City Quest: Shades of Bharat – A Game-Changer in Learning and Sustainability at WAVES 2025
Individuals passionate about urban sustainability and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) now have a chance to showcase their knowledge on a national platform. The World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025 introduces City Quest: Shades of Bharat, an innovative educational game designed to engage and educate players about the strengths, challenges, and sustainability initiatives of 56 Indian cities.
A key initiative under the Create in India Challenge, the game offers a fun and interactive way to explore India’s urban landscape while reinforcing SDG awareness. Participants can compete using city-specific cards that highlight achievements and challenges in areas such as healthcare, gender equality, and environmental sustainability. Winners will be recognized at WAVES 2025, scheduled from May 1-4, 2025, in Mumbai.
How City Quest Works
City Quest is a single-player card game where participants compete against a computer opponent. Each city card features six key parameters drawn from NITI Aayog’s Urban Index (2021), allowing players to compare cities based on SDG performance. The game tracks 15 SDGs, with a primary focus on six key sustainability indicators.
By engaging with the game, players develop a deeper understanding of urban development, sustainability challenges, and how collective action can drive change. The game also features national and city-specific leaderboards, fostering a spirit of competition and regional pride.
IIT Bombay’s E-Summit 2025 Showcases City Quest
City Quest was recently showcased at IIT Bombay’s E-Summit 2025, drawing an enthusiastic response from over 30,000 students. Organized in collaboration with the E-Gaming Federation (EGF) and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the event emphasized the role of gamification in policy engagement and youth-driven sustainable development.
Key figures such as Nandan Nilekani, Anupam Mittal, and Sonam Wangchuk were present at the summit, reinforcing the importance of technology, gaming, and innovation in entrepreneurship. Students actively participated in interactive storytelling and city-based competitions, with select winners receiving special edition City Quest card decks.
WAVES 2025: A Global Platform for India’s Creative Industries
Union Minister Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw has officially announced the dates for WAVES 2025, a landmark summit set to position India as a leader in the global entertainment industry. The event will bring together top media CEOs, entertainment icons, and creative professionals, emphasizing India’s growing influence in media, gaming, and digital storytelling.
City Quest is now available for free on Android via Google Play, providing players nationwide with an engaging platform to explore urban sustainability while enhancing their knowledge of India’s diverse cities.
Source: PIB
