Nodding Heads Games (2017)
The Independent Studio that Brought Ancient Indian Mythology to Global Gamers via Raji
Founded in 2017 in Pune, India by Avichal Singh, Shruti Ghosh, and Ian Maude, Nodding Heads Games is an independent development studio renowned for creating Raji: An Ancient Epic. Combining rich Hindu and Balinese mythology with hand-painted Pahari miniature art and acrobatic combat, the studio earned a historic nomination for Best Debut Indie Game at The Game Awards 2020.
Sacrificing Personal Assets for Cultural Representation
Noticing that Indian folklore and mythological epics remained largely unrepresented in global interactive entertainment, the founders took extreme financial gambles—including selling their personal apartments—to fund development. Raji casts players as an acrobatic circus performer blessed by the goddess Durga and lord Vishnu to rescue her younger brother from demonic invasion.
Critical Acclaim and Industry Milestone
Premiering globally during a Nintendo Direct showcase in August 2020, Raji captured international attention with its hand-rendered mandalas, shadow-puppet storytelling cutscenes, and fluid isometric combat. The title represented a watershed moment for Indian game design, proving that Indian creators could build globally acclaimed original intellectual properties rooted in their own heritage.