India Gaming Market Overview, 2030

The popularity of low-cost smartphones and data plans has contributed to a notable change in India's gaming business from PC to mobile gaming. The mobile gaming revolution of the 2010s democratized access throughout both urban and rural India, although in the early days of Indian gaming, players mostly played PC-based games like Counter-Strike and Age of Empires in cyber cafés. With mobile games like Clash of Clans, Free Fire, and Ludo King becoming household names, gaming has entered the mainstream. Nevertheless, despite continuous improvements in telecom infrastructure that are closing this gap, difficulties such as erratic internet access and lower smartphone penetration in rural areas continue to be obstacles. The popularity of indigenous language games has increased gaming's attractiveness in India. Developers have increasingly localized games into Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Bengali, and other languages in response to the country's linguistic variety, making sure that users in various areas can play games in their own languages. By making the gaming experience more relatable and enjoyable, this localization has allowed mobile games to enter semi-urban and rural areas. The prohibition of PUBG Mobile in 2020 as a result of geopolitical conflicts was one of the most significant developments in the history of Indian gaming. The ban momentarily halted the growth of India's esports sector since PUBG Mobile was a mainstay of mobile esports competitions throughout the country. As a result, games such as Call of Duty Mobile and Battlegrounds Mobile India BGMI gained popularity as alternatives, signaling a resurgence in competitive gaming. With games like BGMI, Free Fire, and Valorant at the forefront, India's esports environment is currently dominated by tournaments with a mobile-first approach. These events have become more well-known thanks to the influence of influencers and streaming sites

According to the research report, ""India Gaming Market Overview, 2030,"" published by Bonafide Research, the India Gaming market is anticipated to add to more than USD 5.84 Billion by 2025–30. Hyper-casual mobile games, which are distinguished by their straightforward mechanics, brief gameplay sessions, and minimal hardware requirements, have experienced a significant rise in the Indian gaming sector. From schoolchildren to the elderly, these games, including Candy Crush, Temple Run, and Ludo King, have gained a wide audience. Their accessibility and addictive gameplay loops have led to tremendous expansion, particularly in areas where console and PC gaming are still niche markets. The prevalence of freemium models, in which games may be downloaded for free but are monetized through in-app purchases IAPs or ads, is directly related to this popularity. With many users prepared to view advertisements or make microtransactions for improved experiences or aesthetic improvements, the freemium model is especially effective in India's price-conscious market. Gaming firms have been forming alliances with telecommunications companies more and more in order to speed up this expansion. Telecom companies such Reliance Jio and Airtel partner with game developers to provide special data packages, quicker in-game downloads, and promotional events. By increasing the availability of gaming material, particularly in areas where consumers depend on restricted mobile data bundles, these collaborations are essential in closing the urban-rural gap. Concurrently, there has been a significant expansion in influencer-led promotions, with Indian gaming influencers such as Mortal, Scout, and Payal Gaming attracting millions of followers on YouTube and Instagram. These influencers not only boost engagement for certain games but also help establish gaming as a legitimate profession in India's youth culture. The emphasis on producing local material that caters to regional preferences and cultural contexts is a defining trend. Indian festivals, themes, and language localization are now regularly integrated into games by developers.

The popularity of smartphones and low-cost internet access has led to the dominance of the mobile gaming business in India's gaming market. The majority of the industry's income comes from mobile gaming, with games like BGMI, Free Fire, Clash of Clans, and Call of Duty Mobile leading the way in both urban and rural areas. Millions of Indians of all ages have turned mobile gaming into a daily ritual due to the ease of use, vernacular language support, and accessibility via app stores. Despite the fact that the market for PC gaming is still somewhat specialized when compared to mobile, it has a commanding presence in the esports and enthusiast sectors. Games like Valorant, Counter-Strike 2, and Dota 2 have devoted fan groups, notably in metropolitan areas and university campuses. With the widespread availability of affordable gaming laptops and GPUs, home setups have replaced gaming cafes, which used to be the hub of multiplayer PC gaming. Interest in competitive PC games has been further stimulated by the growth of streaming sites like Twitch and YouTube Gaming. On the other hand, console gaming has a smaller but ardent fan base. Due to the significant initial investment in hardware and games, platforms like PlayStation and Xbox are mostly restricted to urban middle- and higher-income homes. But console gaming is still popular, especially among dedicated gamers, because of its unique games and cinematic narrative experiences. Advances in internet infrastructure and the deployment of 5G are driving the growth of cloud gaming and game streaming, which are a rising industry in India. The public is beginning to pay attention to services like Xbox Cloud Gaming and NVIDIA GeForce NOW, which provide high-end gaming experiences without the need for pricey gear. In semi-urban and rural regions, however, internet consistency continues to restrict adoption.

The majority of the Indian gaming industry's revenue comes from the Free-to-Play F2P with In-App Purchases IAP model. In the price-conscious Indian market, where gamers favor free access to games but are ready to pay for in-game cosmetics, skins, power-ups, or advancement enhancements, this model is quite popular. Driven by the rapid growth of India's digital payment system, well-known games like BGMI, Clash Royale, and Free Fire generate millions of dollars in revenue each year via microtransactions. The popularity of free-to-play is directly related to the growth of mobile gaming, as cheap smartphones have made games available to millions of users who were previously not part of the gaming community. The pay-to-play full game purchase model does exist, but it appeals to a somewhat smaller and more devoted clientele. The majority of consumers of AAA console and PC games like FIFA, Elden Ring, and GTA V are affluent urban gamers. In India, however, this model's widespread appeal has been hampered by the comparatively large upfront expenses of these games, as well as by the fact that most gamers have little spare cash for amusement. Nonetheless, there are sometimes surges in full-game purchases as a result of Steam deals and reduced bundles. The other primary source of income, particularly in casual and hyper-casual mobile games, is ad-supported gaming. Many Indian gamers put up with in-game advertisements in order to access free content, and developers make good money by using rewarded video ads, interstitials, and banner placements. This model is a main source of revenue for smaller developers and independent studios, especially for games that appeal to a broad audience. Other models, such as Apple Arcade and Xbox Game Pass, which operate on a subscription basis, are gradually becoming popular, particularly among iOS and console users in metropolitan areas. These premium options might experience growth as disposable income and broadband access rise. Nevertheless, the free-to-play model with in-app purchases and ad-supported ecosystems will continue to dominate India's gaming monetization in the near future.

India's gaming market is incredibly diverse across age groups, with each group making a unique contribution to the industry's expansion. Due in large part to the availability of mobile games, the under-18 sector constitutes one of the biggest consumer bases. Teenagers adore games like Subway Surfers, Free Fire, and Minecraft. Generally speaking, these young players like adventure, battle royale, and casual games. However, there is also a lot of regulatory scrutiny in this area, particularly when it comes to screen time, online behavior, and the possibility of making in-app purchases. This cohort's gaming behaviors are beginning to be influenced by parental restrictions and increased understanding of digital well-being. In terms of player participation and purchasing power, the 19-35 age range is the center of India's gaming industry. This demographic, which includes students, young professionals, and esports fans, actively participates in competitive gaming environments, such as BGMI, Call of Duty: Mobile, and Valorant. They are the main force behind the expansion of Indian esports competitions, influencer gaming content on sites like YouTube and Loco, and microtransaction-based revenue models. Furthermore, as disposable incomes increase and gaming becomes an accepted pastime and social activity, this sector is exhibiting growing interest in console and PC gaming. Compared to the other categories, the 36 and above section is smaller, but it is expanding steadily, particularly in metropolitan regions. A large number of people in this age range play mobile-based card games, riddles, and casual games like Candy Crush or Ludo King, frequently as a way to pass the time while traveling or taking breaks. Particularly those from tech-savvy backgrounds, some older players participate in simulation or strategy games. With simpler interfaces, vernacular material, and family-friendly gaming experiences, older adults are expected to participate more as gaming becomes more accepted as mainstream entertainment in India.

The gender dynamics in India's gaming industry are shifting, with a steady increase in the number of female players altering the scene, despite the historical dominance of male gamers in the market. The male demographic has historically been more active, especially in action-packed genres like multiplayer online battle arenas MOBA, battle royale, and first-person shooters FPS. Factors including competitive esports, peer influence, and aspirational gaming careers have led to a sizable male player base for games like BGMI, Free Fire, and Call of Duty: Mobile. Furthermore, male gamers are more engaged users of streaming services like Loco and YouTube Gaming, and they tend to generate revenue via in-game purchases, premium battle passes, and involvement in esports tournaments. But with the widespread use of mobile devices and hyper-casual games, the proportion of female gamers in India has been growing significantly. Women from various age groups have responded well to titles such as Ludo King, Candy Crush, and Subway Surfers. Indian women are increasingly participating in mainstream competitive games and mobile esports, dispelling outdated stereotypes that gaming is a pastime mostly dominated by males. Payal Gaming, Kaash Plays, and Mavi are female streamers and influencers who have helped break down barriers, fostering more female involvement in both gaming and content development. Although gaming platforms and developers are progressively prioritizing inclusive features and safer online areas for women, problems like gender-based harassment in multiplayer settings still exist. In spite of this, a lot of tournament organizers and gaming communities are establishing specialized spaces or events to promote and empower female players. Brands and advertisers have also noticed this change, creating advertisements that appeal to women.

Considered in this report
• Historic Year: 2019
• Base year: 2024
• Estimated year: 2025
• Forecast year: 2030

Aspects covered in this report
• Gaming Market with its value and forecast along with its segments
• Various drivers and challenges
• On-going trends and developments
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation

By Platform
• Mobile Gaming (Smartphones & Tablets)
• PC Gaming
• Console Gaming
• Cloud Gaming / Game Streaming

By Revenue Model
• Free-to-Play (F2P) with In-App Purchases (IAP)
• Pay-to-Play (Full Game Purchase)
• Ad-Supported Gaming
• Others

By Age Group
• Less than 18
• 19-35
• 36 and above

By Gender
• Male
• Female Show more