Karnataka: The Emerging Gaming and Animation Capital of Asia
In the rapidly evolving landscape of the gaming and animation sectors, Karnataka is positioning itself as a prime contender for the title of the gaming and animation capital of Asia. This ambitious vision was laid out by Shri Priyank Kharge, the Minister of Information Technology and Biotechnology for the Government of Karnataka, during his keynote address at the second edition of the Indian Gaming Convention (IGC) held on October 14-15, 2023, at the Taj Palace in New Delhi.
A Thriving Technology Ecosystem
Karnataka, particularly its capital Bengaluru, is already recognized as one of the largest technology clusters globally, ranking fourth in the world. The state boasts over 27 centres of excellence, including plans for a specialized centre dedicated solely to gaming. The Karnataka government aims to amplify its influence in the sector by also proposing India’s first government-sponsored eSports Olympics. This initiative symbolizes the state’s commitment to fostering innovation and establishing itself as a hub for disruptive technologies.
The upcoming gaming accelerator, expected to launch by the end of the current financial year, is aimed at nurturing startups and driving growth in the gaming ecosystem. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to ensure that Karnataka remains at the forefront of the gaming revolution.
IGC 2024: India as a Gaming Superpower
The theme for IGC 2024, “India—the Next Superpower in Gaming,” reflects a collective ambition to position the country as a leader in the global gaming arena. With Meta as the Title Partner of the convention, the event attracted key stakeholders who shared insights into the growth trajectory of the Indian gaming industry.
Shri Kharge highlighted the immense potential of India’s gaming sector, revealing that the global Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming and Comics (AVGC) market is valued at over $366 billion. Of this, gaming constitutes 54%, while animation and visual effects contribute 46%. Furthermore, India has established itself as the world’s second-largest gaming community, with approximately 425 million gamers. The online gaming segment, in particular, has experienced remarkable growth of 28% from 2020 to 2023, reaching a market size of ₹16,428 crores in 2023, with expectations that this figure will double in the next four years.
The Rise of Indian Gaming Startups
As the gaming landscape expands, so does the entrepreneurial spirit within the sector. Shri Kharge noted that India housed nearly 1,400 online gaming startups as of 2023, supported by a staggering 430 crore gaming apps downloaded that year. In-game purchases and deposits via UPI transactions contributed significantly to the economy, amounting to ₹8,370 crores. This data underscores the vitality and rapid growth of the gaming industry in India, especially in Karnataka.
To nurture this burgeoning ecosystem, the Karnataka government recently unveiled a comprehensive AVGC policy aimed at fostering innovation and creativity. The initiative is designed to facilitate the development of intellectual properties (IPs) from the state, ensuring that a significant share of gaming content emerges from Karnataka. State-sponsored programs, like Elevate, which provides grants of 50 lakh rupees to startups, reflect the government’s commitment to supporting emerging talent in the AVGC sector. In the previous year alone, this initiative funded around 30 startups within the industry.
Collaborative Partnerships Fueling Growth
The IGC 2024 also showcased a range of partnerships aimed at enhancing collaboration within the gaming sector. Gold partners Salesforce and Veve, alongside silver partners Google Cloud and Bureau, played a crucial role in facilitating discussions and events during the convention. Other notable partners included Moloco as the Lanyard partner, Singhtek as the GameTech Enabler, and PWC as the Knowledge Partner. These collaborations signify a unified effort to propel India into the limelight of the global gaming industry.
Conclusion
Karnataka’s strategic initiatives, combined with its rich technological ecosystem and a vibrant community of gamers and developers, paint a promising picture for the future of gaming and animation in Asia. By harnessing its resources, fostering innovation, and encouraging startups, Karnataka aims to solidify its standing not just as a national leader, but as a formidable player on the Asian and global stage. The Indian Gaming Convention serves as a testament to this vision, reflecting the state’s unwavering commitment to elevating the gaming industry and ensuring it continues to thrive and evolve. As the enthusiasm for gaming continues to grow, Karnataka is poised to lead the charge towards an exciting and prosperous future in the AVGC sector.
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