Online gaming has become popular in India in recent years. While most industries have seen a downfall due to the pandemic, the gaming industry has bloomed dramatically. Technological advancements and a few other factors are heavily contributing to the overall growth of the online gaming market.
Including affordable smartphones and cheap internet, packs have allowed gamers to adopt mobile gaming and play suitable games from multiple genres.
The sudden popularity of PUBG and several fantasy-gaming apps has influenced the gaming industry. Among the thousands of reasons, here are the five primary reasons why online gaming has become popular in India.
Table of Contents
The variety of attractive gaming content and localization
The gaming industry of India has provided a wide range of games to the target audience. As there are various options available, there is always something for everyone. Anyone can find suitable tournaments for that person with variety. The users have the opportunity to choose games that can match their needs and tastes.
There are multiple dynamic adventure/ action-adventure games, including Battle Royale games like Playerunknown’s Battleground, Garena Free Fire, Apex Legends Mobile, Call of Duty Mobile, countless simulation games, puzzle games, games from Multiplayer online battle arena genres, story-based games, racing games like Asphalt 9 Legends, digital collectible card games, real-money making gaming apps and other games have been gaining popularity over the years.
Mobile gamers have easy access to Google PlayStore and App Store to download games as per their choice. There are billions of online games available on Steam to download on PCs.
On top of all this, online gaming content provides game enthusiasts with a relatable and engaging experience.
Game developers and publishers focus on developing local versions of the games or in-game content so that the gaming content attracts the audiences. Most popular games in India have been created keeping the preferences and tastes of the Indian Audiences in mind.
Developers also developed games like Ludo King, Teen Patti, and Rummy, popular among Indian gamers. These games were designed specifically for a certain part of Indian gamers. The Indian audience is leaning towards gaming to stimulate adrenaline, Develop skills and character, kill time, and make money for various genres.
Smartphones and cheap data packs
Smartphones
Access to high-performance yet affordable smartphones is a blessing for all gaming enthusiasts. One of the significant factors in the rise of the popularity of Online gaming in India is easy access to smartphones. India is the second-largest smartphone market in the world.
The evolution of mobile gaming has doubled with the advancement of technologies that have enhanced the overall viewing experience and gaming experience. Nowadays, Smartphone manufacturers have produced smartphones with bigger screen sizes, resolutions, sound processors, FPS, and other influencing factors to enhance computing ability and optimizations to provide users with hassle-free, lag-free, premium gaming experience.
Smartphone manufacturer companies are focusing on creating good smartphones at affordable prices to stay afloat in the market. Due to the huge production, and competition among smartphone manufacturers, the availability of lower-priced mobiles for online gaming is not considered a luxurious hobby.
Indian gaming enthusiasts can purchase smartphones according to their budget with suitable configurations ranging from low to mid and premium. Cheap, easily accessible, efficient, and durable smartphones dominate the gaming industry. In India, mobile gaming is the biggest chunk of the gaming market.
Because of affordability and great features, online gaming is getting popular in India. The Introduction of PUBG mobile, a battle royale game, has also created a wave in India’s gaming industry and smartphone market. Therefore, the Gaming industry of India has shown tremendous potential and business growth and outlined other positive things to offer soon.
Data Packs
Online gaming is directly connected to internet services. Along with affordable smartphones with decent configurations, comparatively cheap internet services provided by Telecommunication companies are one of the influencing factors for the rise of popularity of online gaming in India. After the introduction of Jio, the 3G and 4G data pack prices have become cheap and accessible for most people in India.
During the initial days, Jio even offered free data packs to its customers. The competition between telecommunication companies has narrowed prices, and a stable internet connection has become a basic need for most Indian households, previously considered a luxury. With these offerings, online gaming has also covered rural areas of India.
This provision has brought up many potential gamers in the gaming industry. Today’s date, various Indian network providers offer a vast range of internet packages. The game enthusiasts of India can easily purchase stable, pocket-friendly data packs according to their needs and budgets.
Previously, online gaming was costly and was not accessible to everyone. Still, skillful players with monetary problems can join online games, pushing the gaming industry to the top of popularity in the entertainment segment.
Convenient payment options
A few times ago, game enthusiasts did not have faith in online payment options to purchase games or in-game transactions. The gamers had the insecurity that financial data could be stolen and misused. However, India is gradually stepping towards the digital monetary transaction system.
The Indian gaming industry has been popularized due to easy access to online payment methods—the boost of e-commerce and safer online forms introduced secure online transactions without hesitation.
With the adoption of UPI, net banking, and apps like Phonepe, Google Pay, Paytm, and others, it becomes easier to transact quickly and safely. Few apps even introduced features like two and three-factor authentications, parental controls, biometric security, One Time Passwords to make the transaction even more secure. Blockchain tech also has the potential to enhance in-app purchases for gaming.
These offerings have widened the potential of online gaming in India and acquired the reserved user base. With these, gamers can purchase in-game items and paid content, unlock new features, and get rewards quickly.
The demographic of India
India has the second largest population in the world, with approximately 1.4 billion people. Hence, it was evident that there is a large base of gaming content creators, game enthusiasts, potential gamers, and professional esports players in India.
The youth of India is the backbone of the Indian gaming market. Approximately 75% of the Indian population is below the age of 64. These statistics easily portray the most considerable market potential for online gaming.
With the massive growth of technology and modernization, young people focus on playing top games quickly and hassle-free on their smartphones. With the development of the economy, it can be said that the gaming industry will skyrocket in the upcoming years.
Covid-19 Pandemic
The Indian online gaming market has seen tremendous growth in recent years. However, the gaming market has faced a massive change during the pandemic. It has gained more popularity during the pandemic situation. You can be confused as to why a pandemic would be the factor behind the popularity of online gaming in India. The pandemic has forced people to search for new ways to entertain themselves. The social distancing rules have restricted people from staying in their houses. With access to the internet, gaming has become the primary source of entertainment. During the struggling days, gaming was one of the best ways to have fun under challenging times.
On the other hand, the surge in online gaming has come from the need for a virtual entertainment medium with family and friends and socializing with close ones. Many online games have provided options for multiplayer modes to interact with others in real-time. After the lockdown, gaming-related careers have become a source of income for many people. Gaming also prioritized entertainment, socialization, and relaxation.
Conclusion
These factors, as mentioned above, have contributed to the vast growth of the online gaming market in India. For these reasons, the gaming industry has become integral to most Indians. These have increased the competition between several service providers directly or indirectly connected to the gaming industry. The competitive market always offers various functions with low pricing and contribution.
Though it is just the initial growth phase, this is the best time for the industry as we witness innovations and advancements.
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FAQs
Q: Why is online gaming booming in India?
A: The online gaming sector has witnessed remarkable growth, mirroring the surge in smartphone usage and widespread access to high-speed internet nationwide. With over 560 million smartphones and 700 million internet users, India has positioned itself as a critical player in the global market for online gaming.
Q: Why is online gaming becoming so popular?
A: In the digital era, the online gaming industry has experienced an incredible surge in growth. Gaming enthusiasts have always had a passion for games. Still, with the advent of accessible internet and ever-evolving technology, coupled with lifestyle changes, online gaming has gained immense popularity on a global scale.
Q: What is the growth of online games in India?
A: India’s gaming industry is on the brink of a remarkable boom, with experts predicting exponential growth. From an estimated value of $2.8 billion in 2022, the market is projected to skyrocket to $5 billion by 2025. This unprecedented surge demonstrates India’s immense potential in the gaming sector and presents incredible opportunities for businesses and investors alike. The expected growth in this field is remarkable, with a projected compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 28-30 percent. Furthermore, the number of gamers in the country is set to witness an incredible expansion from 420 million in 2022 to a staggering 500 million by 2025.
Q: What are the benefits of online gaming?
A: Engaging in online games offers many cognitive and developmental advantages for individuals of all ages. Not only do they enhance problem-solving and strategic thinking abilities, but they also foster the development of social and interpersonal skills. Additionally, online games have been found to strengthen cognitive functions such as attention span and memory retention.
