Why gaming companies in India are hiring specialised talent

India’s gaming industry has been on exponential growth in the last few years, driven by the increased internet penetration and technological advancements. India is the second-largest gaming market in the world and global gaming companies are keen to tap this market. However, off late the gaming industry is undergoing a major shift and AI is reshaping development processes, and player behaviour is evolving faster than ever. Due to this, the gaming industry is looking for hiring specialised talent.

Today, the gaming industry has transcended traditional boundaries to become a powerhouse of innovation, where immersive storytelling, cutting-edge technology, and behavioural science fuse to create compelling digital universes. As per Grant Thornton Bharat, today’s market leaders are no longer just hiring developers, they are assembling elite teams of specialists: behavioural architects, data visionaries, narrative strategists, and software artisans. This specialised expertise helps create games that deeply engage players, open up new ways to earn revenue, and grow smoothly through ongoing updates and live services. In an arena defined by relentless competition and rapid evolution, success hinges on cultivating multidisciplinary talent that transforms games into unforgettable, profitable experiences and drives exponential business growth.

“Games today aren’t just played they are experienced, felt, and lived. Crafting these experiences demands minds that can merge code with creativity, and psychology with pixels” said Ananay Jain, Partner and Media Industry Leader, Grant Thornton Bharat.

The demand for specialised talent is growing among gaming companies. Take for instance, gaming company Claw King, which is now gradually aiming at hiring specialised talent. “Traditional approaches no longer cut it, and staying relevant means building with precision. We merge arcade nostalgia with mobile-first innovation, this translates to hiring highly specialised talent from gameplay engineers and back-end developers to experts in monetisation, gamification, and player analytics. Deep domain expertise helps us adapt faster, build smarter, and deliver differentiated experiences in a market where user retention and innovation are everything,” remarked Trilok Potluri, Co-founder and CEO, ClawKing.

Experts point out that India’s online gaming industry is evolving rapidly. Skills like product-oriented coding, data fluency, and cross-functional collaboration are expected to become critical. “Technical depth remains essential, but candidates must apply data, understand user behaviour, and work in agile, collaborative teams. Generative AI is reshaping game development, making proficiency in these tools a vital new skill. Beyond technical prowess, a holistic understanding of the business is paramount,” Nitin Nahata, Group CHRO, Gameskraft told THE WEEK.

He added that they have observed that those candidates couple technical skills with curiosity, adaptability, and an ownership mindset grow fastest. “We consciously choose not to reduce talent evaluation to just passion for gaming what matters more is flair, curiosity, and intent. Engineers begin to ask 'why before 'how' that shift turns coders into creators,” said Nitin Nahata, Group CHRO, Gameskraft.

Interestingly, the online gaming industry has grown into a dynamic ecosystem where success is no longer defined solely by technical development, but by the ability to deeply engage diverse audiences. “Companies are increasingly hiring specialized talent and not just game developers and AI engineers, but also UI/UX designers, behavioral analysts, cyber security experts, content creators, and community engagement strategists. These professionals help create immersive experiences that tap into hidden potential, connect with a wider demographic, and ensure better outreach and sustained user interest,” remarked Shankar Aggarwal, President, SOGF (SkillHub Online Games Federation).

The SOGF is urging gaming companies to adopt hiring strategies that boost both user engagement and youth skill development. This approach can transform gaming into a platform for cognitive growth and meaningful digital participation.

“Indian gaming companies are actively putting efforts to increase their market share in the domestic gaming segment. These companies are shifting their efforts towards creating high-quality games to attract local talent. Along with the typical developer hirings, companies are seeking talent that would help them come up with new concepts and high-quality character designs. Following are some creative roles that are currently trending in this industry: Technical artist, Game Designer, 3D Animator, 3D Character Artist, Concept Artist, Creative Strategist etc,” pointed out Aditya Narayan Mishra the MD and CEO of CIEL HR.

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