Karnataka: The Emerging Gaming and Animation Powerhouse of Asia
In a resounding declaration of ambition, Shri Priyank Kharge, the Minister of Information Technology and Biotechnology in Karnataka, proclaimed the state’s potential to become the gaming and animation capital of not just India, but all of Asia. Speaking at the second edition of the Indian Gaming Convention (IGC) held on October 14-15 at the Taj Palace in New Delhi, Kharge laid out a visionary roadmap that highlights Karnataka’s strategic advantages in this rapidly evolving sector.
A Global Technology Terminal
Karnataka, particularly its capital Bengaluru, stands as a formidable technology cluster, ranking as the fourth largest in the world. The region is home to over 27 centres of excellence, which focus on various facets of technology. The government plans to enhance its landscape by establishing a dedicated centre of excellence for gaming. This initiative aims to foster innovation and expertise in gaming, nurturing a new generation of leaders in this domain. Moreover, Kharge expressed a keen interest in hosting India’s first government-sponsored eSports Olympics, positioning the state as a pacesetter in the competitive gaming arena.
India’s Gaming Sector: A Look at the Numbers
The theme of IGC 2024, "India—the Next Superpower in Gaming," encapsulates the nation’s journey towards becoming a global leader in this sector. The global Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, and Comics (AVGC) market has reached an astounding size of over $366 billion, with gaming alone comprising 54% of this total. India currently boasts the world’s second-largest gaming community, comprised of 425 million gamers. Notably, between 2020 and 2023, the online gaming segment witnessed a remarkable 28% growth, with market size projections for the sector expected to double within the next four years.
The Startup Ecosystem in India’s Gaming Landscape
Adding to this dynamic environment, India has approximately 1,400 online gaming startups as of 2023, with an impressive 4.3 billion gaming apps downloaded during the same timeframe. This burgeoning sector has already ventured into significant financial contributions, with in-game purchases and deposits reaching ₹8,370 crore, facilitated through UPI transaction volumes in India.
Karnataka plays a crucial role in this ecosystem, with the government’s recent AVGC policy aimed at fostering innovation and the development of intellectual properties (IPs) originating from the state. This initiative seeks to bolster the skills and leadership within the gaming sector, creating a supportive framework for startups and encouraging the emergence of new IPs.
Elevate: Supporting Startups for Success
A standout initiative from the Karnataka government is the "Elevate" program, which offers grants of ₹50 lakh to promising startups in the AVGC domain. This unique program targets innovative ventures that can thrive within Karnataka’s supportive infrastructure. In the past year alone, the government funded around 30 AVGC startups as part of this initiative, contributing to a broader aim of fostering a thriving startup ecosystem—having already funded close to 983 startups overall.
Partnerships and Collaborations
The success of the IGC is bolstered through a network of strategic partnerships, including Gold Partners such as Salesforce and Veve, as well as Silver Partners like Google Cloud and Bureau. This collaboration elevates the conversation around gaming to new heights, allowing for shared knowledge and resources that benefit all involved.
Conclusion
Karnataka stands at the cusp of an exhilarating transformation, with a robust plan to cement itself as a powerhouse in the gaming and animation industries. With its vital infrastructure, a rich pool of talent, and a proactive government, the state is not only poised to lead India’s gaming revolution but also aims to be at the forefront of global innovation in this thriving sector. By strategically nurturing this ecosystem, Karnataka aspires to inspire a new era of creativity and growth, promising a bright future for the gaming industry in India and beyond.
