Desi Tadka

Pop a question about your favorite game to the likes of child actor,
Darsheel Safary of Taare Zameen Par fame, and pat comes the reply. No wonder
then one and all are of the opinion that the gaming industry is in the
spotlight.

Not the one to stay out of the race, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe,
decided to add a desi tinge to its offerings. This was the core idea for it
launch of, Desi Adda: Games of India.

Speaking at the launch of the games, Atindriya Bose, country manager,
PlayStation, Sony Computer Entertainment said, "We are proud to launch the first
Indian game on PSP with localized content in three languages. These games have
been completely developed in India. These traditional Indian games have inspired
games on the modern interactive platform of PlayStation. On PS2 and PSP
platforms, people will, for the first time, be able to play these time-tested
games and gift the traditional version to the next generation. For many, these
games are mere names from either books or our parents tales of their childhood
memories. But people like me, who have experienced the thrill and excitement
associated with these games, will vouch for it."

The desi version is a blend of six versions of age-old games, namelyPachisi,
Aadu Puli Astam (goat and the tiger), Kite Fight, Kabaddi, Gilli Danda, and
Dance games. Along with English, these games can be played in three Indian
languages namelyHindi, Punjabi, and Tamil.

Moreover, two aces up the sleeve of the traditional version, the third ace is
that it is the first console game to be completely developed by an Indian
development studio for the PSP. Developed for both PS2 and PSP, Desi Adda will
be available in the Indian market at a retail price of Rs 499 for PS2, and Rs
999 for PSP. This offering also strengthens the partnership between Sony
Computer Entertainment and GameShastra Solutions.

The offering goes a step ahead from merely flaunting a desi tinge to being
nothing less than a Bollywood-style melodrama. If you doubt the credentials of
this statement, then check the central story theme of the game itself. It
revolves around an NRI businessman Avinash, who on his visit to his ancestral
village, encounters the village head (akka villain), Garjan Singh; and Gowri,
who is engaged to Garjans son but is in love with the local lad, Gopal. So, to
get back his ancestral property that is in the clutches of Garjan and ensure
that Gowri weds the person of her choice, Avinash will not only have to play the
traditional games, but also win them with the aid of some of the local lads.
Hence, the question "Whom will Gowri marry? Play and see for yourself" to
attract the attention of the players.

Remembering the development stages of the game at its global launch, Prakash
Ahuja, CEO, GameShastra said, "The entire effort commenced in January 2008 with
thirty people on an average in a month working on the project, and this number
grew dramatically during the testing phase. When we presented the concept of
Desi Adda to Sony Computer Entertainment, we were pleasantly surprised by the
enthusiasm and support that we received from them to build India based thematic
content for the Indian market and the diaspora globally. Currently, we are also
working on a new genre of game based on Indian martial arts, along with multiple
titles for the PSP Minis platform for the global platform."

This may have been one of the many such events that were held in the past,
but what makes it special is the desi tinge, so play and be a part of the
traditional fervor that is back in the limelight.

Shilpa Shanbhag

shilpas@cybermedia.co.in