Bharat consumers show stable interest in leading global favourites among mobile games. Yet, the nation's own user profile and particular demand has led Indian game development studios into a new era of self-reliance with much to look forward to.
Which Mobile Games Are Popular in India
The past twelve months have been particularly dynamic for the online scene, as much as they have been quiet for people's old lifestyles and habits. The pandemic-imposed lockdowns acted as a catalyst to a faster digital transition, on a global level, which had already seen the arrival of more affordable mobile phones and cheaper internet packages in India.
The rising importance of our smartphones for both work and play has emphasised the nation's tastes in online entertainment and means of getting a load of our favourite pastimes. A recent study indicates that mobile gaming has reached unprecedented levels and is an established form of online entertainment, with almost half of Bharat having tried or regularly used games on a smartphone.
The list of popular online games in India has a broad range of genres, from classics like 3 patti real money paytm cash games to first-person shooters and instant games available on social media or websites sites as rel=”nofollow” PureWin India. Last year's top pick, the Chinese-built PUBG, has been effectively replaced by the immensely popular “Call of Duty: Mobile”, launched in October 2020. Western-based gaming studios have brought to the market other popular mobile games like “Counter Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO)” and the snooker-billiards simulation “8 Ball Pool”.
The phenomenon which has caught the attention of industry experts, however, is related to games based on historic desi favourites like andar bahar and teen patti, board and card games which have drawn Generation X users (45+) and female players. After the Centre banned a number of Chinese apps and services, desi gaming studios had to mobilise resources and know-how and respond to a growing national demand for quality Indian content based on local and historic tastes.
Having passed 750 million online users, India's internet user base is as diverse as it is impenetrable to most offshore entertainment companies. Besides the more active urban user base, rural and previously less involved consumers have now begun appreciating online entertainment and mobile games as a means of having fun, staying in touch with family or socialising with friends.
India's Game Development Industry Gaining Momentum
Millions of new and loyal subscribers have shaped a newly found confidence in games made in India. Responding to a substantial domestic market demand, Bharat game and app development startups have attracted both foreign and national investors, marking a year of sustained growth.
The segment is already reporting more than 300 software development studios of a certain importance, up from a couple of dozen a decade ago. The experience of providing support to global digital giants and seeing the neighbouring Chinese tech economy explode has served as a sandbox for many entrepreneurs and countless well-qualified personnel.
Having largely been spared by the Covid-19 induced economic crisis, the Indian tech industry is preparing for a promising year ahead. While the mobile gaming market is a particularly competitive niche in the digital scene, the output of India's own studios have been met with consistent approval by desi users. While some of the industry's top players have the ambition to soon expand and conquer foreign markets, the majority realise they still have much work to do domestically to prove their worth. The Union's IT ecosystem and has all it takes to build upon recent success.
