• Source:JND
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The video game industry has experienced tremendous growth since its humble beginnings in the 1950s when simple games and simulations were played on minicomputers and mainframes. Thanks to improvements in technology, high-speed internet, gaming's growing appeal among millennials, and official recognition as a multi-sport event from the Indian government, the Indian Esports industry is now a multi-billion dollar industry.

According to the "Windows of Opportunity" report on India's Media and Entertainment industry by FICCI-EY, the number of Esports players in India saw a significant rise. In 2021, there were 600,000 players across all competitive-level games. By 2022, this number had doubled to 1 million. The report further predicts that by the end of 2023, the count is expected to reach an impressive 2.5 million players in the country.

How’s India Doing In E-Sports?

The skill of Indian Esports has been demonstrated repeatedly in important international competitions, from winning the bronze in Hearthstone at the 2018 Asian Games to winning the bronze in DOTA 2 at the first Commonwealth Games in Birmingham last year.

In addition to participating in the Asian Games in 2022, where esports will be recognised for the first time as an official medal sport, India will now send its first-ever female CS:GO team to the World Esports Championships. India now has 10 international Esports teams, up from 6 in 2021, 7 in 2022, and 6 in 2021, according to the FICCI-EY report.

Rise Of Gaming Creators In India?

The nation's gaming culture and the growth of gaming creators have changed the entertainment landscape. Through live streaming, the creation of video content, and social media platforms, many gamers have amassed sizable fan bases and established themselves as influential figures within the gaming industry.

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Is Gaming Helping The Creators Earn More?

Brands have begun forming partnerships with these content creators as a result of realising their potential through brand deals and sponsorships, which has helped non-endemic brands enter the market and opened up new revenue streams for creators. The findings of the FICCI-EY report, which state that the number of brands investing in Esports increased from 72 in 2021 to 80 in 2022 and is anticipated to reach 100 by 2023, provide additional support for this.

"In recent years, the perception of gaming has undergone a remarkable shift, with individuals and brands both recognising its immense potential as a lucrative revenue stream," says Animesh Agarwal, better known as Thug, Founder and CEO of 8bit Creatives and S8ul esports.

"Our creators at 8Bit Creatives have successfully curated numerous campaigns with brands from various industries. As a result, I can confidently state that both endemic and non-endemic brands are actively seeking ways to engage with gamers today," he added.

How BGMI Helped E-Sports Grow?

Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI), the game's most recent relaunch, has reenergized the Esports scene and will likely accelerate the expansion of competitive gaming. Between July 2021 and July 2022, the game saw about $33 million in in-app purchases, according to estimates from app intelligence company Sensor Tower. It also made history by becoming the first Esports event to be broadcast on mainstream television (Star Sports).

ParvSingh, aka soul_regaltos, is a professional gamer and YouTube content creator with over 2.3 million subscribers. "BGMI has played a pivotal role in contributing to the rise of in-game spending within the Indian gaming community," he said.

“The game has also attracted brands through numerous lucrative mediums such as in-game advertisement, sponsorships, and content creation opportunities by causing an increase in Esports tournaments in the country. It has single-handedly elevated the competitive landscape, allowing emerging players to showcase their talent and become community stars," he added.