The explosive growth of the mobile gaming industry is largely driven by the worldwide surge in smartphone adoption. Budget-friendly devices with powerful processors are making gaming more inclusive, reaching audiences across diverse regions and demographics.
India now leads the world in mobile game downloads, recording an impressive 8.45 billion in the fiscal year 2024–25. Yet, despite this massive user base, the country’s gaming revenue stands at a modest $400 million—revealing significant monetization hurdles. Since the majority of users prefer free-to-play experiences, game publishers must rethink their strategies to effectively tap into the vast, yet price-conscious, Indian market.
With the mobile gaming sector rapidly advancing, attracting and retaining players has become critical for the long-term success of both games and their creators. To stay competitive, studios—big and small—are now actively seeking alternative monetization strategies that go beyond conventional app store revenue streams, Karan Pathak, Associate Director of Esports, Krafton India told Financial Express.
“At Krafton, we’ve seen firsthand how India’s mobile-first ecosystem is shaping the gaming landscape. BGMI alone has surpassed 230 million downloads. According to recent insights, India led the world with 8.45 billion mobile game downloads in FY 2024–25, establishing it as the largest mobile gaming market globally,” Pathak said.
The company has invested in regional content, language-based communities, and offline college esports tours. The brand has also built strategic partnerships with smartphone makers like Realme and iQOO, with a shared commitment to enhancing the user experience through innovation and collaboration.
Gaming was once seen only as a distraction or simple entertainment:
There was a time when gaming was dismissed as mere entertainment or even a distraction. But in the current digital age, it has transformed into a legitimate and lucrative profession. From streaming gameplay on platforms like YouTube to competing in global e-sports championships and building a personal brand through content creation, the gaming industry now presents a wide range of opportunities for recognition and financial success.
“Krafton has helped evolve esports from a casual pastime into a structured ecosystem that offers real career opportunities. Through flagship events like BGIS (BATTLEGROUNDS MOBILE INDIA SERIES) and BMPS (BATTLEGROUNDS MOBILE PRO SERIES), we’ve created platforms with multi crore prize pools and national exposure for aspiring players. Moreover, the rise of BGMI streamers into full-fledged creators has been supported by our Rising Star Program, which offers mentorship, visibility, and monetization opportunities. With plans to introduce franchise-based leagues akin to the IPL, KRAFTON is enabling a clear progression pathway from casual gamers, to streamers, to professional esports athlete or content creators,” Pathak noted.
India has yet to produce a homegrown game that matches the scale, popularity, or technical finesse of titles like BGMI (Battlegrounds Mobile India). Despite a growing gaming community and increasing investment in the sector, most Indian-made games still lag behind in graphics, gameplay mechanics, and global appeal.
India is still working toward creating a homegrown game that can compete on a global scale:
The industry continues to rely heavily on international titles to engage players, highlighting the need for stronger infrastructure, talent development, and innovation in game design.
“India is making significant strides in developing games that resonate globally, but the industry is still in its early stages of maturity. Limited long-term capital, minimal exposure to AAA game development, and a predominant focus on hyper-casual formats have delayed the emergence of large-scale titles comparable to BGMI. The challenge lies in scaling efforts to support high-fidelity, multiplayer-first games, which require sustained R&D, robust publishing infrastructure, and cross-disciplinary collaboration areas that are steadily evolving. With rising investments, government support, and growing global interest, India is poised to develop world-class gaming IPs in the near future,” Pathak mentioned.
