CII President Foresees More Jobs In Esports & Game Development

Amidst a rapidly expanding market, R. Dinesh, President of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), highlighted the immense potential for India to forge new pathways in intellectual property, paving the way for the creation of more jobs in esports and game development. Speaking at the culmination of the 6th edition held in Pune, Dinesh emphasised the significance of this burgeoning sector, projecting exponential growth in the years ahead. He underscored the transformative journey of the video game and Esports sector, asserting its increasing prominence on both national and international fronts.

The show was jointly organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry and Indian Digital Gaming Society (IDGS) supported by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Invest India, Startup India and 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. While currently commanding a market share of under 1 per cent, India's gaming sector holds immense potential for expansion, fueled by prevailing trends in PC, mobile, and console gaming. Dinesh emphasised the unique opportunity for India to spearhead the development of tailor-made games, ensuring both global and domestic products attain global recognition.

Recognising the sector's growth trajectory, CII spearheaded the formation of the Indian Digital Gaming Society (IDGS), uniting stakeholders under a single umbrella. With approximately 40 members, the IDGS serves as a catalyst for fostering connections within the Indian Gaming Industry and engaging with the international gaming community, advocating for policy initiatives at various government forums.

In addressing the industry's responsibilities, 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 emphasised the importance of socialising responsible gaming practices to educate the populace and promote ethical usage. He also highlighted on 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, 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 per cent of the market, boasts a significant 17 per cent 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.

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.