The Rise Of Mobile Gaming In India

After the release of PUBG MOBILE (PLAYERUNKNOWN'S BATTLEGROUNDS MOBILE) in India on March 19, 2018, mobile gaming became immensely popular. Although there was gaming before the launch, it was mainly PC or laptop gaming. Pubg Mobile was easy to download and had a small game size, making it accessible to anyone. The game could run on low-end mobile devices and was well-liked by youngsters. In 2018, PUBG Mobile won the Users' Choice Award and became the most-played game in India. Another mobile game, FREE FIRE, was released before PUBG Mobile, but it did not gain as much popularity at that time. In 2018, India's gaming sector reached 19.9%, and by 2023, the industry's revenue had grown to Rs. 220 billion, marking a remarkable 22% growth. In 2019, FREE FIRE gained popularity in India, and on October 1, 2019, Call Of Duty was released in India, which also became somewhat popular. The COVID-19 pandemic hit India in 2020, leading the government to announce a nationwide lockdown. This confined everyone to their homes for a prolonged period, disrupting normal activities, including schooling and work. Mobile games became the primary source of entertainment for Indian youth during this time. Mobile game streaming also surged in popularity. On September 2, 2020, the Indian government banned PUBG Mobile, leading to a search for new mobile games. AMONG US gained popularity, and PUBG Mobile was relaunched with changes according to the Indian government under the name BGMI. While liked by Indian youth, it did not reach the same level as PUBG Mobile. The Indian game FAU-G did not gain as much traction. Free Fire Max was released in India and gained significant popularity. However, in February 2022, Free Fire was banned by the Indian government. The Indian gaming sector is poised to be worth almost $7.5 billion. In conclusion, Battle Royale games are the specific factor that contributed to the rise of mobile gaming in India.

- A Blog By Phalgun Bhat 

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