The Covid-19 pandemic boosted the Indian online gaming industry as people have been spending more time indoors leading to an increase in demand for gaming also an increase in the use of smartphones in recent times fuelled the growth even more. Now millions of users keep adding to the industry every year.
What is Online Gaming?
The term “online gaming” refers to games that can only be accessed via the internet. This is a rising sector with increasing demand for game access. The country has more than 13 crore players spread across more than 200 sites, making it the world’s largest fantasy sports market.
Also Read: 5 Top Social Card Games in India
Indian Gaming Industry
India’s gaming industry is blooming and it is expected to reach a market size of USD 5 Billion by the year 2025. Between the years 2017-2020, the industry has grown with a CAGR of 38%. Currently, India has over 560 million active internet users, which makes the country one of the largest markets for the gaming industry. Of the total market over 85% share is taken by mobile gamers.
Growth Potential:
The Indian gaming and esports business has seen great growth in recent years, and there is little doubt that this growth will continue to accelerate in the coming years. According to industry forecasts, the number of online gaming users in India would increase from 481 million in 2022 to over 657 million by 2025.
In terms of total downloads, India became the top consumer of mobile games in FY 2022. Presently, India’s market is three times that of the United States and roughly two and a half times that of China. Total game downloads have increased from 6.5 billion to 15 billion since 2020. In 2022, India had the greatest percentage of worldwide game downloads (17%).
Not only gamers but also people related to the software industry and investment are equally getting benefitted from the growth of the gaming industry.
Mobile Gaming Growth With 5G:
Nobody can deny that mobile game has reached such heights only after the introduction of high-speed internet via 4G. In a much similar way, the introduction of 5G in the country will bring growth and development in the industry further. With 5G, a user can also play games directly on the cloud in real-time and need not download the game on their device due to its super speed and low latency. While the number of Indian gamers playing mobile game titles is undoubtedly projected to expand, its growth and popularity will be pushed further by the increasing availability of affordable 5G plans and devices in India.
Famous Gamers in India
Many of the gamers who also play professionally have their own content on YouTube as well. There are a lot of eSports players who are earning and getting paid by competing in various tournaments and even representing India in global events. Here is the list of the top 10 highest-earning eSports players in India.
- ClutchGod.
- Jonathan.
- Neyooo.
- Viper.
- Mortal.
- Zgod.
- Ghatak.
- Sc0utOP
- Goblin
- Owais
Challenges Facing the Industry
The major issue people face to pursue eSports as a career is the lack of trust and clarity. Although it is growing so rapidly one of the major challenges facing the Indian gaming industry is the lack of proper infrastructure and technological advancements.
The industry also faces challenges with respect to regulations and government policies.
Conclusion
The Indian gaming industry has immense growth potential and the rise of online gaming and esports is expected to drive growth in the coming years. While the industry faces challenges, the market is expected to continue to grow, and the emergence of Indian gaming companies is a positive sign for the future of the industry.
