The E-Gaming Federation (EGF), a skill-gaming industry body has announced the launch of ‘CityQuest: Shades of Bharat’, a custom-made online educational game in partnership with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) as part of the ‘Create in India Challenge’ for WAVES 2025.

Launched by EGF CEO Anuraag Saxena, the innovative game is designed to celebrate and educate players about Bharat’s diverse urban landscape and development, the industry body said in a media statement late last week.

Powered by Games24x7, India’s most user-centric, scientific, and innovative online skill-gaming platform, the game is aligned with  Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision around urban planning determining the fate of our cities in Amrit Kaal.

‘CityQuest: Shades of Bharat’ transforms the classic trump card game into an engaging platform that showcases the unique attributes of Viksit Bharat and Indian cities from cleanliness and infrastructure to healthcare and education.

Drawing on data from the NITI Aayog’s monitoring tool, the parameters for 56 Indian city cards reflect key urban indicators from the government’s official SDG Urban Index (2021). The game uses accurate, government-sourced data to promote SDG localization and track urban progress through 77 indicators across 15 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

MIB Secretary Sanjay Jaju said, “‘Create in India Challenge’ Season 1 is an exciting initiative that will feature 25 challenges leading up to the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES). This initiative is a significant milestone in our ongoing mission to nurture and elevate India’s creative ecosystem.”

The ‘Create in India’ challenge is a platform to identify and nurture the next generation of storytellers, creators and innovators, and the future media and entertainment enterprises in India. These 25 meticulously curated challenges, all done in collaboration with the industry associations, will act as a catalyst for collaboration, learnings and growth.

Speaking on the launch of the game, EGF’s Saxena said, “Gaming has the unique potential to be a powerful tool for education and social good. We are harnessing the engaging nature of games to educate Indians about urban development and societal challenges. ‘City Quest’ is not just a game — it’s a bridge to understanding and celebrating the vibrant tapestry of urban Bharat. Through interactive play, data is turned into knowledge, and competition turns into appreciation. I request the youth to join us in championing the brilliance of our cities and promoting a game that celebrates Bharat’s Vikas journey.”

The ‘CityQuest’ game will engage in a single-player format where players compete against a computer opponent using a deck of city cards. Each card features six parameters, allowing players to compare cities based on various statistics, such as the Hunger Index, Good Health and Well-being, and Gender Equality.