In a recent study conducted by HP India, the burgeoning esports industry is not only providing Indian gamers with an avenue for enjoyment but also serving as a platform for diverse career opportunities and increased income. The HP India Gaming Landscape Study 2023, encompassing 3000 gamers across 15 cities in India, sheds light on the evolving landscape, revealing that gamers are increasingly viewing gaming not only as a source of entertainment but also as a means of financial gain and recognition.
Key Findings from HP’s Gaming Analysis Report 2023
- Income Growth: The study indicates a notable increase in earnings from gaming in India compared to 2022, with over 45% of serious gamers reporting an annual income of 6 to 12 lakhs in 2023.
- Future Career Aspirations: Sponsorships and participation in esports tournaments have emerged as significant income streams for gamers, showcasing the growing importance of the gaming community. Respondents are eyeing roles beyond gaming, expressing interest in becoming influencers or entering esports management in the future.
- Parental Perceptions: There is a positive shift in parents’ attitudes towards gaming, with 42% approving of gaming as a hobby. However, concerns about the stability of a gaming career and potential social isolation persist among parents. Lack of information about gaming prospects in India remains a challenge, with 49% of parents relying on friends and family for information. At the HP event, Adv. Himanshu Chaturvedi, Founder of Lokdeeksha Law Associate, showed great reverence towards his son, Lokmanyu Chaturvedi who is an FC Esports Athlete. Seeing this kind of encouragement from a parent holds great hopes for many such budding esports athletes and gamers.
- Gaming Demographics: Gaming is no longer confined to metros, as the study reveals a surge in serious gamers in non-metro cities. Additionally, gaming is not limited to a specific demographic, with 75% of Gen Z and 67% of Millennials identified as serious gamers. The inclusive nature of gaming is highlighted by 58% of women respondents being classified as serious gamers.
- Learning and Development Needs: The study emphasizes the need for infrastructure for learning and development in gaming, with 61% of respondents unaware of gaming courses in India. More than half of gamers turn to YouTube and fellow gamers for skill enhancement, with 57% expressing the desire for gameplay training.
- Preferred Gaming Devices: PCs emerge as the preferred gaming devices, with 67% of gamers favoring them over mobile phones. The study also reveals gamers’ willingness to invest over INR 1 lakh on average for a gaming PC, citing reasons such as better FPS and display.
HP’s Initiative Towards Esports in India
To further support the growing gaming community, HP has launched the ‘HP Gaming Garage,’ a free online professional certificate program on esports management and game development. This initiative aims to provide gaming enthusiasts in India with access to curated online modules covering various aspects of esports management, game design, and programming. The program, available in 12 languages, including English, Hindi, and Telugu, is hosted on edX.
This initiative follows HP’s earlier move to open Omen Playground stores across India, offering PC gaming experiences and opportunities for aspiring gamers to enhance their skills without any cost.
Methodology: The study involved 3500 participants from 15 Tier-1 and Tier-2 cities across India, comprising 3000 gamers and 500 parents. Interviews were conducted with a mix of male (75%) and female (25%) gamers between the ages of 15-34 years, with 70% being PC users and 30% mobile phone users.
Huge esports tournaments are being held in India such as College Esports Tournament, Koramangla Esport Tournament, Valorant Challengers League and much more. Stay tuned to iLLGaming for more such iLL content!
