World University of Design: Empowering Future of India’s Gaming Sector

In an insightful interview with Dataquest, Prof (Dr) Sanjay Gupta, Vice Chancellor of the World University of Design (WUD), delves into the university’s comprehensive approach to preparing students for careers in the gaming industry. He highlights WUD’s unique curriculum, which spans animation, game design, and graphic communication, emphasizing both technical expertise and creative storytelling. Dr. Gupta discusses how WUD fosters interdisciplinary collaboration and industry connections to equip students with the skills necessary for gaming’s dynamic landscape. He also explores India’s potential to transition from an outsourcing hub to a leader in global gaming innovation and the growing entrepreneurial opportunities in emerging fields like AR/VR and social gaming.

Excerpts:

DQ: How does the World University of Design (WUD) prepare students to excel in the gaming industry, particularly in fields like animation, graphic communication, and game design?

At WUD, we emphasize a holistic approach to design thinking, character design, storytelling, and technology to create compelling, and real-world projects since the start. Our curriculum not only focuses on animation and game mechanics, but also on how movement, expression, and timing bring characters and worlds to life. Students master visual storytelling and explore gamification for social impact, designing games that tackle real-world challenges. Collaboration across disciplines, from fashion to architecture, prepares them for the dynamic nature of game development. With a focus on emerging technologies like AR/VR, and strong industry ties, WUD graduates are ready to excel in top studios and startups. 

DQ: How do you see the role of design, particularly in terms of visual communication and mechanics, in shaping the future of gaming in India? What design elements are crucial for creating engaging gaming experiences?

Design is essential to shaping India’s gaming future by blending cultural narratives with global appeal. Going beyond just aesthetics, design combines storytelling and mechanics to craft engaging experiences. In India, visual communication, through elements like character design and traditional art, can make local stories more accessible to global audiences. For instance, a game set in Varanasi could use Indian patterns and colors to enhance player immersion. Game mechanics must balance simplicity and challenge, appealing to India’s large casual gamer base and growing hardcore community. Mobile games like "Ludo King" succeed by modernizing traditional games with intuitive play. Emerging technologies like AR/VR, combined with effective UI/UX design, will shape future games by creating immersive, accessible experiences. Culturally rich storytelling paired with cutting-edge design is set to define India's gaming landscape.

DQ: With the growing demand for talent in UI/UX, animation, AR/VR, and social gaming, how is WUD fostering the skills required to meet these needs? What unique opportunities do these sectors offer for aspiring game designers?

WUD recognized the growing demand for UI/UX, animation, AR/VR, and social gaming, launching our BDes in Animation & Game Design in 2018, which is now a leading program in India. Our curriculum combines creative, technical, and critical thinking skills to make students prepared for these fast-evolving sectors. 

UI/UX design is key for gaming, and we focus on designing from the player’s perspective. Through hands-on projects and internships, students create intuitive interfaces. In animation, we focus on storytelling, with tools like Unreal Engine and Unity to bring characters and environments to life. WUD is also at the forefront of AR/VR, teaching students to craft immersive virtual worlds. 
In social gaming, students design multiplayer features that foster interaction, preparing for India’s booming mobile gaming market. Our interdisciplinary approach ensures that students gain expertise across UI/UX, animation, and AR/VR, positioning them to lead future innovations in game design. 

DQ: India has become an outsourcing facility for European and North American gaming sectors. How can Indian designers transition from outsourcing to leading global innovations in gaming design?

India’s role as a gaming outsourcing hub has provided valuable experience to designers, but now the real opportunity lies in leading global innovations. To make this leap, Indian designers must transition from the execution of outsourced tasks to the creation of original, culturally relevant games. By embracing creative ownership, designers can weave Indian mythology and societal themes into global storytelling, as seen in "Raji: An Ancient Epic."

The key to this shift is mixing design thinking with technological innovation, pushing beyond technical expertise to create immersive, unique experiences using AR/VR, AI, and new game mechanics. Strengthening India’s indie game scene through collaboration, government support, and events like game jams will encourage groundbreaking creativity. Designers must also balance global trends with local strengths, offering games that reflect India’s rich culture while appealing to international audiences. With the right support, Indian designers can evolve from outsourcing to leading global gaming innovation.

DQ: What are the key challenges India faces in becoming a global hub for gaming design, and how can they be addressed to strengthen its position in the global gaming industry? 

India has made significant strides in gaming, especially in mobile gaming and outsourcing, but we face challenges in infrastructure, talent development, industry perception, and funding. Limited access to advanced tools and resources creates obstacles in the creation of complex PC or console games. Investment in infrastructure, along with government grants, is the need of the hour to support game studios and educational institutions.

Talent development is also vital. While there is no dearth of technical skills, there is a gap in specialized training for game design, storytelling, and user experience. Institutions like WUD are addressing this, but there is a need for more widespread access to education and industry mentorship.
Gaming’s perception as a career must also shift, highlighting its creativity and potential. Access to funding and building a robust game development ecosystem are essential to supporting indie developers and fostering innovation. The strengthening of intellectual property protection will encourage original ideas and help India transition from outsourcing to becoming a global leader in game design. 

DQ: What are the current and future career opportunities for students in animation and game design? How does WUD help bridge the gap between academic training and industry demands? 

Career opportunities in animation and game design are swiftly expanding across industries like video games, film, television, AR/VR, and even education and healthcare. Students trained in these fields can pursue roles as game designers, animators, UI/UX designers, and more, with increasing demand driven by mobile gaming, streaming content, and immersive technologies.
At WUD, we prepare students for this evolving landscape with a comprehensive, hands-on curriculum. Through internships, collaborative projects, and workshops with industry professionals, students gain real-world experience and learn to use industry-standard tools like Unity, Unreal, and 3D modeling software. Our interdisciplinary approach ensures students understand how their skills integrate across the broader production pipeline, from coding to storytelling.

Strong industry partnerships and career support at WUD help bridge the gap between academic learning and industry demands, equipping students to succeed in a fast-growing field with exciting opportunities in both traditional and emerging sectors.

DQ: With the rise of gaming startups in India, particularly in AR/VR and social gaming, how is WUD encouraging students to explore entrepreneurship? What entrepreneurial opportunities exist in the gaming design space?

At the World University of Design (WUD), we encourage students to explore the entrepreneurial side of game design, especially in emerging fields like AR/VR and social gaming. The accessibility of game development tools and India’s growing mobile gaming market provide unique opportunities for aspiring game designers to create impactful, commercially viable games with minimal overhead costs.
WUD fosters entrepreneurial skills through courses in design management, marketing, and business strategy, helping students turn their ideas into successful ventures. Mentorship programs, industry partnerships, and events like hackathons further support students in developing original intellectual property (IP) and pitching their concepts to investors.

With a focus on creating culturally relevant games and immersive AR/VR experiences, WUD equips students to think beyond entertainment, exploring new applications in education, healthcare, and beyond. By blending design, technology, and business, we prepare students to seize entrepreneurial opportunities and lead innovation in the evolving gaming industry.