With the spread of COVID-19, the Indian online gambling sector has grown in lockstep. More free time and accessibility to cheap internet resulted in the online gaming community experiencing a large influx of players and viewers.

But along with this sudden positive boom, there have been instances of online phishing attacks, decreased productivity among youth, a shift from conventional offline gaming tournaments, and more screen time, all leading to an unhealthy social environment.

Types of Games That Constitute the Indian Gaming Industry

1. Battle-Royale Frenzy

The Indian online gaming community is incomplete without the mention of battle royale enthusiasts. Games like Fortnite, PUBG, COD Warzone, etc. observed a similar influx of players during COVID-19. These types of games have seen a boost due to a change in the ecosphere of FPS games.

2. Massively Multiplayer Online Games (MMO)

MMOs are a classic series of games including some famous franchises such as League of Legends (LOL), World of Warcraft, Final Fantasy, and others. Believe it or not, these MMOs have a fan base of millions which generates extravagant returns.

3. First Person Shooter (FPS) Games

First-person shooter games have always been a go-to destination for all online gaming enthusiasts. The craze of these games has been ongoing since the early introduction of Super Mario Bros. by Nintendo. With further improvements by major studios, FPS games are looking at a strong revival in mainstream gaming.

4. Sports Games

Sports games have always had a major share of online gamers. Games like FIFA, NBA, etc. had enough dynamics to keep the sports enthusiasts going even through the tough quarantine times of COVID-19. A dedicated team of developers constantly provides new content to keep the online gaming experience as good as new.

Positive and Negative Impact Of COVID-19 On the Indian Gaming Industry

Like every other activity, Indian Online Gaming Industry sported a few positive and negative pointers due to COVID-19.

Positive Impact of COVID-19 On the Indian Gaming Industry

1. Improved Player Base - With the onset of COVID-19, many online games experienced an influx of players, which resulted in national recognition and increased revenue.
2. Revenue Generation - With more players joining the online gaming platform, the gaming websites, streaming sites, recognized players, and others, the industry experienced an increase in income and popularity.

Negative Impact of COVID-19 On the Indian Gaming Industry

1. Unhealthy Addiction - COVID-19 has created an unhealthy addiction to online games.tAs a result, the Indian gaming industry has come under fire from the government to regulate the playtime of its users.
2. Limitation to Online Tournaments - With the quarantine in place, the gaming curve has shifted to online means and thus, in-attendance tournaments and the jobs of organizers have taken a hard hit.

Steps Taken by Indian Gaming Industry To Gain The Trust Of Indian Players

The Indian gaming industry has realized the scale of its growth and taken the following steps to secure the trust of Indian players.

1. Game Support - Many in the gaming industry, provide in-game support for transaction-related problems, cheating issues, and much more. This ensures a stable and safe environment for gamers.
2. Provision of Reviews - With many websites offering genuine reviews of the latest games, a user doesn't have to feel cheated or played when they buy a game. Websites like AskGamblers provide genuine reviews and news related to online games for a risk-free gaming experience.
3. Quick Refunds - If a purchase is made by mistake, the game developers allow a certain amount to be refunded in the form of credits or original payment method, thus providing monetary safety to its player base.
4. Community Groups - Many official community groups have been made available on Reddit and various other online forums to submit any complaints or suggestions. This has led to direct contact between players and game developers.
5. Regular Major Updates - Regular updates on games created a sense of trust among the player base about the longevity of online games.

COVID-19 has been nothing short of a blessing for the Indian online gaming industry. An increase in the player base has led to skyrocketing revenue. Due to the steep incline of online gaming in India, investors from all over the world have invested a large sum. Although moving forward, we have to keep a check on our screen time for holistic development. That being said, we can proudly look forward to further development in the Indian gaming sector with the support of a wonderful community and the government.