A Report - Indian Online Gaming Industry to be Worth $3.9 Billion by 2025

According to a recent report by the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) in collaboration with smartphone maker OnePlus and internet advisory RedSeer, the gaming market is expected to triple in size over the next four years and reach $3.9 billion in value by 2025.

While there are currently 430 million mobile gamers and gamers, the number is expected to rise to 650 million by 2025. India is currently a mobile-first country, accounting for more than 90% of the $1.6 billion gaming market. It is predicted that the Indian market will be worth $3.9 billion by 2025.

Part of the reason for this rapid growth in such a short period of time is the country's increased smartphone penetration. Phones are now capable of running high-fidelity games with ease, allowing users to even experience immersive gaming. This is due to the sophistication of hardware. Furthermore, there are a number of brands that are specifically targeting the real money gaming industry with their offerings, introducing gaming-specific features and devices.

India is undeniably the largest market for mobile game downloads. According to the study, the onset of pandemic-induced restrictions fueled organic growth of digital games, with mobile app downloads increasing by 50% and engagement increasing by 20%.

The rise of hardcore gamers is seen

With India's gamers devoting so much time to gaming since the outbreak of Covid-19, the ecosystem has naturally seen the rise of a new breed of hardcore gamers. While casual games continue to be the most popular, hardcore games are the ones that generate revenue. According to the report, nearly 40% of hardcore gamers pay for their games with an average monthly spend of Rs.230.

This growth is being fueled by the aggressiveness with which device manufacturers are continuously improving performance, which is resulting in ease of accessibility, quality visuals, improved resolution, and frame rates, and, ultimately, a better user experience, according to the report.

Many players from around the world have made large investments in the last year, capitalising on the popularity of gaming in India. According to the report, investments in the gaming sector have totaled $1 billion in the last six months alone.

Esports behemoth NODWIN gaming recently partnered with the country's largest multiplex operator PVR Limited to broadcast esports events in its theatres for the first time.

City-level penetration of professional esports results in solid exposure for the grassroots ecosystem, and as we've seen in the past, the more exposed the grassroots is, the better it performs at the higher tiers. This, in turn, paves the way for the collective growth of professional players at all levels. Their partnership with PVR Cinemas opens the door to mainstreaming esports and putting it right in the heart of the entertainment industry. Esports, as an emerging medium of interactive entertainment, has had its fair share of attention in crowded arenas, but it's about time they brought the action to the big screen. NODWIN, in addition to building grassroots, will provide its audience with a premium viewing experience through this partnership, according to Akshat Rathee, MD & Co-Founder, NODWIN Gaming.

The report shed light on several indirect initiatives

The report also shed light on several indirect initiatives (policies such as Digital India and Digital Literacy serving as the foundation of a burgeoning internet economy) and direct initiatives (such as STPI and the National Centre of Excellence for Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, and Comics) that have helped to create a favourable mobile gaming ecosystem.

According to a KPMG 2020 report titled A Year Off Script, the overall user base for real money online games in India has increased from 269 million in fiscal year 2018 to 365 million in fiscal year 2020.

Naman Jhawar, Senior Vice President at Mobile Premier League (MPL), recently spoke at the CII summit about what can be done to create favourable policies for the gaming ecosystem, particularly esports.

In response, Darpan Jain, joint secretary at the Department of Commerce, urged industry stakeholders to inform him of how the ministry can help propel the sector forward.

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