Indian Indie Diaries: Cosmic Race by Psypher Interactive

When Ashish Daga, CEO and co-founder of Psypher Interactive, looked out across a crowd at Dubai Game Expo, he wasn’t just witnessing another game dem; he was seeing a turning point for Indian indie game development. “Cosmic Race: Galactic Showdown”, the studio’s first original IP, had just clinched the Audience Choice Award at the 2024 Pocket Gamer Connects Dubai, winning praise for its adrenaline-laced gameplay and intuitive multiplayer chaos, a clear nod to classics like Blur, Split/Second, and Re-Volt.

Betting on Community-Driven Design

Founded in Bangalore in 2016 by a tight-knit circle of college friends and industry veterans, Psypher Interactive made its name building client games and IP-based projects for partners like MPL India and WinZO. For years, the team juggled over 40 projects, from edutainment apps to Bollywood tie-ins, learning how to deliver sharp, responsive gameplay without sacrificing creativity. But with Cosmic Race, the studio set out to pivot from service work to an original, globally-minded PC and console title.

“We had a bunch of mechanics that we tested during our development,” said Shrey Kachhap, Game Director. “For example, we tried a flight mechanic and showcased it during events to get player feedback. We adapted the features based on what players wanted.” Frequent playtesting across private indie events and broader community demos became central to their workflow. 

Winning the Audience Choice Award in Dubai validated the team’s focus on multiplayer fun. According to Daga, “People loved the co-op and PvP aspects. They kept coming back with their friends.” Kashyap Singha Phukan, Studio Head, highlighted the technical and creative challenge, saying, “It’s a very fast-paced game, and syncing animations and gameplay for every player was a huge challenge.” The team has invested in advanced network optimization and live balancing to ensure multiplayer chaos remains fair and fun.

The developers maintain a weekly playtesting schedule, iterating on new tracks, cars, and features, with a free demo already available on Steam. They encourage prospective players to join their Discord for hands-on feedback sessions and community building.

A Team That Knows the Grind

Much of Psypher’s edge comes from the stable core of developers who have worked together for more than a decade, building trust and efficiency. “Some of us have been together since college,” said Phukan. “We know how to work together, execute fast, and keep each other on track.” Now an eight-member core, the studio has transitioned from mobile and client-driven assignments to fully owning their creative destiny.

The ambitions go beyond domestic success. “We started working on Cosmic Race for mobile,” said Daga, “but shifted to PC to target more hardcore racing audiences globally.” Their process involves both hand-crafted and marketplace-purchased assets, and a strong belief in the creative potential of the team over AI-driven art.

While the game’s setting is decidedly intergalactic, the team is conscious of their Indian origin. “We’re not ‘Indian-ising’ the core game,” said Kachhap. “But the Indian-ness comes from the creators behind it.” Phukan adds, “If the game does well, we’re keen to explore DLCs with Indian-themed content. It has to be done right, with strong storytelling and execution.” The team draws lessons from peers like Raji, an Indian indie game celebrated for respectfully and successfully sharing Indian mythology with the world.

Cosmic Race’s tech stack reflects modern indie sensibilities: rapid prototyping, live community integrations, and selective use of AI for workflow acceleration, but never for replacing core creativity. “We use AI to review code, automate mundane tasks, and generate changelogs, but not for making art,” clarified Phukan. “We’re obsessed with our own creative process.”

Regulatory Reset: The Online Gaming Bill

The launch of India’s new Online Gaming Bill in 2025 has proven pivotal for Psypher and peers in the non-RMG (real money gaming) ecosystem. Daga sees it as a welcome shift: “It was needed. For a long time, our industry was confused, core games, social games, iGaming were all in the same pot. The Bill finally draws the line.” By legally distinguishing “casual” and core games from real money titles, the bill is expected to empower AA and AAA developers, attracting new talent and investor attention.

Phukan expands, “It sets back the RMG space. But for studios serious about skill-based, entertainment games, it’s a positive sign. We can pitch our games as global entertainment products, and I see the Indian gaming industry pushing out more games than the number of movies Bollywood puts out.”

Newfound Momentum

Cosmic Race was recently selected for The MIX Fall Online Showcase, joining a curated class of indie hopefuls from around the world. Showcases like MIX provide essential exposure and feedback, connecting Indian studios to the broader, rapidly maturing PC and console market. For Daga, it’s about positioning the game and the studio for future growth, with PC and consoles as the next big proving ground for Indian developers.

The work isn’t done: now in extended demo, Cosmic Race is gearing up for additional content, new modes, and further PC/console polish. Community engagement remains central, with Discord-based playtests and regular Steam updates charting the game’s improvement.

As India’s gaming industry enters a new chapter, bolstered by regulatory clarity and global influence, Psypher Interactive’s journey from service studio to indie forerunner could blaze a trail for others eyeing the world’s biggest gaming audience. The message from the team is clear: it’s time for Indian developers to own the spotlight, not just follow it.