cloud, AWS partnerships) and technical support.
Exposure opportunities at global events such as GDC, Tokyo Game Show, and Game Devs of Color Expo.
Who started KIGI?
KIGI was started by Krafton India, the publisher behind Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI). The program is led by Anuj Sahani, Head of KIGI and Advisor at Krafton India Publishing.
How many studios has KIGI supported so far?
KIGI has already supported two cohorts of studios. Examples include:
Cohort 1 (2023–2024):
ReDimension Games (Nagaland): Sojourn Past, a stylized 2D action-adventure
Shura Games (Haryana): Spice Secrets, a culinary puzzle game
Dunali Games (Delhi): Rookie Tales, a tactical deck-building RPG
Arjuna Studios (Karnataka): Gangster Carnival, a desi-styled battle royale
Cohort 2 (2024–2025):
Kleanup Games (Tamil Nadu): CHROMADI, a vibrant retro shoot-’em-up
Advaita Interactive (West Bengal): Inspectorium, a steampunk detective title
Singular Scheme (Maharashtra): Frontier Paladin, an RPG-tower defense hybrid
Smash Head Studio (Karnataka): Cricket Rivals, a reimagined multiplayer cricket game
Unwind Games (Telangana): BaoBao’s Journey, a cozy puzzle experience
Ginger Games (Delhi): Monkey Mayhem, a hybrid-casual action adventure
Does KIGI provide financial support?
Yes. KIGI offers financial assistance through milestone‑based funding, meaning studios receive funds as they hit agreed development goals.
How can developers apply to KIGI?
Applications open during specific cohort registration windows. For example, Cohort 3 opened on September 20, 2025. Developers can apply through the official Krafton website under the KIGI section. Selected studios then go through an evaluation before joining the incubator program.
Why is KIGI important for India’s gaming ecosystem?
KIGI is helping India move from being primarily a mobile gaming market to a hub for globally competitive indie titles. By offering mentorship, funding, and international exposure, it’s positioning Indian studios on the global stage