Gaming is a growing industry worldwide, with an increasing number of players and companies involved in creating games, developing gaming technology and hardware, and organizing gaming events. The Indian mobile gaming industry has been on a meteoric rise in recent years, thanks to the widespread adoption of smartphones and the internet. With a large and growing base of gamers, and a thriving ecosystem of game development and publishing companies the Indian gaming industry is booming currently. According to recent statistics, the Indian mobile gaming industry is expected to generate revenue of $1.5 billion in 2023, up from $1.2 billion in 2020. This growth is being driven by the increasing popularity of mobile gaming in the country, especially on the Android platform. Android is the dominant mobile operating system in India, with a market share of around 97%. This means that the Android version of mobile games is the most widely played in the country, making it an essential platform for game developers and publishers. In this blog post, we will explore the size and growth of the Indian gaming industry, its key players, and the factors driving its expansion.
The list of topics covered in this article is mentioned below:
- Size and Growth of the Indian Gaming Industry
- Factors driving the growth of the Indian Gaming Industry
- Mobile Gaming Players in India
- Revenue from mobile gaming in India
- Major Stakeholders in building the gaming community in India
Size and Growth of the Indian Gaming Industry
According to a report by Nasscom, the Indian gaming industry is expected to grow at a CAGR of 40% to reach $3.7 billion by 2024. This growth is being driven by several factors, including:
1. Increasing Internet Penetration: With the increasing penetration of the internet in India, there has been a significant increase in the number of gamers in the country. As per a report by KPMG, the number of online gamers in India is expected to reach 657 million by 2025, up from 365 million in 2020. This has created a huge potential market for gaming companies in India, who are catering to the growing demand for high-quality games across various platforms.
2. Growing Mobile Gaming: Mobile gaming has become a significant segment of the Indian gaming industry, with an increasing number of smartphone users in the country. According to a report by App Annie, India is the largest market for mobile gaming in terms of downloads, with over 7.3 billion game downloads in 2020. The popularity of mobile gaming has led to the development of many mobile game development companies in India, creating a thriving ecosystem for the industry.
3. Rise of Esports: Esports has gained significant popularity in India in recent years, with the country hosting several high-profile gaming events and tournaments. According to a report by FICCI and EY, the esports industry in India is expected to reach INR 118 billion by 2025, up from INR 23 billion in 2019. This has led to the growth of a thriving esports ecosystem in the country, with several professional esports teams and players, and a growing number of gaming events and tournaments.
Factors Driving the Growth of the Indian Gaming Industry
Apart from the factors mentioned earlier, several other factors are driving the growth of the Indian gaming industry. Some of these factors are:
1. Localization: Indian game developers and publishers are increasingly focusing on creating games that cater to the unique tastes and preferences of Indian gamers. This has led to the development of several localized games that feature Indian themes, characters, and settings. This has helped to create a stronger connection between Indian gamers and the games they play.
2. Innovation: Indian game developers are increasingly focusing on creating innovative games that offer new and exciting gameplay experiences. This has led to the development of several unique and engaging games that have gained significant popularity among Indian gamers.
3. Emerging Technologies: Emerging technologies such as virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and blockchain are increasingly being used in the Indian gaming industry. This has helped to create more immersive gaming experiences and has opened up new avenues for innovation in game development.
4. Increasing Investment: The Indian gaming industry has witnessed significant investment in recent years, with several global investors and gaming companies investing in the industry. This has helped to create a more robust ecosystem for the industry, with more resources and support available for game developers and publishers.
Mobile Gaming Players in India
India has a large and growing mobile gaming audience, with over 300 million mobile gamers in the country. This number is expected to grow to over 400 million in 2023, making India the largest mobile gaming market in the world.
One of the significant factors driving the growth of mobile gaming in India is the increasing affordability of smartphones. The price of entry-level smartphones has been dropping steadily in recent years, making it easier for more people to access mobile games. Additionally, the increasing availability of high-speed internet has also contributed to the growth of mobile gaming in India.
Revenue from Mobile Gaming in India
Mobile gaming is a significant revenue driver for the Indian gaming industry, with the Android version accounting for a significant portion of this revenue. According to recent statistics, mobile gaming is expected to account for around 60% of the overall gaming revenue in India in 2023.
In 2020, the revenue from mobile gaming in India was around $1.2 billion, and this is expected to grow to $1.5 billion in 2023. This growth is being driven by several factors, including the increasing number of mobile gamers in the country, the availability of affordable smartphones, and the increasing popularity of in-app purchases.
Major Stakeholders in Building the Gaming Community in India
Several stakeholders are involved in building and growing the gaming community in India. These stakeholders include game developers, publishers, hardware manufacturers, esports organizations, and government agencies.
Game Developers and Publishers: Game developers and publishers play a critical role in building the gaming community in India. They are responsible for creating and distributing games that cater to the unique tastes and preferences of Indian gamers. Indian game developers such as Nazara Technologies, Octro, and Moonfrog Labs have played a significant role in the growth of the Indian mobile gaming industry.
Hardware Manufacturers: Hardware manufacturers such as Samsung, Xiaomi, and OnePlus have played a crucial role in making smartphones more accessible to Indian consumers. They have helped to drive down the price of entry-level smartphones, making it easier for more people to access mobile games.
Esports Organizations: Esports organizations such as Nodwin Gaming, Cobx Gaming, and Ucypher have been instrumental in promoting esports in India. They organize high-profile gaming events and tournaments, providing a platform for Indian gamers to showcase their skills and compete against each other.
Conclusion
The Indian gaming industry is growing at a rapid pace, driven by several factors such as increasing internet penetration and growing mobile gaming. With over 300 million mobile gamers in the country, India is the largest mobile gaming market in the world. The revenue from mobile gaming in India is also on the rise, with expected revenue of $1.5 billion in 2023. The industry has a diverse set of players, including game developers, publishers, hardware manufacturers, and esports organizations. The growth of the Indian gaming industry presents significant opportunities for game developers, investors, and other stakeholders in the industry. With the increasing popularity of gaming in India, it is likely that the Indian gaming industry will continue to grow and evolve in the coming years, creating new opportunities and challenges for the industry.