Blake Merriam

Blake Merriam is a prominent figure in the Indian gaming industry, best known as the founder of the Game Designers Network India. This organization focuses on supporting Indian indie game developers by providing scholarships to attend the Game Developers Conference (GDC), which is one of the largest gatherings of game developers globally. Merriam has been instrumental in establishing this initiative, which aims to help emerging developers gain international exposure and networking opportunities at GDC.

Background and Contributions

• Experience: Blake has a long-standing relationship with GDC, having volunteered there since he was a teenager. He lived in India for ten years, which has given him a deep understanding of the local gaming landscape and its challenges.12
• Scholarship Program: The scholarship program initiated by Merriam allows selected Indian developers to attend GDC with subsidized passes, significantly easing the financial burden associated with attending such events. In its first year, the program received an overwhelming response, with about 300 applications for just 25 available scholarships.12
• Impact: Merriam emphasizes that the primary goal of the scholarship is to support indie developers rather than established studios. His efforts have been praised as vital for nurturing talent in India’s growing gaming sector.12

Vision for the Future

Merriam plans to expand the scholarship initiative by incorporating workshops for attendees to maximize their experience at GDC. This aims to ensure that participants not only gain knowledge but also build valuable connections within the industry.1

In summary, Blake Merriam is a key advocate for indie game developers in India, leveraging his extensive experience and connections to foster growth and opportunities within the gaming community.