India’s 88 Games has announced its debut title, Kapih, which draws inspiration from Indian folklore. This game development studio is a branch of 88 Pictures, known for its significant contributions to animation and VFX, including award-winning projects.
Kapih is a platformer designed for both console and PC, targeting the global gaming audience. The game takes cues from Indian epics and incorporates various traditional art forms, such as Kalamkari and Madhubani, into its visual style.
The announcement coincides with a push from Prime Minister Narendra Modi for Indian developers to leverage the country’s cultural heritage in gaming. An official trailer for Kapih has been released through Sony PlayStation’s channels, showcasing its unique blend of folklore and retro arcade elements.
Players can expect an action-packed experience filled with platforming challenges and dynamic combat. The game features hand-crafted stages with diverse gameplay mechanics, including horizontal shoot-em-up sequences and vehicle-based sections.
As players advance, they can unlock new weapons and power-ups, culminating in epic boss battles that test their reflexes and strategic thinking. Kapih also offers a local co-op mode, allowing players to team up as Vaanar and his companion Bindu to tackle challenges together.
In a notable cultural touch, the game utilizes Sanskrit as its audio language, developed in collaboration with Sanskrit scholars to enhance authenticity. Kapih is set against the backdrop of the Ramayana and follows Vaanar, a young villager whose life changes when his village is attacked.
As the gaming market in India continues to grow, with projections indicating it could surpass $9.2 billion by FY 29, 88 Games aims to establish a strong presence for Indian narratives in the global gaming industry. Kapih is scheduled for release on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox platforms.
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