Your place in India's gaming revolution starts here
Your place in India's gaming revolution starts here
Be a Member of GDAI
Whether you’re a solo video game developer building your first title, an indie studio finding your footing, or an established company shaping the industry, GDAI has a place for you.
Solo developers can become part of the community, while memberships are designed for companies across the video game industry, including corporate studios, indie studios, game tech companies, academic institutions, and investors.
As a member, you’re not just joining an association. You’re becoming part of a collective that advocates for the Indian video game industry, opens doors to publishers and investors, and brings the ecosystem together to shape what comes next.
Pick your tier, and let’s build the future of Indian video games together.
GDAI - Membership Plans
Join India’s game development community – four tiers to fit every stage
Individual
₹500 / year
Freelancers, designers, testers & independent game dev professionals
ELIGIBILITY
Indian resident
Term options
1, 2 or 3 years
Key Benefits:
- Community access
- IGDC network & events
- Developer Days events
- Industry representation
- Studio representation
- Incubation & mentorship
- Startup growth support
- Policy advocacy voice
- Governing council ties
- IP & taxation support
- Studio pipeline access
- Investment deal network
- Investment opportunities
RECOMMENDED
Indie
₹500 / year
Small independent studios still growing with limited resources
ELIGIBILITY
Registered company in India
<15 employees & ≤ ₹1.5 Cr revenue
Term options
1, 2 or 3 years
Key Benefits:
- Community access
- IGDC network & events
- Developer Days events
- Industry representation
- Studio representation
- Incubation & mentorship
- Startup growth support
- Policy advocacy voice
- Governing council ties
- IP & taxation support
- Studio pipeline access
- Investment deal network
- Investment opportunities
Corporate
₹10,000 / year
Established studios with larger teams and higher revenue
ELIGIBILITY
Registered company in India
15+ employees OR ≥ ₹1.5 Cr revenue
Term options
1, 2 or 3 years
Key Benefits:
- Community access
- IGDC network & events
- Developer Days events
- Industry representation
- Studio representation
- Incubation & mentorship
- Startup growth support
- Policy advocacy voice
- Governing council ties
- IP & taxation support
- Studio pipeline access
- Investment deal network
- Investment opportunities
Investor
₹25,000 / year
Investors or firms financing the gaming industry or allied sectors
ELIGIBILITY
Investor / firm financing the gaming industry (Indian resident or registered)
Term options
1, 2 or 3 years
Key Benefits:
- Community access
- IGDC network & events
- Developer Days events
- Industry representation
- Studio representation
- Incubation & mentorship
- Startup growth support
- Policy advocacy voice
- Governing council ties
- IP & taxation support
- Studio pipeline access
- Investment deal network
- Investment opportunities
The Members
FAQS
Can I upgrade my membership tier?
Yes – with one exception. If you’re on the Indie plan, you can only switch tiers at renewal. All other upgrades can be discussed with the GDAI team.
Is membership open to non-Indians?
No. All categories require you to be an Indian resident (Individual & Investor) or have your company incorporated and registered in India (Indie & Corporate).
What happens when my membership expires?
Your benefits stop until you renew. Memberships run for 1, 2 or 3 years – locking in a longer term upfront means uninterrupted access.
Can a student or fresher join as an Individual member?
Absolutely. If you’re an Indian resident involved in game development – even as a student or beginner – the Individual membership is for you. ₹500/year.
My studio has 14 employees. Do I qualify for Indie?
Yes, as long as your revenue was ₹1.5 crore or less in the previous financial year. You need to meet both criteria – headcount and revenue.
What if my company crosses the Indie threshold mid-year?
Your current membership stays valid for its full term. At renewal, you’d move to the Corporate tier.
At IGDC, GDAI runs a dedicated Indie Showcase, awards and mentorship sessions specifically designed to support independent voices in the ecosystem.
Is there a lifetime membership option?
Not currently. GDAI offers annual memberships for 1, 2 or 3-year terms.
Indie and Individual are both ₹500 — what's the difference?
Same price, different scope. Individual is for you as a person. Indie is for your registered studio – giving the company itself a voice, plus access to incubation, mentorship and startup-focused benefits.
Do membership benefits include free IGDC passes?
Membership gives you access to the IGDC network, community and events. Specific pass inclusions may vary by year – check gdai.in or reach out to the team for the latest.
How do I apply for membership?
Visit gdai.in/become-a-member and fill out the form for your category. Fully online, straightforward to complete.
Can one company have members under different categories?
Yes. An individual employee can hold an Individual membership while their company holds a Corporate or Indie membership. These are separate and work alongside each other.
Who do I contact for membership questions?
Reach out via gdai.in, or connect on Instagram (@gdaindia), LinkedIn or Discord (discord.com/invite/yyMgkyMnRq).