Between meetings and meals: How India is snacking on mobile games

The onset of the Covid-19 pandemic has brought about a significant shift in mobile usage and consequently in mobile gaming too

India is home to 1 out of 10 gamers across the globe and the market is now competing with other popular entertainment categories such as short-form video, streaming services, and social networks for user attention. The country has become the fifth largest mobile gaming market across the world supported by access to affordable smartphones, low network data tariffs and improving mobile internet speeds. The onset of the Covid-19 pandemic also brought about a significant shift in mobile usage and consequently in mobile gaming too. According to estimates, 44 per cent of India’s smartphone population will be playing games on their devices by 2022. 

Not just for the young

Mobile gaming is equally popular among those in the age group of 45 to 54

.	18-24 years

25-44 years Above 45 years

Women gamers

2%

12%

28%

Men gamers

8%

47%

2%

Overall

10%

60%

31%

Sample:

Women gamers: 42.35%

Men gamers: 57.65%

Committed to gaming

* Committed gamers: 80%

* Play once to several times a day

* Regular gamers: 11%

* Play at least once a week

* Occasional gamers: 9%

* Play once a month or less
 

EMERGING TRENDS 

1) Snacking on mobile gaming

Indians play mobile games in short spurts between meetings, chores, meals 

Time spent per gaming session 

* Less than 10 minutes: 40%

* 11-30 minutes: 18%

* 31-60 minutes: 15%

* Over an hour: 14%

2) Race for space

Committed gamers try new games every week compared to occasional gamers who tend to experiment a few times a month

Number of games installed by average Indian

* Less than 3 games: 62%

* 4-6 games: 24%

* Over 7 games: 14%

3) Acceleration after Covid-19

* 45% Indians started playing mobile games due to the pandemic

* 1.5X rise in user count from February 2020 to December 2020  

* Highest traffic: 4:30 pm –6:30pm 

4) Myth busters

* 72% women gamers are highly committed gamers                                                       

* 74% gamers watch an ad to progress in a game

* 26% pay money to continue playing

* 2.6x times higher ad engagement on gaming apps vs on non-gaming apps

Source: InMobi Mobile Gaming Report 2021

Compiled by: Samreen Ahmad