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Latha Venkatraman

Mumbai , June 14

A NEW opportunity is possibly emerging for Crest Animation Studios Ltd.

The gaming industry's increasing need for computer graphics as content for games could add to Crest's portfolio.

The Mumbai-based animation and computer graphics company has been approached by international gaming companies for animated content for games, a top official of the company said.

However, as the company is yet to sign any deal it was not willing to give details.

The company perceives this opportunity with optimism as it will help improve growth prospects. The company had reported a net profit of Rs 63.11 lakh on earnings of Rs 20.31 crore for the nine-month period ended December 2004.

"There is a growing space in the gaming industry for digital content providers," said Mr A.K. Madhavan, CEO, Crest Animation Studios. The company continues to maintain its portfolio of outsourced work in the television, film and DVD space.

The gaming industry, which is on an upward curve, is changing with increasing move towards computer graphics. "The industry is clearly increasing its spend on animation. Both console and mobile gaming are focusing more on the style of content," Mr Madhavan said.

According to Nasscom estimates, the global animation and gaming industry is estimated at around $23 billion, but the Indian share is negligible.

The gaming industry's growth comes on the back of a huge expansion of the mobile phone industry, particularly in Asian countries. Global estimates for video games for mobile phones, one of the fastest growing segments, are at $2 billion in 2005, according to International Data Corporation. World mobile gaming industry is estimated to touch $9.3 billion by 2008.

In India alone, the gaming industry is estimated to reach $50 million by 2005, and mobile gaming is growing at 200 per cent, an industry representative said.

A huge chunk of film-based gaming properties is driven by animated content, Mr Madhavan said. He believes that animated content requirement for the gaming industry is growing at a compounded aggregate growth rate three times that of the requirement for film, television and DVDs.

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