Gaming experts from across the globe converged at HICC Hyderabad as the three-day India Game Developer Conference (IGDC) began today. The 16th edition of the annual event has about hundred global and local gaming developers & publishers showcasing and giving the visitors an immersive & interactive entertainment. Shri Sanjay Jaju, Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, was the Chief Guest on the inaugural day.

Speaking on the occasion Shri Sanjay Jaju, Secretary, Ministry of I&B, shared the Government’s insights and vision for the Gaming industry and shaping its future. The government is setting up the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies as a national centre of excellence to encourage talent and provide financial support to those engaged in gaming, animation, and related sectors, said Shri Jaju. He said the institute will be set up in PPP model with 52 percent equity by FICCI and CII and 48 percent by Government of India. He said India looks at the gaming industry not only as a sunrise industry but also as a booming industry.

 

 

Shri Sanjay Jaju Addressing the IGDC

Shri Sanjay Jaju met the founders and CXOs of the leading video gaming & interactive entertainment companies present in India. Issues inviting attention and intervention by the Government were put forth by the industry leaders and Shri Jaju assured that they would be considered positively.

Shri Jaju emphasised that video gaming industry is essentially lead by content and creativity and I&B ministry would work with Game Developer Association of India to create high quality talent at scale in India so that India can dominate global gaming space.

Addressing a Press Conference on the sidelines of the event, Shri Sanjay Jaju spoke about WAVES, the World Audio Visual Entertainment Summit which would be from 5th to 9th February 2025. He said this high-profile event would be the biggest convergence event for the entire media and entertainment industry. He said the purpose of holding this event is to showcase Indian local talent to the world and bring global investors to India. Shri Sanjay Jaju said India's share in the global media and entertainment industry is only 2 percent while there is ample scope to grow at 20 per cent per annum. The Secretary informed that the I&B Ministry would soon auction about 237 local private FM radio channels for towns of less than one lakh population. He also shared that Prasar Bharathi's OTT platform will be launched at the inaugural of International Film Festival of India - IFFI, beginning from 20th of this month. He said nearly 60 channels which are available on DD Free Dish will be available on OTT platform henceforth. He added that most of the archival material will be brought to the viewers through this OTT platform.

The Game Developer Association of India (GDAI) was also officially launched today with a mission to unify, promote, and elevate India’s growing video gaming and interactive entertainment industry.

 

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