Gamaya eyes $15 mn revenue with Ramayana-inspired game

US-based Gamaya Legends aims to garner USD 15 million in revenue from its 3D action adventure game, based on Ramayana that blends physical toys and virtual gaming.
The game is a combination of 'smart toys', a 'book' that serves as the gaming console and mobile devices.
On placing the toy character from Ramayana on the Bluetooth-enabled 'book', users can play using the character on their mobile phones and tablets.
"We have such a great repository of mythologies to fall back on. It is high time that kids look up to characters other than Harry Potter," Gamaya Legends co-founder and CEO Narayanan Vaidyanathan told PTI.

While the game is free, Gamaya will make revenues from selling these figureheads -- 10 in total from Ramayana -- to be launched over the next one year, he added.
"The more toys they have, the longer they can play. In a child's mind, it is more than just a toy, he can show off to friends, exchange these just like they would with other toys," Vaidyanathan, a former employee of Electronic Arts said.

The global annual toy sales is estimated to be worth about
USD 90 billion.
US-based Activision Publishing was the pioneer in the toys-to-life space with its Skylanders franchise launched in 2011.

Disney joined the race in 2013 and toymakers like Lego, too, are now entering the segment.
"With connectivity becoming an industry trend, people are looking at bringing in interesting combinations of tech and toys that will expand this market even further," he said.
The game, which has been launched in India and the US, is available for Rs 6,249 on its portal and Amazon.In.
"In the next one year, we are looking at selling 50,000- 100,000 of these starter kits... We have applied in EU (for approval of the toy)... By December next year, we are looking at revenues of USD 10-15 million," he added.

The company is also looking at developing other games inspired by folklore from India, China, Japan and Greece as well as popular sports like soccer and cricket.
It has a team in Sunnyvale, US and in Chennai for R&D and artwork. It had received USD 1.4 million funding from Tandem Capital, NEA and various HNIs.