In a milestone for India's flourishing gaming scene, the first-ever India Pavilion was inaugurated at the Game Developers Conference (GDC) in San Francisco this week. GDC is one of the most prestigious and influential events in the gaming industry. Held annually in San Francisco, it brings together game developers, publishers, investors, and enthusiasts from around the world to showcase the latest innovations, share insights, and foster collaboration within the gaming community.
The inauguration of the first-ever India Pavilion at GDC 2024 marks a significant milestone in the growing bilateral relationship between India and the United States, particularly in the gaming and technology sector. This achievement not only highlights the developing Indian gaming market but also demonstrates the rising global recognition of India's contributions to the gaming industry.
Game Showcase at GDC 2024
One of the standout points of GDC is getting a chance to showcase their upcoming titles at the grandest stage.
India pavilion consists of titles from both biggies and indie developers that let players witness the first glimpse before the full launch.
Here are some noticeable games:
FAUG - Domination - Dot9 Games
Mumbai Gullie - GameEon Studios
Maya City - Hypernova Interactive
Venba - Visai Games - Winner of Best Debut at the 2024 GDC Choice Awards
Detective Dotson - MasalaGames
Yodha - Ogre Head Studio
Metal Haven - Xigma Games
Sojourn Past - ReDimension
What Does the India Gaming Market Report Reveal?
In GDC, Indian Pavilion launched the India Gaming Market Report in collaboration with the US-India Strategic and Partnership Forum (USISPF) and its member WinZO, which offers valuable insights into the country's gaming landscape.
According to the report, India's gaming market is expected to double from $3.1 billion in 2023 to a staggering $6 billion by 2028, reflecting the sector's immense potential.
The report highlights several key factors driving the growth of India's gaming industry:
Employment Opportunities: The industry currently employs 1,00,000 professionals and is expected to create over 2,50,000 jobs in the coming decade.
Internet and Gaming Penetration: With 881 million internet users in 2023 and an estimated growth to 1.2 billion by 2028, the number of online gamers is projected to increase from 568 million in 2023 to 893 million in 2028.
Global Market Share: While India currently accounts for 1.1% of the global gaming market, the number of gaming companies in the country has increased from just 25 in 2015 to an impressive 1,400 in 2023.
Mobile Gaming Dominance: India accounts for a staggering 17% of global mobile game app downloads, showcasing the country's strong presence in the mobile gaming segment.
What Do Industry Experts Say?
USISPF President and CEO Mukesh Aghi emphasized the significance of the India Pavilion, stating,
"The online gaming sector in India is burgeoning, and initiatives such as these would go a long way in fostering collaboration between the two nations, including investment, innovation, and content. We envision a future where our combined creativity fuels the next wave of gaming excellence."
India's Consul General in San Francisco, K Srikar Reddy, highlighted the potential of India's digital economy, its youthful demographic dividend, and the compelling power of storytelling in driving the growth of the gaming sector.
"Each participant present at the India pavilion today serves as a digital ambassador, showcasing not only their work but also representing India on the global stage. It's gratifying to witness companies like WinZO actively supporting and collaborating with game developers, enabling them to export their content and gain global recognition," Reddy said.
Comments