Rethinking AAA in India
- Ranbeer Hora
- May 25
- 3 min read
Beyond the 'AAA' Obsession: Why Our Game Developers Should Focus on Making More Games
A Personal Reflection: Observing the AAA Obsession
Over the years, working closely with game developers across India, I've noticed a recurring theme in conversations - the allure of creating a "AAA" game. It's understandable. The term itself evokes images of cutting-edge graphics, sprawling open worlds, and the prestige of global recognition. Every ambitious developer dreams of making their mark, and for many, AAA feels like the ultimate milestone.
Yet, in my experience, this obsession with the AAA label often overshadows a more important truth: The Indian gaming industry needs more games, not just bigger ones. We've seen talented teams pour their energy into ambitious projects without fully understanding the financial and logistical realities that AAA development demands. Meanwhile, countries with mature gaming markets have built their success on a foundation of diverse, consistent game releases across various platforms.
The reality is clear: If we want to see the Indian gaming industry flourish, we must shift our focus from chasing AAA dreams to creating a steady flow of innovative and accessible games that can capture both local and global audiences.
The Reality of AAA Development
Globally, AAA games are typically produced by large studios with hundreds of developers, backed by multi-million-dollar budgets. Countries like the US, Japan, and parts of Europe have a long history of successful PC and console ecosystems, which provide the infrastructure and audience necessary to support such massive projects.
India, however, is in a different phase of its gaming journey. While we have witnessed tremendous growth in mobile gaming and a rising community of talented developers, our domestic market for premium PC and console titles remains relatively small. The aspiration to create the next big AAA game is admirable, but the reality is that even established global studios face financial risks and years of development cycles to pull off a successful AAA release.
What India Needs: More Games Across Platforms
Rather than fixating on AAA labels, what the Indian gaming industry truly needs is a consistent flow of diverse, high-quality games across platforms. Every successful gaming market has thrived by fostering a rich variety of experiences - from indie passion projects to mid-core games and eventually AAA blockbusters.
Countries like South Korea and China did not jump straight into AAA; they built their foundations by experimenting with genres, nurturing homegrown studios, and focusing on live-service and free-to-play models before moving towards larger productions.
Why Chasing the AAA Label Can Be Limiting
Resource-Intensive: AAA development demands heavy investments in time, talent, and capital. For most Indian studios, this level of commitment without assured market returns is unsustainable.
Stifling Creativity: By focusing solely on making a AAA game, studios may overlook innovative, smaller-scale ideas that could succeed both locally and globally.
Market Readiness: India is still cultivating a paying audience for premium games. Until there is a stronger market for PC and console titles, the opportunity lies in creating accessible, innovative experiences that resonate with broader player bases.
A Better Path Forward: Prioritize Creation Over Classification
Indian developers should prioritize making more games - across mobile, PC, and emerging platforms. This approach allows for experimentation, faster iteration, and the ability to tell unique stories. By building a robust portfolio of successful smaller games, studios gain the credibility and resources to tackle larger projects organically.
Moreover, the world today is increasingly open to experiences beyond the AAA template. Indie games like Hades, Celeste have proven that impactful storytelling, innovation, and polished design matter more than a game’s production scale.
Encouraging a Shift in Mindset
Celebrate All Successes: Whether it's a small narrative-driven experience or a live-service mobile title, every successful release contributes to the growth of our industry.
Embrace Diverse Genres: Support for niche genres, local stories, and culturally relevant themes can help Indian games stand out globally.
Collaborate and Share Knowledge: By fostering collaboration between indie developers, mid-sized studios, and larger companies, we can raise the overall quality and ambition of Indian-made games.
Think Global, Act Local: While aiming for international audiences is important, there's immense value in creating experiences that resonate with Indian players first.
Conclusion: Games First, Labels Later
The Indian gaming industry has immense potential, but to unlock it, we need to shift the conversation from chasing AAA validation to embracing the joy of creation. More games, across diverse platforms and genres, will lay the foundation for a thriving ecosystem. Once we have a mature, thriving industry, the AAA games will follow naturally - not as a gimmick, but as a genuine reflection of our collective growth and ambition.
It’s time to focus on making great games, not just big ones.
I’d love to hear your thoughts - how can we, as an industry, support the creation of more diverse games in India?
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