Karnataka to launch Center of Excellence for Gaming, says IT minister Priyank Kharge

The Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, and Extended Reality (AVGC-XR) Policy 2024-2029 was unveiled on January 31.

Karnataka is set to launch Center of Excellence (CoE) for Gaming, with the aim to create a comprehensive ecosystem of hardware, software, innovators, and government collaboration, said Karnataka IT-BT minister Priyank Kharge.

Speaking at the GAFX 2024 event held in Bengaluru on January 31, Kharge expressed the state's commitment to having the most successful CoE in gaming. He also said Bengaluru will host one of the biggest game developer and e-gaming summits in February 2025.

Kharge also unveiled the animation, visual effects, gaming, comics, and extended reality (AVGC-XR) policy 2024-2029, outlining the CoE plan.

Also, read: Karnataka aims to be global animation & gaming leader with 30,000 jobs by 2028: Siddaramaiah

The CoE will have facilities, including high-performance computing clusters, simulation labs, and testing zones. The policy also highlighted educational programmes, workshops, and R&D activities in collaboration with industry experts, focusing on emerging trends like augmented reality, virtual reality, and AI in gaming.

According to the AVGC-XR policy, "The CoE will adopt a multi-stakeholder approach involving the government, industry, and academia, offering incubation support for startups, mentorship from industry veterans, and access to funding channels. Events like hackathons, game jams, and industry conferences will be organised to foster innovation and networking."

Kharge said the establishment of Centers of Excellence and Innovation hubs across the state will create a collaborative environment for skill development, fostering innovation, and translating research into market-ready products and services.

The policy dictates that a dedicated team must continuously monitor market trends to align the CoE's objectives and activities with technological advancements and societal needs. "The CoE aims to elevate Karnataka as a global hub for responsible and innovative gaming," said Kharge.

Digital detox

Kharge acknowledged the potential drawbacks of the sector and announced initiatives like responsible gaming and a digital detox programme to safeguard the well-being of the youth. The policy mentioned regulatory guidelines would be developed with legal experts to ensure responsible and ethical gaming practices.

The minister clarified he is against gambling but games of skill were different from games of chance. "The digital detox programme will be developed in collaboration with the Department of Medical Education, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), and others," he said.

According to the AVGC-XR policy, a specialised Game Development Center within the CoE will serve as a hub for game designers, developers, artists, and industry experts. It will provide essential resources, state-of-the-art technologies, mentorships, and training programs. Integration with the CoE for gaming will amplify growth and innovation in the gaming sector, it said.

The policy also proposes to establish a dedicated AVGC-XR Park in Bengaluru in the form of a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model to offer companies multiple fiscal incentives.

Kharge highlighted the six pillars of the policy, which are focusing on skill development, sustainable infrastructure, empowering startups and MSMEs, providing global market access, incentives for sustainable growth, and a focus on multi-platform AVGC-XR products.

"The expected outcomes of this policy include nurturing creative talent, providing education opportunities, fostering technology advancements, ensuring gainful employment, and positioning Karnataka as a hub for the global ecosystem," said Kharge.

He emphasised the need for regional hubs and not just large buildings, to impart education and incubate talent and said the competition is not only with China but also other states like Chhattisgarh.