Tag: indian gaming industry

Paavan Nanda: The Entrepreneur Revolutionizing India’s Gaming Landscape

Paavan Nanda is a name that has become synonymous with innovation and strategic thinking in India’s fast-paced startup ecosystem. As the co-founder and CEO of WinZO, Nanda has redefined how millions of Indians experience gaming and entertainment. From creating Asia’s largest backpacker hostel chain to building a thriving social gaming platform, his entrepreneurial journey is both inspiring and transformative.

Through his ventures, Nanda has not only disrupted industries but also contributed significantly to the growth of India’s digital economy. His ability to identify opportunities, embrace challenges, and execute visionary ideas has earned him a place among India’s top entrepreneurs.

In this StartupTalky article, we will explore Paavan Nanda’s success story, including his early life, childhood, personal life, education, awards, philanthropy, and more.

Paavan Nanda – Biography

Full Name	Paavan Nanda
Birthplace	India
Nationality	Indian
Education	Bachelor’s in Engineering from Netaji Subhas Institute of Technology, MBA from Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Calcutta
Occupation	Entrepreneur, Angel Investor
Known For	Co-founder of WinZO, Co-founder of Zostel and ZO Rooms
Other Titles	Innovator, Visionary
Philanthropic Focus	Education, Entrepreneurship Development
Hobbies	Traveling, Gaming, Reading

Paavan Nanda – Early Life and Education
Paavan Nanda – Personal Life
Paavan Nanda – Winzo
Paavan Nanda – Zostel and ZO Rooms
Paavan Nanda – Leadership and Vision
Paavan Nanda – Philanthropy and Social Impact
Paavan Nanda – Awards and Recognitions
Paavan Nanda – Facts
Paavan Nanda – Vision for the Future

Paavan Nanda – Early Life and Education

Paavan Nanda was born in India and demonstrated an early interest in technology, problem-solving, and innovation. His academic background reflects his sharp intellect and desire to make a difference.

He has an engineering degree that helped him to understand technology and systems. Then he did an MBA from the Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta. The combination of technical and business knowledge was very effective in enabling him to excel as an entrepreneur.

Paavan Nanda – Personal Life

Paavan Nanda leads a relatively low-profile personal life. When not immersed in business, he enjoys traveling, gaming, and exploring new cultures. He often attributes his creative ideas to experiences gained during his travels.

Nanda is also active on social media, sharing insights on entrepreneurship, technology, and gaming trends.

Paavan Nanda – Winzo

The Idea

Paavan Nanda founded WinZO with Saumya Singh Rathore in 2018, identifying an exciting opportunity within the Indian gaming market. Worldwide, the gaming industry was witnessing phenomenal growth; however, the Indian gaming market lacked a local platform for such a huge audience. Paavan Nanda visualized vernacular gaming to reach users with entertainment in their mother tongue.

WinZO was built to bridge this gap, offering a range of games, entertainment content, and social features in 12+ Indian languages.

Early Development

From the start, WinZO was designed to be user-centric. Nanda and his team have focused on user experience, security payment systems, and content personalization. The reason why the platform has become a success is that it connects people from all walks of life and makes gaming available to all.

Rapid Growth and Achievements

WinZO picked up pace, and millions of users joined the platform. In 2021, the company raised $65 million in a Series C funding round, bringing global investors on board, including Griffin Gaming Partners and Kalaari Capital.

WinZO today stands at a valuation of more than $360 million and is considered one of India’s leading social gaming platforms.

Winzo Financials FY23 — WinZO Financials FY23

WinZO’s operating revenue grew by 188% from INR 234 crore in 2022 to INR 674 crore in 2023. Total expenses increased by 50%, from INR 375 crore to INR 564 crore. The company turned profitable, shifting from a loss of INR 130 crore in 2022 to a profit of INR 126 crore in 2023.

Paavan Nanda – Zostel and ZO Rooms

Before WinZO, Paavan Nanda built Zostel-the Asia’s largest backpacker hostel chain. Started in 2013, Zostel gave budget travel to India a brand-new avatar for the first time as affordable and community-focused stays for young travelers.

After establishing the success of Zostel, Paavan Nanda went on to co-found the budget hotel aggregator ZO Rooms backed by Tiger Global. Although ZO Rooms faced challenges due to market competition, it demonstrated Nanda’s ability to create innovative business models.

Paavan Nanda – Leadership and Vision

As the CEO of WinZO, Nanda leads with a user-first approach, emphasizing innovation, scalability, and sustainability. He would like WinZO to be a platform that empowers the creator, engages the user, and fosters community over and above gaming.

So far, Nanda’s strategic decision making-from partnering with the leading game developers to introducing gamified learning experiences positioned WinZO as a trailblazer in India’s gaming industry.

Paavan Nanda – Philanthropy and Social Impact

Paavan Nanda is deeply committed to giving back to society. Through his philanthropic initiatives, he supports:

Education: Scholarship and programs for underprivileged students for quality education.
Entrepreneurship Development: Mentorship programs and seed capital for new entrepreneurs, especially in underserved communities. Nanda believes that technology and education are catalysts for change, as reflected by his efforts.

Paavan Nanda – Awards and Recognitions

The wide-ranging acclaim of Paavan Nanda lies in his entrepreneurship and gaming work:

He is recognized on the Forbes India 30 Under 30 (2016) for changing the hospitality and gaming landscape.
Economic Times Start-Up Awards (2021): WinZO was recognized for innovation in the gaming space.
Featured in YourStory’s 50 Disruptive Startups (2020) as a game-changer in digital entertainment.

Paavan Nanda – Facts

WinZO’s Language Diversity: The platform offers games in over 12 Indian languages.
Zostel’s Milestone: Zostel hosts have welcomed millions of travelers across India.
Angel Investor: Nanda has invested in startups across the tech, media, and food sectors.
Innovative Partnerships: WinZO collaborates with gaming studios worldwide to deliver diverse content.

Paavan Nanda – Vision for the Future

Nanda’s journey is far from over. His vision for WinZO includes:

Expanding into international markets.
Incorporating blockchain technology to enhance gaming transparency.
Promoting gamified education as a tool for skill development.
Through his ventures, Paavan Nanda aims to continue driving India’s digital revolution, creating platforms that entertain, educate, and inspire.

Conclusion

Paavan Nanda exemplifies the spirit of modern entrepreneurship. From reimagining budget travel with Zostel to transforming gaming with WinZO, his journey reflects innovation, resilience, and a deep understanding of market needs.

His contributions to the Indian startup ecosystem have been through job creation but also in terms of giving a million-plus user base an entertaining experience localized in their space. As Nanda continues innovating, he will only impact more technology and society, setting in place his own legacy as one of India’s most visionary entrepreneurs.

FAQs

Who is Paavan Nanda?

Paavan Nanda is an Indian entrepreneur best known as the co-founder of WinZO Games, a leading gaming platform in India. Before WinZO, he co-founded Zostel, a popular backpacker hostel chain in India.

What is Paavan Nanda education?

Paavan Nanda completed his undergraduate degree from Netaji Subhas Institute of Technology and later pursued an MBA from IIM Calcutta.

What is WinZo?

WinZO is a social gaming platform where users can play games and win money.

January 16, 2025

Let’s Game Now Secures INR 1.4 Crore Investment, Driving Growth in India’s Gaming Industry

“Educational games represent an effective means for gaining knowledge and are set to shape the future” Santanu Basu, Founder, Let’s Game Now.

Let’s Game Now is an online gaming portal started by a group of regular gamers who decided to conduct online tournaments for other gamers like them. The portal hosts free and paid regular online tournaments for Valorant (solo and squad), Call of Duty Mobile (Squad), Dota 2 (solo mid and team), and many other games. Let’s Game Now is one of the fastest-growing gaming portals in India. The online gaming industry in India is growing at a breakneck speed, expecting to generate revenue of ₹11,900 crore by the financial year 2023, growing at a CAGR of 22%. Gaming has lately come of age in India, becoming a mainstream sporting event, especially for the young. Once dismissed as unproductive by many, gaming is now slowly being perceived as a full-blown career option. Once you play innovative games, you will crave a better experience with more thrill and fun.

Let’s Game Now embarked on its venture in 2013 alongside Asia’s longest-running E-sports football tournament, AFGC, which spans across 18 countries. In 2019, they proudly hosted the Virtual Bundesliga Indian Edition and Roland Garros. It was in the same year, 2019, that Let’s Game Now came into existence, driven by the desire to expand their gaming offerings and welcome more passionate gamers to join in their journey. They introduced India’s first AI software integrated with the platform that enables the users to review their own gameplay. The platform enabled the creation of highlight reels to share the best moments with friends and followers and share their match analysis with friends, coaches, or anyone in the world. A player can now review their performance by going through the recording or watching the highlights. Artificial intelligence-based recommendations further improved this offering.

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Right now, the Indian gaming ecosystem is not as developed as it should have been. But it’s growing very fast because India has a lot of its own unique set of variables that impact the gaming industry. Virtual reality and AI are making strides today giving new sets of experiences. The whole gaming ecosystem is now being developed and it will soon explode. The gaming industry in India has benefited a lot from growing smartphone penetration and the availability of 4G speeds. But this is only the first step for serious gamers.

After being established in Industry, Let’s Game Now has forayed into Game-based learning. Game-based learning represents a pioneering and innovative approach that leverages computer games to provide educational benefits through various software applications.

Santanu Basu, Founder and CEO, Let’s Game Now

“We were already providing game recording and highlights, a novel addition to the industry. We successfully integrated this feature into our educational games. Educational games are an effective means of acquiring new and intricate concepts. With the rise of online learning and smart schools, this facet of online gaming is poised for substantial growth” says Santanu Basu, Founder and CEO of Let’s Game Now.

Santanu, himself an avid gamer, through his business acumen, is driving innovation in the company. Considering the aspirations of the Company there was a need to have good management oversight and strategic guidance. To fulfil this need, Santanu has built a good team of Industry and Technology experts.

Learning through games leads to a deeper understanding of the subject matter. It helps learners to process information more effectively and retain it for a longer period. Educational games that encourage collaboration allow students and teams to work together, making them appreciate the values of teamwork and cooperation. Let’s Game Now is on the cusp of expansion, driven by the promising future of educational games.

While Let’s Game Now spearheads the educational gaming revolution, their journey is enriched by Shuru-Up’s strategic support. Shuru-Up’s digital platform has been instrumental in raising vital funds, fueling the promise of growth within the gaming industry. The company recently secured an investment of approximately INR 1.4 crore (USD 190,000) via Shuru-Up’s digital platform, underlining their confidence in Let’s Game Now’s potential.

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November 10, 2023
Online Gaming’s GST Gamble: Expert Insights on 28% Tax Hike

The new 28% GST on online gaming has produced divided opinions about the industry’s future in India. Some experts condemn the GST hike, while others see it as boosting government revenues.

The Parliament’s new amendments in the Goods and Services Tax (GST) laws to levy a 28% tax on the face value of all bets made in online gaming, casinos, and horse racing destabilized the online gaming industry in the country. Further, the GST Council also agreed that there should be no distinction between a ‘game of skill and a game of chance’.

The online gaming sector, worth Rs 13,500 crore, accounted for 77% of India’s gaming sector revenue in 2022. As per the FICCI-EY report, these revenues were expected to grow to Rs 16,700 crore and Rs 23,100 crore in 2023 and 2025 respectively. Revenue Secretary Sanjay Malhotra has predicted that the new levy would fetch an estimated additional revenue of Rs 20,000 crore to the government.

However, the new GST law to levy a 28% tax on the face value of online games curtailed the growth of the industry resulting in large-scale lay-offs and cost cuts in prominent companies operating in the sector.

GST Sentimeter | GST Council Decides On 28% Tax On Online Gaming | CNBC TV18

Government’s Motive to Impose 28% GST on Online Gaming
Impact on Online Gaming Companies
New GST Regulation’s Impact on Esports
Outlook for Online Gaming Industry in India

Government’s Motive to Impose 28% GST on Online Gaming

StartupTalky spoke with several key figures in the online gaming industry regarding the government’s decision to increase the GST on Real Money Gaming (RMG). Most experts opine that this move is an effort to increase government revenue, while others think that this also carries an underlying motive of curbing the unregulated expansion of RMG in India.

Dr. Aruna Sharma, a policy advisor and practitioner development economist by profession and the former Secretary of the Ministry of Electronics and IT, Government of India, believes that the government’s decision to increase the GST on RMG is a complex one, and there are likely multiple factors at play.

“The online gaming industry is a growing sector, and it is a potential source of revenue for the government. The government’s decision to increase the GST on both games of skill and games of chance is primarily aimed at increasing government revenue. The state governments have supported this decision, as they believe that it will generate more revenue for them. The government has been facing a fiscal deficit for some time now, and it is looking for ways to raise revenue.”

Mr. Rohit Bansal, Founder, of Super 4, said, “It’s a delicate balance between revenue generation and addressing the broader societal concerns associated with RMG, highlighting the government’s efforts to strike equilibrium in a rapidly evolving industry.”

Mitesh Gangar, Co-Founder & Director, PlayerzPot commented, “A 28% GST on the entire face value of online gaming is poised to significantly impede the growth of the online gaming industry. Previously, companies were willing to take risks and invest substantial resources in their operations, but this new taxation scheme renders such endeavors unviable. It presents a series of challenges, including constraints on cash flow, which in turn limits a company’s capacity to allocate funds towards research, innovation, expansion, and even its overall survival.”

Indian Online Gaming Sector from the Year 2019 to 2023 With Forecasted Value for the Year 2025

Impact on Online Gaming Companies

The GST hike has caused serious hindrances in the revenue and workforce of several companies including unicorns. Fantasy gaming platform Mobile Premier League (MPL) has laid 350 employees so far, citing additional tax burdens. Other smaller players in the industry are dealing with layoffs, shutdowns, and funding challenges amidst the 28% GST on online gaming at full face value.

It also has undoubtedly imposed an increased financial burden on the companies. The additional tax has led to higher entry fees and reduced prize pools, making it more expensive for players to participate in fantasy leagues. This has ultimately resulted in a decline in player engagement and overall revenue for us as a brand.

When asked about the impact of the new tax on the company’s workforce, Bansal said, “To manage increased expenses resulting from higher GST rates, we have implemented cost-cutting measures. We have also made some operational adjustments, leading to shifts in workforce allocation, and job roles to optimize efficiency and reduce costs.”

Joy Bhattacharjya, Director General, Federation of India Fantasy Sports (FIFS) said that the decision would massively affect the $2.5 billion of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) already invested and would jeopardize any further FDI in the industry.

Bhattacharjya also warned that this decision could result in users shifting towards unauthorized betting platforms, thereby posing a risk to users and causing a loss in government revenue.

Zacharias Tegefeldt, CEO and Co-founder, of TrophyRoom, while speaking about his company’s strategy to maintain a strong presence in the market and ensure positive growth, said, “Consumers will surely be pickier about where to place their funds going forward. It puts an increased emphasis on customer experience, support, etc. It also likely means that operators that do something new and different may be looked at differently. If I pay more, I want to experience more, so there’s an opportunity for companies like TrophyRoom, who focus a lot on product and gameplay innovation, to grab a larger piece of the market, by providing that extra spice to the experience. In a sense, it puts us in a rather unsuspected good position, since innovation and customer experience already make out the core pillars of our right to exist.”

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New GST Regulation’s Impact on Esports

However, when the 28% GST hike was announced, there were a lot of speculations about its impact on the esports industry as well. Clearing the confusion regarding whether the GST will have any sort of impact on the Esports or video gaming industry of the country, Mr. Vinod Tiwari, President, of the Esports Federation of India (ESFI) & acting Director General, of the Olympic Council of Asia states, “It is imperative to first understand that the 28% GST is going to apply to the iGaming sector, including Real Money Gaming (RMG), fantasy sports, teen patti, rummy, and poker which are categorized under gambling or betting in the rest of the world. Contrary to some media reports, this GST is neither applicable nor will it have any impact on the ‘Video Games’ or the Esports industry.”

“Esports has been officially recognized as a sport by the government which finally and thankfully distinguishes it from any activities like iGaming such as fantasy, teen patti, rummy, poker, betting, and gambling, among others. It will carry on being taxed the way it always has been. Theories of ‘game of skill’ and ‘game of chance’ which only exist in our country neither apply nor are relevant in the Esports ecosystem,” says Mr. Tiwari.

In April of this year, the government made amendments to the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 to lay out a comprehensive framework for the Online Gaming Ecosystem. According to Tiwari, instead of using the umbrella term of “online gaming”, the GST council should have ideally used the more specific term “iGaming’ which is known worldwide, or even “online real money game” which is defined in “The Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules to avoid the confusion.

“We must acknowledge the TRUTH that the primary objective of the 400 million Indian video gamers (and approximately 3 billion gamers worldwide) is ‘purely entertainment’, and not financial gains or making money. It is regrettable that in India, our video games or esports industry is often unjustifiably associated with ‘iGaming, betting, RMG, gambling, and many more, which creates unnecessary confusion and misperceptions,” he adds.

Additionally, it is crucial to highlight that video game publishers have strict policies against implementing entry fees for any Esports events organized using their video games, further separating it from iGaming.

Gangar, when asked about the impact of the new GST on the willingness of aspiring entrepreneurs to enter this industry, said, “Aspiring entrepreneurs eyeing the online gaming sector will now think twice before venturing into it, primarily due to the burdensome GST. Consequently, the burgeoning gaming economy will face a substantial setback, resulting in economic strain, diminished job opportunities, and a stifled growth trajectory within the industry.”

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Outlook for Online Gaming Industry in India

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has targeted October 1 to roll out the tax along with an assured review of the levy six months after its implementation.

Tegefeldt said, “I hope for an amendment that addresses these quite serious issues. There needs to be a balance, which I don’t think has been achieved yet. If this needed amendment happens, I think it’s likely that the industry will see a rather quick dip, a new low, and then a resumption of growth after a while. If not, there are several different outcomes.”

On the other hand, being optimistic about growth in the industry, Bansal believes that trends like mobile gaming, localized content, and innovative gameplay are likely to drive expansion. He also shared that government regulations and consumer protection measures might become more stringent which in turn would affect the dynamics of the market. Collaboration between industry stakeholders and regulatory bodies will be pivotal for sustainable growth.

“Overall, the industry’s future will depend on its ability to adapt to changing tax structures, navigate regulatory hurdles, and meet evolving consumer preferences,” Bansal added.

However, Dr Sharma thinks that the Indian gaming industry has a huge potential to thrive, and the new regulation would foster a suitable environment for its development.

She said, “The government’s decision to increase the GST on online gaming is not intended to discourage the development of the gaming industry in India. The government believes that the Indian gaming industry has the potential to become a major hub, and it has already taken steps to regulate the industry and create a favorable environment for its growth. The increase in GST is simply a way for the government to raise revenue, and it is not expected to have a significant impact on the industry.”

Tegefeldt, anticipating the future, said, “A brighter future, from where I’m sitting, is indeed one where the hungry underdogs that actually bring something new and fresh to the table, get increased attention from the players. It would be an incredibly cool thing if the faster, leaner, and more creative underdogs can put some pressure on the larger operators and lead the way to a more fun future in gaming.”

While it is still one month away from the implementation of the Act, it is too early to predict the outlook for the online gaming industry or iGaming in India. The RMG industry in India faces a mixed outlook due to the change in tax regulations. While increased taxation may present challenges for operators, the industry is expected to continue its growth trajectory as online gaming gains popularity.

September 14, 2023
Top 10 Gaming Startups in India | Best Indian Gaming Companies in 2023
The digital revolution has fueled the gaming industry of India tremendously, transforming the nation into a bustling hub for game development and innovation. It was further pushed by the startup culture in which the Indian business world itself thrived. By 2019, the number of people who play online games in India crossed 300 million and it is increasing over the years.

It is expected that by 2025 global gaming market is expected to exceed $256.97 billion. As the internet became cheaper and widely accessible, the number of online gamers increased. A large number of gamers from tier 1 and tier 2 cities were added to it.

Driven by the exponential growth of internet users, increased smartphone penetration, and the rise of esports, the gaming landscape in India has evolved into an enchanting realm of opportunities for both players and entrepreneurs.

As the industry continues to gain momentum, a new generation of visionary startups has emerged, reshaping the gaming landscape and captivating the hearts of millions of gamers across the nation. From mobile gaming sensations to cutting-edge virtual reality experiences, these gaming startups have demonstrated their mettle in the highly competitive arena, setting new benchmarks for creativity, technology, and user engagement.

In this blog, we’ll delve into the captivating narratives of trailblazers who dared to dream big and turned their passion for gaming into thriving ventures. So buckle up, and let’s dive into the exhilarating world of the top gaming startups in India!

Top Gaming Startups in India
Revenue Earnings by Indian Gaming Companies

Dream11

Website www.dream11.com

Headquarters Mumbai, Maharashtra

Founders Harsh Jain, Bhavit Sheth

Founded 2008

Dream 11 – Top gaming startups in India

Established in 2008, Dream11 stands as one of top gaming startups in India, revolutionizing the gaming landscape by introducing sports enthusiasts to a thrilling world of fantasy sports. Catering to a wide array of sports, including cricket, kabaddi, football, basketball, and hockey, the platform has garnered immense popularity among fans looking to immerse themselves in their favorite games.

Dream11 achieved an extraordinary milestone in 2019 by becoming the first gaming startup to attain unicorn status. In a monumental move, Dream11 secured the coveted title sponsorship for the prestigious Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 in August 2020. Since its inception, this gaming giant has set unprecedented milestones, establishing itself as the pinnacle of success and influence in India’s gaming landscape.

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Nazara Technologies

Website www.nazara.com

Headquarters Mumbai, Maharashtra

Founders Nitish Mittersain

Founded 1999

Nazara Technologies – Indian gaming company

Founded in 2000, Nazara Technologies has emerged as a leading force in India’s gaming industry, making significant strides in transforming the gaming landscape across the nation. With an unwavering commitment to innovation and a deep understanding of the Indian gaming market, Nazara has captivated the hearts of millions, redefining how players experience and engage with digital entertainment.

It is boasting diverse segments such as subscription, freemium, e-sports, and skill-based gaming. With a global reach spanning over 64 countries, the company has been on a steady trajectory of growth, continuously expanding its influence and services worldwide. Over the years, the company has successfully acquired several prominent entities like NODWIN Gaming and Sportskeeda, solidifying its position as a key player in the gaming ecosystem and broadening its offerings to cater to a vast array of gaming enthusiasts. Today, Nazara Technologies stands tall with an impressive user base of over 100 million, a testament to the immersive and engaging gaming experiences it delivers to players worldwide.

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Paytm First Games

Website www.firstgames.in

Headquarters Noida, Uttar Pradesh

Founders Vijay Shekhar Sharma

Founded 2018

Paytm First Games – Top gaming startups in India

Paytm First Games, a dynamic venture by Paytm, one of India’s leading digital payment platforms, has taken the nation by storm with its captivating and rewarding gaming experience. Launched as a part of Paytm’s ecosystem, this innovative platform brings together entertainment and gaming, offering players an opportunity to indulge in a diverse array of games while earning exciting rewards.

Since its inception, Paytm First Games has emerged as a prominent player in India’s gaming industry, catering to an extensive user base with a wide variety of gaming options. From casual games to esports tournaments, the platform offers something for every gaming enthusiast, making it an all-encompassing destination for players of all ages and interests.

It caters to a wide variety of games and has over 45 million players on board. From their launch in 2018, today they have reached their zenith as e-gaming witnesses its boom in the industry.

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Games2Win

Website www.games2winmedia.com

Headquarters Mumbai, Maharashtra

Founders Alok Kejriwal and Mahesh Khambadkone

Founded 2005

Games2Win – Top gaming startups in India

Since its inception, Games2Win has remained at the forefront of India’s gaming revolution, captivating players worldwide with its innovative and engaging offerings. Established in 2005 by Alok Kejriwal and Mahesh Khambadkone, this dynamic gaming company has become synonymous with top-notch gaming experiences, entertaining millions across the globe. From casual and arcade-style games to simulation and sports titles, the platform caters to a broad spectrum of gaming enthusiasts, ensuring there’s something for everyone.

They offer ads and social networks for games apart from being a traditional gaming platform. They have over 15 million users every month. Their games are available across Google, Apple, Microsoft and Amazon.

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Moonfrog Labs

Website www.moonfroglabs.com

Headquarters Bangalore, Karnataka

Founders Tanay Tayal, Kumar Puspesh, and Ankit Jain

Founded 2013

Moonfrog Labs – Top gaming startups in India

Moonfrog Labs, an online gaming startup, came into being through the collective efforts of a close-knit group of friends who were once colleagues back in 2013. Their passion and perseverance fueled the creation of a card-based game called “Teen Patti Gold,” which garnered instant acclaim, amassing an impressive 20 million downloads right from its inception.

Building upon this early success, Moonfrog Labs continued to push the boundaries of gaming innovation. Introducing a game centered around the beloved Bollywood actress Alia Bhatt, they marked India’s first-ever narrative adventure gaming experience.

They further expanded their creative repertoire, introducing India’s first war strategy game, inspired by the blockbuster movie “Baahubali.” This strategic masterpiece took players on a thrilling journey through epic battles and commanding armies, allowing them to relive the grandeur of the beloved film. With each new venture, Moonfrog Labs solidified its reputation as an innovative and trendsetting force within the gaming industry.

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99 Games

Website www.99games.in

Headquarters Udupi, Karnataka

Founders Rohith Bhat

Founded 2006

99 Games – Top gaming startups in India

99 Games is a Udupi-based game company that was launched in 2008 by Rohit Bhat. Their first game Wordsworth became a hit with more than 1 million downloads among Apple users. From developing casual games for iOS, today they have expanded to Windows and Android.

In 2013, they came across a great opportunity to develop a game based on a Bollywood movie – Dhoom 3. The success it garnered opened numerous opportunities for 99Games. They subsequently developed 20 more such games. Two of them were based on movies like Fan and Sultan.

Octro

Website www.octro.com

Headquarters New Delhi

Founders Saurabh Agarwal

Founded 2006

Octro – Top gaming startups in India

Octro has emerged as a trailblazing force in India’s gaming industry, captivating players with its innovative and immersive gaming experiences. The mastermind behind the famous games Indian Rummy and Tambola House was launched in the year 2006. They introduced the concept of productivity along with gaming in India. Their games are available in various forms and are tailor-made to fit both mobile phones and tablets. Hailing from Delhi, this gaming company’s innovative approach caught the attention of industry giants, and in 2014, they secured an impressive $15 million in funding from Sequoia Capital.

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JetSynthesys

Website www.jetsynthesys.com

Headquarters Pune, Maharashtra

Founders Rajan Navani

Founded 2014

JetSynthesys – Top gaming startups in India

Established in 2014 by Rajan Navani, JetSynthesys is a prominent game development company, operating under the umbrella of the esteemed Jet Line Group. With a diversified presence in fields like fintech and digital media, the Jet Line Group has earned a reputable brand status across various industries.

JetSynthesys is hailed as a pioneer in the realm of celebrity-based gaming experiences, where they have left an indelible mark. Among their remarkable portfolio, standouts include games like “Sachin Saga Cricket Champions,” “Being Salman,” and “Bajrangi Bhaijaan.” These celebrity-inspired titles have successfully captivated players, offering an immersive and unique gaming journey.

The company has ventured into newer avenues of gaming, including the realm of virtual reality (VR) games. Demonstrating their pioneering spirit, they have already unveiled the VR version of their acclaimed “Sachin Saga Cricket Champions” game, further enriching the gaming experience for players.

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Hashcube

Website www.hashcube.com

Headquarters Bangalore, Karnataka

Founders Ramprasad Rajendran and Deepan Chakravarthy

Founded 2008

Hashcube – Top gaming startups in India

From being a simple website that lets users play sudoku online, Hashcube has developed into one of the top gaming startups in India. Co-founded by Deepan Chakravarthy and Ramprasad Rajendra in 2008, the company’s journey has been nothing short of remarkable.

Today, Hashcube boasts an impressive range of games, accessible through the iOS App Store, Google Play Store, or Facebook, catering to a diverse audience. Among their standout creations are engaging titles such as “Sudoku Quest,” “Gummy Pop,” and “DotGame.” However, it is their “Sudoku Quest” that has garnered widespread acclaim, resonating with over 2 million players, making it one of the most popular game sensations to emerge from India.

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Mech Mocha

Website www.mechmocha.com

Headquarters Bangalore, Karnataka

Founders Arpita Kapoor and Mohit Rangaraju

Founded 2015

Mech Mocha – Top gaming startups in India

Mech Mocha was founded by Arpita Kapoor and Mohit Rangaraju in 2015. Their aim was to make gaming accessible and comprehensible in tier 2 and tier 3 cities.

They have a variety of games like Ludo, carrom, cricket and knife rain to their credit. They have created a vernacular gaming platform for their users. Their mobile app is called Hello Play. Their growth has been so commendable that they have attracted investors like Accel, Blume Ventures, Shuwei Capital etc. The Indian Gaming startup was acquired by Flipkart in 2020.

Other Indian Gaming Startups

Some other gaming startups in India are:
- PlaySimple Games
- Rolocule
- Zapak
- Deftouch
- Gameberry Labs
Conclusion

As we conclude our exploration of the top gaming startups in India, one thing becomes abundantly clear – the gaming industry in the country is thriving, and its potential knows no bounds. These visionary startups have harnessed the power of technology, creativity, and passion to craft exceptional gaming experiences that have resonated with players worldwide. Embrace the gaming revolution, and let the joy and excitement of these top gaming startups take you on a thrilling journey like never before!

FAQs

How many gaming companies are there in India?

According to Ambitionbox, there are over 333 gaming companies in India.

Which are the top Gaming Startups in India?

Top Gaming startups in India are:
- Dream 11
- Nazara Technologies
- Paytm First Games
- Games2Win
- Moonfrog Labs
- 99 Games
- Octro
- JetSynthesys
- Hashcube
- Mech Mocha
How are gaming startups contributing to India’s gaming industry?

Gaming startups in India are playing a crucial role in shaping the gaming landscape by introducing unique and culturally relevant gaming experiences. They are fueling innovation, creating employment opportunities, and establishing India as a significant player in the global gaming market.

Which is the leading Game app development company in India?

Hyperlink InfoSystem is a leading game app development company in India.

Which gaming startup in India has achieved unicorn status?

Dream11 is one of the gaming startups in India that achieved unicorn status in 2019.

What are the best game developer company in the world?

Some of the best game developer companies in the world are:
- Nintendo
- Ubisoft
- Sony Interactive Entertainment
- Activision Blizzard
- Epic Games
How do gaming startups monetize their games?

Gaming startups typically employ various monetization models, including in-app purchases, advertisements, subscriptions, and virtual currency systems. These strategies enable them to generate revenue while offering players free or freemium gaming experiences.

What is the future of the gaming industry in India?

The future for gaming startups in India is promising, with continued growth driven by technology adoption, an expanding user base, and the rise of esports. These startups are poised to explore new genres, embrace emerging technologies, and make India a significant player in the global gaming industry.
July 22, 2023

Website	www.dream11.com
Headquarters	Mumbai, Maharashtra
Founders	Harsh Jain, Bhavit Sheth
Founded	2008

Website	www.nazara.com
Headquarters	Mumbai, Maharashtra
Founders	Nitish Mittersain
Founded	1999

Website	www.firstgames.in
Headquarters	Noida, Uttar Pradesh
Founders	Vijay Shekhar Sharma
Founded	2018

Website	www.games2winmedia.com
Headquarters	Mumbai, Maharashtra
Founders	Alok Kejriwal and Mahesh Khambadkone
Founded	2005

Website	www.moonfroglabs.com
Headquarters	Bangalore, Karnataka
Founders	Tanay Tayal, Kumar Puspesh, and Ankit Jain
Founded	2013

Website	www.99games.in
Headquarters	Udupi, Karnataka
Founders	Rohith Bhat
Founded	2006

Website	www.octro.com
Headquarters	New Delhi
Founders	Saurabh Agarwal
Founded	2006

Website	www.jetsynthesys.com
Headquarters	Pune, Maharashtra
Founders	Rajan Navani
Founded	2014

Website	www.hashcube.com
Headquarters	Bangalore, Karnataka
Founders	Ramprasad Rajendran and Deepan Chakravarthy
Founded	2008

Website	www.mechmocha.com
Headquarters	Bangalore, Karnataka
Founders	Arpita Kapoor and Mohit Rangaraju
Founded	2015

Success Story of Vikash Jaiswal: Founder of Gametion & Creator of Ludo King

Vikash Jaiswal is the Founder and Director of Gametion Technologies Private Limited, the company which created the popular gaming app, Ludo King made for Android and IOS. Ludo King has now become one of the most popular game with 180+ million downloads. Also, it is ranked as #1 Top Free Games on Google Play and Apple App Store in India and other south-east countries. Since the lockdown, the app’s revenue has increased from three to four times. In the financial year 2020, Gametion earned a revenue of Rs.44.63 crore and profits upto Rs. 15.96 crore.

Vikash Jaiswal- Biography

Name	Vikash Jaiswal
Born	1980
Age	42 (2022)
Birthplace	Patna, Bihar
Nationality	Indian
Education	MIT Bulandshahar
Profession	Entrepreneur
Position	Founder & Director, Ludo King – Gametion Technologies Pvt. Ltd.
Net worth	$2 Million (2021)
Marital Status	Married
Spouse	Soni Jaiswal

Vikash Jaiswal – Personal Life
Vikash Jaiswal – Education
Vikash Jaiswal – Professional Life
Vikash Jaiswal – Gametion
Vikash Jaiswal – Ludo King
Vikash Jaiswal – Awards
FAQs

Vikas Jaiswal – Founder of Ludo King Developer, Gametion

Vikash Jaiswal – Personal Life

Vikash was born and brought up in Patna, Bihar, India. His father died when he was two years old and his family then survived on his father’s pension. During his early teens, he used to make hand-made greeting cards and gave them to the local shopkeepers to sell. He had a passion to play video games especially in the game parlors. Nintendo Mario games and Road Fighter were some of his favorites.

He is married to Soni Jaiswal. His wife is a business partner at Gametion. She serves as Managing Director of Gametion.

Vikash Jaiswal – Education

Vikash started pursuing Bachelor in Engineering specialized in computer science from Marathwada Institute of Technology (MIT), Bulandshahar in 1999. While studying, he had developed a video game, Eggy Boy in three months which is a seven level jump game similar to Mario. The game was named PCQuest magazine’s Game of the month for July 2003.

Moreover, he took up animation, graphic design, and 3D classes in Patna while continuing to pursue his bachelors at the same time. He completed his graduation in 2004 and thereafter, moved to Mumbai.

Vikash Jaiswal – Professional Life

Vikash Jaiswal started working with a video game publisher company, Indiagames. Ltd., as a tech lead after shifting to Mumbai in 2004. After three years, he left the job in 2008 and established mobile app developing venture, Gametion Technologies Private Limited.

The parent company Gametion launched the popular gaming app Ludo King in October 2015. Ludo King is available in more than 15 languages including English, Tamil, Malyalam, German, Spanish, Hindi, Gujarati, Telugu, Kannada, French, Arabic, Marathi, Italian, Bengali, and Bahasa Indonesia.

The success of Ludo King persuaded Vikash to work on newer titles. Gametion also launched two other board games Carrom King and Sudoku King, which is headed by his wife, Soni Jaiswal.

Vikash Jaiswal – Gametion

After quitting his job, Vikash started his venture Gametion in 2008 with an investment of Rs. 2.5 lakh and a team of seven. He worked at home for two years and officially launched Gametion Technologies in 2010, with a small office at Kharghar, Navi Mumbai.

Initially, the company made browser games and eventually shifted to make games for Android and iOS. The browser games were published on oneonlinegames.com. Vikash serves as the Founder and Director at Gametion Technologies Private Limited.

Gametion is a mobile app developer and publisher that dwells in making popular and trending games for multiple platforms. Moreover, Gametion participated in the IGDC 2019 event, which is one of the most noteworthy game conference in South Asia.

Vikash Jaiswal – Ludo King

The idea of developing an application software for Ludo propagated in his mind when he came across a Snake and Ladders game app in October 2015. Vikash serves as the Founder and Director of Ludo King. He has developed the Ludo King app with one programmer and one graphic designer.

Ludo King was officially launched in December 2016 and got listed in the top charts in May 2017. Eventually, it had over 120 million users worldwide, of which 100 were from India itself and the rest included users from Pakistan, Indonesia, Nepal, Saudi Arabia, Brazil.

Ludo King ranks in the top 10 board games category in India. Moreover, the app became the first Indian mobile game to cross 100 million downloads. During the lockdown, it has recorded maximum daily users with around 51 million. The lockdown has cordially increased the audience base of Ludo King and it has become the most successful Indian game till date.

The sudden and huge amount of traffic which arose during the lockdown period was unexpected. The team has not initially planned and developed the application software for such a big base audiences. It took ten days to resolve the crashing problem of Ludo King that usually happened during the afternoon and the night.

Vikash Jaiswal – Awards

At the 19th FICCI FRAMES Best Animated Frames (BAF) Awards, Vikash received the Mobile & Tablet Game: Arcade/Casual International in Gaming for Ludo King.

He has also been recognized as “Icons of Navi Mumbai” by the Economic Times. Moreover, Gametion has been accorded with Bootstrap Champ award at the ET Startup Awards 2020.

FAQs

Who is Vikash Jaiswal?

Vikash Jaiswal is an Indian Entrepreneur who founded Gametion Technologies Pvt. Ltd.

Who is the CEO of Ludo king?

Ludo King is developed by Gametion Technologies. Vikash Jaiswal is the CEO of Ludo King.

Is Ludo king a Indian app?

Ludo King is an Indian mobile game application developed by Mumbai based Gametion Technologies Pvt. Ltd. Gametion is owned by Vikash Jaiswal.

What is the net worth of Vikash Jaiswal?

Vikash Jaiswal has net worth of $2 Million (2021).

January 20, 2022

Evolution of Gaming Industry: History, Present & Future [Case Study]

Real-life can be boring. If you are someone who is a student, or a working professional, life can be pretty repetitive. Thus, not only students and employees, everyone is looking for a fun way to go through the day. We try to find a good escape from time to time. This is an article about the most famous escape that people follow to get through their hours.

Moreover, as computers are getting smaller and smaller, almost to the size of our palms. We can see a surge in mobile gamers as well. This slope is likely not to go down with time, it has only risen from the past. Go to YouTube and search any game, you will see a plethora of streamers making their content around games. This is how creators go on about making their brand.

The Increasing Gaming Fad
Gaming as a Profitable Business
The History of the Gaming Industry
The Present of the Gaming Industry
Future of the Gaming Industry
Is Gaming a Viable Career Option?
FAQ

The Increasing Gaming Fad

Young population

If you Google, what is the average age in India, you will get the result as 28.4 years. This tells us that India is a supremely youthful nation. Youngblood is known to have a new way of looking at things. As they occupy the most population, we can see a large number of people, who are rethinking career options. Traditional careers are a thing of the past now.

Gaming is Fun

Come on, I didn’t think much before writing this point. Gaming is fun. How many of us have played Mario, Contra, or Road rash in our childhood. Who does not know about Pacman? even grandmas know about Candy Crush.

You must be living under a rock in a village if you haven’t heard about these names before. The fact that gaming is fun, makes it accessible to all of the generations. If you are 5 or your age is 55, games will find a soft spot in your heart. They are the perfect water for quenching your adrenaline rush.

The Required Technological Boost

India is bullish on the tech revolution. This is actually an understatement, as it is already happening. We all are seeing a boom in the tech sector. As the boom rises on many scales it is seen that tech is becoming more and more accessible. As I say accessible, I also mean that technology is getting economical and cheaper for everyone. This leaves people with more tech in their hands, and with more time comes more games. Thus, more gamers.

Gaming as a Profitable Business

Gaming is not just a harmless time pass, it is an extremely profitable business too. It is so profitable that it is regarded as having more dense profits than the global box office and global music business. Let us discuss the past and present of this field. Then we will ascertain if this is a viable career option or not. Read on to know.

The History of the Gaming Industry

The history of video games started as early as the 1950s. They were at the very inception were just seen as a recreational activity. Computer engineers made them kill time. One such engineer and inventor thought of lifting the whole game by making these games mainstream. His name was Ralph Baer.

Ralph Baer

Baer is considered the inventor of video games, especially the concept of TV consoles. He one day started to think about the possibility of playing games on a television screen. As television sets were becoming more affordable in his home country, Baer saw an opportunity. An opportunity to make games more than just time pass. To give them the honour that they deserve, according to him. He always wanted games to be in the mainstream rather than on the sidelines of everyday life.

He used to work at an American defence company when he got the idea. It was just another fantasy at that time. Baer was serious and stepped up to invent something for the first time. He made a brown box. Well, not so ordinary brown box but a gaming TV console. Being the first of its kind, people went frenzy over it. Now, the box may seem pretty simple but back then it was the best thing for somebody to own. It launched its first game named “Magnavox Odyssey”. 130,000 units were sold in its very first 12 months.

Magnavox Odyssey

From the year 1972 to 1981, more or less about ten different consoles were being traded in the market. Each of them was inspired by the first console ever ‘the brown box’. Famous names popped in the market like – Atari, Farichild channel F, Bally Astrocade, Mattel Intellivision, and the likes.

This was the time when the gaming market was booming to the brim. This happened also to be the time when Nintendo entered this hot market. Nintendo came and took the market by storm with a legendary game called ‘Mario’. Nintendo before that was purely focused on playing cards but then shifted its main focus to the video gaming industry. Mario was the game that took the whole market by a tornado. It instantly became a fashion among young people, to collect Mario cassettes.

Super Mario Bros

Even to this day, Mario is the best selling franchise in the world, with over 670 million in sales. It is truly fascinating and followed by Tetris with and Pokémon sales as 495 and 368 million of sales revenue. Then came another legendary Road Rash by Electronic Arts, Sonic the hedgehog, Streetfighter, Tetris and the market barometer was knocked out of the park.

Every company was trying to get a slice of the cake of the video gaming industry. Microsoft added games to its windows, Sony jumped into the scenario too, with PlayStation. PlayStation is the most sold gaming console in the whole world, with over 430 million in sales.

2020 Global Games Market

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The Present of the Gaming Industry

In 2019 the gaming industry at the global level was marked at a valuation of 151 billion dollars. That is literally 7 times the GDP of Afghanistan. In the pandemic year 2020, nearly 2.7 billion people were into gaming, that is a good chunk of the whole population.

Not only that, games are not just personal time-passes now. It is a national time pass now, yes, we do have gaming world cups. First held in 2019, with an audience of 23,000. The prize of that Fortnite World Cup was 3 Million dollars, which in every sense is pretty huge.

Fortnite World Cup

Gamers are celebrated as celebrities, they have a fan following of thousands and even millions. Moreover, they are just teenagers and young adults. In this age, having a fan following in millions is a huge milestone in itself. Not only people, Brands to are going frenzy over deals. They are tapping into game development companies to make characters that promote brand names.

Brands like Adidas, Puma, Louis Vuitton have collaborated with game makers to make characters exclusive wearing their signature suits. This proves how rooted and widespread this industry has become.

Adidas Collaboration with Popular Fortnite Youtuber – Ninja

Then too, games are not even leaving the movie and film space, they are woven into stories and made into films for fans all over the world. Movies like Mortal Kombat, Resident Evil, Need For Speed, Tekken etc. are blockbusters to name a few. Movies like these do very well with gamers and to add to the spice, it increases game sales revenue.

India has not grown into a hub yet but is showing signs of untapped potential. Despite being a young nation, we have not yet made expected space in this domain. According to a report, there were about 120 million gamers online in 2016 and on average each spent 42 minutes every single day on games. This really proves that India has great potential but is lagging in some sense. Right now this is not a structured industry in India. It can be and surely more or less, it will be in the future.

In our country, India, gamers mostly are skewed to the content side. They are more like content creators on YouTube. They mix gameplays with their commentary and pop culture references to fetch some subscribers, which in turn make them a little famous and get them brand deals.

So again, India is not structured as we see with the lens of gaming. It is varied in dimensions and it lacks clarity. However it is always changing and refuses to be constant, it is becoming better and better. With games like Free Fire and top game brands organizing tournaments and championships, gamers are forecasted to grow. It will take some time to actually be in the line with global standards, but it is surely on the right path to it.

The Expected Future of the Gaming Industry

What the future of this industry will look like is yet to be seen and only time will tell how many other industries it will affect. It is already so big at the global level that it combines the film and music industry in it totally and completely. Indian gamers have to wait a bit on being professional gamers but if you want to work in-game building, there is enough space for you.

With tournaments and championships being hosted by brands every other day, like Free Fire, we will see surges in this space. As the Indian gaming industry goes from being unorganized to an organized sector, we will see many gamer professionals. They will be treated like athletes in future global championships and as always hopes remain high with India.

Is Gaming a Viable Career Option?

When we talk about gaming, it is not just playing but it also includes much more. Things like game building, game designing, game animation, game programming also come into subsets. All these can be a career choice and you can train in them professionally.

When it comes to people who want to play games, then the hard truth is that you need to build an audience for yourself. You need to create a name and some sort of fame for yourself. You need to work a lot on your gaming skills, not just that if you are someone who wants to face a competitive gaming field, then you have to train even harder.

A good thing is that creating an audience is much easier in this world now. You can create a YouTube channel and get going with a nice PC or a console. You can work on your branding with tools available for free online. But the main thing is that you are on your own. You need to do whatever, will enhance you as a gamer or a public figure. This way is uncertain for sure but if you can make it work its a great career option. All you need is a nice beast PC, a console and the undying will to take over the whole world, more or less.

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Conclusion

Deriving a conclusion is hard on this topic as it is constantly evolving. Getting better and bigger not only in the world’s top countries but in India too, which is seen as a developing country. One thing can be said with surety that India has potential. With the right direction and a little more added fuel, it can go to the stars.

Being a gamer can be hard in India but the domain has many edges, you can build games, programme them, make them big and much more. You can get professional training in all these above-mentioned fields.

FAQ

What is the gaming industry worth?

The global gaming market was valued at USD 173.70 billion in 2020.

What is the most popular gaming companies in the World?

The Biggest Video Game Companies in the World are Sony, Tencent, Nintendo, Activision Blizzard, Electronic Arts and Epic Games.

Does gaming have a future in India?

Yes, the Indian gaming industry is growing at a fast pace and is expected to generate $2 billion by 2023.

November 30, 2021
Growth Of Indian Gaming Industry During Pandemic

The Indian online gaming Industry is growing at an exponential rate upon year and is expected to be worth $1.1 billion by 2021. The industry has experienced a drastic growth at the beginning of 2020 due to the pandemic. When other businesses shut down, the gaming industry got lots of new users. The number of games doubled after the lockdown and is expected to rise in 2021.

Online gaming has gained a strong foothold within the India entertainment industry. With a projected user base of more than 628 million gamers, this gives a whole new boost to the Indian economy. This industry contains game developers, designers, investors, marketers and gamers of all ages working together to come up with the latest cutting games, concepts and offers for players. Gaming has become one of India most exciting industries with more investment from both companies and consumers every year.

The online gaming industry is still quite an unexplored area in India but the companies that have taken the leap are flourishing and are now expected to grow by 41% in 2021. All this interest and potential makes India one of the top gaming markets amongst emerging global economies. Statistics show that the Indian gaming markets is the fastest growing one in the world.

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A Brief About The Indian Gaming Industry
Gaming Industry During The Covid Pandemic
The Reasons For The Growth Of Online Gaming Industry
FAQ’s
Conclusion

A Brief About The Indian Gaming Industry

According to a report ‘Gaming- India Story’, the online gaming Industry is said to be growing at the rate of CAGR of 22%. The report also claimed that the Indian Gaming Industry is expected to grow 41% annually due to the growth of digital infrastructure rise in quality and engaging gaming content. The gaming Industry in India is said to be valued at $3,750, by 2021. So far, the industry has attracted $350 million in investments from venture capitalists from 2014 to 2020.

Value of gaming companies from the financial year of 2007 to 2020 with estimates until 2022

Pankaj Karna, the managing director of Maple Capital Advisors said that, “With growing internet penetration, compelling economics, usage statistics and increasing ecosystem of entrepreneurs and developers focusing on this space we expect good growth in investments which are likely to at least double in this space in the next 1 – 2 years.” India has become the second largest market worldwide for app worldwide for app downloads.

The three key segments of online gaming are Real Money Games (RMG), Mobile centric or casual games and Esports. There has been a huge increase in the number of smartphone users which is why many gaming developers are looking on to capitalize on. At present, there are over 400 gaming startups and more than 500 million smartphone users in India, making mobile gaming lead by 85% share of the total online gaming sector in India.

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Gaming Industry During The Covid Pandemic

Due to Covid 19 and substantial lockdown, visits to online gaming websites or apps rose by 24%. Moreover, engagement as measured by the amount of time spent on gaming sites or apps, also increased by 21% during the same time period. Platform such as Games2Win, WinZo Games, Hitwicket, Gamerji and Rummy recorded a tremendous increase in daily user’s base as well as the time spent playing those games. While Indian gaming companies like Dream11 and MPL are known worldwide.

Top Gaming Companies in India

In 2020 however, Esports have shown strong user growth and profitability, and so has the real money games, which besides lockdown also increased after the ban of popular multiplayer games like PUBG. Winzo games reported three times more user engagement and 30% higher traffic in online mobile gaming. Similarly Paytm First games also reported 200% increase, with 75,000 new users only during the pandemic.

Three in every five serious gamers are now playing for around four hours more than before the lockdown. Mobile gaming in particular as seen a steady rise during the lockdown as there were many people at their homes. During this time, around 15% of the Indian gamers shifted from playing freemium games to paid games. Through a survey, most gamers also agreed that mobile gaming helped them overcome isolation.

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The Reasons For The Growth Of Online Gaming Industry

Accessibility to smartphones

The smartphones market plays a crucial role in the gaming industry. The increased competition requires offering more reasonable prices. As a result, anyone can afford a smartphone with great features. Along with the availability of faster internet connection, this leads to the perfect conditions for online gaming growth. The market will grow even more when people get access to a mobile device.

Gadgets used for playing video games in India

Investments by Chinese Tech firms

Chinese tech companies invested in the Indian gaming markets. According to estimates they managed to invest over $8 billion in the Tech sector. Companies such as Alibaba and Tescent gained stakes in some in some of the top Indian gaming companies. The government has recently put restrictions on Chinese investments during the Covid 19 Pandemic.

This however, did not stop the investors from investing in Indian gaming companies. Paytm First Games and Daraz has launched a successful gaming platform in Bangladesh. Tencent experienced a fall due to the lack of sporting events in the lockdown. But, they chose to invest in Dream 11, as they saw potential in the platform.

More people equals to more players

India has the second highest population in the world, with over 1.3 billion inhabitants as of the beginning of 2020. This means that there is a massive untapped base for the gaming industry in India, which has already benefitted the Indian economy to a great extent. The main reason for some games to get popular are when some people talk to each other and invite their family members to group games, influence their peer groups and spread the word about their games. This leaves a lot of scope for the gaming industry to make a foray into.

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Skill gaming options

Youngsters in India love to play skill games. When it comes to the online availability of different games has taken this sector to a whole new level. There are numerous sites available so that Indians can choose their favorite games. The market needs to expand market the options and offers many more choices for different tastes. The game providers need to introduce more free games for passionate players.

Growing culture

The increase of number of players, results in a convenient gaming culture. The revenue generated will help the gaming industry grow and will help the local gaming communities and the ecosystems that include developers as well as consumers. In the last decade, the number of Indian game development companies has increased from 25 to 250, with new gaming startups appearing every month. It’s more appealing for the public to spend their money on businesses and companies that will develop products that are tailored to their own local tastes.

FAQ’s

Is the gaming industry growing?

Game console revenue, which includes the hardware and all game software and services, is expected to rise 20% worldwide compared with 2019, to $52.5 billion, according to Ward. Looking at digital PC and Mac sales, global revenue is expected to rise 11% from a year ago, to $39.5 billion.

Is the gaming industry dying?

The gaming industry is very far from dying, but there is a massive problem with the economics of the gaming industry at both the high and low end, and both of these problems mean that taking risks is dangerous. So the video game industry is playing it safe and probably too safe at the moment.

Why gaming industry is the best?

The gaming industry is considered to be one of the most exciting industries in tech because of its importance to culture, entertainment, and technological advancement.

Which country has the biggest gaming industry?

As of 2020, it is estimated that China ranks first among the biggest gaming markets worldwide, with a revenue of 40.85 billion U.S. dollars. The video gaming market in the United States ranked second, generating an approximate 36.92 billion U.S. dollars in annual revenues.

How big is the gaming industry?

Video games are a billion-dollar business and have been for many years. In 2020, the revenue from the worldwide PC gaming market was estimated at almost 37 billion U.S. dollars, while the mobile gaming market generated an estimated income of over 77 billion U.S. dollars.

Conclusion

Due to the widespread coronavirus pandemic, the gaming industry is thriving and growing like anything. This is because of the precautions that are taken for coronavirus. Social distancing has made people limit interaction with each other. This has led to a downfall in consumer and business activities. Online Gaming has become the platform that has provided an engaging distraction for people seeking social interaction.

Looking at the situation where it may take a while for the pandemic to settle and cool down, the expectation of the video games industry is to continue its upward growth trend. The gaming community is looking at a post-pandemic gaming world with a steady flow of new titles, campaigns on social media, quizzes and competitions. There is no stopping to the Gaming Industry that has made people interact in crisis situations.

April 4, 2021
The Online Gaming Industry in India [Case Study]
We all like to play games, as it is considered to be one of the most intriguing activities for amusement and leisure. Be it Candy crush or PUB-G the craze for games in India has been on top. It is often said that this fun activity has the power to make you happy as it increases your brain function, releases serotonin which is a chemical that makes us feel delightful.

Well, the allure of playing games is not new, be it board games or virtual games, the excitement of it has always increased in India. After the technological advancement and the history of gaming has completely changed and transformed.

The one prominent area which did not get relatively affected by the Covid-19 pandemic was the gaming industry all over the world. In fact, the pandemic lockdown gave a boost to this industry since people were forced to sit at their homes and explore some leisure activities.

According to a survey, there was a 30% increased in traffic in online mobile gaming in India during this period. Also, Paytm First Games reported that they saw an increase of 200% in the users of this online gaming platform.

Timeline of Gaming Industry
The Current Gaming Scenario in India
Gamers and their Preferences
Top 10 online games in India
Future of Gaming Industry in India
FAQ

Timeline of Gaming Industry

18th Century: It was those times when people first discovered the concept of games in the Egyptian Dynasties. Later on in the 18th century as people started evolving the invention of card games and board games began to happen.

19th Century: People realized this leisure activity can be commercialized. Also this time people became advanced with the facilities of printing and manufacturing and hence started to produce the more vibrant and rich card and board games. For the first time, Monopoly was introduced in the year 1902 which is still a big sensation today when it comes to board games.

In the late 1930s, when computers were built the gaming advancements also began. The simple card games and board games were thought to be converted in the form of electronic means as well.

1950s–1990s: This was the era when the very first computer games and video games started becoming popular. Home computers had built-in games and portable video games became trendy. When mobile phones were released in the late 1990’s people in India were crazy about games like ‘Snakes’ on Nokia phones.

2000 – 2010: As the technology started upgrading and the mobile phones became better and better, the digital gaming industry valued around $5 billion.

2011 – 2016: When the technology rapidly started growing, VR games were introduced to people. The evolution of cameras, graphics, and sound quality enhanced the user experience in the gaming industry.

2016 – Today: Since 2016 till date, the global mobile gaming industry has never seen a huge downfall. Along with mobile phones, tablets, and laptops, people started purchasing specialized PCs that are designed to play heavy games with the most effective graphics and user interface. The trend of playing games professionally has also increased a lot in the Indian market.

Flipkart Acquires Mobile Gaming Startup Mech Mocha

E-commerce site Flipkart recently announced that it had acquired theintellectual property from mobile gaming startup Mech Mocha, in a bid tostrengthen its gaming strategy. Mech Mocha is a mobile gaming startup [/tag/gaming-startup/#] that owns thecountry’s first live-social gaming platform know…

StartupTalkyTanusha Verma

The Current Gaming Scenario in India

In the past few years, the gaming industry in India is flourishing tremendously. From $62 billion in 2019 to $90 billion in 2020, the market continues to grow in robust ways. During the lockdown, the major segments that contributed to the growth were esports, mobile gaming, and real money gaming. The gaming industry has also been very significant in creating numerous job opportunities for people.

Today mobile gaming in India has reached millions of people. There are more than 600 million gamers around us and this is not going to stop anytime soon. India ranks 5th in engagement and awareness of gaming around the globe and this shows that people are totally involved in this segment.

Value of the gaming industry in India from financial year 2015 to 2020

Gaming firms have now started earning handsome revenues from this sector by generating a huge volume of game downloads, shooting advertisements, and elevating user experience. These companies also charge their customers some amount for premium game packs, subscriptions, purchases of coins, and other such chargeable extensions.

Gamers and their Preferences

Even though many games are considered to be gender-neutral, but there are games that are specifically designed for males or females. Today over 80% of the gamers population is below the age of 24 years while only 8% of the people age above 40. Youngsters tend to your internet more and play online games. According to the statistics, over 83% of the gamers’ population is male while only 17% is female.

While categorizing the genre of games, females prefer games that are related to puzzle or arcade games, whereas males prefer games that have action, sports, and thrill. Usually, such games are heavy in usage and require efficient devices. India has world-class infrastructure, IT skills, and more than that, the talent which has advanced gaming technology. The gamers enjoy the games developed by gaming centers like Microsoft, Disney, Sony, Playdom, UbiSoft, etc.

Top 10 online games in India

Here is the list of Top 10 games that Indians have absolutely loved and have been most trendy to date –
- PUB-G (now banned)
- Candy Crush
- Clash of Clans
- Fortnite
- Call of Duty
- Subway Surfer
- Among Us
- FIFA
- 8 ball pool
- Counter-Strike
And a few more like Ludo, Rummy, Teen Patti, etc.

Top 10 Online Fantasy Gaming Companies in India

Time and again, an app comes into play that floods up the market share. OnlineFantasy Games has become more common in the last 2 decades and shockingly it hassecured top gear in India. Because, if by creating your own imaginary team, youcould earn some real money, then, why not? Let’s dive in an…

StartupTalkyAvantika Bhardwaj

Future of Gaming Industry in India

1. Age and gender dominance is likely to improve in the near future. Online gaming will soon see a shift in the age and gender composition of the total population since the huge untapped market is likely to experience this world of gaming

2. Cloud gaming is going to get very popular especially in India. All people would need to have is a stable internet connection and they could get an experience of gaming like never before.

3. Freemium companies will help the industry to get better economic conditions. We are a very price-sensitive market and freemium gamers would continue to search for alternatives if the companies start charging for premium services.

4. Emerging technologies will help our country to uplift the gaming industry even more. The use of artificial intelligence augmented reality in games, virtual reality, modular technology, and cloud based gaming infrastructure will be the key drivers of the gaming industry in the future.

FAQ

How big is the gaming industry in India?

The online gaming industry in India is expected to grow up to $2.8 billion till 2022.

How much does the gaming industry make 2020?

Global gaming industry is expected to surge $179 billion in 2020.

Which country has the most gamers?

According to Statista, Vietnam is the country with most number of gamers as of 2020.

Conclusion

The Indian online gaming industry is growing every month these days. Especially after the pandemic, when kids have more time and even the adults got introduced to this world of gaming. Moreover, it has even given opportunities to entrepreneurs to find more ways to market their products. Additionally, there are startups emerging in this industry and even investors are heavily funding these startups seeing their potential to grow in the country.
February 27, 2021