According to figures from Statista, there were around 300 million online gamers in India in 2019. This figure is expected to increase to around 440 million by 2022. You may be surprised at just how much dominance the gaming industry is starting to have in the online life of Indians.
The figures surrounding gaming are huge. Even if you are a gamer yourself, you may not have realised just how popular the activity is. Here are some other surprising facts about online gaming in India.
Mobile gaming is big news
There is a definite move away from PC gaming in India as more gamers opt to use a mobile device when they play. In 2016, the number of people in India using a mobile device for gaming was around 201 million. By 2022, this figure is expected to reach 370 million.
As the move towards mobile gaming continues, it will become more difficult for PC only gaming tournaments to secure the financial backing that they need to continue.
There are millions of casino and sportsbook players
It’s not just famous multiplayer titles like Ghost Recon Wildlands and Overwatch that are big news in India. Casino games like blackjack and sports betting are also hugely popular. Millions of people play at online casinos and sports betting sites like Comeon sportsbook. They place bets on events like the IPL and overseas sports tournaments such as the British Football Premier League.
This trend towards an increase in online casino play seems likely to continue. This is despite the fact that the industry is yet to be regulated in India.
The gaming industry in India is growing faster than anywhere else
Despite the fact that the Indian gaming industry is already massive, it seems that there is still room for growth. In fact, it’s thought that the industry could be growing at a faster rate in India than anywhere else in the world. This belief seems to be backed up by the fact that the downloading of games experienced a growth of 165 % between 2016 and 2018.
PUBG Mobile is the biggest gaming phenomenon in India
The biggest driving force behind the growth of the Indian gaming industry is PUBG Mobile. Tournaments involving this game run each week on sites such as Ultimate Battle. These tournaments are free to enter and players can win a prize of INR 100.
Downloads take the lead in video gaming
There was a time when the purchasing of video game DVDs was the most popular way to play. However, technology has advanced since then. This means that most players now choose to download the games that they want to play. Around 51% of Indians download a game before playing. Whereas only around 5% of Indians now buy or rent video games.
Online gaming fierce PC is an industry that seems likely to continue dominating the entertainment landscape in India. This presents an excellent opportunity for gaming software developers to increase engagement with their brand. It’s also an exciting prospect for gamers whose playing experience is likely to grow in quality and scope.
