Free Fire’s return expected to spark 30% growth in Indian esports: Experts
The re-entry of Free Fire, one of the largest esports games, into the Indian market is anticipated to have a significant impact on the esports industry. Experts predict that this move will drive more than a 30 percent growth in the esports market in India.
As the game returns, publishers are expected to compete by organizing top-tier tournaments, offering substantial prizes, collaborating with influencers, expanding the viewership base, and contributing to the overall growth of the esports sector. This competition and investment are likely to result in double-digit growth for the esports industry in India. It’s worth noting that the esports industry in India experienced revenue growth from Rs 1,000 crore in 2021 to Rs 1,100 crore in 2022.
Stan, an esports fan engagement startup, has previously collaborated with over 100 Free Fire creators and now plans to host additional intellectual properties (IPs) targeted at the Free Fire audience.
According to Rohit Agarwal, Founder and Director of Alpha Zegus, a marketing agency, the return of Free Fire to India is currently the most significant headline for the esports industry. He highlights that Free Fire has one of the largest audience bases in India, with data suggesting it had a larger audience base than any other gaming title in the country before its temporary ban. This return is expected to have a substantial impact on the Indian esports scene.
In June 2023, Free Fire secured the title of the most downloaded mobile game worldwide, amassing nearly 19 million downloads. India played a significant role in this achievement, accounting for 27.9 percent of the total downloads during that period, as reported by Sensor Tower, a market research company.
Rohit Agarwal further emphasized the potential of Free Fire’s return to India, stating that if the game can regain approximately 70 percent of its previous audience base in the country (before the ban), it is poised to quickly break viewership records and compete directly with other popular gaming titles. This highlights the substantial impact that the re-entry of Free Fire could have on the Indian esports and gaming landscape.
The resurgence of Free Fire in India is anticipated to have a far-reaching impact, extending beyond esports competitions and into the creator community. Animesh Agarwal, Founder & CEO of 8Bit Creatives, an esports consulting and talent agency, and co-founder of S8UL, an esports team, highlighted the significance of Free Fire’s return for content creators. He explained that Free Fire’s presence in India will provide creators with opportunities to grow and expand their fanbase.
Additionally, as the game garners renewed attention and engagement, it is expected to attract increased interest and investments from brands into the esports ecosystem, further contributing to the growth of the industry. This holistic approach to Free Fire’s return underscores its potential to reshape and invigorate the esports landscape in India.
The return of Free Fire to India is poised to bring substantial benefits to content creators within the gaming community. Nayan Shelke, widely recognized as Assasin, is one of the leading content creators in the Free Fire India gaming community. Shelke operates a popular YouTube channel named Assasin Army, boasting an impressive 9.5 million subscribers. He anticipates a significant surge in both his channel’s subscriber base and income as a result of Free Fire’s relaunch in India.
Shelke emphasized the paramount importance of Free Fire’s return, as it directly impacts the careers of content creators like himself. He also noted that following the temporary ban of Free Fire, his video engagement soared, with views doubling from one million to two million. This heightened interest underscores the deep connection between the game’s resurgence and the fortunes of content creators who depend on it for their livelihoods.
Nayan Shelke, popularly known as Assasin and a prominent content creator in the Free Fire gaming community, shared insights into his YouTube channel’s growth. After the initial dip in subscribers, he observed a gradual increase from six to seven million subscribers over two months. Subsequently, reaching eight million subscribers took 10 months.
However, the last two months, fueled by the excitement surrounding Free Fire India’s return, witnessed extraordinary growth, with his channel gaining 1-1.5 million subscribers and reaching a remarkable 9.5 million subscribers. Shelke also expects his earnings from Free Fire India to double, reflecting the game’s significant impact on content creators’ income.
Another gaming content creator, Bharat, who goes by Badge 99, anticipates a positive transformation in the esports landscape with the launch of Free Fire India. He believes that the reintroduction of the game will create more opportunities for players and content creators, leading to an increase in tournaments and a broader audience base. Additionally, Bharat expects brands to take a keen interest in approaching content creators following the announcement of Free Fire India’s launch, further enhancing the ecosystem’s growth.
The relaunch of Free Fire in India is expected to significantly contribute to the growth of the esports market in the country. Experts predict a growth rate of over 30 percent in the esports industry, driven by the return of this popular title. The competitive landscape is expected to heat up as publishers vie to organize top-tier tournaments, offer substantial prizes, engage influencers, expand viewership, and bolster the overall esports industry. The Indian esports industry has already shown substantial growth, with revenue increasing from Rs 1,000 crore in 2021 to Rs 1,100 crore in 2022. The resurgence of Free Fire is poised to further boost the sector’s growth.
Rohit Agarwal, Founder and Director of Alpha Zegus, a marketing agency, emphasized that the return of Free Fire to India is a significant development for the industry. He highlighted the game’s substantial audience base in the country, which exceeded that of any other gaming title before its ban. The widespread popularity of Free Fire in India positions it for success upon its reentry, potentially breaking viewership records and competing directly with other popular titles.
The impact of Free Fire’s return extends beyond esports competitions; it is also expected to benefit the creator community. Animesh Agarwal, Founder & CEO of 8Bit Creatives, an esports consulting and talent agency, anticipates that Free Fire India will provide creators with opportunities to grow their fanbase. As the game regains attention and engagement, there is expected to be increased interest and investment from brands in the ecosystem, further supporting the growth of the Indian esports industry.
Nayan Shelke, known as Assasin, a prominent content creator in the Free Fire India gaming community, expects significant growth in his YouTube channel’s subscriber base and income. He emphasized the importance of Free Fire’s return for content creators, as it directly impacts their careers. Shelke experienced fluctuations in his channel’s growth but noted that the reintroduction of Free Fire led to rapid growth, with millions of new subscribers and a doubling of his views. He anticipates a substantial increase in earnings as Free Fire India gains momentum.
Another content creator in the gaming space, Bharat, known as Badge 99, foresees Free Fire India opening doors for newer gamers to enter the esports scene. He believes that the game’s relaunch will create more opportunities for players and content creators, with an uptick in tournaments and a broader audience base. Additionally, Bharat expects increased brand interest in content creators following the announcement of Free Fire India’s launch.
The accessibility of Free Fire, which is optimized for low-end Android devices, is a key factor contributing to its expected user growth in India. With over 1 million esports players in the country, Free Fire’s user base is poised to expand significantly, catering to a broad spectrum of gamers. Lokesh Suji, Director of the Esports Federation of India and Vice President of the Asian Esports Federation (AESF), sees Free Fire’s return as a promising development for players in India. It is expected to fuel competitiveness, provide recognition, and unlock global opportunities for Indian esports players on a larger scale.
In summary, the return of Free Fire to the Indian gaming landscape is anticipated to fuel remarkable growth in the esports industry. It will usher in intense competition, offer opportunities for content creators, attract more players, and contribute to the industry’s continued expansion. The game’s optimization for low-end devices ensures a broad user base, making it a standout title in the Indian esports ecosystem.
