NEW DELHI — In a major leadership overhaul, the Game Developer Association of India (GDAI) has appointed Epic Games leader Shruti Verma as its Chief Executive Officer. The announcement comes as part of a strategic push to align the Indian gaming industry with global standards and “Vision 2035.”
Joining Verma in high-level roles are Sean (Hyunil) Sohn, CEO of Krafton India, who joins the GDAI Board, and former MIB Secretary Apurva Chandra, who will serve as Advisor to the Board.
Strengthening the Leadership Core
The new appointments blend international industry expertise with high-level domestic policy experience:
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Shruti Verma (CEO): Moving from her leadership role at Epic Games India, Verma will focus on institutional engagement and scaling the domestic gaming ecosystem.
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Sean (Hyunil) Sohn (Board Member): Bringing global publishing expertise from Krafton, his role signals rising international confidence in Indian game development.
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Apurva Chandra (Advisor): The former Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB) Secretary will guide the association on regulatory frameworks and AVGC (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, and Comics) policy.
GDAI Vision 2035: Key Pillars
The leadership expansion is designed to fast-track GDAI’s “Vision 2035,” which aims to position India as a top-tier global hub for game development.
| Goal | Strategy |
| Talent Development | Structured education and skilling programs for creators. |
| Original IP | Enabling Indian studios to build world-class, story-driven games. |
| Policy Alignment | Working with the government for stable, future-forward regulations. |
Industry Momentum
The announcement, made ahead of International Women’s Day, highlights the growing influence of women in senior tech leadership. Shruti Verma noted that her focus will be on building a “future-ready framework” that bridges the gap between policy, innovation, and industry needs.
“India’s gaming sector stands at an inflection point, with scale, talent, and innovation converging,” said Sean Sohn, emphasizing the country’s potential for sustainable value creation.
