Dentsu India and IWMBuzz Media will launch the third edition of the India Gaming Report at Season 5 of the India Gaming Awards on October 28 in Mumbai. Bringing together India’s gaming talent, developers, studios, publishers and brands, the event will combine industry intelligence with recognition of the gamers, creators and teams driving the industry forward.
Gaming has become one of India’s most powerful spaces for brands to connect with audiences through fandoms, creators and interactive experiences. For marketers, the opportunity now lies in understanding the culture, communities and motivations behind how people play. The 2026 report will explore this shift.
The launch marks the second year of the companies’ three-year strategic alliance. In its earlier edition, the India Gaming Report has tracked the evolution of India’s Pure Play Gaming ecosystem, from establishing audience and market scale to examining the creators, studios and home-grown intellectual property shaping the ecosystem’s growth.
The 2026 report will look at what this evolution means for brands, covering changing audience behaviour and participation, emerging business models, creators, game-building capability, original IP and India’s growing international participation.
For dentsu, gaming is a culture to co-create with, shaped by creativity, technology and the people who play. Understanding that intersection is central to how brands build relevance with India’s gaming communities.
Harsha Razdan, Chief Executive Officer, South Asia, dentsu said, “Gaming is where young India spends its time, attention and passion. For brands, the real challenge lies in earning the trust and relevance of these audiences. Now in its third edition, the India Gaming Report provides a deeper view of how this ecosystem is evolving, and dentsu intends to keep leading that conversation.”
Narayan Devanathan, President & Chief Strategy Officer, South Asia, dentsu added, “Understanding the scale of gaming is only the starting point. The strategic question for brands is how they participate in an ecosystem shaped by changing audiences, creators, original IP and new business models. The 2026 India Gaming Report will help marketers make more informed choices about where they play and how they create value.”
India Gaming Awards: Season 5
Season 5 of the India Gaming Awards will recognise the gamers, creators, esports athletes and teams shaping India’s gaming culture. Over the years, the awards have honoured some of India’s best-known gaming personalities, including Payal ‘Payal Gaming’ Dhare, Tanmay ‘Scout’ Singh, Animesh ‘Thug’ Agarwal, Ocean ‘Gamingpro’ Sharma, Jonathan ‘Jonathan Gaming’ Amaral, Mahek ‘Mizo Plays’ Syed, Siddhant Praveen ‘Shreeman Legend’ Joshi and Gulrez ‘Joker Ki Haveli’ Khan.
Siddhartha Laik, Founder & Editor-in-Chief, IWMBuzz Media commented, “Season 5 is a milestone for the India Gaming Awards and for a community that has grown remarkably in scale, creativity and influence. Our partnership with dentsu brings recognition and research together on one stage, celebrating the talent at the heart of India’s gaming story.”
