E-SPORTS and it’s FUTURE in India

By AnandKiran

Esports is more versatile and adaptable than regular sports, and its tournaments vary in scale, operations and frequency

Esports in India 2021

As the popularity and frequency of esports tournaments grow, esports is often confused with online gaming. The need for an electronic device and online multiplayer game fuels the misnomer. However, esports is not online gaming. Unlike online gaming, esports is defined by online games of skill that are played in tournaments – different teams and individuals playing against each other to win the championship, league, title like physical sports. Esports also includes games which are the digital/virtual manifestations of traditional sports.

Introduction to Esports in India

Not a lot of industries have had the privilege to observe things run smooth for them on the financial front in the last 14 months. Especially, the sports industry, where losses have been immaculately huge. But there has still been a part, that has seen light in these times. The esports industry has rather done spectacularly well in the pandemic on all verticals.

But on this thread, we start with how it’s going for the esports market in the Indian context. We will get to the progress the industry has made in the last one year and the future of esports in India. But first, we take a small look at how it has done over the last few years both globally and in India.

THE FUTURE OF ESPORTS IN INDIA

According to industry estimates, India has over 300 million gamers. In light of the current situation, the industry is evolving and increasing. The following are some of the main factors that will drive the sector’s growth in the coming years:

• Live Streaming and Increased Viewership: Gaming and the esports market will embrace live streaming, resulting in an increase in attendance. Real time streaming of gaming content, combined with regional streaming, will help gain momentum and create a solid, large, and diverse fan base. The gaming industry, which is dominated by the younger generation, provides consumers with fun and frolic opportunities while also extending their spare time. As a result, their preference and viewership will increase. With different demographical areas, India has the best youth and related communities. As a result of its content and tech-savvy characteristics, it is one of the booming markets for esports and video gaming.
• Increase in Prize pool and Career Prospects: Tournament awards and cash prizes are rising and will continue to rise. Inter-regional and inter-city esports competitions, as well as brand sponsorships, are on the rise. The prize pool is attracting young people to try esports and online gaming as a full-time profession. The possibilities for a profession are vast. Aspiring gamers would be more likely to be created and developed as a result of this.

• Esports in Education: The pandemic accelerated digital penetration and business expansion. It also fuelled the growth of India’s esports market. Esports is projected to be included in the curriculum and taught to students as a full-fledged course. The education sector would soon offer esports degrees and credential programs. Recruiting the best trainers, athletes, and gamers will increase jobs and the seekers. This will contribute in establishing a large network of gamers, esports clubs, and societies. 
• Financial growth and Non-Endemic Brand Collaborations: Sponsorship and ads from non-endemic brands can now be used in the market. Despite the fact that they are not specifically related to esports, they would be drawn to such alliances since these partnerships will aid their entry into the esports group. 
  • They will also assist them in gaining momentum and exposure. They will be able to diversify their brand mix and improve their brand value as a result of this.
  • The marketers are looking to gain exposure, viewer interaction in a live environment, contact with millennials, and awareness in the esports market by running paid advertisements on well- known esports channels, advertising goods and services through in-game plug-in promotions, brand integrations, and sponsorship. 
  • As a newcomer, the industry will have more potential for innovation, as well as more freedom for brands. They’ll be able to share their stories in a narrative way, but with a twist thanks to the esports and gaming industries. 
  • The esports business has since attracted the interest of a number of angel investors and venture capitalists. It will continue to gain funding from investors and advertisers, and esports monetization will soon be at its peak.
• Increased Mobile Usage: According to a BARC & Nielsen survey, the number of mobile gaming users each week rose from 60% in pre-covid periods to 68% during the lockdown phase. Additionally, after the lockout, users spent 218 minutes a week on mobile games, up from 151 minutes prior to the lockdown. 
  • This number is predicted to rise as smartphones become more widely used across the globe. The high-speed broadband has also become more widely available. Esports and online gaming can grow in tandem with the growth in smartphone use. 
  • It will play a significant role in the industry’s growth in India. Starting from the ground up, the Indian gaming industry, especially esports, has grown into a multibillion-dollar ecosystem. Though it has its share of setbacks, the sector is brimming with energy, innovation, and opportunities. 
  • The rise of esports in India is fuelled by increased capitalist funding, brand partnerships, and increased cell phone use.

The time is right for the stakeholders to step up and expect more from this vertical of sports. Technology is one of the few things that adds value to all kinds of businesses and the bar will only raise higher with time as we move on to a more technologically run world.

• • •

The Perks and Pitfalls Of Electronic Sports

E-sports is definitely entertaining. If you play in moderation, it comes with several health perks, too. But as with all forms of entertainment, overplay can result in a host of problems.

The Perks

• Improved hand-eye coordination: “A proficient gamer has 300 to 400 precise actions per minute,” Dr. Natwa says. Those actions require gamers to develop superior hand-eye coordination skills.
• Improved attention and visual acuity: Gaming demands constant attention. Players develop an uncanny ability to track objects and they’re able to focus on e-sports despite external distractions.
• Improved decision-making and problem-solving skills: E-sports require players to make quick decisions and plan ahead. They not only have to focus on which move to make and when, but they also come up with strategies to defeat their opponents.
• Enhanced socialization: E-sports offer an opportunity for connection. That can be especially important during a global pandemic where people are physically isolated. “A lot of gamers say e-sports helps them connect socially with friends,” Dr. Natwa says.

The Pitfalls

• Gaming disorder: In 2018, the International Classification of Diseases includes a condition called “gaming disorder.” The term describes a condition where gamers prioritize e-sports over other activities to the degree where it impacts overall health and well-being.
• Joint pain: Proficient gaming demands an outrageous amount of repetitive movement in the thumbs, fingers and hands. “Those repetitive movements cause inflammation and tendonitis,” Dr. Natwa says. Common concerns include “gamer’s thumb” (inflammation of tendons that move your thumb), carpal tunnel syndrome (a pinched nerve that causes numbness, weakness and tingling in the hands), and even tennis elbow (irritation and inflammation of the tissue that connects the forearm and elbow).
• Nutritional neglect: It’s not uncommon for gamers to sit in one spot for hours. They might forget to eat or just grab the most convenient snack they can, so they can devour it quickly and get back to the game.
• Lack of exercise: Many gamers focus on the screen to the detriment of all other activities, including physical exercise. Among competitive gamers, there’s even a risk of developing blood clots from sitting in one spot for too long.
• Mood and sleep disturbances: While e-sports participation has not been shown to cause mood or social disorders, there is a correlation between them — and one can exacerbate the other. “Things like depression that are caused by lack of exercise, nutrition, hydration, natural light — all of those things happen with video games,” Dr. Natwa says. Sleep disorders, too, may get worse among people who enjoy participating in e-sports.

Striking A Balance With E-sports

If you’re a pro-level gamer, it’s difficult to avoid some of the pitfalls of e-sports. But according to Dr. Natwa, there are things you can do to minimize the negative hit to your health:

• Schedule frequent breaks — and take them.
• Make time for “real” exercise.
• Be sure to eat a healthful diet and consume meals at regular intervals.
• Wear braces, rest and perform appropriate rehab on injured areas.
• Practice targeted exercises to strengthen surrounding structures and lubricate inflamed joints and tendons.

Most important, know your limits. “If you’re not a professional gamer, make sure to restrict the amount of time you’re participating in e-sports and diversify your activities,” Dr. Natwa says.

E-sports is a real activity that millions participate in, including children. “Just like physical sports, parents need to regulate the passion of the athlete,” Dr. Natwa says. “Since e-sports is a new field, parents need to educate themselves so they can make informed decisions for their children.”