GDAI’s India Gaming Vision 2035: Roadmap to Going Global

India stands at a transformative crossroads in the global gaming industry, backed by new regulatory clarity from the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act (PROGA) 2025. The nation’s ambitious India Gaming Vision 2035 aims to elevate India into a top-three global gaming exporter, aspiring for $10B annual exports and $100B in value creation.

Drawing on proven global models, the vision lays out a comprehensive 10-point policy framework designed to unlock India’s abundant talent, cultural assets, and market potential.

The Global Gaming Landscape and India's Opportunity

According to GDAI’s roadmap, the global gaming market hit $189B in 2025 and is expected to exceed $270B by 2030, growing at 7-10% annually. Mobile gaming dominates with around 50% of total revenue.

Despite a population of over 1.4B, India’s gaming export contribution remains below $1B, underscoring massive growth potential if the domestic ecosystem is nurtured. Without bold action, foreign entities risk capturing most of India’s booming gaming demand, siphoning away valuable forex and talent.

Learning from International Success

Countries like Canada, the UK, Turkey, South Korea, and Singapore have showcased how government-backed initiatives can propel gaming sectors. Canada's tax credits, Korea’s presidential support, and Turkey’s marketing-first model validate that sustained financial incentives, strategic marketing support, and cultural integration fuel ecosystem growth and global competitiveness.

India’s Strategic Advantages

India’s 4.5 million-strong developer base, cost-effective production, English proficiency, rapid mobile market growth, and rich cultural heritage uniquely position it for success. The government’s Digital India initiatives and the startup-friendly environment further accelerate readiness.

The 10-Point Strategic Framework

1. Education Reform: Integrate gaming courses in engineering and art curricula to close talent gaps and build a future-ready workforce.
2. Design Excellence: Establish world-class game design and animation institutes emphasizing India's cultural narratives.
3. National PC/Console Incubation: Fund high-value projects with grants, tax holidays, and platform commission refunds to boost global game exports.
4. Mobile Game Accelerator: Provide marketing support, funding, and tax breaks to enhance mobile game success and revenue.
5. Market Access Expansion: Increase global presence at events like GDC and Gamescom and expand domestic festivals to boost visibility and deals.
6. Angel Investment Incentives: Encourage reinvestment through reduced capital gains tax and mentorship networks to support startups.
7. International Talent Attraction: Offer tax holidays, fast-track visas, and family support to lure global gaming experts.
8. Mentorship Networks: Fund experienced founders to mentor newcomers, reducing failure rates and accelerating growth.
9. Dedicated Gaming Hubs: Build specialized studios with shared infrastructure to foster collaboration and high-quality AAA development.
10. International Founder Participation: Enable foreign founders to participate while ensuring majority Indian ownership to balance investment and local benefit.

Projected Impact and Risks

By 2035, India anticipates $10B in annual gaming exports, 500K direct and 1.5M indirect jobs, and a $15B net forex benefit. Failure to implement risks foreign dominance, talent exodus, market dependence, and diminished cultural influence.