India Game Developer Conference (IGDC) 2024 Day 2 saw round table discussions, signing of MoUs, and more

Story Highlights

State governments of Tamil Nadu and Telangana actively engaged with GDAI members and MIB officials.
Several MoUs were signed between GDAI and state governments.
Incubator White Paper prepared by GDAI was released.

As a seasoned gamer with decades of experience under my belt, I must say that the India Game Developer Conference (IGDC) 2024 Day 2 was nothing short of electrifying! The collaboration between state and central governments to advance India’s gaming sector globally is a monumental step towards putting our nation on the global gaming map.

On the second day of the India Game Developer Conference (IGDC) 2024 at the Hyderabad International Convention Centre, there was a strong emphasis on joint initiatives between central and state governments to boost India’s global standing in video gaming and interactive entertainment. This included round-table discussions, signing of MoUs, panel talks, and various other activities. Following an engaging Day 1, Day 2 continued with these collaborative efforts.

India Game Developer Conference (IGDC) 2024 Day 2 Highlights

Distinguished officials such as Mr. D. Sridhar Babu, Minister of Information Technology from Telangana, and Dr. Palanivel Thiagarajan, Minister of Information Technology in Tamil Nadu, emphasized the crucial part collaboration between state and central governments plays in nurturing talent, developing infrastructure, and fostering innovation.

Policy Roundtable Discussions

Day two showcased policy discussions among GDAI board members, influential figures in the gaming sector, and policymakers – including representatives like Nazara Technologies, Playsimple, SuperGaming, Nodwin Gaming, Mayhem, Lakshya Digital, EA, Winzo, YesGnome, 99 games, and Leela Games. These talks focused on strategies to foster the expansion of India’s video gaming industry.

Mrs. Neerja Sekhar, holding the position of Special Secretary at MIB, expressed her eagerness about setting up an elite institution for game development education within prominent technology, design, and art colleges. The industry is planning to compile a comprehensive project proposal for the central government, prioritizing the cultivation of skilled professionals in game design and development, aiming to foster globally recognized creators.

Regional Centers of Excellence (CoE) proposal

The governments of Tamil Nadu and Telangana collaborated closely with representatives from the GDAI and MIB, advocating for the creation of specialized centers called Centers of Excellence (CoEs) focused on the Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, and Comics (AVGC) industry. The goal of these CoEs is to provide a platform for research, innovation, and education in game design and digital media.

MoUs and Incubator White Paper Launch

In a series of agreements, known as Memorandums of Understanding, both GDAI and the governments of Rajasthan and Sikkim have put pen to paper.

India Game Developer Conference (IGDC) 2024 Day 2 saw round table discussions, signing of MoUs, and more

Furthermore, Dr. Palanivel Thiagarajan, Tamil Nadu’s IT Minister, and Neerja Sekhar, Special Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB), officially launched a report titled “Incubator White Paper.” This document outlines guidelines for establishing incubators nationwide to foster intellectual property (IP) growth and early-stage gaming businesses.

Key Panel Discussions on Day Two

Unlocking the Future: The Government’s Role in Developing Talent for the Games Industry with Panelists: Laiju IP Nair (Dept. of Higher Education, Govt. of Kerala), Mohit Soni (CEO, MESC), Shrikant Sinha (CEO, TASK).
Bridging the Gap: Evolving Colleges to Build Game Development Talent with Panelists: Chaitanya Chinchlikar (VP, Whistling Woods International), Derek Ham (Director, Carnegie Mellon ETC), Dr. Padmavati.
Unlocking Growth: The Science of Analytics and User Acquisition with Panelists: Jasmeet Singh (Nukebox Studios), Pankaj Uniyal (SocialPeta), Priyanka Singh (Digital Turbine), Shreyas Mehta (AppsFlyer).

Read the highlights of last year’s edition of the IGDC:

2024-11-15 09:11