Have you ever heard of the terms “game of skill” or “game of chance”? Generally, these terms are used in social media advertisements for online games. While lottery games are based on one’s instinct, online strategy games such as rummy require knowledge, practice, and experience to win.

Following is a discussion on the numerous aspects of online gaming with Deepak Gullapalli, Founder & CEO, Head of Digital Works. “There is a significant fraction of new users willing to play real-money games coming in from Tier 2 and Tier 3 towns,” he said. He likewise shared how 5G networks can add to the vivid experience of mobile gaming. Let’s find out more!

What exactly is skill-based gaming, and how is it different from games of chance?
There is uncertainty about separating between games of skill and games of chance. A game of skill requires a proper skill set to play, and the result of the game doesn’t rely upon instinct or chance. Players must devise appropriate strategies and level up with training and experience. Different perspectives like concentration, game knowledge and coordination additionally assume a huge part in deciding the outcome of a player in a skill-based game like rummy, whereas games of chance depend exclusively on instinct. Regardless of one’s insight or skill, every player has a similar probability of winning. This makes it simpler to play games of chance, as they require no technical knowledge. Examples of such games are lotteries or roulette.

Skill-based online gaming is synonymous with online pay-to-play. Do you agree?
Not! There is an obvious difference between the two. The actual meaning of “skill” distinguishes it from pay-to-play, which depends on instinct or chance. We have seen a significant change in skill-based gaming and pay-to-play among our target group as well as stakeholders in India as a result of consistent messaging and campaigns. I am confident that there will be a clear distinction in the public sphere soon.

With the government’s latest and moderate standpoint for gaming announced as part of the Union Budget, we are certain that this will fundamentally add to changing the perspectives of many. Deducting TDS on net winnings towards the end of a monetary year will catalyze the development of this emerging area significantly further. Moreover, the choice to lay out India’s first center of excellence for online gaming in Shillong demonstrates the GOI’s acknowledgment of the developing sector in the country. Given the immense ocean of opportunities that exist in the industry, public perception is set to change and will catalyze this development much further before long.

Tell us about Head Digital Works Pvt. Ltd.
Head Digital Works Pvt. Ltd., founded in 2006, is an India-based skilled-based online gaming platform. Settled in Hyderabad, the portfolio incorporates pay-to-play, fantasy, and casual games. A23 Rummy is our prevailing platform under the marquee brand A23 (previously Ace2Three), trailed by A23 Games, which comprises casual games like carrom, pool, etc., and Cricket.com, which is an AI-prediction engine for everything cricket.

What are the company’s product offerings?
Our product portfolio revolves around real money, fantasy, and casual gaming apps. A23 is our most praised offering and integrates the lion’s share of our user base and revenue. It incorporates a world of rummy, fantasy, carrom, and pool games. These games cater to the preferences of Indian users and use artificial intelligence to customize the app for them.

Cricket.com, our other offering, is an AI-prediction platform designed from the inside out and never seen before with cricket inclusion. It gives statistics that give fans forecasts on the game’s momentum shifts, player performances, and simulators alongside the staples of live scores, news, and so forth. The game is powered by Criclytics, an advanced algorithm-based data analytics platform.

How do you look at India’s skill-based online gaming culture? Is it growing?
Pay-to-play skill-based gaming is anticipated to develop at a CAGR of 34% in the upcoming two or three years. On our own platform, we have seen a critical footing of new users able to play pay-to-play games rolling in from Tier 2 and Tier 3 towns. It is vital to take note that the industry is growing faster than numerous different sectors, be they OTT, cinema, home entertainment, or audio. Moreover, the recent Supreme Court judgment pronouncing Rummy as a skill-based game and the Government of India appointing MeitY to ensure a safe and responsible gaming experience have without a doubt had an impact on building trust and safeguarding the industry.

What are the industry-led challenges faced by the company, especially with licensing?
As of now, it is difficult for the two organizations and users, with every state having its own norms for online gaming. Another difficulty that we have been encountering is off-shore pay-to-play companies taking money from the purchasers and not paying any duties in India, regardless of online pay-to-play being restricted across states. This also must be discarded when there is a legitimate legal framework overseeing the business with set guidelines.

How will 5G improve the growth of the online gaming industry, and what benefits will it yield for gamers?
The 5G network will assist in accommodating more players at once with practically no glitches or lag while gaming. Most 4G networks have a latency of 30–40 milliseconds, which thusly influences the response time and frames per second of games. Nonetheless, the 5G network will offer gamers a 5-millisecond latency rate. Regardless of where an individual resides, even basic devices for 5G connectivity will offer superior graphics, and audiovisual, and complex gaming experiences.

Credit: Times Now