The mobile gaming sector is one of India’s fastest-growing segments, thanks to cutting-edge technologies currently available in smartphones. With the introduction of 5G technology in smartphones that are already 5G-enabled, the entire landscape is expected to shift dramatically.

According to the latest figures from the Internet and Mobile Association of India, India presently has over 430 million mobile gamers, with the number expected to rise to 650 million by 2025. (IAMAI). Over 40% of serious mobile players pay for their games with an average monthly spend of Rs 230, with the Indian gaming business expected to reach $3.9 billion by 2025.

According to the IAMAI research, the pandemic has accelerated the organic growth of digital games, with mobile app downloads increasing by 50% and user engagement increasing by 20%. With approximately 500 million smartphone users, India is the world’s second-largest smartphone market after China.

The gaming industry in India offers vast prospects, and with the appropriate mix of abilities and dedication, even emerging gamers from tier 3 or 4 cities can rise to renown in the coming years. The launch of the 5G data network, according to analysts, will help India’s mobile gaming market grow even more. Gaming has become a popular form of entertainment and a tool for social/family relationships, according to Sachin Kalantari, Senior Director, Product Marketing, Qualcomm India.

India is one of the world’s most important gaming markets, especially among developing economies. It is one of the most promising online gaming marketplaces, with over 75% of the population under 45.

“Advent of 5G in India will drive this momentum even further and enhance gaming experiences due to factors like higher data speeds, lower latency, and technologies like Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality. Moreover, to address this upcoming demand and meet consumer expectations, many OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) have already launched a range of 5G-enabled smartphones,” Kalantari told IANS.

More exposure and developments in the area are predicted to boost the gaming community by several times as developers focus on generating more women and child-led games. Because of the tremendous increase in smartphone adoption in India, huge console and PC games are also being curated for mobile platforms. The sector is attracting investors as well, with roughly $1 billion spent in the last six months.

“A majority of Indians have realized that mobile gaming is not just a source of enjoyment or entertainment, but also a source of earning real money. Higher adoption of smartphones, wider internet access, a large number of mobile-first games, and influencers with huge fan bases are also catalyzing the growth of gaming in India,” Anku Jain, MD of leading smartphone chip-maker MediaTek India, told IANS.

“The inclusion of online games as an official sport for medal events at the ‘Asian Games 2022’ will be a game-changer. We will witness a steady increase in esports tournaments,” said Sean (Hyunil) Sohn, Head of India Division at Krafton, the developer of ‘PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds’ (PUBG).

Because of the tremendous increase in smartphone adoption in India, huge console and PC games are also being curated for mobile platforms. The sector is attracting investors as well, with roughly $1 billion spent in the last six months.

“Today, everyone is looking at digital for productivity, while entertainment, fun, and socialization is something that people are preferring offline in the real world. Perhaps in 2023 when we see more of the metaverse happening, gaming might see some newness attracting attention,” said Faisal Kawoosa, founder and chief analyst, Techarc.