Hyderabad Enters Gaming Scene with IGDC, Creative Tech Hub

The city is ready to get a regional spoke of the Indian Institute of Creative Technology besides National Center for Excellence in Mumbai.

Union minister of Information and broadcasting, Sanjay Jaju, stated “While the primary institute will be in Mumbai, Hyderabad will host a regional spoke due to its strong ecosystem in this sector.”

While speaking at the Indian Game Developers Conference 2024 in Hyderabad, Jaju added the main goal is to magnify the skill development and nurture start-ups in the animation, visual effects, gaming, comics and extended reality sectors. “We recognize that this is a rapidly growing industry, and the union government is committed to supporting it.”

Furthermore, Jaju talked about the progress on Direct-to-Mobile technology, “The ministry has completed the proof of the concept and is actively working on implementing this pioneering technology.”

He admits the importance of attractive telecom and smartphone companies, highlighting ongoing consultations to address their concerns. “The D2M technology is crucial to broadening media and entertainment choices, and we must explore its full potential,” Jaju said.

Jaju mentioned that expressions of interest for introducing private FM stations are underway, enhancing their potential to offer hyper local entertainment. “Many of Telangana's second tier cities will be involved. There has been a long-standing demand to allow news broadcasts on FM, and we need to consider this,” he stated.

The family-friendly Prasara Bharati will be launched on the OTT platform on November 20 at the International Film Festival of India, he announced. While most of the content will be free for the audience, some will require a subscription. “This platform is poised to be a game changer. It will offer streaming content, live channels, and valuable archival materials, including documentaries and rare photographs,” Jaju shared.

Furthermore, Jaju also announced the five-day world Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit, Scheduled for February 2025 in New Delhi, which will bring together global leaders in broadcasting, animation, gaming, and new media. The event will spotlight India's prominence in the global entertainment market, he said.

Clarifying the ministry of information and broadcasting’s role in handling issues related to online gaming, Jaju explained, “There is a clear distinction between the ministry of broadcasting and ministry of technology. The letters oversee all regulatory matters, while we focus on content, as we see it as part of the media and entertainment industry. This distinction is also why the IICT is being developed to address skill gaps in the country.”