Three Indian studios building story-driven PC and console games have been highlighted as part of the inaugural cohort of LVL Zero, a gaming incubator backed by MIXI Global Investments, Nazara Technologies, and Chimera VC.

According to a release, Kyrel Games, Trojan Productions, and Wrought Studios were selected from over 240 applications for the programme, which is described as a 100-day, execution-first incubation initiative offering mentorship, publishing readiness support, and operational resources to early-stage gaming startups in India.

Kyrel Games, an eight-member studio, is developing PHi: The Broken Strings, a narrative-driven 3D puzzle platformer for PC and console. The game is set within a puppet universe exploring psychological and emotional states, using environmental storytelling to examine themes of fear, grief, and acceptance.

"The game is about living inside the emotional world of a puppet master through puppets and environments that embody different psychological states," said Mani Ghadi, Co-founder of Kyrel Games. "Instead of telling emotions directly, we turn them into spaces, characters, and interactions."

Five-member studio Trojan Productions is working on Trox: The Reversal, a psychological horror title set in a post-nuclear world inspired by brutalist architecture. According to the release, the studio is focused on what it calls "humane horror," centred on isolation, moral conflict, and survival rather than jump scares.

"We want players to feel a constant sense of unease, uncertainty, and emotional conflict," said Vinil Verghese, Co-founder of Trojan Productions. "The horror comes not just from fear, but from the world, its systems, and the choices people are forced to make to survive."

The third studio, Wrought Studios, is a three-member team developing Last Day Lockdown, a narrative escape-room experience set in a corporate office. The game explores themes of nostalgia, change, and the emotional weight of departure.

"The office is a universal setting, and the experience of farewell is something players around the world can relate to," said Kunal Negi, Co-founder of Wrought Studios. "We wanted to build a game that captures the emotional complexity of letting go."

All three studios are building primarily for PC and console platforms, a notable shift from India's traditionally mobile-first development landscape. Sagar Nair, Head of Incubation at LVL Zero, said the cohort reflected a broader creative evolution within India's gaming industry. "For a long time, Indian game development was heavily associated with mobile-first mechanics and engagement loops, but we are now seeing founders think much more deeply about storytelling, immersion, and globally resonant experiences," he said.

According to the release, LVL Zero's ecosystem includes partners such as Google Play, ID@Xbox, and AppsFlyer, among others, with the programme aiming to close execution gaps that have historically held back India's gaming startup scene.