The Indian Digital Gaming Society (IDGS) 2024, a premier event aimed at advancing the gaming industry in India, successfully brought together key stakeholders from the gaming industry, including developers, policymakers, and enthusiasts, to discuss the future of digital gaming in India and the steps needed to build a sustainable and thriving industry.
Rajan Navani, President of IDGS, delivered a compelling keynote address, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive strategy to harness India’s potential in the digital gaming sector. “Our nation’s potential in the realm of digital gaming is tremendous, and harnessing this potential to create a thriving and sustainable industry is a goal we should all be committed to achieving.The Indian gaming industry is thriving, but we need to build new capabilities and skills. There must be more investments in technology and, particularly, in infrastructure to support the industry’s growth. The overall gaming ecosystem, which includes video games, is attracting investment due to its vast opportunities, as it is a $200 billion industry. India contributes approximately 17 to 20% of the global gaming industry.” said Mr. Navani.
He further highlighted the importance of education and creativity in this endeavor, stating, “Our educational institutions must adapt to the changing landscape and offer specialized courses in game design, development, and related fields. By nurturing a skilled workforce, we can ensure that our game developers have the technical expertise required to create high-quality and globally competitive games. Additionally, promoting creativity and originality is essential. While it’s tempting to follow established trends, we must encourage our developers to explore diverse narratives, art styles, and gameplay mechanics.”
Ashutosh Mohile, Joint Director Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, speaking on the event, “Our Honourable Prime Minister himself interacted with the gamers, which highlights the growing ecosystem for gaming in India. It shows that India is opening up to gamers, and the Government of India is recognizing gaming as a special talent, much like other sports. You might be aware that the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, is going to organize the AVGC Summit (Audio-Video, Gaming, and Comics Summit), which includes a dedicated pillar for gaming. This section will cover various types of gaming, including PC gaming, console gaming, mobile gaming, and esports, and we are organizing competitions for all of these categories.”
Sean Hyunil Sohn, Vice President of IDGS, also addressed the gathering, sharing insights on the global opportunities for India’s gaming industry. “Esports continues to evolve and gain global recognition, and its inclusion in the Olympics represents an exciting opportunity for the industry. India, with its rich cultural heritage and rapidly growing tech ecosystem, is uniquely positioned to make significant contributions to the global gaming landscape,” said Mr. Sohn.
The event also focused on the need for a supportive ecosystem that fosters innovation and growth. The event stressed the importance of providing financial assistance, grants, and tax incentives to game developers, especially startups and indie developers who often struggle with limited resources. By lowering the entry barriers, we can promote a diverse range of games and voices that resonate with our culturally rich society.
The Indian Digital Gaming Society served as a platform for fostering collaboration, sharing ideas, and addressing the challenges facing the gaming industry in India. It also underscored the significance of community engagement. As the event concluded, the IDGS reaffirmed its commitment to building a sustainable and globally competitive gaming industry in India. The society also announced plans to host future events and initiatives that will continue to drive the growth of digital gaming in the country.
