NASSCOM Animation & Gaming India 2006 took off to a flying start today at the TAJ Krishna in Hyderabad.
The annual study on Animation and Gaming Industry in India by NASSCOM has estimated the size of the Indian animation market (from the developers perspective) at US$ 285 Million for 2005, while the market for Gaming development in India was estimated at around US$ 30 Million.
The study expects Indian animation to witness a CAGR of 35%(2005 to 2009) and reach US$950 million by 2009. Gaming is expected to witness a CAGR of 78% and grow to US$ 300 million by 2009, with Mobile Gaming dominating the segment.
Earlier in the day, NASSCOM President Kiran Karnik delivering the welcome speech, urged the industry to display solidarity and focus on increasing the market size. “A rising tide raises all boats” he said, adding, “We have seen things reaching the cusp of a take off point in the last one year. We must now focus on increasing the pie”
Making an interesting observation, Karnik remarked,” India is the only country besides the US which has a strong enertainment market and production base (Bollywood) as well as equally strong talent in IT, which makes the case for success in animation all the more strong. However currently even while the global markets are emerging at US$40 Billion, India is nowhere on the graph and is still on the third or fourth decimal point”
Speaking next Andhra Pradesh IT secy Ratnaprabha stated, “The kind of awareness that NASSCOM has been pushing on Animation is an eye opener for us. We will renew our thrust on animation” she said referring to the JNTU animation schooling project which was announced at last year’s NASSCOM summit on animation.
Animation Bridge CEO Biren Ghose who has been very closely involved with NASSCOM in helping plan this year’s conference provided spoke next.
Amongst some points made:-
-Lot more work being shared between companies
– Value recognition for Indian animation and gaming companies
– India has begun to attract players of a higher pedigree
– Sharp increase in local content curve
Concluding the opening session Ghose concluded by hammering upon the need for understanding the world of kids better so as to enable better and more focused content creation.