Introduction to GDAI, India's Pioneering Video Games Trade Association

The establishment of the India Game Developers Conference in 2008 marked a significant milestone in fostering collaboration and organization within the Indian games industry, while also showcasing the work of Indian developers globally. A major step forward was taken last month with the formation of the Game Developer Association of India, the country's first trade body dedicated to the games industry. Led by a governing council comprising over 30 experienced industry leaders and a formal board of seasoned veterans, the organization is headed by Sridhar Muppidi, co-founder of mobile developer Yesgnome, as its inaugural president. "The growth of gaming in India has highlighted the need for a unified voice in dialogue with policymakers," Muppidi explains to GamesIndustry.biz. "GDAI was established to address this need, working closely with the government to overcome talent shortages and create an environment that enables Indian IPs to achieve global success." Muppidi is supported by a team of six full-time staff members who manage GDAI's operations and explore new initiatives. The trade body has already garnered 200 members, including all of India's top game studios, with a waiting list of over 1,000 individuals and companies eager to join. This demand, according to Muppidi, underscores the necessity of such a body in the market. "While there are associations in related fields like esports, fantasy gaming, and real-money skill gaming, most are funded by one or two large entities," he notes. "Conventional game developers lack a strong voice and representation in policy discussions with government officials. We believe it is essential to have a seat at the table in policy discussions at both state and central levels." Moreover, unlike other associations, GDAI places significant emphasis on talent development. By collaborating with educational institutions to introduce game development electives and advocating for policies to attract international talent, the organization aims to strengthen the ecosystem. "Additionally, GDAI's financial independence, thanks to initiatives like IGDC, enables us to engage in policy advocacy without being tied to specific interests," Muppidi adds. The GDAI president's ambition is to make India one of the top three game development countries globally in terms of revenue generation and quality output. With major games companies like EA, Zynga, Ubisoft, Rockstar, and more leveraging India's talent for various aspects of game development, there is potential for the industry to grow and achieve this goal. To support this growth, GDAI has plans to establish incubators with state governments to create games development hubs across the country. Some incubators, such as the Image Incubator in Hyderabad and the National Centre of Excellence in Mumbai, have already been set up. The trade body also aims to advise the national government, ensuring the industry has a voice in regulatory matters that may impact games companies. Muppidi reports that the government has been receptive, with interest from the highest levels. "Our Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, has been a strong supporter of the gaming industry, and both state and central governments have been proactive in addressing key concerns," he says. GDAI will continue to manage the India pavilion at international games events like GDC and Gamescom, as well as expand the India Game Developers Conference. The domestic conference is positioned as crucial in highlighting the progress made in enhancing India's games industry. "IGDC has been instrumental in providing exposure for Indian developers, connecting them with global studios, publishers, and platforms," Muppidi notes. "It has also become a key event for networking and showcasing India's talent. GDAI builds on this by offering year-round support, from talent development and funding to policy advocacy, with the goal of elevating Indian developers on the global stage." As reported earlier, India is a vital emerging market with a vast population – Muppidi estimates that 15% of global players are based in India. This audience has significantly increased its engagement with games over the past six years and is starting to spend more on gaming. "This creates a stable local market for Indian developers to build and refine their games while gaining the expertise needed to expand globally. It also presents opportunities for international developers to collaborate with local talent and tap into this growing market."