India has Unique Role in Global Gaming: Rajan Navani

By Pickle August 13, 2024

The IDGS President stresses on the need to focus on developing skills not just for today, but also keeping the future requirements of the sector in mind

India is poised to become a global leader in esports and gaming, driven by the country’s unique digital literacy, tech adoption, and a vast, young demographic that is deeply engaged with these emerging forms of entertainment, said Rajan Navani, President of the Indian Digital Gaming Society (IDGS), as he highlighted the growing potential of India’s video gaming and esports industry during the India Gaming Conclave, held in New Delhi on August 12.

Emphasizing the need for sustainable growth, Navani, who is also Co-Chairman-CII National Committee on Media & Entertainment and Chairman & MD JetSynthesys, emphasized the importance of sustainability in the gaming industry. “Sustainability is key to the growth of the esports industry in India,” he said.

He highlighted that India’s young and digitally savvy population, coupled with widespread mobile adoption and advancing technologies like 5G, provides the country with a distinct advantage. “India’s Gen Z demographic, the largest in the world, alongside our digital literacy and vibrant ecosystem, positions us to not just participate but lead in the global gaming arena,” he stated.

One of the key points Navani raised was the need to focus on developing skills for the future. The IDGS has identified around 100 essential skills across the gaming and esports ecosystem. “We need to prepare not just for today but for tomorrow. The industry is rapidly evolving, and our training systems must be agile enough to keep up,” he emphasized.

Navani also addressed the importance of responsibility within the gaming industry, particularly in ensuring that games are developed with checks and balances. He stressed the need for greater community engagement, especially involving gamers in the process of shaping the industry. “Sustainability in this industry will largely depend on how responsibly we operate and how we engage with the community, particularly the gamers,” he added.

The potential of esports to bring international recognition to India was another key highlight of Navani’s address. With the advent of global events like the esports Olympics, he sees a tremendous opportunity for India’s young, energetic, and athletic population to make their mark. “Esports is akin to traditional sports in terms of the mental and physical rigor required to excel. This is an exciting frontier for India,” Navani remarked.

Concluding his speech, Navani emphasized the need for collaboration between the industry and the government to shape India’s narrative on the global stage. He assured the audience that the industry is committed to working closely with the government to advance India’s position in the global gaming industry.

The event also saw the release of the IDGS newsletter and its Annual Report, marking another milestone in the society’s efforts to bolster India’s gaming industry.