- Key findings:
- With 568 million users, India is officially the largest gaming market and accounts for every one in five online gamers globally.
- Indian gaming market is expected to reach $6 Billion by 2028.
- Number of Indian gaming companies surged from 25 in 2015 to over 1400 in 2023.
- Factors responsible for boost in gaming industry:
- Rise of affordable high-speed internet ($0.17/GB) and increase in smartphone penetration (820 million users).
- Burgeoning share of young population (~600 million) and rising disposable income.
- Supply side factors include global investments in game development, rewarding gaming career, vernacular language content and gamification of Indian culture etc.
- Gaming’s contribution to society: Reduction in social isolation, community building, especially for women gamers, and its role in enhancing research, education and skilling.
- Challenges to gaming sector:
- Sustainability issues from 'internet pollution' (3.7% of Greenhouse Gas emissions).
- Financial literacy gaps, regulatory complexities, and data security challenges.
- Recommendations:
- Utilise green innovations and virtual environments for sustainable gaming.
- Establish a global gaming cluster with policy support, supporting startups and talent development.
- Prioritise R&D for online safety and digital literacy.
Government Interventions for promotion of sector:
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