Tamil Nadu to Launch Gaming Center of Excellence and Regional Hubs

Tamil Nadu has signaled a major commitment to the nation’s gaming and animation sector, with Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin announcing the state will establish a Center of Excellence for gaming in Chennai within six months. This initiative, revealed at the India Game Developer Conference (IGDC) 2025, will be supported by regional gaming hubs in Coimbatore, Madurai, Trichy, Salem, and Tirunelveli, alongside a raft of new educational and industry programs.

Major Initiatives: Center of Excellence and Regional Hubs

The planned Center of Excellence will serve as a nucleus for advanced game development, training, and collaboration, aiming to make Tamil Nadu a magnet for both talent and studios. The government also pledged to roll out regional hubs, introduce career awareness programs, bilingual resources, workshops, and robust support for startup incubations, while covering payroll and infrastructure needs.

This multi-pronged push aims to unlock opportunities locally, improve employability, and bolster innovation.​

New AVGC XR Policy Nears Approval

Speaking at IGDC, Tamil Nadu IT Minister Palanivel Thiaga Rajan confirmed the state's new AVGC XR (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, and Extended Reality) policy is in its final approval stage. Distinct from other states, Tamil Nadu's framework targets four pillars: education reform, infrastructure development, business facilitation, and financial incentives.

The policy was developed with heavy industry participation and aims to embed gaming and interactive media in school and university curricula, establish a B2B industry marketplace, streamline regulations, and fund shared-licensing facilities for startups and small studios.​

Designed With Industry, For Industry

Rajan emphasized the policy’s roots in market engagement, drawing from best practices like France’s Pixel Players cluster, for fostering local developer networks. The state will couple skill enhancement with robust business and support environments, promising easier access to resources and incentives for new ventures. He noted the sector’s creative and high-margin nature, targeting the traditional gap between tech skills and creativity through a talent-first strategy.

India’s Broader Vision

Industry leaders at IGDC also spotlighted India’s “Vision 2035” blueprint from the Game Developer Association of India, which aims for $10B in gaming exports, two million jobs, and a $100B creative economy by fostering homegrown IP and regional opportunities nationwide.