Grand quest auto: Videogames weave the chaos of India’s roads into gameplay

Indian game developers incorporate chaotic road conditions, traffic, and everyday obstacles into gameplay as cathartic challenges.

Detective Dotson (Masala Games, 2025) is set in Ahmedabad and Mumbai; players navigate wedding processions, gully cricket, movie shoots, and untraceable documents in a municipal office.

Project Madras (due 2026) involves navigating Chennai’s traffic signals, potholes, crowded Marina Beach, and constant honking while infiltrating organized crime.

Raahi (Kalp Studio, due 2027) lets players drive an autorickshaw in fictional Goan town Majili, earning points by ferrying passengers and making local food, with obstacles like breakdowns.

Shalin Shodhan of Masala Games says India’s natural friction—achieving simple tasks amid crowds and chaos—makes for interesting gameplay, with few repercussions for rule-breaking.