HUGE SURGE IN ONLINE GAMING. WILL THE TREND CONTINUE?

With increasing smartphone usage, it is possible to download games with just a tap on the screen, easier than ever before. Besides, online games are skill-based games and involve both money and strategy

As people are self-quarantining themselves at home to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus, online gaming companies in India seeing an uptick in the number of users on their platforms and a surge in the number of hours Indian users spend gaming online.

Online gaming and esports have proved a welcome diversion for many people chafing at the movement restrictions, the cancellation of countless public events and a relentless onslaught of news about the pandemic. People are spending more time online than ever before.

While many are willing to stay put for the next few months until the condition improves, 75 percent of the people have shown a strong sentiment towards the continuation of playing online games even after COVID19. The survey was conducted in July 2020 where close to 1000 respondents with the age group of 20 to 50 years shared their views.

Online games are commonly perceived by many as a medium to kill time, but there is much more they offer. Most of the online games are skill-based which interests the players who have played these games offline. Some of the skills are observational skills, interpersonal skills, and analytical skills.

Besides, real money games or games involving money and strategy, require concentration and alertness too. The survey also revealed that 82.2% percent of people agree with the fact that online gaming needs skills. Familiar games attract skilled players who find it easy and exciting to play in online mode. Players are grabbing this opportunity to earn money and even getting into it professionally.