GAMING: From Age of Empire to Ludo Kings
The inspiration for this article has been my son. From playing casual games such as Candy crush to games requiring strategic thinking & resources it’s good to see my son as an ever evolving gamer demographic of India. What was initiated as a time pass or an activity to relax has caught his attention seriously where he spends eons of time surpassing the various levels and challenges in the games he plays. What started as a solo activity is now being pursued as an online community with his expanded circle of friends. Yes with positives comes the negative part, where he plays an active role in constantly waking me up during my sleep with his excitement & roar. I guess “Zamana badal gaya””. There was a time when we always urged to play outside and made the most of it by actively engaging in games of Physical nature. Now, he is inciting a sense of excitement in pursuing me to actively take up gaming. What started as a casual conversation ended up in me partnering with him on a game of NFS (Need for Speed) . We’ll all be said and done , let me admit , I do have started enjoying the dedicated nights that we spend together conquering virtual challenges one after the other…
The Rise of Gaming in India: Quick Facts
- Demographics: India has more than 600 million individuals less than 30 years, stands at 45% of the population.
- Smartphone Penetration: Usage of smartphones has reached 75% in India.
- Market Share: Mobile gaming holds 90% of the market share.
- In-app Purchases: In-app purchases contribute to more than 70% of the total mobile gaming in India.
- Equipment Cost: The cost of gaming laptops has dropped by 10% in 2023.
- Broadband Speed: The broadband speed has moved up from 7.5 MBPS in 2019 to 20 MBPS in 2024.
- Esports Viewership: India’s esports viewership has soared to 80 million, an 83% increase since 2021.
- Gaming Professionals: India will have around 1,250 gaming professionals by 2028.
- Exciting Prize Money: The prize pool by PUBG India 2023 stood at $125,000 rewards for skilled players.
- Job Creator: The sector is expected to create 250,000 jobs over the next 5 years apart from the 100,000 active jobs directly and indirectly.
- Women Gamers: 40% of the gaming populace consists of women.
- Record Mobile Downloads: India contributed approximately 20% of the world’s total mobile game downloads, surpassing the USA and Brazil.
About the Indian Gaming Industry
The gaming industry in India is a dynamic sector, not just for entertainment but as a significant job creator, employing over 100,000 people and with the potential to create another 300,000 roles by 2029. With a user base of 568 million people and 9.8 billion gaming app downloads, the market is set to reach USD 7.2 billion by 2029. This growth has attracted over $2.8 billion in investments from domestic and global investors.
Fantasy Sports is another area where India excels, with a user base of 180 million. Popular gaming companies in India include Game Stay, Electronic Arts, Delta Corp, and Nazara Technologies, which are helping drive growth at a projected 33% compound annual growth rate by 2027.
Government Initiatives Supporting Gaming
The Indian government has acknowledged gaming's potential by establishing the National Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming & Comic Center of Excellence in collaboration with IIT Bombay. States like Karnataka and Telangana have introduced dedicated gaming policies, and a national AVGC (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming & Comics) task force is in the works to further strengthen the industry.
Careers in Gaming
Gaming careers in India are expanding, with roles in game development, programming, testing, animation, and UI/UX design. With entry-level salaries starting at ₹4.5 lakh per year and potential earnings reaching ₹12-15 lakh, gaming is an attractive career path for India’s tech-savvy youth.
From my son’s excitement to India's rising prominence in global gaming, it's clear that gaming isn’t just a pastime—it's a serious and growing industry. This is only the beginning of India’s gaming story, and I’m thrilled to witness and, in my own way, participate in it.
In conclusion, as India's gaming industry continues to flourish, so does the demand for skilled professionals equipped to drive innovation in game design and development. Many private design colleges are recognizing this potential, offering specialized programs in game design to prepare students for careers in this rapidly expanding field. Institutes like The Design Village,Ecole Intuit Lab and Pearl Academy provide focused courses in game design, animation, and Communication design. These programs cover everything from game mechanics and 3D modeling to immersive storytelling and animation, aligning with the industry's evolving needs. Such specialized courses not only offer hands-on experience but also connect students with industry leaders and job opportunities.
For students passionate about game design, enrolling in these programs can be a gateway to a dynamic career path, contributing to India’s position in the global gaming market. As more design-focused institutions adopt gaming specializations, they play a crucial role in shaping the next generation of game creators, animators, and interactive storytellers, thus fueling the future of gaming in India.
For students who are passionate about breaking into this dynamic field, Mad School offers coaching that covers essential design fundamentals, creative problem-solving, and preparation for top design colleges. If you’re eager to pursue a career in game design, animation, or digital media, Mad School can guide you toward success. Join us to turn your passion into a profession and prepare for a future in one of the world’s most exciting industries!
Our courses
NIFT Coaching, CEED Coaching, NATA Coaching (Hyderabad), NATA Coaching (Chennai), NID Coaching, BFA Coaching, B Design Coaching, JEE Paper 2 Coaching.
