Pioneering India’s Path to Global Gaming Leadership:
- GDAI Signs Strategic MoUs with Sikkim and Rajasthan State Governments
- Partners with 15 Leading Universities to Strengthen Skill Development and Innovation
- Advancing India’s Gaming Ecosystem Goals Through Collaboration and Policy Support
India, December 9, 2024: The Game Developers Association of India (GDAI) has released its pioneering white paper, “Indian Gaming Opportunity: A Holistic Incubation and Ecosystem Development Roadmap,” charting a transformative path for India to emerge as a global leader in the gaming industry under the vision, “Made in India for the World.”
The white paper provides a strategic blueprint for policymakers, industry leaders, educators, and entrepreneurs to accelerate growth, innovation, and sustainability in India’s burgeoning gaming sector.
Key Highlights of the White Paper:
- India’s Global Gaming Potential:
With 568 million gamers, world-class tech talent, and a rich cultural heritage, India is uniquely positioned to compete in the $180–200 billion global gaming market by creating games that resonate worldwide. - Need for Incubation in Gaming:
A specialized incubation ecosystem is essential to nurture startups, close funding gaps, and build a skilled workforce, enabling Indian developers to scale globally. - Global Benchmarks & Insights:
Drawing lessons from successful global models like GameBCN (Spain), Dutch Game Garden (Netherlands), and NEOM (Saudi Arabia), the paper outlines best practices for structured support, innovation, and scalability. - Holistic Incubation Roadmap:
The proposed three-phase roadmap focuses on talent development, accelerated growth, and innovation. Recommendations include gaming-specific education programs, academia-industry partnerships, and funding support for startups. - Role of Government in Growth:
The paper calls for policy support, including dedicated funds, IP protection, tax incentives, and international market access, recognizing gaming as an independent industry beyond the broader AVGC sector. - GDAI’s Leadership in Enabling Growth:
GDAI is actively driving the ecosystem through initiatives like IGDC, mentorship programs, game jams, and global collaborations.
As part of implementing the roadmap, GDAI has signed MoUs with two state governments—Sikkim and Rajasthan—and 15 universities to foster skill development, research, and policy advocacy. Collaborations with industry bodies like FICCI further strengthen efforts to accelerate the ecosystem.
Sridhar Muppidi, Chairperson of GDAI, stated, “This white paper provides a unified strategy to position India as a global leader in gaming by leveraging its unique strengths and global best practices.” He added, “The MoUs signed at IGDC 2024 mark the first steps toward building a thriving ecosystem for game developers in India.”
The document also underscores the broader impact of gaming, positioning it as a driver of economic growth, cultural diplomacy, and technological innovation. Key recommendations include establishing dedicated institutions for gaming education, robust R&D programs, and structured government support to empower startups.
Authored by Deepak MV (Head of AI and Analytics CoE, Nazara Technologies) and Machaiah Kalengada (Project Head, GDAI), the white paper integrates insights from global experts, including Sho Sato (IGDA), Dr. Pedro Santoro Zambon, Jason Della Rocca, and Prof. Rohan Chinchwadkar, offering a comprehensive roadmap tailored to India’s needs.
