India's Esports Revolution: How the Olympic Esports Series is Changing the Game

India's esports scene is on the rise, with the Olympic Esports Series providing a platform for gamers to compete globally. With increasing viewership, investment, and a growing player base, esports is gaining mainstream recognition in India.

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The Rise of Esports in India: A Global Phenomenon

The Olympic Esports Series (OES) has taken the world by storm, and India is no exception. The inaugural edition of the OES, held in Singapore in 2023, marked a significant milestone in the journey of esports towards global recognition. The International Olympic Committee (IOC), in collaboration with game publishers and international federations, has created a platform that brings together gamers from around the world to compete in virtual and simulated sports.

The Olympic Esports Series is a global virtual and simulated sports competition

The OES features games connected to traditional Olympic sports, including archery, tennis, baseball, chess, cycling, and taekwondo. Titles such as Tic Tac Bow and WBSC eBASEBALL: POWER PROS allow players to compete in archery and baseball in a virtual format. Although esports won’t be part of the official Olympic stage in 2024, the OES provides an exciting alternative for gaming enthusiasts.

Esports in India is gaining mainstream recognition

Esports in India is gaining mainstream recognition due to increasing viewership, investment, and a growing player base. With advocacy from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, esports has been officially recognized as a ‘multi-sport’ event by the Indian government. Industry experts envision esports competing in the Olympic Esports Games shortly. The popularity of mobile gaming, driven by widespread smartphone usage, has significantly contributed to the industry’s growth.

Mobile gaming has driven the growth of esports in India

Despite being a mobile-first nation, there’s a noticeable surge in interest in PC gaming, especially for esports events. Positive trends indicate that participation in esports tournaments is projected to increase, and airtime for esports broadcasts is set to rise.

PC gaming is gaining popularity in India

India’s esports scene is on the rise, and its ambitions extend to the global stage. Recent data from video game developer Valve highlights that Asia, including India, is one of the fastest-growing regions for Steam users, with a more than 150% increase in new users from 2019 to 2024.

Asia, including India, is one of the fastest-growing regions for Steam users

The future of esports in India looks bright, and with the OES leading the way, it’s only a matter of time before India becomes a dominant force in the global esports arena.