The gaming and esports industry has swiftly emerged as a cornerstone of the global economy, driven by technological advancements and cultural shifts. According to industry reports, esports has seen exponential growth, with significant contributions to graphics innovation, artificial intelligence applications, and the development of immersive virtual reality experiences. These advancements aims to not only enhance gameplay but also attract a diverse audience and substantial investments. However, alongside its rapid expansion, the industry faces challenges such as inclusivity and mental health concerns, prompting stakeholders to seek innovative solutions for sustainable growth and societal impact.

In a conversation with BrandWagon Online, Jaganathan Chelliah, senior director, marketing- India Middle East and TIA, Western Digital, talks about the factors driving the growth of esports in India, the future of online gaming, the importance of storage for gamers, and the storage solutions offered by Western Digital, among others. (Edited Excerpts)

Esports has seen tremendous growth globally and in India in recent years. What factors do you believe are contributing to this rise in popularity?

A large young population, wider internet penetrations, access to affordable devices and interesting competitive games are some of the factors driving the growth of Esports in India. Esports have also attracted attention from the gaming industry and the government in terms of investment and welcoming policies, which has also aided its growth. 

The fanbase for Esports also plays a significant role in making Esports popular with content proliferating across social media. In addition, today, there are alluring prizes on offer that run into lakhs of rupees, helping attract more players to form teams and compete in Esports events. We have seen tremendous growth, in terms of teams’ participation, and viewership, in our Esports tournament the WD_BLACK™ CUP, for example.

How do you see the future of online gaming in India? 

Gaming is poised to continue its rapid growth in the country and the online gaming segment is already the fourth largest segment of the Indian M&E sector, as per a report by E&Y, and is expected to reach Rs 231 billion by 2025 at a CAGR of 20%1. This will also likely have a knock-on effect on the further growth of Esports in India, with an increasing appetite for domestic content and live game streaming.

Why is storage important for gamers?

The gaming industry is experiencing a notable shift driven by visually impressive games that continually increase in file size. AAA titles, renowned for their high fidelity, can reach sizes exceeding hundreds of gigabytes. Data storage also plays an important part in a smooth gameplay. According to Western Digital’s study, “Insights into Next-Gen Indian PC Gamer,” slow storage is cited by 57% of respondents as having the most pronounced impact on gameplay.2

Western Digital developed its WD_BLACKTM portfolio of purpose-built drives to help keep up with the capacity and performance needs for gamers.  Whether on a console, handheld PC device or PC, the WD_BLACKTM line offers solutions to help gamers stay in the game. 

For example, the WD_BLACK™ SN850X NVMe™ SSD delivers read speeds of up to 7,300 MB/s*, ensuring elite gaming experiences with minimal load times. With storage capacities of up to 4TB**, this drive empowers gamers while providing essential features like the WD_BLACKTM Dashboard (Windows® only) for drive health monitoring. 

What kind of storage solutions are you offering to gamers? 

Our WD_BLACKTM portfolio is uniquely crafted to fulfil the demands of the rapidly expanding gaming industry.

We offer a diverse selection of gaming storage solutions catering to both professional and casual gamers with their specific needs. We continue to introduce innovative products to our acclaimed WD_BLACK™ gaming lineup, providing gamers with more choices to elevate their gaming experience. For example, our WD_BLACKTM SN850X NVMeTM SSD is designed for a gamer who wants to invest in a premium gaming rig. While the WD_BLACKTM SN770 NVMeTM SSD featuring a PCIe® Gen4 interface*** and delivering read speeds of up to 5,150MB/s* (1TB and 2TB models) is for a gamer who wants a powerful mid-range gaming rig. Our WD_BLACKTM SN850P NVMe™ SSD is officially licensed for the PlayStation®5 console; with up to 4TB** of storage capacity, it allows gamers to store more titles with worry-free installation.

We also conduct comprehensive studies to understand gamers’ challenges and their expectations and accordingly bring customised solutions for them. 

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As you run an Esports tournament, WD_BLACKTM CUP, what guidance would you offer to players who want to become Esports players?

Continuous skill development is crucial for gamers to enhance their abilities and stay competitive in the gaming world. Gamers should invest to improve their reflexes, decision-making abilities, and overall gameplay mechanics. Gamers should also keep track of professional gamers and Esports events to study their techniques, and strategies, it can offer valuable insights to gamers to enhance and refine their skills. Having right gaming tools, such as fast and high-capacity storage solutions, can also help them stay ahead in the game. 

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