Developer creates iPhone game on Mumbai Sea Link

India-based software game development company, Spiel Studios is developing a game for Apple’s mobile handsets, the iPhone. Called The Sealink, based on India’s iconic engineering marvel, the Mumbai Bandra-Worli Sealink.
The Sealink will be a 3D racing game on the iPhone, where the player will be able to drive his favourite car on the Mumbai Sea-link. The game has been built in-house with collaboration from Spiel’s Indian and International team members.
Considering that there aren’t many iPhone users in India, it could prove a difficult foray for any company focussing on India-centric games. However, Mohit Sureka, founder and chief executive officer of Spiel Studios states that this game has been specially designed for not only India but also for every Indian across the globe. Sureka informs that there are around 640,000 Indians globally who use the iPhone.
According to a Nasscom report, the market for gaming development in India is expected to witness a compounded annual growth rate of 78 per cent and reach $300 million (about Rs 1800 crore) this year. Key services currently outsourced in gaming include production and testing activities. Interestingly, the report further reveals that in animation and as well as in gaming, a number of Indian companies are changing their business model and are moving from an outsourcing to a co-production model.
Commenting on the overall gaming perspective, Sureka said, “The industry is in a nascent stage now but global companies look for skill sets in Indian developers.”
The game will feature several officially licensed models from Indian and International car makers in order to increase their brand presence, visibility and strong hold in the Indian market.
The game is scheduled to release in January 2010 on iPhone and will be distributed through the Apple iTunes store worldwide. It will also be developed for PC, Mac and Sony PSP which will be made available early next year.
Spiel is a game development company with offices in USA, UK and India and has a focus on games for all platforms including mobile, online, PC, handheld and console.