Level Up or Game Over: The Unseen Economy of Indian Gaming
By Tanvi Ibrahim Patankar | Editor in chief: Asia Correspondent
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Photo : Google Inc
As high-speed internet spreads and mobile screens light up even in India’s remotest corners, a new revolution is unfolding not on factory floors, but in virtual arenas. Gaming is no longer child’s play. It’s a serious, billion-dollar business one that’s reshaping careers, content, and commerce.
What Exactly Is the Gaming Economy?
It’s not just about playing, it's about streaming, coding, designing, competing, and even investing. From e-sports athletes and YouTube gamers to indie developers and animation artists, India’s gaming ecosystem is growing into a vibrant industry with real incomes and real influence.
"Gaming isn’t escapism anymore. It’s an economy and a loud one," says Srishti Mishra, a game design mentor in Bengaluru. "We’re seeing 18-year-olds earn more than MBAs and build personal brands doing it."
The Market That's Quietly Winning
According to the KPMG India Report (2023), the Indian gaming market is expected to cross $7.5 billion by 2028, led by mobile gaming, content creators, and casual gamers.
India now ranks among the top 5 global markets for mobile gaming with over 500 million users. Yet, the industry's perception still struggles. Many parents, educators, and even policymakers dismiss it as a “timepass” rather than a career.
The Top global markets for mobile gaming, alongside are :
- China – World’s largest market with massive domestic gaming production
- United States – Dominant in mobile game revenue and player spending
- Japan – High ARPU (Average Revenue Per User) and a mature gaming audience
- India – Leading in downloads and user base (500+ million gamers)
- Brazil – Rapidly growing casual gaming population, especially on mobile
Despite this growth, the industry's perception still struggles. Many parents, educators, and even policymakers dismiss it as a “timepass” rather than a career.
Photo : Emma Thompson
The Disconnect: Talent vs. Taboo
While some young Indians are earning in lakhs through competitive gaming, many face social resistance, lack of formal training, and regulatory uncertainty.
- Monetization Mysteries: Most creators are self-taught and struggle with how to monetize Twitch or YouTube platforms.
- Skill Gap: Gaming courses are limited and often outdated in Indian institutions.
- Legal Grey Areas: Online gaming laws vary across states, with debates around skill vs. gambling.
- Mental Health: Extended screen time, irregular hours, and online trolling take a toll.
“Being a gamer in India still feels like being an outcast,” says 22-year-old e-sports athlete Varun Ahuja. “We win global tournaments, but get zero recognition back home.”
Global XP: What Other Nations Are Doing
In South Korea, e-sports is televised, and top gamers are national celebrities. China invests heavily in gaming tech R&D. Finland offers government support for indie game developers. Meanwhile, in India, the government has only recently announced plans for an AVGC (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics) task force, but execution is still patchy.
A Path Forward for India’s Gaming Economy
- Recognize Gaming as a Creative Industry: Allow tax breaks, investment support, and formal representation like film and media enjoy.
- Incorporate Game Design in Education: Skill India programs should offer game development, animation, coding, and streaming management.
- Mental Health & Creator Safety: Introduce platforms and policies to support mental well-being, harassment reporting, and financial literacy.
- Parent & Public Awareness: Campaigns to demystify gaming careers can help shift outdated perceptions.
A Gaming Revolution Begins With You
Whether you’re a gamer, a coder, a viewer, or a parent the joystick isn’t just in the hands of players anymore. It’s in the collective consciousness. Gaming is not an enemy of productivity, it's a new frontier of possibility.
India can lead the gaming world not just in numbers, but in creativity, careers, and community. But to get there, we need to shift the dialogue from "Why are you wasting time?" to "What are you building in the game today?"
Because if we keep dismissing play, we might just miss the next big player in the economy.
Photo : Roby John
Sources : KPMG India Report 2023 – Gaming Sector, Statista – India Gaming User Growth 2023–2028, AVGC Task Force Announcement – Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, India (2022), Interviews with Game Creators – YourStory, 2022-23
