The Andhra Pradesh Government, after successfully establishing its hold on IT and Its segments with a slew of initiatives, including skill development, is now gearing up to do the same with animation and gaming segment.

It is now giving final touches to its grand plan for setting up a Gaming and Animation City in about 25-acre in Hyderabad. The land would be provided by Andhra Pradesh industrial infrastructure corporation, the nodal agency for land allotment for industries.

IT minister Ponnala Lakshmaiah  said that the project will be in a public private partnership. We will attract animation and gaming players to set up their operations here. Among others, the project will include a plug and play incubation facility and skill development facilities.

The modalities would be finalized soon, he said, adding that various committees with representatives from the industry are on the cards for coordination. Andhra Pradesh will also replicate the concept of government supported finishing schools at engineering colleges for the graduates to hone their skills.

We will try to incorporate training components in the curriculum itself to gain an edge, he said, adding that the state will study the incentives extended to the gaming and animation industry in other states to match them.

The facility would boost the animation and gaming segments, according to L Maruti Sanker, MD of 7 Seas Entertainment, an independent IP-based game development company listed on the BSE. There will be an opportunity to create new employment. It will also lead to more training institutes coming up, he said. According to industry estimates, animation in India is expected to be $1 billion and gaming $ 830 million by 2012.