understanding the sector
According to a report by KPMG, the online gaming market in India has grown from US$870 million in 2019 to over $1 billion today. This number is expected to reach $3.9 billion by 2025, the report said. The number of Indian gamers is also expected to reach around 700 million.
“Over the past two years, the pandemic has driven growth for interactive entertainment coupled with affordable smartphones and data, which has led to growth,” said Subi Chaturvedi, Chief Corporate and Public Affairs Officer, Jupi.
The mobile gaming segment has seen the highest growth in recent times. “A report by BARC and Nielsen shows that Indians have downloaded mobile games 7.3 billion times in the first three quarters of 2020, which is about 17% of the total global downloads. Other astonishing statistics are that 43% of Indian mobile gamers are women, 60% of gamers are below 25 years of age and Indians now spend 218 minutes gaming versus 151 minutes before the lockdown,” she adds.
education in gaming
Manvendra Shukul, CEO and co-founder of game art creation company Lakshya, says it is important to invest time and money to develop game development talent. “Sports production companies have to partner with regular institutions and create a curriculum that helps nurture talent,” he says.
There are about 165 game design institutes in India, says Chaturvedi, of which about 25 are in New Delhi. “Students can also join certification courses after class X. One advantage is that one can learn basic skills including software, UI/UX, animation etc and become a professional in this field. The course fee is also not very high,” says Chaturvedi.
gamification
Gamification is already a part of the education system in various ways. However, play-based learning is a relatively new approach that banks place on ‘learning by doing’. “Benefits include improved self-confidence, improved conceptual knowledge, enhanced memory, and improved analytical skills,” says Chaturvedi.
Play-based learning is particularly beneficial for increasing memory in children by up to 90%. The children also experienced a 20% increase in self-confidence and an 11% improvement in their conceptual knowledge.
With education going online, keeping kids glued to the screen for long is a challenge. This is where simplification can be helpful, Chaturvedi says.
employment
“India is not known for making products, but for providing services,” says Shukla. Statistics show that the gaming industry is changing this pattern. Today, the world is looking to partner with India as a source of game makers.”
Chaturvedi revealed, “Some of the ways to build a career include working in gaming companies or becoming a professional gamer. There are about 400 gaming companies in India, with roles in programming, public policy, design, communication and marketing. Revenue for these Streams include membership, donation, affiliation and merchandising.”
Chaturvedi says young gamers are also looking to become professional gamers, although it is still a new idea in India.
expected remuneration
The salary structure for gaming professionals is similar to that of other media and entertainment verticals. Starting from Rs 50,000 per month, it can go up to ten lakh/month for senior leadership roles and exceptional talent.
tackling challenges
It is a myth that being part of the gaming industry gives quick money, reveals Shukla. “Gaming is a well-paying industry, but only for those who are willing to put in the long hours and hard work,” says Shukul.
He cautions gaming students to start on their own immediately after acquiring the necessary skills. “It is always better to learn the basics about the field by joining an established firm. A few years of experience will go a long way in stabilizing your skill-set and preparing you to strike on your own,” says Shukla.
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