The Indian Gaming Industry: A Product Manager's Perspective (with a Side of Humor)

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The recent launch of Black Myth: Wukong, a Chinese AAA game that broke player count records on Steam, got me wondering why India, with an estimated population of 1.45 billion, a producer of millions of engineers, and ready-to-use content thanks to heaps of mythological epics and tons of regional literature, is not able to come up with even a single AAA game. 

The Indian gaming industry is expected to grow to US$ 8.92 billion in the next five years, according to a recent report. India's gaming sector is currently valued at around US$ 3.1 billion. With 442 million gamers, India is the second-largest gaming market in the world behind China, yet the country’s esports ecosystem lacks major titles. 

While the Indian gaming industry has demonstrated significant growth in recent years, it still faces several challenges that prevent it from reaching its full potential. From a product manager's perspective, these challenges can be categorized into several key areas, 
  1. Limited Internet Connectivity and Infrastructure: 
    • Low bandwidth: Many regions in India still struggle with slow or unreliable internet connections, making it difficult to stream or download high-quality games. The internet in the remote parts of India is so slow, it's like trying to watch a snail race a sloth. 
    • Infrastructure gaps: The lack of robust infrastructure, especially in rural areas, hinders the adoption of gaming devices and platforms. It's more reliable than the Indian monsoon, but not by much. 
  2. Cultural and Linguistic Barriers: 
    • Localized content: Many games are not tailored to Indian cultural nuances, preferences, or languages, limiting their appeal to the local market. There are very few games based on Indian storylines, with exceptions like the Hitman Mumbai mission or AOE-Asian Dynasties. As a result, games like Wukong fail to attract Indian gamers as much as they would attract the Chinese. 
    • Language preferences: While English is widely spoken, regional languages like Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Bengali have a significant user base that requires localized content. Indians love their regional languages. It's like trying to convince a cat to eat dog food. 
  3. Payment and Transaction Challenges: 
    • Limited payment options: Traditional payment methods like credit cards may not be widely accessible, especially in rural areas. Also, paying for a game in India is like trying to pay for a taxi in New York City. It's a mystery. 
    • Transaction fees: High transaction fees can discourage users from making in-app purchases or subscriptions. The transaction fees are so high, it's like paying a toll to use your own money. 
  4. Device Compatibility Issues: 
    • Low-end devices: A significant portion of the Indian market uses low-end smartphones, desktops, or laptops, which may not be compatible with demanding games. Most Indians have computers that are as old as themselves. 
    • Device fragmentation: The wide range of devices in use can make it challenging to optimize games for all platforms. It's like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole, but with more devices. 
  5. Lack of Awareness and Education: 
    • Gaming culture: Gaming is still considered a niche hobby in India, and many people are unaware of the variety of games available or the benefits of gaming. Gaming in India is like trying to explain to your grandma what TikTok is. 
    • Educational initiatives: There is a need for more educational initiatives to promote gaming not only as a form of entertainment but also learning. However, it could be as difficult as teaching a fish to ride a bicycle. 
  6. Regulatory Challenges: 
    • Taxation: High taxation on gaming-related products and services can increase costs for consumers and reduce profitability for businesses. Affordable gaming PCs, laptops, consoles, and graphic cards could bring about a significant change in the Indian gaming market. While there are a few people like myself who own a gaming laptop and buy games on platforms like Steam and Epic, it's challenging to keep up with the constantly evolving gaming market. The initial cost of purchasing a gaming machine is high, and the subsequent expenses of upgrading or replacing the hardware to play newer, more demanding games are simply unaffordable for many. 
    • Licensing and regulations: Complex licensing requirements can hinder the entry of new players into the market. 
  7. Competition from Free-to-Play Games: 
    • Dominance of free-to-play models: The popularity of free-to-play games can make it difficult for paid games to compete. 
    • Monetization challenges: Free-to-play games often rely on in-app purchases, which can be challenging to monetize effectively. Trying to monetize a free-to-play game is like trying to sell water to a fish. 

To address these challenges, the game-changers in the Indian gaming industry need to focus on: 

  • Localization: Creating content that resonates with Indian culture and language preferences. 
  • Optimization: Ensuring games are compatible with a wide range of devices and internet connections. 
  • Payment options: Offering a variety of payment methods, including digital wallets and prepaid cards. 
  • Awareness campaigns: Promoting gaming as a form of entertainment and education. 
  • Regulatory compliance: Understanding and complying with local regulations. This also includes defining clear norms and implementing tax reforms. 
  • Partnerships: Collaborating with local publishers, distributors, and influencers to reach a wider audience. 
  • Talent Pools: India needs to focus on developing a stronger talent pool as the future of jobs, leisure, and skills evolves. Premier institutions like IIMs and IITs should prioritize gaming-oriented curriculums and teaching methods.

Addressing these challenges will help the Indian gaming industry achieve its full potential and cater to the diverse needs of the Indian market. 


References:
Location: Mumbai, India

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