Eight years ago when Kolkata-based Debanjan Das forayed into the thrilling world of competitive gaming, he wasn't sure if he'd ever be able to make a living out of playing Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO). As things would have it, Debanjan is still going strong, and things have never seemed as optimistic as they are now for someone wanting to pursue a career in electronic sports. He recently signed a lucrative contract with one of the premier Esports teams in the country, as a Valorant player. "There's nothing more beautiful than getting paid for doing what you love. I am getting a salary, and everything from my tickets and stay to food is being taken care of by my team. This kind of support was unimaginable in India when I started," says Das.
There are many gamers like Das whose fortune took an unexpected but great turn due to the unprecedented rise of esports in the last few years. What was once a reserve of nerds has now grown into one of the biggest phenomena in the realm of entertainment. Millions are being poured in by renowned brands, gaming influencers are dominating the internet, and esports competitions with eye-popping prize money are happening throughout the year. The inaugural edition of the Olympic Esports Games, organised by the International Olympic Committee, is scheduled to take place next year in Saudi Arabia. The inclusion of esports by sporting governing bodies like the Olympics or the Asian Games is also helping its popularity.
"As esports gains recognition as an official medal event in the Olympics and the Asian Games, more young athletes will seek to represent their country and compete for medals in this new-age sport," says Akshat Rathee, the founder of Nodwin Gaming, the most popular tournament organiser in the country. "The government is also taking initiatives to promote esports among the youth, with the Bihar State Sports Authority's announcement of the ‘Bihar Inter-School Esports Championship’ for four different titles being a prime example of it," he adds.
Pandemic Boom
The esports industry in India has experienced exponential growth in recent years, with a significant increase in the number of tournaments and participation reaching close to twenty lakh individuals annually. Projections suggest that the gaming sector is poised to achieve a market cap of $140 million by 2027. Esports has not only provided opportunities for players but also for spectators, brands, and sponsors. Recently, a global sports brand Puma signed a lucrative deal with Revenant Esports as their official kit partner. Two weeks ago, the Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar unveiled the trailer for FAU:G Domination, a shooter game made in India. Seedhe Maut, the critically acclaimed rap duo from New Delhi, sang an anthem for the Valorant Conquerors Championship (VCC), which was a massive hit among youth.
Such collaborations were beyond imagination till a few years ago. Raja Saikai, the manager of Mogo ESports, says that the shift occurred after COVID-19, "as many people were staying at home due to restrictions and lack of job opportunities. With limited entertainment options such as new movies or shows, people turned to gaming for entertainment." Saikai, a former CS:GO professional, had switched to the hospitality sector because of a lack of viable careers in gaming industry. It was only during the pandemic when he saw the gaming industry booming like anything, he decided to get back to his roots. Although the pandemic was a catalyst, the growing internet penetration and cheaper data prices were equally crucial factors for mobile gaming to become so prominent. "While we didn’t cause the data prices to drop, we were definitely in the right place at the right time to take advantage of this shift," says Rathee, who started Nodwin Gaming in 2014, when esports was still in its infancy. "Suddenly, gaming on mobile devices became accessible to millions of people, and the ecosystem we had envisioned started coming to life," he adds.
Mobile Games Rules
Mobile games continue to be the major driver in the Indian esports landscape, projected to reach $8.6 billion in the next three years, thanks to increased smartphone penetration and affordable data plans. As per a survey by Newzoo, the total monthly users for mobile games is around 657 million, contributing to 90% of the gaming market. Das confirms this trend, saying the scene is still largely reliant on Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI), the most popular game among Indian youth. Two months ago, the grand finale of Battlegrounds Mobile India Series (BGIS) was held in Hyderabad, where a prize money of INR 2 crore was up for grabs. Gaming enthusiasts from across the nation flocked to the event, and millions watched it online, rooting for their favourite teams.
Any BGMI events sell better than most as they attract numerous commercials, sponsors, and a very large viewership, says Saikai. In a market dominated by mobile games, Valorant was the first PC game that managed to gain cult status in India. "It has garnered the attention of prominent Indian PC streamers, professional players, and even some BGMI players who decided to stream it," says Saikai. "This led to an increase in popularity for Valorant. Subsequently, there was a period where individuals began exploring different titles and games, resulting in a diverse gaming community."
Youth Showing The Way
Esports remains predominantly driven by the youth market, serving as a valuable avenue for brands seeking to engage with younger demographics. Saikai says, "The majority of Esports enthusiasts in India are young, making them a desirable audience for lifestyle and niche brands targeting the 18 to 35 age range."
Influential figures within this space, such as gamers with a swathe of followers on Instagram and YouTube, hold significant sway over their dedicated fan base. Emerging talents in traditional sports, like the cricketer Riyan Parag, have also ventured into streaming games, and thus bolstering the prevalence of esports. The young Indians are not only playing the game, but they also form the largest viewership bases for streamers and gaming influencers from around the world. "The rise of affordable smartphones and widespread internet access has created a huge audience and a vibrant player base," says Rathee, adding that "platforms like YouTube, Twitch, and Loco have become key spaces for content creators and esports enthusiasts to engage
The Road Ahead
While significant progress has been achieved in the esports industry, there remains much work to be done. Despite the increasing number of events and sponsorships, as well as the improved stability in the lives of gamers, India continues to lag behind in physical infrastructure. "India lacks dedicated esports arenas or training centers where aspiring players can hone their skills. In countries like South Korea or the US, you’ll find esports stadiums, fully-equipped facilities, and even academic programs dedicated to gaming. We need to develop a similar ecosystem here if we want to produce world-class talent on a consistent basis," says Rathee.
In case you are looking to follow the Indian esports scene but not sure about the events you should watch out for, here's a list are five of the most popular events in India:
Snapdragon Pro Series
One of the world's largest mobile esports events, Snapdragon Pro Series spans across six regions, including India where they have a partnership with ESL India Premiership. The tournament circuit typically comprises multiple events throughout the year, culminating in a grand finale where winners take home from a substantial prize pool. Call of Duty, Clash of Clans, and BGMI are three categories where they conduct events in India, where anyone from beginners to experts can compete. Last year, a team from India, Godlike ESports came agonisingly close to victory in the world championships of Call of Duty: Mobile.
Battlegrounds Mobile India series (BGIS)
Launched in 2021 by Krafton Inc., in association with Nodwin Gaming, Battlegrounds Mobile India Series (BGIS) is undisputedly the most popular esports event in the country, where players compete in Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI). The grand finale of the last edition got a bit overshadowed by the T20 World Cup, but the event continues to enjoy a great fanbase in the country, especially among the youngsters. Xtra Spark, the team that took home INR 60 lakh for winning the competition, comprised four extremely talented games aged between 23 to 25. BGIS has really blown up among gamers in India, drawing in massive crowds of viewers on platforms like YouTube and Twitch. The tournament is also shedding light on the eSports scene in India, giving hopeful gamers a shot at making it big in the competitive gaming world.
DreamHack India
DreamHack is one of the longest-running gaming festivals, and this year they have collaborated with Comic Con for a three-day extravaganza, celebrating everything from pop culture to gaming. From esports tourneys and gaming spots to cosplay battles and tech shows, the event has something for everyone. Some of the major games across which contests play out are CS:GO, Dota 2, and BGMI.
Skyesports Championship
The Skyesports Championship series has taken the Indian gaming landscape by storm, attracting some of the elite talents in major esports like Brawl Stars, Clash of Clans, BGMI, and Valorant. The last edition of the tournament had hundreds of teams, out of which 24 qualified for the semi-final, where they competed against each other in a round-robin format, and the top 16 among them qualified for the final, which went on for six days. What sets this event apart is the level of skill we see from emerging talents, and winning their events provides a major boost to one's career.
Apex Legends Global Series
A joint venture between Respawn Entertainment and EA Sports, The Apex Legends Global Series (ALGS) is a premier esports tournament series featuring a series of tournaments across the world. Earlier this year, they opened the event for Indian players, who can now participate in APAC South, an online Apex Legends competition for Southeast Asia. Winning ALGS surely gives you street cred. Over the years, teams like TSM, Sentinels, and NRG have become household name in the gaming community by performing well in this tournament.
