Game development workshop by Confederation of Indian Industry to be held in Nagaland

DIMAPUR — For the first time in Nagaland, a hands-on game development workshop is being launched by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in collaboration with LevelUp Northeast and GameForge.

The workshop will be held at Kohima Science College, Jotsoma, on July 8, and at Tetso College in Chümoukedima on July 9. This was announced at a press conference on Monday held at Tetso College.

LevelUp NorthEast is a flagship initiative of CII aimed at developing games, creative technology, and digital innovation in the northeast, while GameForge is an initiative of the Indian Digital Gaming Society (IDGS) to bridge the gap between industry and academia in the field of gaming.

According to the CII Nagaland, this game development workshop initiative aims to equip aspiring game developers with exposure, industry knowledge, and hands-on experience. It also stated that the workshop will open new pathways for skill development, career opportunities, and entrepreneurship—helping position Nagaland as an emerging player in India’s digital innovation landscape.

The initiative, the CII expounded, will be presented within two distinct verticals under the overarching LevelUp Northeast brand—LevelUp-Youth, the gaming track, which will focus on workshops, game jams, and mentorship programmes aimed at inspiring and equipping youth in creative and interactive technology fields.

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Another focus will be on LevelUp-MSME, the AI enablement track, which will centre on targeted sessions and resources to empower MSMEs to leverage AI and digital tools for growth and efficiency.

The programme consists of a combination of standalone sessions, panel discussions, and a workshop in the areas of gaming beyond entertainment, game concept development, storytelling, world-building, level design, and gameplay mechanics.

The CII Nagaland further stated that a unique opportunity for northeast region (NER)-based game developers lies in integrating the state’s rich culture, traditions, and folklore into game narratives and aesthetics.

It was noted that the region has a deep-rooted tradition of craftsmanship, art, and storytelling, which aligns well with creative game development. By combining technical training with local cultural expression, the initiative encourages the development of games and digital content that reflect the region’s identity.

According to CII Nagaland, key focus areas for Nagaland include practical workshops on game development and design; mentorship and guidance from industry experts; opportunities to explore careers in the gaming industry; platforms to showcase talent and ideas; and promoting the integration of local stories and culture into game narratives.

It maintained that the broader goal is to support the emergence of a creative technology ecosystem in the northeast, with Nagaland playing an active role in shaping the region’s contribution to India’s digital economy.

Head of People Operations at Krafton India, Saurabh Shah, responding to a query on career options and people’s stereotypes about gaming, asserted that there is now an understanding of gaming as a career option, and through this workshop they intend to amplify that understanding.

He was confident that during the course of the workshops, providing artefacts related to the entire economy in India, of which gaming is a part, along with a global perspective, will influence the students.

Shah expressed confidence that e-sports can be a viable profession, and the workshop aims to broaden students' perspectives on gaming and its potential, ignite their passion for the field, and explore the opportunities that gaming and e-sports can offer. By doing so, the workshop can inspire students to consider gaming as a career path and provide them with valuable insights and skills.

In-house IP attorney Advocate Dr. Shraddha Damle maintained that gaming is a serious business and a lucrative profession as well. While not denying that a government job provides financial security, she noted that gaming is also emerging as a serious business and will be a profession in the future.

According to her, gaming is recognised as a sport, with e-sports falling under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, while government policies are evolving to support the gaming industry. She expressed optimism that by raising awareness about these initiatives, young talent can be encouraged to explore gaming as a career option, potentially shifting their focus away from traditional government jobs.

The chairperson of the Nagaland State Council, CII, and CEO of Faith Hospital, Hokhuli Sema; the lead of PR, Krafton India, Manva Hunswadkar; the lead India PM, Krafton India, Karan Gaikwad; and associate professor at Chitkara Centre for Game Design and Immersive Technologies, Karthick B, who were also present at the press conference, highlighted their organisations and their involvement in the Game Development Workshop.