Post the General Elections, the online gaming industry plans to approach the new government to request for a reduction in Goods and Service tax (GST), reported moneycontrol. 

The industry wishes that through the tax be computed in the Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) rather than on the full face value. Moneycontrol added that the request is on the basis that the current rate of tax is unsustainable for startups in the industry. 

GGR is the difference between the amount wagered minus the amount won. The govt levied GST on full face value instead of GGR since October 1, 2023. Revenue since Oct 1 from online gaming has increased Rs.200 crore to Rs. 1100 crore per month, as per reports. 

In India, the online gaming industry is estimated to be around $2.5 billion, globally it is estimated to be around $159 billion. 



Online gaming industry to approach new govt for reduction in GST post elections

The industry wishes that through the tax be computed in the Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) rather than on the full face value.

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The gaming industry pulsates with the energy of vibrant communities and gamers hailing from diverse backgrounds. Young demographics in regions like South Asia, the Middle East, and LATAM, fueled by a mobile gaming boom, represent a goldmine for brands seeking passionate and engaged audiences. But traditional
advertising, in this crowded arena, often struggles to forge a connection. Here's where fostering trust and commitment within micro-communities emerges as the ultimate game-changer for brand growth, and leveraging Web3 and blockchain technology can be the key to unlocking its full potential.

Take the example of a brand selling high-performance mobile gaming peripherals. Instead of a scattershot advertising approach, what if they built a thriving community of mobile esports enthusiasts? Within this space, players strategize, share tips and celebrate victories. This is where the brand steps in—not as a hawker, but as a trusted ally. By offering valuable insights and showcasing products designed for the specific needs of this micro-community, the brand fosters trust—the bedrock of a lasting relationship.

Gaming communities provide brands with a reach not limited by geographical boundaries — this presents a unique opportunity for brands. Engaging with these
micro-communities fosters a deeper understanding of gamer preferences and purchasing habits across demographics. This knowledge then fuels the creation of
targeted campaigns and products that resonate with a broader audience.

Here's where the magic happens. By nurturing a thriving micro-community, brands tap into the power of the network effect. As the community grows and thrives, it attracts even more members, further amplifying brand awareness and engagement. This creates a self-perpetuating flywheel – the more the community benefits from the brand, the more invested they become, leading to organic promotion and advocacy.

Community members become vocal supporters, sharing positive experiences and recommending products to their peers, further accelerating brand growth.
The future of community building in gaming lies in leveraging Web3 and blockchain technology. By default, gaming communities are driven by a collective of people, just like in blockchains and web3. By virtue of this similarity, it’s intuitive for the gaming community to rely on behaviours and tools that augment the collective ethos rather than a centralised ethos. By offering unique incentives and rewards through secure and transparent mechanisms, brands can further strengthen their commitment to the community. Exclusive in-game items represented as NFTs, or tournaments with on- chain prizes will serve as unique and personalised rewards. These newer avenues not only excite the community but also foster a sense of ownership and value within
the brand ecosystem.

While initial investments in community building may seem daunting, the return on investment (ROI) is immense in the long run. It&#39;s not just about immediate sales. By building a strong community, brands not only save on marketing costs but also drive retention and shoot up the lifetime value of a community member. Traditional advertising struggles to achieve this.

The gaming industry thrives on a sense of community. This approach not only drives sales but also cultivates dedicated brand advocates who communicate brand messages with unwavering commitment.

So here’s the winning formula for brands in this ever-evolving world of gaming— build genuine connections, create tailor-made experiences for micro-communities and use Web3 technology advantageously to achieve sustainable growth and imprint your presence in the hearts and minds of gamers.

The author of the piece is Ishank Gupta, Elder Member Council, Kratos Gaming Network. Views expressed are personal.

Forge new pacts: How community building and micro-communities drive growth in gaming

India is not exempt from the global trend of gaming becoming a legitimate industry. Over the years, analysts have observed a sharp increase in the number of gamers in the Indian market. It is also expected that by the year 2025, the value of the industry will be three times as to what it is today. India has always been about gaming. The unexpected surge in the gaming industry within the country took everyone by surprise. However, there were a lot of factors behind this surge including a young population, increase in the number of smartphone users and the pandemic. Online games became an important source of entertainment during the lockdown, therefore it can be said that the pandemic had the largest impact. 

The global gaming market is currently valued at over 245 billion, much more than movies and music industry. And the sheer size of the market tells us how many vast the opportunities are present. From being a developer to a marketeer, to being an esports athlete and beyond, the gaming industry offers a multitude of career opportunities in diverse fields. The range of roles is very vast. India has an advantage over other countries in terms of talent involved in gaming and is also well-equipped with the technological know-how. When it comes to animation and game development, India seems to have provided a sizable cost advantage as compared to other nations. 

Making a career out of gaming is a viable and rewarding endeavor, irrespective of your gaming experience or the skill sets that you bring. In this everchanging environment, women are not far away. Even they have joined the workforce, following their passion and aspiration. They are known to change the whole narrative of the gaming industry by becoming a part of this one upon a time - male dominated industry.

Career in the gaming industry does not only restrict itself to playing games. It is much more than that. There are a variety of roles that one can take if they are passionate about the gaming industry. A developer is known to help develop the application. The product managers help to ideate and strategize about the gaming product. The finance team helps to manage the budget and Profit and Loss (P&L). Operation team runs the day to day tasks. Marketeers, social media and community managers help to scale and promote the product. Networking helps to open up various possibilities in this field and also help in supporting the growth of the career. The roles are similar to any other category or any other traditional company and the opportunities to grow are endless today. 

Besides the above mentioned roles, a gaming industry also offers roles and opportunities like a content creator, streamer, an esports athlete and even a caster and much more. All it takes is passion unlike any other industry and the right set of guidance. There are multiple universities abroad and even a few in India offering various courses and specializations in the field of gaming. Success in the gaming industry is also dependent on ongoing learning. This is a rapidly growing industry. It is not only advantageous but also important to stay up to date with the latest technological innovations. 

Adopting a lifelong learning mindset is the key to success and makes one an indispensable resource in this ever-growing field of gaming. By accepting these challenges and seeing them as chances of personal development, anyone can prosper in this exciting and fast-paced sector. This rewarding and successful career path is available to everyone with a penchant for creativity, a love for gaming and the flexibility to learn and develop. The future appears to be bright for those who wish to enter the burgeoning gaming industry, given the rise and ongoing development of new game genres such as cloud and internet gaming. 

In conclusion, given the fastpaced development, financial stability, job security, the gaming industry appears to be a great choice for people looking for a career. 

The author of the article is Nauman Mulla, Co-Founder & COO, STAN, a gaming community startup. Views expressed are personal.

Booming gaming industry: Building a career in gaming

S8UL, an Esports organization has partnered with KRAFTON, the creators of the popular battle royale game - Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI), for the official launch of their latest game, Bullet Echo India.

Bullet Echo India is a multiplayer PvP tactical top-down shooter game, that invites players to form teams, devise strategies, and engage in adrenaline-fueled battles to emerge as the last team standing, similar to a battle royale. 

S8UL's lineup of renowned creators, including Mortal, Scout, Regaltos, Snax, JokerKiHaveli, PayalGaming, KaashPlays, and others, will create engaging content for their YouTube audiences during the official launch of Bullet Echo India. This collab is a mark of how S8UL and KRAFTON are always working together for bringing more life to the gaming experience in India. 

They had also collaborated for the launch of ‘Road to Valor : Empires’ early last year. Lokesh Jain aka 8Bit Goldy, Co-Founder of S8UL, expressed his enthusiasm by stating, “We are delighted to partner with KRAFTON for the launch of Bullet Echo India, as this gives us another chance to bring new & enriching gaming experience to the community. With KRAFTON's expertise and our deep understanding of the Indian gaming community, we are confident that Bullet Echo India will excite players across the country. I also look forward to it opening new avenues for esports athletes trying to make a mark in the competitive landscape”

Developed by KRAFTON in collaboration with ZeptoLab, Bullet Echo India is designed to captivate the Indian gaming community. Since its soft launch on April 4, the game has rapidly ascended to the top of the charts on the Google Play Store, showcasing its immense popularity among Indian gamers.

“We are excited to join forces with S8UL for our Bullet Echo India. S8UL's innovative approach has consistently set them apart, and their synergy is perfectly aligned with KRAFTON to deliver an unparalleled gaming experience that fans have been eagerly anticipating,” said Anuj Sahani, India Publishing Advisor and Head of KRAFTON India Incubator Programme.

“The partnership between S8UL and KRAFTON for Bullet Echo India showcases our credibility and equity in the industry. As a player, I am particularly excited about the prospect of introducing Indian gamers to a unique gaming experience, offering a perfect blend of strategic gameplay and action-packed battles. I believe it is a must-play title for every gaming enthusiast and will make a significant impact in the Indian gaming market,” commented Tanmay Singh aka ScoutOP, an ex-Esports athlete who is currently a gaming creator of S8UL.

With S8UL’s Co-Founder Animesh Agarwal (8Bit Thug), alongside its creators PayalGaming, and Mortal recently engaging in a groundbreaking discussion with the honorable Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi, about the Esports industry, the organization continues to make waves for the development of the community. Their partnership with KRAFTON serves as a testament to their efforts to propel the growth of the Esports sector in India.

According to the FICCI-EY report titled '#Reinvent: India’s media & entertainment sector is innovating for the future,' shooting games hold a prominent position in India, generating substantial in-app purchase revenues. Also, the rising popularity of gaming influencers has contributed to the expansion of the gaming ecosystem, attracting new cohorts of players.


S8UL partners with KRAFTON to launch multiplayer game Bullet Echo India

International Creators Day celebrated on April 23rd each year, honours individuals who create art, literature, technology, and facets of human endeavor through their creativity. Today, creators are shaping the world around us; these custodians of culture bring their unique insights into our lives in more ways than one. 

Payal Gaming aka Payal Dhare is one such creator. In March, this year, Dhare won the “Gaming Creator of the Year” award. Lat year, she won the Dynamic Gaming Creator of the Year award last year. She also received the title of Female Streamer of the Year. 

One often overlooked factor within the online gaming ecosystem in India is the statistics involving female gamers. A report that surveyed 2317 respondents found that almost 41 percent of the gamers in India were women. Notably, these gamers are not exclusively from the metro or Tier 1 Indian cities but from smaller Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. The online gaming space is also claimed by Indian women from smaller towns. In a chat with Storyboard18, Dhare talks about scarcity of female role models in the gaming industry and more.

First of all, how was it meeting with PM Narendra Modi? How do you think the government can help shape the gaming industry?

Meeting with PM Modi was an incredible honor and a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It felt surreal to be in his presence and discuss prospects for female gamers in India which made my journey so much more worthwhile. I realised that he is a great listener, and perfectly paraphrased the difference between esports & gaming content creation, something we now hope everyone will be able to understand. His vision for game development in India around Indian culture, and environmental issues enabling the right infrastructure at the grassroots level and integrating esports into the educational curriculum across schools and colleges throughout the country is is something I felt very strongly about and I hope it helps take Indian games to the global stage.


Do you aspire to transition into entrepreneurship, following the footsteps of many creators who have ventured into business?

I have not mapped out any definitive long-term plans but I am open to embracing significant opportunities as they arise. Currently, I operate ThriftXPayal, my clothing thrift store, a venture I'm committed to sustaining. However, regardless of what else I pursue, I will always stay involved in gaming and content creation, as they are my true passions.

How do you currently monetize your content, and what strategies have been most effective for you in generating revenue?

Creators have diverse revenue streams that collectively ensure sustained viability of content creation as a career. There are various avenues to monetize your content, such as YouTube ad revenue, channel memberships, Super Chat, donations while streaming, merchandise sales, and brand collaborations. Brands, both endemic and non-endemic, are increasingly seeking collaborations with creators to reach their target audience, who faithfully follow our content and streams.

What are your future plans and aspirations in terms of expanding your brand and presence in the digital space?

Currently, my sole focus is on curating innovative and relatable content that contributes to the growth of my organization, S8UL. However, my ambition is to utilize my passion for gaming and content creation to make a positive impact in the digital sphere. I aim to address the scarcity of female role models in the gaming industry and inspire young girls to pursue their dreams of a full-time career in gaming and content creation.

What was YouTube's role in your journey as a creator?

YouTube offers creators an array of tools and features that streamline content creation and amplify visibility. It serves as a platform for breaking stereotypes and empowering female gamers like me to thrive in the traditionally male-dominated gaming industry. The introduction of games on the platform called 'YouTube Playables' widened avenues for gaming creators, enabling them to engage with a broader audience, including those not actively seeking gaming content but open to exploration within the platform. 

What would you like to advise to budding creators?

To aspiring creators, I advise embracing challenges as stepping stones to progress. Stay committed, consistent, and always be yourself, as authenticity connects with people. To fellow young women starting their creative journeys, stay courageous and resilient. With dedication and persistence, you can turn your dreams into realities.

Read More:<a href="http://storyboard18.com/gaming-news/41-percent-of-the-gamers-in-india-were-women-report-29415.htm" rel="noopener" target="_blank">41 percent of the gamers in India were women: Report</a>

Read More:<a href="http://storyboard18.com/gaming-news/nearly-50-percent-fall-within-the-age-bracket-of-18-to-30-years-in-gaming-29507.htm" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Nearly 50 percent fall within the age bracket of 18 to 30 years in gaming: Report</a>

International Creators Day: Payal Gaming on the scarcity of female role models in gaming industry

In terms of funding greener initiatives, a lot remains to be done in India. Playing for the Planet and UK Interactive Entertainment (UKIE) published a Green Games Guide, which addresses how gaming companies across the board can reduce their carbon footprint and collectively achieve their climate goals. The call for action highlights the importance for the industry to act together to meaningfully limit their emissions. Indian studios and large developers should start measuring their own carbon footprints, while simultaneously funding products, projects and initiatives that help the environment. 

One of the ways for the industry to do this would be by setting a common emissions commitment for 2030, adding “call to action” features to their games as well as participating in and sponsoring global climate events such as Conference of the Parties (COP), as per the India Gaming Report 2024 by Interactive Entertainment and Innovation Council and Winzo.

Read More:<a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/gaming-news/online-gaming-contributes-to-3-7-percent-of-global-greenhouse-gas-emissions-report-29589.htm" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Online gaming contributes to 3.7 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions: Report</a>

To establish India as a global gaming superpower, it’s essential to support the Indian startups and companies to compete at the global level. As per the report, this support can come with a dedicated focus on IP creation and protection to ensure that innovative ideas are safeguarded. To unleash the full potential of India’s entrepreneurial talent, the nation must align with global standards in policy and framework. 

Providing incubation and accelerator programs for entrepreneurs is another critical component of this strategy that will offer them the resources and guidance needed to thrive in the competitive gaming industry. The talent pool, relentless innovation, increasing foreign investments, and a vibrant startup ecosystem indicates presence of a high potential sector. The right and progressive policy support can contribute to the India growth story and ensure that the country becomes a center of innovation and job creation for the global gaming industry.

Unlocking India’s gaming potential by investing in its workforce: Gaming has the potential to become India’s next growth frontier offering high employment opportunities for the youth. India can further unlock its vast gaming potential through strategic investment in workforce development. Consider this, despite being a nascent industry, the gaming ecosystem in India has shown appetite for innovation, job creation and attracting investments. The nation can identify and nurture individuals by introducing separate scholarship programs for skills that feed into the gaming ecosystem - designers, developers, cybersecurity specialists, among others. 

Furthermore, fostering knowledge transfer from the global gaming community through academia is crucial for staying updated with the industry trends. Vocational training programs and executive courses for the existing workforce can equip professionals with the skills needed for the industry’s rapid growth. Global gaming clusters in the US, China, Germany, and Australia, among others, were created and sustained through both public and private support for talent development. These measures can propel India into a prominent position on the global gaming stage, nurturing talent and innovation.

Read More:<a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/gaming-news/online-gaming-market-ripe-for-innovation-fueled-by-youth-and-mobile-gaming-says-siddharth-patel-of-cvc-capital-partners-29516.htm" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Online gaming market ripe for innovation, fueled by youth and mobile gaming, says Siddharth Patel of CVC Capital Partners</a>


Promoting research & development: Given the immense job creation potential and contribution to economic activity by the online gaming industry, research and development (R&D) in gaming has started attracting attention from the Indian and global gaming ecosystem. Promotion of R&D in the field of gaming will embellish India’s role in the global gaming ecosystem. To accelerate this, India can establish specialized undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs focusing on game design, development, and technology. T

These programs will not only foster expertise in areas such as AI and 3D design but also provide a structured pathway for students to become specialists in these fields. Additionally, offering career guidance and recruitment support will ensure that these gaming experts find fulfilling and impactful roles in the ever evolving world of gaming. This can be achieved through already proposed Center of Excellence, state policies on AVGC, and close collaboration among industry, government, and academia.

Making India a global hub for investments in gaming: The emerging business models and a thriving gaming community is making India a global hub for investments in gaming. India’s growing presence in the sector will disrupt the global gaming ecosystem for good. To ensure that India continues to disrupt the global gaming market and attract investments, we need to strike a delicate balance between fiscal interests and responsible entrepreneurship in the country. 

In the years to come, enhanced innovation, job creation, and direct and indirect tax revenues can only be achieved through a conducive business friendly environment. Moreover, ensuring predictability in the long-term policy framework is essential, as it instils confidence in global investors and will encourage them to invest in India’s gaming industry. By offering an encourages policy environment, India can attract substantial investments and solidify its position as a major player in the global gaming arena.

Right tools to safeguard the interests of the youth: Safeguarding the youth in the digital age is paramount, and India must outline and enforce the delineation of responsibilities among stakeholders for their protection. To address this concern, modern and advanced provisions are imperative. 

India should develop robust regulations that align with contemporary challenges to ensure the protection of children and young people in a rapidly evolving technological landscape. These provisions should encompass online safety, digital literacy, and cybersecurity, reflecting the digital challenges and opportunities of today. By establishing a comprehensive framework, India can foster a safer and more secure environment for its youth, enabling them to explore the digital world with confidence and resilience

Read More:<a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/gaming-news/nearly-50-percent-fall-within-the-age-bracket-of-18-to-30-years-in-gaming-29507.htm" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Nearly 50 percent fall within the age bracket of 18 to 30 years in gaming: Report</a>

Can India’s online gaming sector can realize potential with policy support?

The intersection of digital gaming and sustainability is gradually becoming an area of responsibility from an area of interest for gaming companies, developers, and gamers alike. Loosely dubbed as “internet pollution”, online gaming contributes to 3.7 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. That being said, the nascent nature of the online gaming sector gives it the opportunity to address these issues in the long run by starting early, contributing to the national targets, and setting formal emissions targets and climate goals, stated the India Gaming Report 2024 by Interactive Entertainment and Innovation Council and Winzo. It is also pertinent to note that such responsible standards for gaming can make the Indian gaming cluster more attractive for global consumers and investors alike.

Read More:<a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/gaming-news/41-percent-of-the-gamers-in-india-were-women-report-29415.htm" rel="noopener" target="_blank">41 percent of the gamers in India were women: Report</a>

At the global level, agencies like the United Nations (UN) are leveraging the dynamic game community for initiatives like “Playing for the Planet Alliance”. Playing for the Planet is an alliance that supports the online gaming industry in taking action to reduce its environmental impact.

To combat their overall carbon emissions, the gaming community is focusing on transforming, both the game development process and game play, into a greener venture while also creating environmental awareness. Industry players such as Sony and Guerilla Games have started initiatives like “Plant and Play” wherein trees are planted as part of game achievements for games like “Horizon Forbidden West”.68 At the global level, agencies like the United Nations (UN) are also leveraging the dynamic game community for initiatives like “Playing for the Planet Alliance”. 

Playing for the Planet is an alliance that supports the online gaming industry in taking action to reduce its environmental impact. By joining the Alliance alongside the UN Environment Program (UNEP), gaming companies (console and online) and gaming studios have made specific and measurable commitments towards reducing carbon emissions, integrating green activations in games, and supporting the global environmental agenda. They aim to do this through coordinated action through annual events such as the Green Game Jam (GGJ), which brings together the gaming ecosystem to incorporate “green activations” within their games as part of fundraising and awareness.70 Such initiatives not only engage larger audiences and create awareness, but also offer a chance to explore new avenues of game development via “green nudges” as well.

Green Innovations in Game Development

Game design itself can also be a powerful tool to drive significant change at the intersection of gaming and sustainability. Alongside in-game based donations, companies can also aim to streamline their corporate funding to assist with climate sensitive initiatives. Industry actors such as Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo are aiming for ambitious environmental goals in order to address their carbon footprint. Sony is aiming for zero environmental footprint by 2050 whereas Microsoft is planning to be carbon negative by 2030.71 Studios are aiming to do this by implementing environmentally conscious products and services with regular monitoring and compliance with formal standards. Due to gaming’s (console and online) reliance on data centers which are known to be carbon intensive, the industry realizes the importance of coming up with innovative methods to reduce their carbon footprint.

In India, given the size of the online gaming industry, it is important for industry leaders to collaborate with each other and collectively address their carbon impact by streamlining investments in greener initiatives such as the GGJ. Additionally, players also need to be made aware of the issues of climate change. The way developers can address this is by creating environmentally focused games. One such 2D puzzle-based game is Samudra, which takes players across an adventure in a polluted sea to uncover truths about “surface-dweller” actions causing deepsea pollution.72 The game also offers opportunities to make offline contributions to various environmentally conscious causes and funds. This combination of in-game education coupled with offline donation practices makes the game an interactive yet impactful product that’s fun to play while creating positive change.

Gaming for Climate: Industry-Driven Initiatives

In terms of funding greener initiatives, a lot remains to be done in India. However, given the size of the industry and the diversity of online gaming companies and studios, the outlook is positive. Embracing global standards can be a good starting point for India. Playing for the Planet alongside UK Interactive Entertainment (UKIE) published a Green Games Guide which addresses how gaming companies across the board can reduce their environmental footprint and collectively address their climate goals. The call for action highlights the importance for the industry to act together to meaningfully address their emissions. Indian studios and large developers would do well to start measuring their own carbon footprints, while simultaneously funding products, projects and initiatives that help the environment. A great way for industry to do this would be to target a common emissions commitment by 2030, add “call to action” features to their games while also participating in and sponsoring global climate events such as Conference Of Parties (COP) for the climate agreements.

Read More:<a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/how-it-works/indian-gamer-base-is-expected-to-rise-to-893-million-by-2028-report-29409.htm" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Indian gamer base is expected to rise to 893 million by 2028: Report</a>

Online gaming contributes to 3.7 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions: Report

The Indian gaming market is set to witness as many as 10 unicorns and 5 decacorns by 2028. The sector has already witnessed the successful listing of Nazara technologies and as many as 5 companies are IPO ready. 

India’s ascent as a preferred location for gaming companies and its emergence as a game export hub will contribute to the national economic growth. India’s large player base, skilled talent pool, robust legal regime for intellectual property (IP) protection, and government initiatives is making India the preferred hub of global gaming market. The Indian gaming industry comprises over 1400 gaming companies, including 500 gaming studios. The annual revenue for gaming is projected to reach $6 billion by 2028, stated the India Gaming Report 2024 by Interactive Entertainment and Innovation Council and Winzo.

"We perceive India’s online gaming market as ripe for innovation, fueled by its increasing youth population, rising penetration of the internet and a growing preference for mobile gaming. The rise of vernacular and culturally resonant content presents a significant opportunity for deeper market penetration," said Siddharth Patel Managing Partner, CVC Capital Partners.

India’s total mobile game downloads exceed the total downloads of the next two Markets – the US, Brazil – Put together.”14 India boasts a massive, engaged consumer base of ~568 million gamers.15 India is home to approximately 15,000 game developers and programmers.16 144 mn users paid for games in 2023 and the number of paying gamers is expected to reach 240 mn by 2028.


The exponential growth of India’s gaming industry is evident in the download statistics. In just four years, from 2019 to 2023, game downloads in India soared from 5.65 billion to a staggering 9.5 billion. This growth propelled India’s share of global game downloads to a substantial 16% in 2023, followed by Brazil and US with 4.5 billion (7.6% market share) and 4.4 billion (7.4% market share) downloads, respectively.

Over the coming years, online gaming in India will continue to benefit from the Government of India’s initiatives of ‘Make In India’, ‘Digital India’, and ‘Production-Linked Incentive’ schemes. The recommendations of the Government constituted Task Force on Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming and Comic (AVGC) provide a conducive environment for the long-term growth of the online gaming industry. 

The key recommendations of the AVGC Task Force included 1) developing  domestic industry for global access (such as launch of national mission on AVGC-XR, ‘Create in India’ campaign, Establish a National Centre of Excellence) 2) Developing talent (such as leverage National  Education Policy, launch courses on AVGC-XR) 3) enhancing Technology  & Financial Viability for Indian AVGC Industry (such as leverage Start-up India, increase Ease of Doing Business) 4) Raising India’s soft  power through inclusive growth (such as target skilling and industry  outreach for youth in Tier 2 & 3 towns). 

Multiple states in India have either launched or are in the process of launching their respective state-level policies for the AVGC sector. Few states have even launched their own fund to promote the growth of this sector, specific courses for talent development, and have announced their own Centres of Excellence. 

This state level promotion of the sector comes on the back of Government of India’s focus on this sector through multiple interventions. The Central Government Task Force on AVGC catalyzed the state level awareness and support for this sector. The Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY)’s Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules for online gaming released in 2023 have also recognized the role of legitimate online gaming platforms to safeguard the interests of the users and lays out the legal pathway for long-term growth of the sector.


Online gaming market ripe for innovation, fueled by youth and mobile gaming, says Siddharth Patel of CVC Capital Partners

In India, the gamer population exhibits considerable diversity, characterized by a significant presence of female gamers and individuals from tier 2 to 5 cities. However, it is essential to note that gaming preferences vary across different user segments. Approximately 40 percent of the gaming populace in India comprises women, and this demographic demonstrates a predilection towards casual and hyper-casual gaming experiences. Until three years ago, only one in five gamers in India were women, stated the India Gaming Report 2024 by Interactive Entertainment and Innovation Council and Winzo.

The growing presence of women gamers indicate their emergent role in the digital space, access to smartphones, discretionary spending, and willingness to pay for entertainment purposes. Their growing presence in the online gaming space also reflects coming together of a community in the digital world for interactive entertainment. 

40 percent of all video game players are female, 77 percent of them playing at least once a day, 50 percent Video gamers are between the ages of 18 and 30, 72 percent prefer content consumption in regional languages, 55 percent of gamers reside in non metro cities, 45 percent Indians started playing games after pandemic

68 percent play for distraction, 66 percent for relaxation and destressing, 25 percent socialize with other gamers, 23 percent play for self expression and creativity, 21 percent for competition/thrill seeking, and 20 percent for earning money. 

How Often Does the Indian Gamer Play? 

40 percent of all video game players are female, 77 percent of them playing at least once a day. Among the gaming community, nearly 50 percent fall within the age bracket of 18 to 30 years. This segment exhibits a proclivity for mid-core and hardcore gaming genres, particularly those characterized by fast-paced gameplay such as shooting games. Conversely, about 30 percent of Indian gamers are aged between 31 and 45 years, and their gaming preferences lean towards strategy games. Furthermore, more than half, approximately 55 percent, of the Indian gaming audience resides in non-metro cities. This group demonstrates a strong affinity for culturally relevant and vernacular games, reflecting their unique gaming preferences.

Nearly 50 percent fall within the age bracket of 18 to 30 years in gaming: Report

The online gaming sector in India and across the world has grown exponentially over the past few years. With over 3 billion online gaming players worldwide, it is pertinent to understand the positive externalities that arise out of such growth in online gaming, especially after the onset of Covid. Some of these impacts include reducing social isolation, a space for community building, especially for women gamers, and its role in enhancing research, education and skilling. 

Read More:<a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/how-it-works/indian-gamer-base-is-expected-to-rise-to-893-million-by-2028-report-29409.htm" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Indian gamer base is expected to rise to 893 million by 2028: Report</a>

The Growing Impact of Female Gamers: One often overlooked factor within the online gaming ecosystem in India is the statistics involving female gamers. A report that surveyed 2317 respondents found that almost 41 percent of the gamers in India were women. Notably, these gamers are not exclusively from the metro or Tier 1 Indian cities but from smaller Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. The online gaming space is also claimed by Indian women from smaller towns. This trend impresses upon the need to undertake more initiatives to ensure that this space becomes truly inclusive, diverse, and safe for all demographics of gamers. Online gaming spaces are reflective of offline spaces and just as we need guardrails for offline interactions, we also need thoughtful interventions to make the online gaming space safe for all. Such interventions may also successfully contribute to better offline behaviour of gamers. As a country that’s working towards getting more women involved in STEM from an early age, gaming could provide a confidence and interest building environment for young women to cultivate their skills.

As per a report by Lumikai in 2022, about 80 percent of gamers in India showed a proclivity towards content based on Indian Intellectual Property (IP). This shows a significant shift of the Indian gamer to more culturally resonant characters, game design and narratives. The growing appetite for narratives, stories and characters set in India demands that Indian studios step up and develop more and more games that cater to the Indian audience while also appealing to the global online gaming community through their visuals and game design. With the boom of the online gaming sector in India, the Indian gaming industry is likely to see more of Indian mythology, folklore and characters come alive given the growing demand for such themes in India and abroad. 

The India Gaming Report 2024 by Interactive Entertainment and Innovation Council and Winzo shared that in the past, some of the most popular games have been set in the Western world and their narratives, designs and characters have emulated Western culture such as in Grand Theft Auto (GTA). Such games socialized the Western culture and further embellished the cities of Miami, New York, and Los Angeles in pop culture. Indian gaming studios such as Ayelet, Studio Sirah, Recreation Lab, and XSQUAD have also created games that are either set in Indian cities or use characters from Indian mythology such as Bheem and Arjun as part of the game narrative. Some games are also attempting to showcase the glory of previous empires from different regions of India. 

One such example is “The Unsung Empires: The Cholas”. Most Indians have grown up playing board games such as Ludo, Snakes and Ladders and Monopoly. There have also been games such as “taash”(cards) linked to Indian festivals or ancient epics.

41 percent of the gamers in India were women: Report

The Indian gamer base is expected to rise to 893 million by 2028 on the back of robust growth drivers. Despite the GST-driven slowdown, the growth fundamentals will also lead to a growing base of paid users as a share of total user base, stated the India Gaming Report 2024 by Interactive Entertainment and Innovation Council and Winzo.

The growth of hardcore gaming subsegment is projected to outpace all the other subsegments of Indian mobile gaming industry. Hardcore games provide high engagement to gamers on account of extensive simulation, intense and complex gameplay, and mechanics and storyline.53 Monetization per user is expected to moderate on account of the recent hike in local tax (GST). The growth will be driven by behavioural changes and increase in ad spends due to greater engagement.

Around 20 percent of gamers in India are paying users, with Pay to Play, Casual and Core games.

In-app purchases are projected to grow at the highest rate at ~35% CAGR; with the rise of paying users across casual and core genres. Around 20% of gamers in India are paying users, with Pay to Play, Casual and Core games the most popular $0.18 Bn $0.22 Bn $0.01 Bn $0.02 Bn $0.42 Bn Others FY23 FY28E Source: IEIC Analysis amongst paying user base.

While the industry fundamentals will lead to growing user base over the years, such growth will not translate into equivalent user monetization on account of recent tax policies. The share of Non-RMG segment will increase to ~21% of the online gaming market by 2028E.

Battle royale gaming driving the massification of hardcore mobile gaming

Battle royale games have been instrumental in demonstrating that mobile gaming has the capability to catch the attention of the nation. Multiplayer games are seeing increased time spent and monetization because consumers like to compete and spend time socially with their friends. Battle royale games is a popular format wherein multiple players participate in a combat zone to eliminate each other and the last player to survive wins the game. 

Increased focus on culturally familiar and vernacular content, along with visual and voice features are helping onboard new gamers and driving higher engagement. Battle royale games managed to monetize a significant part of their userbase through inapp purchases of skins, battle passes, etc. and boosted eSports popularity through tournaments and live streaming.

Early hardcore Gaming: Before 2015, hardcore mobile gaming was a niche affair. Low smartphone penetration coupled with fewer available titles, kept hardcore gaming out of the masses’ reach. Even the more complex games were simple 2D side-shooters.

Massification of hardcore gaming: Price-relative performance of budget phones increased significantly, and complex games became common. Mobile ports of popular PC/ console titles were launched and a few were massive hits.

Future of hardcore gaming: As hardware and network become increasingly accessible, future technologies are being integrated into traditional gaming experience. VR toggle mode, cloud gaming, and auto generated worlds are under development.

Other key trends

Multiplayer games are seeing increased time spent and monetization because consumers like to compete and spend time socially with their friends. Battle royale games is a popular format wherein multiple players participate in a combat zone to eliminate each other and the last player to survive wins the game. Increased focus on culturally familiar and vernacular content, along with visual and voice features are helping onboard new gamers and driving higher engagement. 

Battle royale games managed to monetize a significant part of their userbase through inapp purchases of skins, battle passes, etc. and boosted eSports popularity through tournaments and live streaming. India is emerging as a talent hub, both for itself and the world. Larger talent pool is available with the number of gaming companies having gone up by 10x over the last decade. 

Early investments by international studios is translating to talent proliferation now. Influencer-driven user generated content and live streaming is nascent but the growing (~$100Mn) eSports industry is driving gaming adoption and higher engagement. Live Streaming is changing the gaming landscape - from consumption to distribution and beyond. Investors continue to actively scout and shape gaming space; The peak of early-stage activity in terms of investments is behind us. 

India is transitioning from a net importer of global gaming titles to a global exporter of content and IP. Battle royale gaming driving the massification of hardcore mobile gaming.

Online gaming industry to approach new govt for reduction in GST post elections

The industry wishes that through the tax be computed in the Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) rather than on the full face value.

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