The Game Developers Conference (GDC) in San Francisco witnessed the opening of the first-ever India pavilion, signaling collaboration between India and the US in the gaming industry.

The inauguration ceremony, held on Wednesday, also marked the launch of the ‘India Gaming Market Report’, an effort between the US India Strategic and Partnership Forum and its member WinZO.

As reported by Hindustan Times, according to the report, India’s gaming market is projected to grow from USD 3.1 billion in 2023 to USD 6 billion by 2028.

Mukesh Aghi, President and CEO of USISPF, emphasized the importance of this milestone in the Indo-US relationship, stating, “The online gaming sector in India is burgeoning, and initiatives such as these would go a long way in fostering collaboration between the two nations, including investment, innovation, and content. We envision a future where our combined creativity fuels the next wave of gaming excellence.”

The event drew figures including WinZO co-founders Paavan Nanda and Saumya Singh Rathore, India’s Consul General in San Francisco, K Srikar Reddy, and Deputy Consul General Rakesh Adlakha.

Reddy highlighted India’s digital economy’s potential, its youthful demographic dividend, and the power of storytelling in driving the gaming sector’s growth. He emphasized the role of every participant present at the India pavilion as digital ambassadors, showcasing not just their work but also representing India on the global stage.

The ‘India Gaming Market Report’ forecasts material job creation within the gaming industry, with the current employment of 100,000 professionals expected to go over 250,000 in the coming decade. The report further outlines India’s internet user base, estimated to reach 1.2 billion by 2028, translating to an increase in online gamers from 568 million in 2023 to 893 million in 2028.

India’s gaming market currently holds a 1.1% share of the global gaming market, with the number of gaming companies surging from 25 in 2015 to 1,400 in 2023. India claims a significant share of mobile game app downloads worldwide, accounting for 17% of the total downloads, as indicated by the report.

The inauguration of the India pavilion and the launch of the report underscore India’s presence as a player in the global gaming arena, promises prospects for the industry’s future.