Esports are a new kind of online sport popular in western countries but now becoming popular in Asia, including India. It is a new breed of game often thought to be the usual online game, but it’s not. It is something that needs competitive gameplay. It is in a league or tournament format and would entail in-depth skills. It was a big hit with the younger population, but is now becoming more mainstream for gamers of all ages. Esports in India is rapidly growing because of the increasing number of developers and entrepreneurs’ interest in the Indian market.
This article aims to give you more insight about eSports in India and why they are gaining so much traction across all market groups. In 2021, India’s eSport market size had grown to INR3 billion and is projected to reach INR11 billion by 2025. From an economic perspective, eSports is projected to reach INR100 billion in revenue by 2025. Advertisers and agencies see eSports as an avenue to generate more audiences and engagement. It would lead to high prize money or a large prize pool, which would drive more and more people to become interested in eSports.
- Advertisement -
The emergence of eSports in India
Esports have been around for quite some time now, but it was in 2018 when they became a big hit in India. According to an EY.com report, esports is experiencing anunprecedented growth in India.It was the mobile game PUBG that revolutionized eSports in the country. India has dominated the PUBG mobile ranking when it comes to the number of players and viewers. Factors contributing to this domination include the increasing number of mobile users, the sheer number of younger people, and the affordability of internet access.
- Advertisement -
Furthermore, India has been conducting national and international eSports events since 2018, such as the PUBG Mobile Indian Series, COBX Masters, ESL One: Mumbai, and DreamHack Delhi. There is a noticeable improvement in terms of eSports engagement and audience, which will surely pave the way for greater sponsorship revenue.
Gen Z and Millennials are the main target markets for eSports as they are the core of the eSports audience. It is expected that brands will put a high premium on sponsoring eSports assets. Considering India’s tech capabilities and the huge number of younger people, there will surely be an influx of global eSports players, which will eventually produce top-notch eSports athletes capable of competing worldwide.
- Advertisement -
Smartphone Penetration
The esports market in India is also driven by smartphone penetration. It also has something to do with the increasing presence of gaming-related apps such as online casinos and sports betting sites that allow you to place a bet on eSports events and matches. India Casino Info has reviewed some of the sports betting sites that offer eSports betting. These apps can be downloaded and installed on the mobile devices of your choice and, most of the time, work well with Android and iOS mobile browsers. The accessibility, affordability, and ease of use have led to an impressive rise in eSports in the country. Even those who are not playing eSports first-hand can participate in the game by simply placing their bet on the team that they think will win the match or tournament.
- Advertisement -
A huge eSport Prize Money Pool
The impressive rise of eSports in India also has something to do with the huge prize money pool across eSports tournaments. For instance, PUBG’s popularity in the country has enticed a lot of people, especially eSports enthusiasts, to change careers, as they see eSports as a perfect opportunity to generate more money. Esports is a multibillion dollar business in leading countries like the United States and China, and it is safe to say that India will still have a long way to go when it comes to revenue perspective and income for players.
- Advertisement -
Esports is without a doubt one of the fastest growing sectors in India. Although eSports have been around for many years now, India has not actively participated in it. It was only in 2018 that eSports dominated the Indian market. The growing popularity of the game has enticed a lot of players to try their luck and eventually make a significant amount of money. eSports’ popularity has not only caught the attention of eSports enthusiasts but also private sectors, developers, and advertisers. They see it as a perfect way to jump into the growing trend of eSports. Game developers also see it as a perfect opportunity to gain more traction from eSports fans, such as sports betting apps that allow you to place your bet on eSports matches and events. It paves the way for eSports fans to participate in the game by placing a bet and generating money when they end up with a winning bet.