India’s online gaming industry has seen significant growth in terms of user numbers, income, and investment. The increase in the use of smartphones, rapid access to data, pocket technology, and the proliferation of digital payment applications are beneficial to the development of the industry.

According to the EY-FICCI 2021 report, the online game segment will grow by 18% in 2020 to reach 77 billion rupees, as the number of online players has increased by 20%, from 300 million in 2019 to 360 million in 2020, indicating transaction-based game revenues increased by 21%. They estimate that the online gaming industry will continue to grow, reaching 500 million players by 2025, making it the third-largest market segment in the Indian M&E sector.
COVID-19 and the online gaming industry

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is actually a test of the strength for any industry and its determination to grow despite restrictions. India is a market dominated by smartphones. Compared with other devices, Indian audiences prefer mobile games and esports. Over time, the Indian online gaming industry has matured, and gamers are diversifying into areas other than handheld devices.

Advancement in technology

Improved technology has further affected online games to the extent that some players blur the line between fact and fiction. The industry is strongly driven by mobile gaming technology and recent innovations such as machine learning (ML), artificial intelligence (AI), virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) have intensified with passing time.

Online games are more valuable because they allow gamers to experience high-definition graphics with 4K and OLED capabilities. It provides a vivid atmosphere and provides players with an immersive experience due to its improved graphics speed.

Development of cloud gaming

For many customers, the cost of the game may be too high. The cloud computing plan aims to break this barrier and allow anyone with a secure Internet network to access the game. However, gamers have indicated a need for interactive games, as well as the ability to participate and upgrade the game. Interacting with other players is a good social mobilization technique. These two factors (one is technical and the other is social) will tend to drive the market and inspire novice players of all ages to integrate more into the industry and treat video games as a community. Obviously, the technical possibilities of online games are endless. Some have begun to take shape:

• Face Recognition: The online gaming industry is paving the way for the active integration of facial recognition in its games. In terms of customization, facial recognition can help you take photos of yourself and use them to portray yourself as a character in online games, and allow you to interact and compete with other characters based on player input.
• Artificial Intelligence: There is no doubt that artificial intelligence in online games is on the rise, but it does have some limitations. Game developers often use artificial intelligence (AI) to correct real-world challenges and improve the potential functionality of their applications.
• Cryptocurrencies: The online gaming industry is one of the first industries in the world to accept the use of cryptocurrency. Cryptocurrencies, the most common of which is Bitcoin, can be used to make purchases in online games. There are already online game portals based on the cryptocurrency system and recognize cryptocurrency deposits and payments.
• 5G Internet: With the government planning to conduct a new spectrum auction in a few months, the scene of 5G Internet access is imminent. Cloud gaming will rely heavily on today’s new 5G and 4G data connections. Finally, by 2021, the number of users in India is expected to exceed 80 crores, which is an excellent number that contributes to the growth of online games in India. In these gloomy days, these are energetic figures that provide us with indulgence and entertainment.
• Secured Payments: The number of real-money players playing online skill games such as Rummy, Poker, and Fantasy Sports on online gaming portals has increased. Because the online game website uses SSL encryption and blockchain technology, online shopping and payment have become very easy. This helps prevent bribery, protect the security of players’ funds, and gain players’ trust by ensuring the security and confidentiality of the information they exchange while eliminating illegal behavior like money laundering and other acts.

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