ET GBS: Low-cost internet, smartphones help e-sports to bloom in India, says Quentin Staes Polet

The world of gaming has evolved rapidly over the past few years with the rise of e-sports taking the world by storm. In India, the growth of e-sports has been remarkable with the low cost internet and smartphones playing crucial role in its proliferation. The one major hand for such contribution in the country is Reliance Ltd. Quentin States- Polet, an expert in the gaming industry has also noted the tremendous impact that the availability of low-cost internet and smartphones has had on the growth of e-sports in India. 

India has long been known for its love of cricket and other traditional sports but the rise of e-sports has changed the game. E-sports refers to the competitive video gaming where professional players and teams compete against one another in various games such as Dota 2, Counter Strike and League of Legend’s among others. The rise of e-sports has been attributed to several factors including the increasing popularity of online gaming the growing number of professional e-sports teams and the rise of the organized e sports events and tournaments. The availability of low cost internet and smartphones has played a significant role in the growth of e sports in India. According to Staes Polet the improving internet infrastructure and the decreasing cost of smartphones have made it easier for more people to access online gaming platforms and participate in e sports competitions. This has led to a surge in the popularity of e sports in the country with more and more players and fans joining the scene. 

India’s youth population has also been a driving force behind the growth of e sports in the country. With over 600 million people under the age of 25 India has a large pool of potential gamers who are tech savvy interested in online gaming. This has led to the rise of several professional e sport teams who are now competing in major international tournaments and events. Staes-Polet notes that India’s young population is a key factor in the growth of e-sports in the country and that this trend is likely to continue in the coming years. 

The growth of e sports in India has also been driven by the increasing interest in online gaming among both urban and rural communities. With the spread of the internet more people in rural areas are gaining access to the online gaming platforms which has helped to expand the reach of e-sports in the country. This has also led to the emergence of local e-sports tournaments and events which are now being held in various parts of the country. Despite the impressive growth of these sports in the country there are still several challenges which are need to be addressed. Staes Polet notes that there is a need for more formalized training and development programs for aspiring gamers as well as a lack of infrastructure and investment in the industry. He suggests that addressing these issues could help to further boost the growth of e-sports in India and create more opportunities for players and fans alike. 

In recent years there has been a surge in the number of e-sports events and tournaments held in India. The Indian Gaming Show (IGS) the largest gaming exhibition in the country has been held annually since 2017 and has attracted players and fans from all over the country. The event features several e-sports tournaments including popular games such as Counter Strike, etc. the other major e-sport events held in India includes the ESL India Premiership, the Indian Esports Championship and the PUBG Mobile India series among others. Theses events have also helped to showcase the talent of Indian e-sports players and have given them the opportunity to compete against some of the best players in the world.  

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