Bengaluru: Imagine this: A family gathered around the dining table, where augmented reality (AR) turns the surface into a vibrant virtual game board. Or parents tracking their kids' progress as they conquer maths and science through AI-powered, story-driven educational games. This isn't sci-fi, it's the vision for India's gametech revolution, which is set to redefine our relationship with technology in the coming decade.
At the eighth ‘India Ideas Conclave', which began Friday and will be on till Sunday, industry leaders painted a bold picture of India's gaming evolution. Sudhir Kamath, COO of Nazara, emphasized the country's rising global gaming clout by saying: "India isn't just a player — it's a leader. Our games aren't confined to Indian audiences; they're dominating globally. Did you know that 40% of the world's gaming consumers are Indian?"
With gametech blurring the lines between education, entertainment, and innovation, the future is set to be a high-scoring win for India. In fact, the country's gaming sector has experienced a meteoric rise, largely driven by the mobile gaming boom. Anurag Saxena, CEO of E-Gaming Federation, explained, "India's gaming ecosystem thrives on mobile games designed for local tastes, like ‘Ludo King' and ‘Teen Patti'. What's remarkable is India is developing these games locally, which sets us apart from foreign markets. This self-reliance is fuelling growth and offering a unique opportunity for innovation on the global stage."
Watch ads or pay?
One of the hot topics discussed at the conclave was the future of monetisation in Indian gaming. "From what we understand, Indian consumers would rather watch ads than pay to play," said Bhavin Pandya, co-founder of Games24x7. In a country where affordability is key, many gamers prefer free access to content, supported by ads. This trend is driving the evolution of ‘freemium models', where players can enjoy games without paying upfront, but may choose to pay for enhanced experience or ad-free play.
Shooters, a genre that is very popular among gamers in the country, continues to excel in the industry, followed by developmental games.
Influence of AI, AR & VR
Looking toward the future, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI), virtual reality (VR), and AR is set to transform the gaming landscape. Sudhir Kamath shared an intriguing example from a small startup in Bengaluru that is using AI to teach children English. In Tamil Nadu's smaller districts, where many parents lack English proficiency, this AI avatar allows children to converse in a mix of Tamil and English, gently correcting mistakes over time. "This isn't just a game," Kamath noted. "It's an example of gametech used for educational purposes."
Additionally, AR and VR are poised to take gaming to new heights. Kamath revealed plans for an AR cricket game that allows players to feel as though they're playing together, no matter where they are. "Imagine playing with your sibling in Lucknow while sitting at home in Delhi, both of you in AR headsets, feeling like you're on the cricket field together," he said. The potential for immersive, location-independent experiences is limitless.