Pixel P&L: Indian Animation House Launches Game Dev Studio to Share India’s Stories

It’s Wednesday, November 13th. An acclaimed Indian animation studio has entered the gaming industry, launching its own division dedicated to telling stories rooted in Indian culture and heritage. Today’s newsletter covers the debut of this new studio and what it is developing.

Also in today’s edition: Activision Blizzard’s recent study reveals the potential effectiveness of in-game advertisements, offering fresh insights on why they resonate with players. We also delve into the launch of STANfest 2024, the $650 million acquisition of Raid: Shadow Legends developer Plarium, and the latest class-action lawsuit filed against Ubisoft.

Mumbai-based animation studio 88 Pictures, renowned for its work on Trollhunters: Tales of Arcadia and Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight, has launched 88 Games, a new gaming division aimed at bringing India’s cultural narratives to video game audiences. The unit will focus on developing indie titles for PC and consoles, prioritizing stories inspired by Indian culture and heritage.

Spearheaded by industry veterans Milind D. Shinde and Shiben Bhattacharjee, 88 Games aims to produce visually compelling games that draw from India's folklore and history. The division is currently developing three titles, with the first slated for release on Xbox and PlayStation, and will be showcased at the upcoming India Game Developers Conference 2024.

The entry into gaming marks 88 Pictures' expansion into a sector experiencing rapid growth in India, though it remains sparse in culturally reflective PC and console games. By tapping into the studio’s storytelling and animation expertise, 88 Games hopes to close this gap, creating globally resonant games rooted in Indian mythology.

"India has legends, stories, and art that form a unique kaleidoscope," said Shinde. "88 Games intends to translate this heritage into immersive gameplay that appeals to audiences worldwide."

In a world where 85% of consumers use a second device while watching TV, Activision Blizzard Media's Play It Forward report reveals gaming as a standout medium for capturing attention. The study shows that a third of players’ focus is consistently held by in-game ads, offering brands an immersive platform to engage audiences more effectively than traditional channels.

Gaming ads deliver unrivaled viewability, with 100% of gaming ads fully visible compared to 86% for online videos and 77% for social media. Immersive ad experiences within games yield impressive results, driving 99% ad viewability and 88% ad completion rates. Ads that integrate seamlessly into gameplay are highly effective; nearly 67% of gamers consider mobile gaming a go-to platform for relaxation, increasing their receptivity to relevant brand messages.

Immersion also correlates with emotional engagement, with 80% of players reporting increased attentiveness to gaming-related ads. Notably, 40% of players believe in-game ads play a direct role in enhancing their gaming experience. Positive ad experiences foster sustained attention and loyalty, with players who see contextually relevant ads showing 47% immersion recall scores.

For brands looking to engage hard-to-reach audiences, the study suggests that gaming is a robust platform for consistent, positive consumer interaction. Activision Blizzard Media asserts that the pathway to sustained attention lies in "ads that enhance the player journey."

This year’s India Game Developer Conference (IGDC) shines a spotlight on the best of Indian indie game development with the Indie 40 Initiative. From over 200 submissions, 40 finalists have been chosen for their innovative gameplay, visual appeal, and unique storytelling. These talented developers and studios will showcase their games at the IGDC expo from November 13-15, 2024, in Hyderabad, giving attendees a firsthand look at some of the most exciting indie games in development today.

The Indie 40 finalists represent a diverse range of creators each bringing fresh perspectives and immersive experiences. These developers will have dedicated spaces to display their work and connect with industry professionals, publishers, and fans, making this a prime opportunity for networking and inspiration.

IGDC is also offering a special rate for the Indie Table, enabling developers to bring their vision to life at the expo. The initiative aims to celebrate the indie spirit and provide a platform for talent discovery in India’s rapidly growing game development community. Don't miss this chance to meet the creators driving innovation in gaming at IGDC 2024!

STAN Announces STANfest 2024

Indian social platform for gamers, STAN, will host STANfest 2024 on November 24 at Phoenix Palassio in Lucknow, bringing together over 20,000 attendees and 200 prominent gaming and lifestyle creators with a collective following of 600 million. The event, anticipated to be the largest creator fan gathering in India, will include Esports LAN tournaments, gaming awards, and live performances.

MTG to Acquire Raid: Shadow Legends Developer Plarium in $620 Million Deal

Modern Times Group (MTG) announced it will acquire Plarium, the developer of Raid: Shadow Legends, from Aristocrat Leisure Limited for $620 million, with $20 million deferred until 2026. The deal, expected to close in Q1 2025, is projected to boost MTG’s annual sales to over SEK 12 billion ($1.1 billion). Plarium, best known for Raid: Shadow Legends, posted $613 million in revenue for the year ending September 30, 2024, marking a 1.2% year-over-year increase.

Ubisoft Faces Class Action Over The Crew Shutdown

Ubisoft faces a proposed class action lawsuit filed on November 4, 2024, in California, over its shutdown of The Crew servers in March, which rendered the game unplayable. The plaintiffs allege Ubisoft misled consumers by implying ownership of the game, especially those with physical discs, while failing to disclose that server shutdowns could make it inaccessible. The lawsuit argues that Ubisoft's actions violate California consumer protection laws and seeks monetary damages for affected players. Ubisoft, which cited server infrastructure and licensing issues as reasons for the shutdown, had previously offered refunds for recent purchases.

In 2019, the Pinkerton National Detective Agency, a well-known U.S. private security and detective firm, filed a lawsuit against Rockstar Games and its parent company, Take-Two Interactive, over the use of the Pinkerton name and likeness in Red Dead Redemption 2. Pinkerton claimed the game misused its trademark and took issue with how its agents were portrayed as antagonists in the storyline. In the game, Pinkerton agents pursue the main character’s gang, creating tension and conflict.

Rockstar and Take-Two pushed back, filing a countersuit arguing that the depiction was protected by fair use. Take-Two argued that the reference to Pinkerton agents added historical authenticity to the game, which is set in 1899 and draws on real-life events and figures from the American West. They further argued that other films, shows, and games had similarly depicted the Pinkertons without facing legal challenges.

Ultimately, Pinkerton withdrew the lawsuit, but the case highlighted the growing legal tensions between historical representation and trademark rights in the entertainment industry.