Indian mobile game developers turn to eSports for the next big break

Tamil Nadu-based game developer Unicorn Gaming startup Mobile is one of the first adopters of Premier League (MPL)’s new eSports Software Development Kit (SDK), which was released last month to all mobile game developers.

The Chennai game is an example of this. In the wake of the post-pandemic boom, a growing number of gaming firms in India are redesigning or revamping their games to include eSports, which was once dismissed as an industry that has no bearing in India. There was no future.

Rajendran PR, Co-Founder and CEO, Developer and Publisher of NextWave Multimedia World Cricket Championship 3 (WCC3), earlier this year ran a few smaller tournaments on the proprietary eSports mode, followed by a larger tournament sponsored by energy drink maker Red Bull.

Rajendran said that once he saw interest from gamers, NextWave extended that module and built more tools to appeal to larger tournament operators. These tools not only allow more players to compete, but also offer them to change the camera angle in real time while streaming the match.

NextWave now plans to tap into MPL’s eSports SDK.

“MPL’s eSports SDK is in the final stages of production and testing. There are some customizations related to eSports that we wanted in our game and the SDK enables it. It was also an opportunity to work with a bigger player and create more tournament opportunities for their fans. We think this will help us grow our viewership.”

According to a November 25 report by Boston Consulting Group (BCG), the Indian gaming industry generates revenue of $1.5 billion, which is expected to triple by 2025. The report said that mobile gaming accounts for 86 per cent of the Indian gaming market. and with games like pubg mobile Etcetera. Earning crores of rupees in the form of tournament prize money, interest in eSports is also increasing.

To be sure, much of the eSports action right now revolves around a handful of international imports, such as battle royale games. pubg And Garena Free Fire,

MPL’s eSports SDK and other such offerings are looking to change that. Also, Indian gamers can enjoy large format PC games like . don’t indulge too much Defense of the Ancients,

But the industry is large enough for large eSports teams around the world, such as Team SoloMind (better known as TSM) and Fnatic, to recruit local players and establish India-specific teams to compete in regional tournaments. .

In a June blog post, Ashish Ferwani, partner, media and entertainment advisory services, EY India, wrote that the eSports market in India “has grown quickly”. 3 billion more is expected to reach in FY 2011 11 billion by FY25. “However, the game has a huge economic impact: we expect it to generate economic value of approx. 100 billion between now and fiscal year 2025,” he said. BCG also said that eSports is in a nascent stage, but is valued at $100 million and growing rapidly.

“With mobile gaming growing at a massive and rapid pace, we see a huge opportunity for mobile eSports and what it offers to both developers and players. Vibhav Viswanathan, Vice President of Product Development at MPL said, “We have today Saw a difference in the tools available to organize mobile eSports on a large scale.”

In sports, eSports increases engagement, and higher engagement leads to higher retention and conversions. It also prolongs the lifespan of games, as a competitive tournament can last 5–10 years, which keeps players interested in the game for a longer period of time, even if a new version is not created rapidly.

Casual but popular sports like eSports availability WCC3 It also lowers the barrier to entry and encourages more casual gamers to participate in eSports. “Usually eSports tournaments are organized by dedicated tournament operators and they are invite only in most cases. A vast majority of users wanting to compete in eSports have been missed. We wanted anyone to conduct and participate in smaller tournaments,” Rajendran said.