India’s Gaming Studios Ramp Up Hiring as Focus Shifts to High-End Titles
Indian gaming firms ramp up hiring as they build high-budget AAA titles; talent demand spikes, with AI aiding faster game development.
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India’s Gaming Studios Ramp Up Hiring as Focus Shifts to High-End Titles
As Indian gaming studios pivot towards developing big-budget, high-quality games with intricate gameplay and cutting-edge visuals, the demand for specialised talent is soaring. According to staffing firm TeamLease Digital, the country’s gaming industry currently has around 50,000–60,000 open positions, spanning both entry-level and experienced roles.
This surge is fueled by the ambition to create homegrown AAA titles—globally competitive games with large development budgets and technical complexity. The industry now employs over 130,000 professionals, a dramatic rise from just 50,000 in 2022.
“The Indian gaming industry is hiring a combination of technical and creative skill sets,” said Neeti Sharma, CEO, TeamLease Digital.
Rising Demand for Niche Talent
Key in-demand roles include:
- Gameplay engineers
- Backend developers for multiplayer infrastructure
- 3D artists and animators
- Environment and character designers
- Developers skilled in Unity and Unreal engines
Startups Leading the Hiring Drive
Bengaluru-based LightFury Games, which recently unveiled its high-budget title E-Cricket in collaboration with Amazon Web Services, plans to hire 30–40 new staff members. “We are nurturing talent that can grow to build AAA games,” said cofounder Anurag Banerjee.
SuperGaming, the Pune-based studio behind Indus Battle Royale, is also on a hiring spree. CEO Roby John explained, “Making a great game involves bringing together over 20 different specialisations—from engineering and art to narrative and servers. It’s a massive coordination effort that needs experience.”
SuperGaming has hired several former Ubisoft professionals and is also tapping into global talent pools via its Singapore-based entity. LightFury has similarly brought back Indian professionals with international AAA experience while recruiting globally for niche roles.
AI in Game Development
Artificial Intelligence is emerging as a transformative force, enabling faster game development, smarter NPC behavior, realistic environments, and improved graphics.
“If you're not using AI, you're living under a rock,” said Anuj Tandon, partner at Bitkraft Ventures. “It hasn’t replaced people, but it’s making teams far more efficient.”
Despite the rise of AI, experts emphasize that the core of game development remains rooted in human creativity. Avichal Singh of Nodding Heads Games said, “AI can speed up validation and development, but the fundamental skills for making great games are still essential.”
Challenges Ahead
While investor interest and global partnerships are fueling optimism, studios caution that building AAA or mid-core games remains a capital-intensive and long-term effort. The biggest gap still lies in experienced talent for certain genres, PC/console gaming, and specialised roles.
As the Indian gaming ecosystem matures, the convergence of skilled talent, AI, and global infrastructure may soon place India on the global gaming map—not just as a consumer base but as a serious creator of premium, original IPs.
