South Korean game developer KRAFTON’s India arm has selected the first cohort for its recently launched KRAFTON India Gaming Incubator (KIGI). KRAFTON, the South Korean video game publisher and one of the leading game development companies in the world has announced that its India’s branch has shortlisted two companies which includes ReDimension Games representing Nagaland. It has been reported that out of a total of 200 contenders, two companies has been selected: Shura Games from Bengaluru and ReDimension Games from Nagaland.
The team at ReDimension Games is guided by three creative and driven Naga individuals: Pekrukhrietuo Pienyü, who serves as both a programmer and designer; Imlijungshi, responsible for art and animation; and Loyievi, as the music composer. Initially starting with three core members, the team has now expanded to include a total of nine dedicated individuals.
In an interview with the Nagaland Tribune, Pekrukhrietuo Pienyü expressed that their game revolves around the essence of an action-adventure narrative, focusing on themes such as navigating grief, conquering anger, battling depression, and finding acceptance.
In 2018, the inception of ReDimension Games brought together a trio of individuals to embark on the journey of game development. Over the ensuing years, the team diligently worked on crafting small games and delved into experimenting with a variety of prototypes to enhance their skills and expertise in the field.
Sharing insights into his deep-rooted passion for gaming tracing back to his formative years, Pekrukhrietuo mentioned that it was during his schooling in 11th grade that he first delved into the realm of programming, gradually immersing himself in the intricacies of coding at a basic level. This initial foray paved the way for his exploration of game engine software.
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While he initially dabbled in crafting small games as a hobbyist, Pekrukhrietuo’s perspective on game development underwent a transformative shift in 2022. It was during this period that he made a conscious decision to elevate his approach towards game development, transitioning from a casual interest to a fervent pursuit of excellence in the craft.
Reflecting on the challenges encountered during the game development process, Pekrukhrietuo highlighted the hurdles of bridging funding gaps and navigating through a lack of specialized skills and training and funding. The scarcity of manpower also presented obstacles that impeded their progress.
Offering guidance to aspiring game developers, Pienyü emphasized the importance of pursuing dreams while emphasizing the need for diligence and hard work. “Patience and persistent effort are key elements,” added Pienyü.
The objective of the incubation programme which was launched last year is to uplift the gaming ecosystem in India. KIGI focuses on ventures that are eager to scale, open for mentorship, passionate about game development and are interested in future funding opportunities and gambling and real money gaming-centred entities are not be considered for this initiative.
The participants selected for the KIGI programme will be mentored by renowned gaming executives, game builders and industry experts including creative director of PUBG Studios Dave Curd and game producer at KRAFTON Harns Kim.
