Millions hooked to mobile games; India to become $7bn market by 2025

Mobile gaming has come a long way since the early days of the ‘Snake’ game on Nokia phones to next-generation smartphones offering high-definition graphics and immersive gameplay that rival even the most popular console games.

Mobile gaming has evolved as much as the mobile device itself.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the restrictions imposed during that time, the mobile gaming segment shone as it catered to the entertainment-seeking public eagerly, and the Indian mobile gaming market witnessed a boom during the period, which is still ongoing for the sector.

During the waves of Covid-19, consumers made a significant shift towards online channels.

“The critical pillars of the economy, banking, and payments, witnessed a substantial increase in adoption, propelling India from being the third-largest gaming market to becoming the largest gaming market in the world. One in five mobile gamers resides in the country,” Paavan Nanda, Co-Founder at WinZO games, told IANS.

According to a recent report by marketing firm MoEngage, mobile gaming in India is expected to reach $8.6 billion by the end of 2027, owing to increased smartphone penetration, lower-cost smartphones, and more affordable data plans.

The report also estimated that the current valuation of the Indian gaming industry stands at $2.6 billion.

“India presents a significant opportunity for mobile gaming and is projected to become a $7 billion market by 2025. It is expected that 5 deacons and 10 unicorns will emerge in the sector, making it highly attractive for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) compared to any other sector,” Nanda said.