Indian Esports Is Ready To Leave A Mark On The Global Stage
5 months ago |

The online gaming and esports industry has been growing exponentially in recent years. With millions of fans worldwide and big sponsors, esports has become a multi-billion-dollar industry that is set to match traditional sports.

While in India, the esports industry is still in its infancy, the recent recognition of esports as part of multi-sports events under the Ministry of Youth Affairs is a significant milestone for the industry and will provide the much-needed thrust to the overall esports ecosystem in the country. The Indian government’s validation is a crucial step in the development of the industry and paves the way for esports to be treated at par with traditional sports.

Potential of esports in India

The growth potential for the esports industry is enormous in India. With a large population of young people (nearly 600 million population below the age of 25), a rapidly growing middle class, and a strong affinity for gaming, India has all the ingredients to become a major player in the global esports industry.

Further, the pandemic too fuelled the growth of esports as people turned to games for leisure during lockdowns. In terms of viewership, as per Statista estimates, in FY 2021, India observed over 17 million esports viewers, almost 2x that of the pre-pandemic phase in 2019, according to a report. Additionally, it is estimated to register 85 million viewers of esports events by the year 2025, making India one of the fastest-growing markets for esports viewership.

Also read: Building An International Esports Platform: Indian Entrepreneur Explains How Dubai Facilitates Expansion

Another study by FICCI-EY Media and Entertainment 2022 depicted that the year 2021 added 2x esports players in the country – a total of 6 lakh players vs 3 lakhs in 2020. Moreover, revenue earned grew from INR 7.5 billion to INR 9.7 billion in the same timeframe. Interestingly, the study also stated that women’s participation is expected to touch 20% strength out of a million gamers in India in 2022. And the trend is expected to continue to grow in the coming years as more and more women streamers and gamers are taking the stage.

For gamers and esports fans around the world, 2022 had been the most exciting year ever. As esports gained prominence and credibility, the world observed the first-ever Commonwealth esports Championship, where the Indian DOTA 2 team won a bronze medal for their fantastic performance. Keeping up with the momentum going forward, we are now ready for the Asian Games, where esports will be recognised as a medal event which was unthinkable earlier. Moreover, the International Olympic Committee’s announcement to organise the Olympic esports Week in Singapore during June 2023 is another unprecedented feat for the esports industry.

Enabling an esports discourse is India

As the industry continues to experience a meteoric rise, some important aspects to note are powerful viewership, increased accessibility, and widespread recognition. Gamers today are a strongly-knit community and the increasing acknowledgment of esports has made it a mainstream event. With more professional teams training to participate in global tournaments, 2023 might just be the year for Indian esports to leave a mark on the global stage as well.

Also read: India’s DOTA 2 Team Creates History At Commonwealth Esports Championship With Bronze

Another aspect that has led to the adoption of esports is the availability of gaming laptops, desktops, and monitors that feature state-of-the-art technology and innovation designed to give the best gaming experience to consumers. These machines are engineered from the ground to give esports players and enthusiasts an uncompromising gaming experience in competitive tournaments.

The future of esports in India

To further strengthen and uplift the Indian esports ecosystem, a few companies/brands have also established gaming academies and tournaments with professional mentorship that will help gamers and gaming enthusiasts to enhance their skills to participate and conquer the esports tournament and familiarise them with future opportunities in this landscape.

However, there are a few hindrances on this journey, currently, there are very few dedicated esports facilities, and most tournaments are held online. With the government’s recognition, investment in esports technology and infrastructure can be expected, which will lead to the development of dedicated esports arenas, tournament venues, and training facilities, contributing to the overall economic growth of the country.

Another roadblock is the lack of a comprehensive regulatory framework but we are optimistic that the Indian government’s validation of esports will lead to the development of a comprehensive set of rules and regulations, which will provide a level playing field for all players and ensure fair play. This will also help to protect the interests of players, sponsors, and fans, and ensure the long-term sustainability of the industry.

Also read: Seeing Rise In Female Gamers, Female-Only Esports Tournaments Are Getting Popular

Nonetheless, the prospects in the Indian esports business are growing, and there are a variety of ways in which the industry will flourish in the next years. Some possible scenarios include the establishment of professional leagues, nurturing esports start-ups, developing a national esports team, and integrating esports into the educational system so that young people can consider a career in the industry that is both rewarding and lucrative. With the right investment in infrastructure, the development of a comprehensive regulatory framework, and continued growth in popularity, esports has the potential to become a major player in the competitive sports industry.

The country’s young demography, adoption of technology, and accessibility to affordable connectivity provide a massive competitive edge. The Indian populace is ready for esports. If the industry is able to equip itself to tackle the key concerns, India could be the biggest esports market in the years to come.