Mobile Games Taking off in India

Mobile gaming is emerging as one of the fastest-growing and most popular applications in India's digital consumer economy, reports In-Stat/MDR. Gaming is quickly expanding beyond traditional devices, such as PCs and handhelds, and an increasing number of Indian consumers are taking advantage of wireless mobility to enjoy entertainment on the go. As a result, the high-tech market research firm expects that the Indian mobile gaming market will generate US$26 million in revenue in 2004, and will increase to US$336 million in annual revenue by 2009.

"The growth of this market sector has attracted publishers, developers, animators, musicians, and content providers, and is also stimulating the development of innovative business models," said Clint Wheelock, director of In-Stat/MDR's wireless research group. "Mobile gaming is not just about fun; it also represents one key element of a rich mobile entertainment experience for consumers, and a lucrative market opportunity for industry players."

In-Stat/MDR has also found the following:

• Christened as the most favored software services destination, India is one of the key markets in the next big wave of growth in mobile multimedia, and is a multimillion dollar market, both in terms of software development and end user consumption. Currently, the Indian mobile gaming business represents approximately 5% of the world mobile gaming market.
• The Indian mobile gaming industry is presently in its infancy, with half a dozen major game developer companies, and four service providers, actively providing games to their subscriber bases. While gaming services are only one

Posted to the site on 1st December 2004