Content Creation and esports are driving the Indian gaming ecosystem: Vishal Parekh

As mobile gaming continues to dominate the Indian market, a fresh wave of excitement is sweeping through the gaming community – PC gaming. While smartphones have introduced millions of players to the world of gaming, many are now seeking larger, more immersive experiences that only a high-performance gaming PC can provide. This shift in preferences is reshaping the gaming landscape in India, where the demand for premium PCs is growing rapidly, spurred by the country’s rising esports culture and a flourishing content creator economy.

In the midst of this transformative period, CyberPowerPC, a global leader in high-performance gaming systems, has made its debut in India, capitalizing on the growing interest in PC gaming. With data revealing a significant increase in PC gaming spending, particularly in the first quarter of 2024, CyberPowerPC aims to cater to a diverse range of Indian gamers, from casual players to esports professionals and content creators.

In conversation with Adgully, Vishal Parekh, Chief Operating Officer, CyberPowerPC India, shares his thoughts on the surge in PC gaming in India, how CyberPowerPC plans to serve this dynamic market, and the role the company is playing in the country’s evolving gaming and esports scene. Amid the widespread appeal of mobile gaming, CyberPowerPC’s strategy is focused on introducing Indian gamers to the benefits of customized, high-performance gaming setups that enhance every aspect of the gaming experience. As the Indian gaming market continues to mature, Parekh outlines CyberPowerPC’s efforts to provide the tools that both new and seasoned gamers need to elevate their craft.

CyberPowerPC has made its first entry into the Asian market through India. What is the overarching vision and mission for CyberPowerPC India, and how does it align with the brand’s global strategy?

With the India launch, we want to enhance the experience of Indian Gamers with our top-notch offerings. We understand that every gamer has different needs and our mission has always been to equip gamers with the PC that is perfect for them. We have observed the gaming market of India for a while and we felt this was the perfect time for us to launch here.

Recent data from Niko Partners reveals that 77.3% of PC gamers in India reported increased spending on games in Q1 2024 compared to the previous year, surpassing both mobile and console gaming. Steam has also reported to have seen a massive growth of more than 150% when it comes to new users from 2019 to 2024.

This trend clearly indicates that PC gaming is gaining traction, with gamers eager to invest for an exceptional gaming experience. The burgeoning gaming market in India is poised for tremendous growth and we want to offer our expertise in contributing to it, by new and seasoned gamers alike.

What are the biggest challenges that you anticipate in establishing CyberPowerPC in the Indian market, and how do you plan to overcome them?

The Indian market is diverse when it comes to requirements. Each use has their own needs. From content creators and esports athletes to casual and hardcore gamers, the requirements could vary. The challenge is to find the perfect fit for each of the needs and this is where our range of custom PCs shine. Our offerings are precisely curated to cater to everyone. The biggest innovation we bring is our configurator. This will allow gamers to make the perfect, informed choice for their hardware needs. From real time FPS and compatibility to a build suiting their gaming preferences, the configurator solves it all! If they’re still unsure of their build, they can pick some of the hand-picked configurations we already have listed, on the go!

Additionally, while the notion is that pricing is a problem in India, we believe that the Indian gamers pay for the right equipment and we see it more of an opportunity than a challenge to provide them with the perfect gaming setup.

Mobile gaming dominates the Indian market in terms of user base and engagement. How do you view the impact of mobile gaming on the PC gaming segment? Are there strategies to convert mobile gamers into PC gamers?

It is imperative to acknowledge that India is currently a mobile first country when it comes to gaming. The wide availability of smartphones paved the way for enthusiasts to enter the world of gaming. However, once they have tried their hands on mobiles, we’ve seen an increasing shift towards larger, more immersive experiences and that’s when they look to try PC Gaming. Data revealed by Steam at the Nordic Game 2024 Spring conference earlier this year shows that India is one of the regions where the video game distribution service has experienced a substantial increase of over 150% in new users from 2019 to 2024. This further solidifies the fact that PC Gaming is gaining further ground in India.

Our objective is to provide PC gaming enthusiasts with the perfect PCs they need for their requirements. Our recently launched EZPC Module provides gamers with over 25 game titles to choose from and build their PC around it. We plan to make the entry point for new PC gamers easy by making the process of choosing the right PC seamless and effective.

With the growth of India’s gaming creator economy, how can CyberPowerPC’s products help content creators elevate their work and fuel their career growth?

Some of the world’s largest content creators use and vouch for CyberPowerPC’s products and offerings. We understand the precise needs of creators and their requirements for the craft. By tailoring our solution in accordance to it, we ensure they have the best hardware possible for optimum results.

With India’s content creation economy being on a sharp upward trajectory, CyberPowerPC’s expertise will surely help in adding to their growth and providing the best of PC technology for their craft.

Esports is gaining immense popularity in India. How do you see the role of esports in driving the adoption of high-performance gaming PCs? Are there any specific esports titles or tournaments that are contributing significantly to this trend?

Esports in India has played a pivotal role in driving the adoption of high-performance gaming PCs. The prevalence of PC titles in Indian esports goes back a decade when games like Dota and Counter-Strike were dominant during the nascent stages. The launch of modern titles like VALORANT and Counter-Strike 2 has not only elevated PC esports in the country, but also inspired a new wave of PC gaming adoption. Moreover, with globally popular titles like Dota and League of Legends making their presence felt in prestigious multinational esports and sports events, there’s been a noticeable rise in PC gamers engaging with these games, further contributing to the demand for high-performance gaming setups in India.

The availability of high-speed internet and affordable data plans have been key enablers for gaming in India. How do you see the improvement in gaming infrastructure, such as internet connectivity and power availability, impacting the growth of PC gaming?

PC Gaming provides not only interactive entertainment, but a much more immersive experience. A high performance gaming PC, backed by solid foundations of things like efficient internet connectivity and power availability will only enhance this experience and allow gamers to delve deeper into these realms.

Additionally, better infrastructure, combined with advanced hardware, enables gamers to explore new titles and engage with games that offer richer, more immersive gameplay. This not only keeps players coming back for more, but also fuels the overall growth of the PC gaming community in India.

Localization is crucial for reaching a broader audience in India. How do you see the demand for localized gaming content affecting the choice of gaming platforms and hardware in India?

We understand and strongly acknowledge the importance of localised messaging in India. Hence, we have country specific payment methods, messaging and offerings for India. In fact, we even have a festive sale currently going on on our website for the Indian market!

Awareness about the advantages of high-performance PCs is still limited in many parts of India. What steps is CyberPowerPC taking to educate potential consumers about the benefits of investing in a premium gaming system?

CyberPowerPC is planning to actively participate in various upcoming gaming events, festivals, and college contact programs. These platforms will allow us to directly engage with gamers and better understand their preferences regarding PC gaming, hardware, and other key factors.

Through expert talks and interactive activities, we aim to educate potential consumers about the advantages of investing in a premium gaming system. We will emphasize the freedom to customize their gaming rigs according to individual preferences and personality. By showcasing the performance, flexibility, and enhanced gaming experience that high-performance PCs offer, we aim to empower gamers to make informed decisions that align with their gaming aspirations.

What are some of the emerging trends in the Indian gaming industry that you are excited about? How is CyberPowerPC preparing to cater to these evolving trends and demands?

Content Creation and esports are two things that are driving tremendous gaming in the Indian ecosystem and we’re already looking to actively contribute and support these spaces. Additionally, development of indigenous games is on the rise and our offerings are perfectly suited to offer assistance to the budding game development industry of India.