Pixel P&L: Tamil Nadu Readies Four-Pillar Gaming Policy With Education, Infrastructure Push

Welcome to another Pixel P&L edition. This issue takes 4 minutes to read. If you only have one, here are the 5 most important things:

• Tamil Nadu unveils gaming policy as India targets $10B in gaming exports and 2M jobs by 2035.

• Google and Epic Games strike an unprecedented global deal to open Android to third-party app stores, slashing commissions to as low as 9% through 2032.

• ESL FACEIT Group opens a massive esports hub in Riyadh as Saudi Arabia pushes to become a global gaming capital.

• Report: Mobile gamers play multiple times daily, but spending habits diverge wildly.

• Krafton streamlines PUBG Mobile tournament system, making it easier for grassroots organizers to host official competitions. 

Let's get into it.

Tamil Nadu Readies Gaming Policy as India Eyes Global Industry Dominance

Tamil Nadu's Information Technology Minister Palanivel Thiaga Rajan announced the state's AVGC XR policy awaits final finance department clearance, targeting the burgeoning gaming sector with a comprehensive framework.

Speaking at Chennai's India Game Developer Conference 2025, Rajan outlined four pillars: education reform, infrastructure development, business facilitation, and financial incentives. The policy will establish a center of excellence and a B2B marketplace while introducing gaming curricula at universities.

"The policy has been developed from day one through close interaction with market players," Rajan said, citing French gaming cluster Pixel Players as inspiration for encouraging local developer networks.

The Game Developer Association of India also unveiled its Vision 2035 blueprint, targeting $10 billion in gaming exports, $100 billion in value creation, and two million jobs. The initiative emphasizes homegrown intellectual property, regional inclusion, and industry-aligned education to position India as a gaming superpower.

Google, Epic Strike Global Deal on Android App Store Competition

Google and Epic Games filed a joint motion proposing to end their antitrust dispute by opening Android to third-party app stores worldwide and slashing commission rates.

The deal, pending court approval, would reduce Google's traditional 30% fee to either 9% or 20% depending on transaction type. The 20% cap applies to loot boxes and purchases providing gameplay advantages, while cosmetic items and subscriptions face just 9%.

The agreement extends beyond US borders, unlike previous court rulings that mandated Google allow alternative app stores and payment systems domestically. New commission structures apply to apps installed after October 30, 2025, and would remain effective through 2032.

Epic CEO Tim Sweeney praised the proposal as "doubling down on Android's original vision as an open platform," contrasting it sharply with Apple's closed ecosystem.

⚡️Quick Bytes

ESL FACEIT Group Opens Saudi Arabia Esports Hub

ESL FACEIT Group launched regional headquarters and a flagship esports venue in Riyadh, cementing Saudi Arabia's push to become a global gaming capital. The 1,000-square-meter facility seats 500-plus guests and features extensive LED screens for major tournaments like the ESL Saudi Challenge. The move reflects EFG's ownership by Savvy Games Group, controlled by Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund. The headquarters supports the kingdom's National Games & Esports Strategy, targeting 39,000 jobs and $13.3 billion in GDP contributions by 2030.

Mobile Gamers Play Daily, But Spending Habits Diverge Globally

Eighty-five percent of mobile gamers play multiple times daily, though regional behaviors vary sharply, according to Mistplay's 2025 report. Japan and Korea favor app store browsing for discovery (53% and 46%), while Facebook dominates in the US (77%) and UK (79%). Japanese players lead spending—33% routinely pay over $10 per in-app purchase versus under 10% in Western markets.

Krafton Streamlines Third-Party PUBG Mobile Tournament System

Krafton unveiled a simplified framework for third-party organizers hosting PUBG Mobile tournaments, aiming to accelerate grassroots competition growth. The new system offers faster approvals, multi-language support, and official copyright protection. Approved organizers receive asset access, spectator client tools, anti-cheat support, and promotion across PUBG Mobile's social channels. The streamlined process covers online and offline events, from collegiate competitions to community tournaments. Organizers submit tournament details and prize pools, then request official Room Cards upon approval, reducing barriers to entry for esports event hosts.

💡Did You Know

Grand Theft Auto 5 nearly featured story DLC casting Trevor as an undercover Federal Investigation Bureau agent, voice actors revealed. Steven Ogg (Trevor), Ned Luke (Michael), and Shawn Fonteno (Franklin) disclosed during a Streamily Q&A that Rockstar Games had filmed content for the expansion. "James Bond Trevor" would have remained characteristically chaotic while working undercover for federal authorities.

"We shot some stuff and then it just disappeared," Ogg said, suggesting the project was shelved as Rockstar pivoted to GTA Online's lucrative multiplayer model. The scrapped DLC represented Rockstar's original plan for continuing stories across all three protagonists before the developer abandoned single-player expansions entirely.

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