The Indian video gaming and esports industry is poised for significant growth, with projections indicating a market value surpassing $1 billion in 2025, and potentially reaching $1.4 billion by 2028, according to the India Market Model Report by Niko Partners. This represents a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.1 percent over the next five years. The momentum of this growing sector is set against the backdrop of various high-profile events that promise to elevate India's presence on the global gaming stage.
Among the most anticipated events in 2025 are the Olympic Esports Games scheduled to be held in Saudi Arabia. The Indian contingent will seek to build on the success of the 2024 Paris Olympics, where the nation won six medals. Esports competitions at this event provide a fresh opportunity for Indian gamers to contribute to the national medal tally, thus enhancing the recognition of esports within India.
Notably, chess has been included as a title in the Esports World Cup with a notable prize pool of $1.5 million. This inclusion follows India's clear prowess in the game, especially with the historic achievement of grandmaster Gukesh Dommaraju as the youngest World Champion. The Esports World Cup will take place from July 31 to August 3, 2025, in Saudi Arabia, offering chess players ample opportunity to add to India’s accolades in the esports domain.
Another key event, the WAVES Esports Championships (WESC), will take place in February 2025, supported officially by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. The finals will feature popular titles such as Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI), World Cricket Championship (WCC), and eFootball, setting a vibrant tone for the esports calendar ahead. These tournaments are expected to shape the dynamics of the Indian esports landscape, invigorating interest and participation in competitive gaming.
In conjunction with these developments, there’s an observable trend of convergence between traditional sports and esports. Akshat Rathee, Co-founder and MD of NODWIN Gaming, articulated this phenomenon, stating, “In 2025, we anticipate a growing overlap between mainstream sports and esports.” He highlighted impending collaborations among cricket teams and esports titles, as well as involvement from Bollywood figures, reinforcing this fusion of entertainment and competitive gaming.
The trend of gamification—integrating gaming elements into various sectors—has shown promise for continued expansion. Platforms across the spectrum, including Netflix, Amazon, and even LinkedIn, are incorporating gaming features that enhance user engagement. Akshat Rathee noted that, “the rise of gamification across sectors will bring gaming elements into everyday life,” hinting at the incorporation of gaming elements in various user interactions moving forward.
Brand engagement within the gaming sector notably surged during the year, with significant partnerships emerging, such as the record sponsorship deal by 8Bit Creatives with iQOO. This collaboration represents a growing interest from mainstream brands towards the burgeoning esports scene in India. Animesh Agarwal, Founder and CEO of 8Bit Creatives, expressed optimism regarding 2025, highlighting that “esports will continue expanding into more titles… As new games gain traction, regions like South Asia and MENA are expected to emerge as significant contributors to the global esports ecosystem.”
As the Indian government continues to advocate for the development of a robust gaming industry, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his Independence Day address, voiced aspirations for India to establish a substantial presence in the global gaming market. With various Made-in-India games released in the past year and more anticipated, the country is ramping up efforts to showcase its capabilities as a gaming hub.
The integration of advanced technologies, such as generative AI and extended reality (XR), is also forecasted to have a transformative effect on game development. Milind D. Shinde, Founder and CEO of 88 Games, remarked on the potential of these technologies to enhance interactive storytelling and enrich user experiences as they lead towards the launch of their first PC and console game.
Market insights reveal a growing trend in PC gaming within India, with 77.3 percent of PC gamers reported to have increased spending in Q1 2024, surpassing trends in mobile and console gaming. Additionally, Steam has recorded a remarkable 150 percent growth in new users from 2019 to 2024, indicating a keen interest in PC gaming that is expected to persist into the coming year.
The evolving landscape of India's gaming and esports industry marks a significant chapter for players, fans, and stakeholders alike, as the sector continues to diversify and innovate, setting the stage for future growth and opportunities on both national and global platforms.
Source: Noah Wire Services