They say every game developer dreams of GDC. In March 2025, that dream came true for us at Second Quest.
Thanks to the incredible support from the Bharat Tech Triumph Program (Season 3), Second Quest was selected as one of the top 10 winners and given the honour of showcasing at the India Pavilion at the Game Developers Conference (GDC) 2025 in San Francisco. For a young studio just a few months into full-time development, this was nothing short of a miracle.
And it wasn’t just me and Kinshuk this time. With the support of scholarships from Global Game Jam, IGDA Foundation, and Bharat Tech Triumph, our entire founding team of five made it to GDC. For a studio still in its early stages, this opportunity to travel, learn, showcase, and bond was unforgettable.
Model Trains at the India Pavilion
Our debut title Model Trains was on proud display at the India Pavilion. From the moment the floor opened, we had a steady stream of curious gamers, industry veterans, platform representatives, and fellow devs stopping by to play and chat.
Some of the highlights?
- We met folks from some of the most iconic game studios and organisations (like Unity, Xbox, Hazelight, Firaxis, and Scopely) at our booth and it was a great feeling to be showcasing our early prototype to some of our role models and getting their perspectives and feedback.
- Industry champions like Kate Edwards from Geogriphy , Shannon Loftis and Alyssa Wallis from IGDA Foundation, and Maria & Jess from Global Game Jam dropped in to play and offer encouragement
Watching people light up as they explored the world of Model Trains was pure magic. Their feedback, enthusiasm, and thoughtful questions helped validate what we’re building—a simulation game with endless creativity and a strong community at its core.
Beyond the Booth
We weren’t just exhibitors. We were students. We soaked in sessions on game design, monetisation, player psychology, and emerging trends. We met indie devs from all corners of the globe. We explored the vibrant indie showcases at Day of the Devs, where we proudly cheered for fellow Indian games Fishbowl, Tamashika and Detective Dotson. We also got to show Model Trains at GDC Nights, curated by Global Game Jam. Sharing space with other creative voices and watching people play our early prototype under the city lights of SF was something we’ll never forget.
A Community Milestone
Being at GDC 2025 wasn’t just a personal win—it was a proud moment for India’s growing indie games ecosystem. From the inaugural India Pavilion to seeing our national flag flying at the Moscone Center, it felt like the beginning of something big. Huge gratitude also to WinZO, IEIC, DPIIT and GDAI for making the Bharat Tech Triumph Program possible.
The Moments Between
Of course, no trip to San Francisco would be complete without exploring its beauty. From walks by the Bay and sunset selfies at the Golden Gate Bridge, to nerding out at the Computer History Museum, the trip was also about bonding as a team and dreaming bigger.
What’s Next?
We came back with notebooks full of ideas, hearts full of inspiration, and a stronger-than-ever resolve to build a global hit from India. We’re doubling down on development, community building, and sharing our journey with the world.
You can catch our devlogs on YouTube and sign up for our playtest program at beta.secondquest.games.
Till next time,
Shagufta
PS: You can watch the devlogs below too. And come join us on our Discord community.
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