The gaming industry has turned many heads in recent years. With several companies investing millions of dollars in developing new and innovative games, the gaming industry has witnessed exponential growth. The outstanding growth this sector has seen has created new revenue streams and opportunities for brands, online businesses as well as individuals looking to take up gaming as a career.

Covid-19 pandemic has done its bit to create a perfect environment for everyone to rethink their career options. There are various types of fields and job roles available in the gaming industry that a person can take up.
● Technology giant Microsoft estimates that there are currently more than 2 billion gamers worldwide.
● By 2022, the gaming industry is expected to grow to USD 196 billion in India.
● According to a KPMG study, the number of game development companies increased from 25 in 2010 to 275 in 2019.
● There are approximately 22.2 million gamers in the country, spending an average of 42 minutes on mobile games every day.
● The online gaming industry in India is expected to grow at an annual rate of 22%, reaching 12 billion rupees by 2023.

India’s gaming industry is growing at a brisk pace and is expected to become one of the most profitable industries in the country. Due to the innovation and development of the industry, the country has attracted a large amount of investment, and the possibility of growth is increasing. The rise of the real-money skill game industry also provides unconventional but profitable career opportunities for young Indians, such as professional gamers, data scientists, UI/UX analysts, etc. A recent EY & FICCI report indicated that by 2022, 40,000 new jobs will be created in this field.

When asked about the rising trends in the online gaming industry, Roland Landers, CEO, All India Gaming Federation, answered, India’s online gaming industry currently has a user base of approximately 360 million, and is expected to grow faster than the global online game segment. Games become more social and real-time, they will also completely change India’s investment trends, thereby promoting technological progress.

Some of the biggest trends in 2021 have been:
● Gaming is becoming more interactive, immersive, and social.
● Gaming technologies are becoming more affordable
● The emphasis has shifted to localized themes and games. Many indigenous game developers are building titles in multiple local languages for customized content.
● Introduction of cloud gaming services Arcade and Stadia.
● Advancement in augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR)
● Smartphone penetration with affordable & faster data
● Growth of Digital ecosystem for payments
● Growing investments in the sector

What are the different types of gaming careers you can take up:

Game programmer: People who are not into playing online games can particularly be interested in the development of the gaming industry. Casino games have become another attractive career choice, especially for people with a high interest in design and programming skills. Some of the most ambitious people have turned their enthusiasm into a profession by conceiving and developing new games.

Game designer: Many apps have short, simple, time-saving, and engaging gaming experiences and they have become a key requisite in successfully pushing the gaming industry towards small mobile screens with easy-to-use features. Game features that involve the opportunity to win real money have been widely accepted and gained a lot of traction. Therefore, not only the players, but the people that design the apps also have the opportunity to make a steady income.

Game tester: Players can also use their experience to help brands and organizations in the development and testing of games or designing market strategies. They can also become brand ambassadors to promote these games on several platforms.

Professional gamer: Some players play these games to make a living. These professional players have extensive knowledge of the game, good hand coordination, and excellent reflex. In addition, they continue to synchronize their regular practical skills.

Game coach or reviewer: People can learn and relearn the gaming rules and trends to keep up with the rapid changes typical of our industry to become game coaches or reviewers. Keeping oneself constantly updated with knowledge of tools and technologies will help an individual achieve new heights in the profession. All it requires is a little investment of time and energy (and if required, money) in developing your skills so your work meets international standards.

Online gaming has different segments that have developed rapidly such as fantasy sports, real money, and casual games are in demand. Big companies are adding gaming elements to enhance user engagement. India is among the largest markets for game downloads among emerging economies and is all set to grow the market for people other than just online gamers.

Credits: YahooFinance