“2024: The Year Gaming Transforms Forever – ET Edge Insights”

The past year proved to be significant for esports and video gaming on a global scale. In July, the International Olympic Committee made a historic announcement stating that the inaugural Olympic Esports Games would take place in Saudi Arabia in 2025. This news, originating from the highest levels of sport, the Olympics, signals the beginning of an era characterized by innovation-driven expansion for gaming.

However, global acknowledgment of video gaming and esports began considerably earlier. In 2018, it made its debut as a demonstration event at the Asian Games in Indonesia, marking a proud moment for India’s Tirth Mehta, who secured a bronze medal. In the 2022 edition held in China, esports became a full medal event (with the medal contributing to the nation’s total if achieved) and once again, India showcased its prowess by reaching the quarterfinals of one competition.

As global recognition flourished, innovation followed suit, and 2024 witnessed India making substantial progress in esports and video gaming. A pivotal moment for Indian video gaming unfolded when the esteemed Prime Minister Narendra Modi engaged with renowned Indian gamers to discuss the sector and its immense potential.

The increasing governmental support has invigorated the industry and its esports athletes alike. India’s Wasfi Bilal also achieved a significant milestone this year by winning a silver medal at the BRICS Esports Championship for the game Tekken 8. As the government and other key stakeholders continue to acknowledge and promote video gaming, India is poised to nurture numerous talented esports athletes and aspire for accolades at the inaugural Olympic event in Saudi Arabia.

Gaming also took center-stage (literally) during the India Mobile Congress (IMC) in New Delhi in October, where participating corporations showcased esports and hosted grand finales for nationwide esports tournaments, underscoring the growing significance of video gaming as a driver of audience engagement.

Recently, mobile video gaming has established itself as the uncontested leader globally and particularly in India, where it accounts for a staggering 90% of the entire video gaming revenue, as per reports. It has played a crucial role in the overall boom of gaming in India by lowering the entry barriers associated with gaming and broadening the target audience consequently. This shift has resulted in numerous esports and gaming tournaments being organized specifically for mobile players. Popular titles like Call of Duty have transitioned to mobile devices, along with mobile-first games like Free Fire and Real Cricket, bringing in new players. With these games gaining traction on smartphones for nearly a decade, 2024 witnessed breakout tournaments in innovative formats that made a significant impact in the gaming sector.

The Global e-Cricket Premier League (GEPL), for instance, which featured Real Cricket, encountered over two hundred thousand registrations and amassed a viewership exceeding one million when streamed live on Jio Cinema.

Indeed, esports is not just attracting players and athletes but is also drawing substantial viewership. Audiences are purposefully tuning in to watch live esports, and gamers have become iconic figures in their own right, garnering millions of followers on social media platforms.

With fresh, innovative tournaments and formats, as well as utilizing streaming to reach a larger audience, one could assert that esports truly broke into the mainstream in 2024.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author/authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of ET Edge Insights, its management, or its members