New Delhi: Gaming has become a real job in India. More and more people are making good money playing games these days. According to a recent study by HP, about half of hardcore gamers in India are making between Rs 6 to 12 lakh a year.
The study talked to 3,500 people from big and small cities. Most of them play games on a computer, but many also play on their phones. Additionally, the survey revealed that about 75 percent of the gamers were male and 25 percent were female, indicating growing inclusivity within the gaming community. Remarkably, 58 percent of female respondents identified as serious gamers.
Is Gaming booming in India?
The online gaming segment in India is also booming. According to the EY FICCI M&E 2024 report, the segment is set to grow at a CAGR of 21%, reaching INR 3.88 billion by 2026. This growth includes various sectors such as esports, fantasy sports, casual gaming, and other skill-based games.
Why Esports?
Esports is a big reason why gaming is growing so much. Esports means playing video games competitively. Popular mobile games in India include BGMI, Clash of Clans, Free Fire Max, and Pokemon Unite, and some of the popular PC games in India are Valorant, Call of Duty, and DOTA 2. Big tournaments such as BGIS. BMPS, ESL India Premiership, and Skyesports Grand Slam have hundreds of thousands of people watching live.
The government is now supporting esports too. They have integrated esports into mainstream sports disciplines, placing it under the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs. Experts say that by 2025, esports in India could be worth Rs 1,100 crore.
In conclusion, the gaming industry is rapidly growing as a recognized and profitable career option. There can be various reasons for this, such as growing financial backing, government assistance, and a growing player base. Professional gaming opportunities and associated fields like content development, digital marketing, and event planning are expected to grow as the industry develops.