Bengaluru Leads India’s Gaming Boom as AVGC-XR Sector Expands

Bengaluru, Feb 28 (KNN) Once on the fringes of global entertainment, India’s animation, visual effects, gaming, and extended reality (AVGC-XR) industry has now emerged as a major player.

With a booming USD 1.4 billion animation market and a gaming sector expanding at 23 per cent annually, the country is no longer just a participant but a leader in the field, according to Karnataka’s IT/BT Minister Priyank Kharge.

Speaking at the inauguration of GAFX 2025, Kharge highlighted India's 590 million-strong gaming community and the state’s proactive role in advancing the industry.

For the first time, the expo is open to the public, fostering direct engagement between young enthusiasts and industry experts.

A key announcement at the event was Karnataka’s plan to establish the country’s first AVGC-XR Park. This ambitious initiative aims to position the state as a global hub for animation, gaming, visual effects, and comics.

The park will house cutting-edge production studios, incubation spaces for start-ups, and research facilities to drive innovation in digital content.

“Karnataka is committed to training at least 50,000 professionals in AVGC-XR through collaborations with over 200 educational institutions and industry partners,” Kharge stated.

Bengaluru already leads the nation in gaming start-ups, with Karnataka witnessing steady growth in the sector over the past decade.

The state is home to five animation institutes, three digital effects academies, and 12 gaming-focused training centers, contributing significantly to India’s 129 AVGC educational hubs. By 2029, the government aims to boost operational efficiencies by 50 per cent.

A major highlight of GAFX 2025 was the unveiling of a collaboration between Zebu Animation and Tinkle, introduced by actor Rana Daggubati, to bring India’s iconic comics to life.

The Esports National Championship also drew significant attention, as the country’s top four teams battled for supremacy in the Counter-Strike 2 grand finale.

(KNN Bureau)