Mitsu Chavda has been into gaming for over 10 years now. Consistently, the 29-year-old Surat-based lawyer makes it a highlight play for no less than two hours around evening time, a custom she says is a “stress-buster.” As a gamer, Chavda figures out the nuances and requirements of the industry. Thus, she additionally decided to be an eSports (electronic games) lawyer pursuing the development of the eSports sector in India.

Chavda is important for a developing community of women gamers who are playing casually as well as contending expertly or engaging in the space, and a few are becoming successful content makers. They are gradually changing the perception that gaming is a man’s domain.

The numbers represent themselves. According to the ‘Think with Google APAC – Play like a Girl’ report delivered last year, 18% of all gamers in India are women. Besides, the number of women is growing at a quicker rate than the number of male gamers in India. A similar report likewise uncovered that over 43% of Indian cell phone gamers are women, and this is across all age groups.

“This is a very positive statistic—not only for the industry but also as evidence of technology penetration with respect to women. Women now have access to the digital space that was previously unavailable to them due to the availability of affordable internet and smartphones. And this is a big reason why women are participating in online games along with other economic and social opportunities that the digital space has to offer,” said Roland Landers, CEO of the All India Gaming Federation (AIGF), the apex industry body for online skill gaming in India.

Interestingly, apart from smartphone gamers, the industry is also seeing extremely successful streamers and influencers who have created a niche for themselves. “The whole content creator ecosystem in gaming is witnessing a boom, with women creators proving their mettle. Additionally, we have women developers creating Indian games and women leading gaming companies as top-level executives and senior management. “All in all, every aspect of the online gaming sector is being supported and has been benefited by the participation of women,” added Landers.

“Earlier, women had their inhibitions regarding online gaming, but that has vanished very quickly. “We are confident that the trend will continue in tier 2 and 3 cities as well,” Ankur Singh, CEO and founder of Witzeal Technologies, a new-age gaming company that operates the popular multi-gaming platform “Big Cash,” said.

So, what are the kinds of games that women are mostly into? According to Satyam Rastogi, founder and CEO of Khiladi Adda, a micro esports tournament and online gaming platform, women are more into action-based, strategy-based, and sports gaming. “As per some estimates, while women play about 88 minutes per day when it comes to action games, the average duration is about 56 minutes per day for strategy games,” he added.

“The break-up for other categories is sports (47 min/day), casual (43 min/day), board (42 min/day), card games (37 min/day), and so on,” he said. As far as “commitment” is concerned, 77% of women gamers play once or several times a day, 12% are regulars (once a week), and 11% are occasional players (once a month or less), Rastogi said.

According to Khiladi Adda, in RMG (real money games), women gamers comprise 30% of the market and are growing.

Another well-known esports and mobile gaming platform, Mobile Premier League, has seen a significant increase in female gamers on its platform. “Many of our tournaments have been won by women gamers,” said Namratha Swamy, country head for India, MPL.

On MPL, women gamers play a wide assortment of games across all genres, especially casual games, puzzles, and eSports. Titles like Chess, Fruit Chopped, Quiz, and Runner No. 1 are well-known among them. “We also recently launched LudoWin, a math-based take on the widely popular Ludo game, which has become a huge hit among women within just months of launch,” added Swamy.

A long time back, it would have been unimaginable for women to view online gaming as a serious vocation choice. In any case, things are currently turning. “More female employees in the sector are valued for their expertise, professionalism, and passion for gaming. Accordingly, a policy framework is also being looked into. Especially after the announcement of the AVCG (animation, visual effects, gaming, and comic) sector receiving a boost in the Union Budget, women are joining the gaming industry in pretty much every aspect. “Women are undertaking courses to hone their development skills and get absorbed in the workforce,” said Sunil Yadav, CEO of PlayerzPot, a popular Indian fantasy gaming destination.

PlayerzPot has seen a half-ascent in employment within the organization when contrasted with a year ago. “We have five women in leadership/managerial roles, 10 in technology roles, and others in executive roles,” he added.

Despite all the positive developments, challenges remain. There is no denying that breaking the monotony of a male-dominated sector is a daunting task. “Like any other social and economic space, gender bias may creep into even online gaming. There is still a lot to be done in this domain,” said Landers of AIGF, adding: “Gaming as a career option for women needs to be promoted by the government and private sector alike. This will not only promote the industry and economic prospects of women but also further the idea of gender justice and equality in a niche yet meaningful way.

“Women also face a tough time convincing their families about securing a future in this sector as a player or a developer,” said Yadav of PlayerzPot. “However, we believe that change takes time. Today, leading brands are actively encouraging women gamers to participate in different marketing campaigns and initiatives. A new era for women gamers is dawning. “So, don’t be surprised if you start to notice more women-centric themes, visuals, and lead characters,” he added.

Credit: Financial Express