Games have provided a source of entertainment for decades. They have shaped up to become a means to let our competitive side take over or immerse ourselves in a different world. The inception of gaming dates back to the 1940s with the introduction of Nimatron, a computer with a mathematical game, at the World’s Fair in New York City. This was followed by the creation of the first computer game, NIMROD, in the 1950s.
These humble beginnings have since transitioned to the online games industry we know today. The online games segment has grown by leaps and bounds, making space for diverse genres. From video games for immersive in-house entertainment to real-money games like rummy online. The journey of such a growing industry is filled with interesting statistics.
- Global Gaming Market Expected to Reach USD 665.77 billion by 2030
According to a Fortune Business Insights report, the gaming industry’s market size hit USD 249.55 billion in 2022. As it continues to grow, courtesy of technological developments and increased active users across multiple online gaming domains, it is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 13.1%, i.e. 665.77 billion between 2023 and 2030.
- India: The Largest Gaming Market in the World
India has a massive user base of 568 million gamers, making it a huge contributor to the gaming market globally. According to the report “Robust Fundamentals to Power Continued Growth,” India has a 20% share in the world’s total mobile game downloads, surpassing the combined share of the USA and Brazil. As of 2023, India has a 90% share in the gaming market, while the US and China have a 37% and 62% share, respectively.
- Real-Money Games Boosts 83-84% Revenue Share in the Online Games Industry
With an estimated 280 million Indian users engaged in real-money games by 2028, the industry dominates the Indian gaming space. So much so that the high GST rate of 28% could not topple its massive presence. A CAGR of 15% of the online games industry expected till the financial year 2028 makes up for it.
The entertaining experience, coupled with bringing life to traditional games in the online space, like what RummyCulture is doing, has garnered attention. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology is promoting such brands that advocate organised play with recognised rummy rules. This has increased trust among users, which adds to participation.
- Gender Dynamics in the Online Games Industry: An Almost Equal Split
In the online gaming space, men have long dominated the user base. But this is changing. According to the Global Gamer Study conducted in 2023, 45% of video game players are women, and 55% are men. Women lean towards mobile platforms more than men; nearly 44% of females play mobile games. A similar trend is noticeable in India. According to a report by Lumikai, women make up 41% of gamers in India.
- Gaming: The Preferred Choice of Entertainment Over Filmed Entertainment
As people seek new avenues of entertainment to keep up with their interests and attention span, gaming delivers. It has witnessed increased engagement, surpassing filmed entertainment. This is observed by The Fandom, a platform covering entertainment fans from all over the world. According to its Inside Entertainment Report, 33% of fans are steering away from TV and movies and 59% are drawn to gaming. The online games industry in India garnered over 400 million gamers and outshined TV & movies to become the fourth-largest entertainment segment.
- Community Building Through Gaming on the Rise
Gaming has grown beyond a source of entertainment as people seek like-minded folks online. The Academy of Animated Art’s report echoes this, finding that 84% of gamers believe games help them connect with other people. The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) also found that more than two-thirds of video game players admit gaming helps them make new friends. Games like online rummy provide a medium for such players to connect through large-scale tournaments.
A Journey from Nimatron to Billions
What began as a simple mathematical computer game that left the public spellbound has now captured billions of users worldwide. The gaming industry continues to grow with technological advancements creating new possibilities for innovation. The growth trajectory looks up with the vast array of online games and genres already reigning in the gaming industry. The Artificial Intelligence (AI) thrown into the mix is shaping new pathways for an enhanced gaming experience.
