Latest news with #Lumikai
News18
01-08-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
India's Online Gaming Boom Is a Soft Power Opportunity—But Responsible Play Must Come First
India's online gaming industry is where culture, tech, and policy converge. With the right guardrails, it could be our next big global export. 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. view comments 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 Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hindustan Times
26-06-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Call of Duty: Mobile web store launches in India with UPI support and rewards
Activision has officially launched the Call of Duty: Mobile Web Store in India, offering gamers in the country an enhanced, value-driven platform to buy in-game items and COD Points. The new web store aims to provide more flexible payment options, special discounts, and exclusive rewards tailored to the Indian gaming community. The Call of Duty: Mobile Web Store is now live in India as of June 25, 2025. Players can access it to explore exclusive offers and enjoy a more.(Activision) India is currently the world's second-largest gaming market, boasting over 590 million mobile gamers, according to a Lumikai report. Call of Duty: Mobile, which has seen over one billion downloads since its 2019 debut, consistently ranks among the top 10 highest-grossing mobile games in the country. Recognising this potential, Activision's new initiative is designed to create a more accessible and locally relevant experience for Indian players. Mobile Finder: iPhone 17 Air expected to debut later this year Key Features of the COD: Mobile Web Store The Call of Duty: Mobile Web Store offers several India-specific features: UPI Integration: The store supports Unified Payments Interface (UPI), which accounts for over 80% of India's digital transactions, based on data from the Reserve Bank of India. Exclusive Deals: Gamers can unlock better value on COD Points, often at discounted prices compared to traditional app store purchases. Community Focus: Activision plans to collaborate with top Indian gaming influencers to engage more deeply with the local player base. Jeffrey Gullett, Head of Call of Duty: Mobile at Activision, commented on the launch: 'India is one of the most exciting and influential gaming markets in the world, and the launch of the COD: M Web Store marks a significant step in how we serve our players here. With this platform, we're delivering a tailored experience that offers greater value, accessibility, and rewards.' Available now The Call of Duty: Mobile Web Store is now live in India as of June 25, 2025. Players can access it to explore exclusive offers and enjoy a more personalised shopping experience while staying connected to one of the world's most popular mobile FPS games.
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Business Standard
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Standard
Time spent on gaming grows 30%, 18-30 ages dominate India's market
Lumikai report shows gaming time in India rose to 13 hours a week in 2024, driven by young users aged 18-30, with UPI accelerating in-game payments and monetisation Ajinkya Kawale Mumbai Listen to This Article Indians spent 13 hours per week playing games in 2024, a 30 per cent increase from the 10 hours spent weekly in previous years, according to a report. A preference for games comes on the back of motivations such as relaxation, socialisation, and self-expression, data from gaming venture capital (VC) firm Lumikai shows. Demographics between the ages of 18 and 30 dominate gaming in India, making up 43 per cent of the survey's respondents. About three out of ten gamers belong to the 30–45 and 45+ age groups, respectively. 'India has become a country where people started to play online
