India's Online Gaming Boom Is a Soft Power Opportunity—But Responsible Play Must Come First
News18
India's online gaming industry is undergoing a meteoric rise—with over 590 million users and growing. As one of the largest digital consumer markets in the world, the country is fast emerging as a global gaming hub. But beyond the headline numbers lies a deeper story: gaming is not just a tech success—it's becoming a medium of cultural influence and an avenue for India to project soft power globally.
In the latest episode of Game OK Please – Khelo Dimaag Se, industry leaders Salone Sehgal (Founding General Partner, Lumikai), Rajeev Dhuddu (Partner, PwC), and Meghna Bal (Director, Esya Centre) dive into what it will take to sustain this momentum—and do so responsibly.
From Pastime to Cultural Catalyst
'Gaming is interactive entertainment," says Sehgal, 'and it's increasingly how Gen Z and Gen Alpha engage with the world." With two-thirds of Indian gamers from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, and women accounting for nearly 40% of users, the profile of the Indian gamer is rapidly diversifying.
For India to define its cultural voice in gaming globally, Sehgal argues that platforms must invest in inclusive storytelling, creator diversity, and IP that reflects India's lived experiences. 'This isn't just about consumption," she says, 'it's about creation—and cultural export."
Gaming Builds Skills. But It Needs Guardrails.
PwC's Rajeev Dhuddu notes that gaming fosters cognitive skills— strategic thinking, decision-making, and collaboration. 'It's more than entertainment," he explains, 'it's a space for personal growth and digital literacy."
However, these upsides depend on intentional design. Dhuddu stresses the need for in-game safeguards, digital well-being tools, and mechanisms that encourage healthy usage patterns. The goal: build systems that are as rewarding as they are responsible.
While regulation is necessary, the wrong kind can do more harm than good, warns Meghna Bal. 'We cannot regulate gaming as a vice. It's a mainstream digital activity," she says. A one-size-fits-all or punitive approach, in her view, risks undermining innovation and pushing users toward unregulated platforms.
Bal calls for a progressive, risk-weighted framework —combining self-regulation, tech-enabled safeguards, and public awareness. This not only protects players but also helps legitimate platforms build trust and scale.
Soft Power, at Scale
If India gets it right, online gaming can be a strategic soft power lever —akin to how K-pop and anime shaped global perceptions of Korea and Japan. By anchoring growth in user safety, ethical design, and cultural authenticity, India has the chance to lead the world—not just in user numbers, but in values-driven innovation.
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First Published:
August 01, 2025, 21:09 IST
News studio18 India's Online Gaming Boom Is a Soft Power Opportunity—But Responsible Play Must Come First
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