Moin Khot
Aug, 09.2023
The landscape of entertainment is undergoing a seismic shift, and at the forefront of this transformation is the gaming and esports industry. Nikhil Kamath, the founder of Zerodha, Indian brokerage firm, has shared remarkable insights into this burgeoning sector. Kamath's observations shed light on the industry's potential to reshape the entertainment landscape and surpass conventional juggernauts like movies and music.
Nikhil Kamath Believes Gaming is the Next Big Thing in Entertainment Industry
With over 13 years of software development expertise, Nikhil Kamath emerged as a self-made entrepreneur and a recurring name on the Forbes Billionaires List. His recent revelations on Twitter have ignited discussions about the trajectory of the Indian gaming and esports domain. Kamath's anticipation that interactive content will dominate the next decade's entertainment preferences underscores the paradigm shift from passive to active engagement.
Kamath's perspectives extend to investment opportunities within the sector. He posits that esports holds the promise to not only outshine Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket teams but also revolutionize the investment landscape. This proposition speaks volumes about the growing financial viability of esports and its potential to capture investors' attention.
Job Prospects in the Gaming Industry and Its Impact on Economy
The Indian gaming industry's transformative potential is not limited to its economic impact; it also holds the key to substantial job creation. Kamath's revelations point to an anticipated surge of over 1 Lakh (100,000) job opportunities within the industry by the fiscal year's end. These roles, ranging from game developers to animators, journalists, and web analysts, signal a diversified job market catering to diverse skill sets.
At the heart of Kamath's discourse is the meteoric rise of esports. Projections indicate that this genre could contribute 100 billion INR to the Indian economy by 2025, a testament to its transformative potential. The projected esports prize pool's potential triumph over the IPL's well-established prize fund signifies a shift in consumer preferences and an endorsement of the esports ecosystem.
In a watershed moment, the Indian government recognized esports as a multi-sport event, cementing its legitimacy and cultural importance. Additionally, the Indian gaming industry's revenue trajectory is awe-inspiring. From contributing to 17% of global downloads in 2022 to generating $2.6 billion USD in revenue that year, the industry's growth is remarkable. Predictions of reaching a staggering $8.6 billion USD by 2027 indicate an unrivaled expansion.
Beyond holistic growth, Kamath's insights delve into the nuances of the industry's segments. Real Money Gaming (RMG) and mid-core games like BGMI, Free Fire, and Genshin Impact are forecasted to expand at impressive rates, paralleling the growth of esports, streaming, and related services.