Karnataka Positions Itself as Global Hub for Gaming and Animation Industry

Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge emphasized the state's commitment to becoming a global hub for Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, and Extended Reality (AVGC-XR). He highlighted the government's support for startups and SMEs in this sector. The unveiling of the GAFX 2025 theme and poster showcased Karnataka's ambition in fostering a parallel economy through electronics manufacturing for gaming accessories. The state aims to leverage its AVGC market, currently driven by 300 studios and 15,000 professionals, to revolutionise the industry and expand its digital economy growth beyond Bengaluru.

Karnataka's Minister Priyank Kharge underscored the state's burgeoning potential in the gaming and animation sector, during an announcement on Monday. Highlighting government initiatives, Kharge stressed the state's readiness to back startups and SMEs in Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, and Extended Reality (AVGC-XR), aiming to position Karnataka as a global hub in this field.

'The government is prepared with funds and partnerships,' Kharge said, noting the AVGC industry's potential to drive electronics manufacturing for gaming accessories, thereby fostering a parallel economy. He unveiled the theme and poster for the much-anticipated GAFX 2025, a significant event in India's gaming and animation calendar, set for February 27-March 1, 2025.

At the curtain-raiser for GAFX 2025, Kharge highlighted the state's 20 percent AVGC market share, sustained by 300 specialized studios employing approximately 15,000 professionals. Chairman of Karnataka State Electronics Development Corporation Limited (KEONICS), Sharath Bacchegowda, emphasized expanding digital economy growth beyond Bengaluru to clusters like Hubli-Dharwad-Belgavi, Mysuru, and Mangaluru, focusing on specialized domains such as cybersecurity, fintech, AI, ML, IoT, and advanced manufacturing.

(With inputs from agencies.)