The esports sector has come a long way over the last two to three years from its humble, nascent beginnings. The increasing adoption of everything-online through 2020 to 2021 due to the pandemic has played an integral role in propelling the sector in a short span of time. What we are now seeing is a very promising consolidation of sorts. Multiple forces are coming together under its umbrella, giving esports the wings to rise to its full potential in 2022.
Here are some dynamic trends and patterns that will push the next wave of growth for esports taking it to around Rs 11 billion estimated potential by FY2025.
- Esports and Metaverse will start coalescing
Both esports and the metaverse have their foundations in the virtual, alternate world of reality. What esports has done is that it has created this very competitive, professional digital world that celebrates the athletic talent and a particular skill set in a shared virtual realm. The immersive metaverse world is very similar to this. It allows like-minded people to mingle and collaborate in a shared space. In the year 2022, we will see the convergence of both these distinct yet similar worlds at a preliminary stage. As for the gamers, this transition between the two worlds will be seamless.
- Esports will become more differentiated because of multiple levels of entertainment
Esports will not be about only gaming in the years to come, though that will form its crux. It will also be a sport that will involve different strata of society because of the multiple levels of entertainment it will offer. There will be something for everyone and not just for the gaming community. Already, NODWIN Gaming has taken over the IP for India’s much-loved music festival BACARDI NH7 Weekender. We’ve also tied up with cinema halls so anyone can drop in to watch the live streaming of a game, particularly during any of the big esports tournaments, just like they watch a movie in the theatre. We also organised a Chess league in 2021 that was a huge success, so, we will see more such collaborations between esports companies and other entertainment media this year.
- Esports will have a million-dollar tournament in India
Some of the mega esports tournaments in India like eISL, Chess league, VCC, India plays and ESL India Premiership are already generating revenues worth crores. We’re talking prize pools of around 78 lakh for winners of eISL and 40 lakh for the Chess league! In 2022, India will host a million-dollar esports tournament that will take advertising and merchandising to an all-new high as it brings together endemic and non-endemic brands, partners from outside the world of esports and some of the country’s best gaming talents.
- Esports will become more watched than all other sports except cricket
We’ve seen registrations and the viewership of esports events like VCC, ESL, eISL on streaming platforms break records in 2021. In fact, NODWIN witnessed the highest spike in participation in the history of its flagship esports tournament ESL India Premiership in 2020. The Summer season of 2020 saw an increase of around 1866 per cent in participation and a 325 per cent increase in watch hours. India’s youth-driven population — the highest young population in the world, will be watching a lot of esports in 2022 – an estimated 17 million-plus – making it the most-watched among all other sports, barring cricket.
- Esports will have mainstream talent from Hollywood/ Bollywood getting involved
Esports is going to ring in all the glamour and glitz in 2022! The sector is growing at a rapid 46 per cent pace as it makes all the right noises and attracts the attention of the non-gaming world. We will see mainstream talent from Hollywood and Bollywood getting involved in the lucrative sector because of its enormous potential and youth connect. The sector is on its way to achieving a pop-culture status as it ropes in top names from the entertainment industry both in India and globally. We’ve already seen stars like Manoj Bajpayee, John Abraham, and Tiger Shroff put on gaming shoes to promote their films alongside celebrity gamers like Mortal, Thug and Viper.
(This article has been contributed by NODWIN Gaming co – founder and MD Akshat Rathee and AnimationXpress does not necessarily subscribe to these views)