Gaming in India isn’t just growing. It is defining a generation.

Yesterday, dentsu India, in partnership with IWMBuzz Media, unveiled the second edition of the India Gaming Report at the India Gaming Report & Awards 2025, held at The Taj, Santacruz. The event brought together creators, developers, brands, and policymakers to celebrate the scale, creativity, and cultural impact of India’s booming gaming ecosystem.

The evening was a vibrant mix of insight, innovation, and recognition – where fans, gamers, and industry leaders came together to celebrate the best in Indian gaming. The India Gaming Awards 2025 honoured excellence across the community, with winners including Ocean ‘Gamingpro’ Sharma, Siddhant Praveen ‘Shreeman Legend’ Joshi, Jonathan ‘Jonathan Gaming’ Amaral, Mahek ‘Mizo Plays’ Syed, Tanmay ‘Scout’ Singh, Payal ‘Payal Gaming’ Dhare, Gulrez ‘Joker Ki Haveli’ Khan, Sakshi ‘Sharkshe’ Shetty, Yash ‘lolzzz Gaming’ Thakker, and Animesh ‘Thug’ Agarwal, among others.

The India Gaming Report 2025 paints a picture of an industry that is vibrant, mobile-first, and creator-led. With 16.63 crore gamers and a market value of ₹8,248 crore – projected to reach ₹12,541 crore by 2027 – India’s pure-play gaming sector has evolved beyond entertainment. It has become a cultural movement, a thriving creator economy, and a global hub of innovation.

From immersive role-playing experiences to brand-led storytelling, from AI-driven game design to cross-industry IP creation, India’s gaming landscape is expanding at unprecedented speed. Policy frameworks like the AVGC-XR mission are further fuelling infrastructure, innovation, and investor confidence — positioning India as a creative powerhouse on the global stage.

Key Insights from the Report:

  • 16.63 crore gamers today (+20% YoY), projected 24.68 crore by 2027 (CAGR 21.84%).
  • Free-to-play dominates, with revenue diversifying via ads, subscriptions, micro-transactions.
    Esports and influencers are making gaming a lifestyle and identity.
  • Mythology, folklore, hyper-local content boost creativity and tier 2/3 adoption, widening inclusivity.
    Mid-core games, RPGs, and brand-led experiences are untapped growth avenues.
  • Publishing pipelines, partnerships, cross-sector synergies (animation, VFX, ads) scale global IP potential.
  • Studios face gaps in live-ops, economy design, AAA pipelines, while discoverability and mentorship constrain quality.
  • Generative AI accelerates prototyping, animation, quality assurance.
  • Regulatory clarity and AVGC-XR initiatives will enhance legitimacy, enabling India to evolve from consumer-heavy to global creative powerhouse by 2030.

Apurva Jani, Marketing Director, Sales, Marketing & Communications Group, Intel India said, “It is exciting to see gamers in India spark the energy that powers the industry forward. Every session, every challenge, every victory fuels innovation and imagination. We at Intel stand alongside them, delivering the technology that makes every game bigger, bolder, and more thrilling.”

Karan Gadhoke, CMO, Crax (DFM Foods) added, “We are delighted to have been part of the India Gaming Awards – a celebration of creativity, skill, and passion in the gaming world. Congratulations to all the winners who are pushing the limits of play! At Crax, we know that gaming and snacking go hand in hand. From Cheesy Biggies to Fiery Fritts Peri Peri, we are the ultimate companion for every gamer – whether it is an intense battle or a laid-back session with friends.

Harsha Razdan, CEO, South Asia, dentsu said, “Gaming in India is alive, loud, and unstoppable. Creators are building worlds, testing limits, and turning passion into careers. At dentsu India, we don’t just watch this ecosystem grow. We shape it, map its potential, and guide the market toward the opportunities of today and the promise of tomorrow.”

Narayan Devanathan, President & Chief Strategy Officer, South Asia, dentsu added, “This report is more than data. It is a blueprint for creators, studios, and brands. Gaming today is India’s fastest-growing creative frontier, and we are leading the conversation with authority, insight, and vision.”

Siddhartha Laik, Founder & Editor-in-Chief, IWMBuzz Media said, “Gaming is no longer niche. It is mainstream, inclusive, and dynamic. Partnering with dentsu allows us to celebrate the talent, innovation, and ambition powering this sector, and to tell India’s gaming story boldly, accurately, and on the world stage.”

This launch builds on the dentsu-IWMBuzz three-year partnership, announced earlier this year, which set a long-term vision for India’s gaming ecosystem. Together, the organizations are driving growth, spotlighting talent, and defining the future, ensuring India doesn’t just play the game, but leads it.