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CII President Foresees more Jobs in Esports and Game Development

CII President R. Dinesh highlighted India's potential to become a powerhouse in intellectual property within this rapidly expanding sector at the India Gaming Show held in Pune.

Amid a rapidly expanding market, Mr R. Dinesh, President of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), has highlighted India's vast potential in forging new pathways in intellectual property, which could lead to the creation of more jobs in esports and game development. Speaking at the culmination of the 6th edition held in Pune from March 14 to 16, 2024, Dinesh underscored the significance of this burgeoning sector, projecting exponential growth in the coming years. He emphasized the transformative journey of the video game and esports sector, asserting its increasing prominence both nationally and internationally.

This edition hailed as the largest in the series to date, saw participation from over 70 exhibitors representing 10 countries, with Indonesia making its debut as the Guest Country. The Show was jointly organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry and the Indian Digital Gaming Society (IDGS), with support from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Invest India, Startup India, and the Media Entertainment Skill Council.

With the Global Video Game Industry Market estimated at $180 Billion, surpassing the combined revenues of film and media entertainment, and projected to soar to $665 Billion by 2030, India stands poised for significant growth. Despite currently commanding a market share of under 1%, India's gaming sector holds immense potential for expansion, fueled by prevailing trends in PC, mobile, and console gaming. Dinesh highlighted the unique opportunity for India to spearhead the development of tailor-made games, ensuring both global and domestic products attain global recognition.

With approximately 40 members, the IDGS catalyzes fostering connections within the Indian Gaming Industry and engaging with the international gaming community, advocating for policy initiatives at various government forums.

Addressing the industry's responsibilities, Mr Chandrajit Banerjee, Director General of CII, stressed the need for a responsible policy framework, encouraging collaboration between global and Indian companies to propel domestic firms onto the global stage. Banerjee emphasized the importance of socializing responsible gaming practices to educate the populace and promote ethical usage. He also highlighted the significance of innovation and skill development in the industry for enhancing the pool of available talent and significantly improving the demographics, leading to a 49 per cent increase in the number of women in the sector.

Highlighting Pune's emergence as a burgeoning hub for the gaming industry, Mr. Rajan Navani, President Indian Digital Gaming Society (IDGS), noted the city's burgeoning IT talent pool and its potential to nurture content creators and businesses leveraging creative industries. As the global Esports industry surpasses $100 billion, India, comprising just 1% of the market, boasts a 17% share of gamers. Navani envisaged leveraging platforms like Pune to infuse indigenous content with a distinct 'Bharat' essence, accelerating the sector's growth and adoption of immersive technologies such as AR and VR.

The sixth edition of the India Gaming Show showcased a diverse array of offerings encompassing hardware, new technologies, indie developers, academia, government organizations, Esports, and cosplay. Accompanied by a three-day conference covering multifaceted discussions within the sector, the event marked the introduction of the IDGS Technical Awards, further spotlighting innovation and excellence within the industry. The vibrant atmosphere of IGS 2024 has drawn over 28,500 attendees, making it a truly global gathering of gaming enthusiasts and professionals.

Parallel to the exhibitions, attendees have been treated to a diverse program of 26 sessions featuring 60 speakers from various fields. Topics covered include skilling, XR (Extended Reality), AI (Artificial Intelligence), game development, and investments. A special master class conducted by industry experts has provided invaluable insights into career opportunities across different domains.

One of the highlights of this year's Show has been the significant participation of academia and start-ups, contributing to the richness and dynamism of the event. Their presence underscores the importance of collaboration and innovation in driving the gaming industry forward. "The success of IGS 2024 in Pune is a testament to the growing significance of the gaming sector in India and beyond," said Mr Virendra Gupta, Secretary General, of IDGS and Deputy Director General CII.

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