Why NFT Driven Startups Are Resurrecting Gamer Funding
- Gamers become stakeholders through tokenized ownership.
- SuperGaming, KGeN, STAN, IndiGG, and RARIO drive India’s NFT gaming revival.
- NFTs enable in-game assets, governance, and revenue sharing.
In the shadowed outcome of the 2022 crypto crash, Indian gaming funding appeared to flatline, with venture capital inflows to web3 gaming plummeting 93% year-over-year by Q2 2025. Traditional models VC pitches, publisher deals left indie developers starved, echoing the bust of arcade eras past.
Yet, as of now, a phoenix stirs in the subcontinent, Indian NFT-driven startups have funneled over $100 million into gaming ecosystems this year alone, resurrecting funding through tokenized ownership and community-led economies. This isn't mere speculation, it's a structural shift where gamers become stakeholders, NFTs serve as programmable assets, and play-to-own mechanics democratize capital.
Drawing from blockchain's immutable ledger, these ventures bypass gatekeepers, channeling player investments directly into development.
The result?
A 25% uptick in daily active web3 gaming wallets in India despite market headwinds, signaling a renaissance where funding flows from pixels to prosperity.
This resurgence hinges on NFTs' evolution beyond hype, they're now utility tokens for in-game assets, governance, and revenue shares. Indian startups leverage them to crowdfund via initial drops, sustain via royalties, and scale via interoperability. Unlike 2021's JPEG frenzies, 2025's models emphasize sustainable play loops, with 70% of funded projects integrating AI for dynamic economies.
This unique alchemy blending desi gamer passion with blockchain precision revives funding not as charity, but as co-creation, where a Rs 500 NFT buy-in yields equity-like returns through token appreciation and ecosystem grants. With India's 500 million+ gamers, this model taps untapped potential, especially in Tier-2/3 cities where mobile-first NFTs bridge fiat-scarce creators to global capital.
Also Read: Top 10 Startups Brewing the Next Big Wave in Personalized Gut Health
5 Startups Sculpting the Desi Frontier
These pioneers aren't cloning global hits, they're architecting bespoke worlds rooted in Indian lore, where NFTs underpin narrative depth and economic sovereignty. Each round detailed below sourced from verified announcements highlights precise amounts, dates, and leadership, underscoring the precision of this revival.
SuperGaming
Roby John - Founder & CEO
Indus Empire's Sovereign Surge
Pune-based SuperGaming, creators of the battle royale Indus, channeled $15 million in Series B funding on August 6, 2025, valuing the studio at $100 million. Co-led by Skycatcher and Steadview Capital, with participation from a16z Speedrun and Bandai Namco, the capital accelerates web3 integrations like NFT clans and land deeds.
Total funding now hits $20 million, fueling console ports and AI-driven matchmaking. By tokenizing guild economies, SuperGaming revives regional funding droughts India's web3 gaming TVL jumped 150% post-round empowering 10 million players as co-owners in a post-colonial digital realm.
