Rushindra Sinha, the CEO of Global Esports, recently expressed his concerns on Twitter about the viability of mobile esports in India. In light of the current issues the community has encountered, he questioned the practicality of maintaining rosters for well-known mobile titles like Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) and New State Mobile.

India is one of the largest mobile gaming markets in the world, with millions of players actively participating in games such as PUBG Mobile, Free Fire, and Call of Duty Mobile. However, despite the popularity of mobile gaming in the country, the esports industry has yet to fully take off.

Hurdles

Sinha believes that the lack of infrastructure is a major hurdle that the Indian esports industry needs to overcome. He pointed out that there are very few dedicated esports facilities in the country, which makes it difficult for players to practice and compete at a professional level. This lack of infrastructure also affects the quality of events and tournaments, which can be a turnoff for sponsors and investors.

Another issue that Sinha highlighted is the small player base for mobile esports in India. Unlike PC and console gaming, which have been popular in the country for several years, mobile gaming is still a relatively new phenomenon. As a result, there are fewer players who have the skills and experience needed to compete at a professional level.

Sinha also expressed concerns about the lack of a sustainable business model for mobile esports in India. He pointed out that, unlike other countries where esports is a lucrative industry, Indian companies have yet to find a profitable way to invest in the industry.

Do you think it’s worth hanging onto a BGMI and / or New State Roster given what’s been happening in the scene the last few weeks / months / years?!?!

I personally don’t 🙄

— Dr Rushindra Sinha (@RushindraSinha) March 13, 2023

Despite these challenges, Sinha remains optimistic about the future of esports in India. He believes that the industry has the potential to grow rapidly, especially if the government and private sector work together to invest in infrastructure and talent development.

In recent years, the Indian government has shown an increasing interest in promoting esports in the country. In 2019, the All India Gaming Federation (AIGF) was formed with the aim of developing a sustainable esports ecosystem in India. The government has also shown support for esports by recognizing it as a sport and providing funding for tournaments and events.

Private companies have also been investing in the Indian esports industry. In 2020, Mobile Premier League (MPL), one of the largest mobile gaming platforms in India, raised $90 million in funding, highlighting the potential for growth in the industry.

While the CEO of Global Esports may have expressed doubts about the future of mobile esports in India, there is still hope for the industry to grow and thrive. With the government and private sector working together to invest in infrastructure and talent development, India has the potential to become a major player in the global esports industry.