SUMMARY
Indian gamers constitute up to 300 Mn across mobile, PC and console
In the near future, natural language processing (NLP) instruments will gain momentum
The next wave of esports penetration in India will also fly with high bandwidth capabilities of 5G enabled wireless networking coupled with cloud gaming.
With over 1.3 Bn people, 50% of the population falls under the age group of 0-25 years, making it one of the youngest populations in the world. Indian gamers constitute up to 300 Mn across mobile, PC and console. Post-Covid, we’ve seen a tectonic shift in the way technology is being used to revolutionize esports in India both for the players as well as the audience.
Some of the key trends and technologies that will drive the Indian esports industry in 2021 are:
Data Analytics
The increasing use of AI-backed data analytics to support developers/players/organizers alike, to research reported game patterns and to provide new insights into gaming strategies for professional gamers to better their gaming experience and to enhance their viewing experience for the audience.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
In the coming years, artificial intelligence is the backbone of the esports industry, providing players with technologically advanced training tools focused on machine learning that will further improve their skills and gaming strategies. In the near future, natural language processing (NLP) instruments will gain momentum. The player-audience social experience will also be increasingly personalised by AI.
Virtual Reality (VR)
Fresh demand for VR esports is emerging with the introduction of untethered VR headsets and new games. It should feel really immersive, so players feel more linked to the game.
Mobile Gaming
According to a joint report published by the Indian Cellular and Electronics Association and the consulting firm KPMG, by 2022, India’s smartphone base will reach 820 million active users. This clearly highlights the ability of mobile gaming to push a wider audience from India’s still untapped markets towards esports. Esports could be the next big thing, especially in rural India, where most youngsters have a smartphone.
India has emerged as the hotspot for mobile esports in the past couple of years. India’s rising penetration of smartphones will take esports to another level altogether. The next wave of esports penetration in India will also fly with high bandwidth capabilities of 5G enabled wireless networking coupled with cloud gaming.
Streaming/Content Creation
Streaming is where anyone can record or show their game by broadcasting it live over the internet through streaming platforms. Streamers can add custom graphics to their stream, communicate through a chat room with viewers, try to inform the viewers and entertain them. It enables fans to get closer to the action and to make some extra money for pro gamers and entertainers.
Facebook and YouTube will lead the show in India. Streamers have been able to monetize their content and rake up good monies; streaming today is a viable career option.
Streaming Tools
In order to minimize problems and enhance the quality of online gaming, game streaming software solutions are essential. Game streaming software is well equipped with features and elements that help beautify game streams and improve the overall streaming experience.
The streaming tools are Open Broadcaster software (OBS Studio), Xsplit, Wirecast & Stream Pro etc.
Esports Platforms
Esports is not necessarily to be held in a physical environment, esports athletes can compete in various tournaments hosted online by these Esports platforms, during Covid, we saw surge in participations/engagement like Gamerji, GamingMonk, there are self-service platforms like Ustreak who allow gamers to host their own tournaments and leagues directly on the website or in Discord using their bots.
Ustreak happens to be world’s first few to build this functionality and India’s first one to do so.
Communication
While rest of the world was busy using zoom, google meet, our gamers were active on platforms like Discord; it is a full-service communication platform specially build for gaming community.
You can create your own rooms, chat, stream, screen share, send documents and of course do video meetings to without any charge and any time limits.
