Rise of video gaming in India – a ‘Bharat’ revolution

Lea Hogg June 5, 2024

Video gaming in India has undergone a significant transformation, evolving from a niche pastime to a nationwide phenomenon, aptly termed as the ‘Bharat’ revolution. This shift is not just a testament to the growing popularity of gaming but also a reflection of the changing socio-economic landscape of the country.

The Indian video gaming industry has been catalyzed by the exponential growth of India’s IT infrastructure, widespread adoption of smartphones, and the proliferation of high-speed internet connectivity. The evolution of the industry is evident in the rising percentage of gamers from non-metropolitan areas, which jumped from 57 percent in 2022 to 66 percent in 2023.

In today’s digital age, a unique space for video games is being created to celebrate Indian culture. These titles feature characters steeped in tradition, sending players on thrilling adventures across India’s varied landscapes. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged game developers to think beyond the commonly seen gaming universes, to try and include ‘Panchatantra’ in their games1. Such an initiative would not only celebrate our rich culture but would also educate children about our mythology and the values it brings.

Today, a significant transformation is underway, transcending mere entertainment and penetrating the fabric of the nation’s culture and economics. With a projected market size of $7.24 billion by 2029, India has emerged as a strong player in the global gaming arena, propelled by the world’s largest youth population.

Transformation of niche pastime into a nationwide phenomenon

With the world’s second-largest smartphone user base, India boasts of a 10 percent share of the global gaming audience. The average Indian internet user prioritizes content in their native language, often being multilingual. While Hindi localization is crucial, including regional languages like Tamil, Kannada, Telugu, Odia, and Bengali can unlock a vast market of gamers who primarily use languages other than Hindi or English.

This approach can also foster new employment opportunities within the video gaming industry, where individuals can develop games without requiring fluency in Hindi or English. The gaming userbase surpassed 365 million in March 2020. Mobile users form an overwhelming 85 percent of the industry, followed by PC users at 11 percent and tablet users at 4 percent.

The COVID-19 pandemic saw a shift in media and entertainment consumption trends, with KPMG estimating a 20 percent contraction in 2020 in typical segments such as film, TV, and print. In contrast, they foresee rapid change to gaming and digital media consumption, projecting global growth bouncing up to 33 percent to reach $25.4 billion in 2021.

The rise of video gaming in India is not just a trend but a revolution that is reshaping the cultural and economic fabric of the nation. As the ‘Bharat’ phenomenon continues to unfold, it will be interesting to see how it shapes the future of the global gaming industry.