Moonfrog Labs: India's Mobile Gaming Pioneer
- Riddhi Agnihotri
- Jul 23
- 2 min read
Learn how Moonfrog Labs captured India’s gaming audience by building culturally rooted mobile games that went viral nationwide.
The Vision
In 2013, four gaming veterans—Tanay Tayal, Kumar Puspesh, Oliver Jones, and Dimpalkumar Maisuriya—saw a massive opportunity in India's mobile gaming landscape. While global games dominated, there was a gap for culturally relevant, inclusive games that truly resonated with Indian audiences.
Founded in Bengaluru, Moonfrog Labs set out to bridge this gap by creating games that were not just fun, but deeply connected to Indian culture and accessible to everyone—from metro users to those in smaller cities with basic smartphones.
Breaking Through with Culture
Moonfrog's breakthrough came by reimagining beloved Indian games for mobile. Teen Patti Gold became one of India's highest-grossing mobile games with over 10 million downloads, staying consistently in the top five grossing apps. Ludo Club transformed the classic board game into a global multiplayer experience.
Their secret? Understanding that Indian gamers wanted familiar experiences enhanced with modern technology—not foreign concepts they had to learn.
The Portfolio That Defined Mobile Gaming
Teen Patti Gold: India's card game sensation with millions of monthly active players
Ludo Club: Global multiplayer Ludo that became an instant hit
Jalebi – A Desi Adda: India's first game center app with eight classic games
Baahubali: The Game: Film-inspired game with 10M+ downloads and 1B+ in-game battles
Alia Bhatt: Star Life: Celebrity-themed gaming with 1M+ downloads
World-Class Expertise Meets Local Insight
The founding team's experience at Zynga working on global hits like Mafia Wars and Farmville gave them technical prowess. When industry legend Mark Skaggs (Command and Conquer, Farmville) joined in 2015, it elevated their creative capabilities further.
This combination of global expertise and local cultural understanding became their competitive advantage.
Recognition & Growth
Moonfrog's success attracted $16 million in funding from Tiger Global Management and Sequoia Capital India. The ultimate validation came when Stillfront Group, a major global gaming company, acquired the studio recognizing their unique value in the industry.
The Impact
Moonfrog Labs proved that successful mobile gaming in India wasn't about copying global trends, but about creating culturally authentic experiences that work on any device, use minimal data, and bring people together.
Their focus on inclusive, accessible, and culturally resonant games has made mobile gaming enjoyable for millions across India, setting the standard for how global gaming expertise can serve local markets authentically.
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