The rise & rise of female gamers in India: Creating the next 100-milion strong army

The number of online gamers in India rose to nearly 455 million in 2023. The number is estimated to be more than 491 million by the end of 2024, as per Statista. The gaming industry in India has reached a value of around $3.1 billion in 2023 and has become the fourth largest industry in terms of revenue overtaking the film and entertainment industry in the same year as per sources. This shows the growing popularity of online gaming and its rapid adoption, turning out to be a lucrative career option for many youth.

Moreover, the gaming population in India is now not only dominated by male gamers as there is an increasing emergence of female gamers, who accounted for nearly 40% of the overall gaming population in 2023, as per sources. According to a Lumikai report that surveyed over 2,000 gamers, most of whom belong to Tier 2-3 cities, around 41% of the gaming population is now women. The age group of the gaming population is between 18 and 30 years with the male-female ratio being 60:40. This shows the increasing diverseness of the gaming landscape which is now reaching the females at a greater scale in comparison to the previous years. The sheer number of female gamers in India at present demonstrates the fact that women are breaking barriers, following their dreams in ingenious ways, and getting empowered in their own ways. Gone are the days when gaming was dominated by only the male counterparts, now females are giving a tough competition to the male gaming population and choosing to pursue gaming either as a full-time career or as a side hustle. The surge in the number of cost-friendly gaming devices, gaming platforms, internet penetration, especially in Tier 2-3 cities, smartphone adoption, and female gaming content creators has also contributed to the rise of female gamers in India.

The increase in the percentage of female gamers in India indicates that females are no longer interested in just conforming to the expectations of society, instead, they are writing their own narratives and redefining women empowerment by pursuing their aspirations and honing their skills in rapidly growing professions such as gaming, They are exploring diversified careers and are not limited to any prescribed number of professions or lifestyles.

As per reports the number of female esports players in titles such as Valorant, and BGMI is very high.

Female gamers such as Payal Gaming have a growing subscriber base on YouTube, which stands at 4.19 million at present.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a meeting with the gaming community in India earlier this year to discuss the future of gaming and esports. Top gaming creators such as Payal Dhare also known as Payal Gaming was also present among others such as Naman Mathur, Animesh Agarwal, etc. The topic of participation of women in gaming and female gamers in India also came up for discussion at the meeting.

Besides Payal Dhare, other popular female gamers in India include Saloni Panwar, Anjali Ray, Kaashvi Hiranandani, Pooja Khatri, Sherlock, Shagufta Iqbal, Ankkita Chauhan, among others.

The earning potential offered by the gaming industry and ease of access have further accelerated its popularity among the youth making it a viable career option. However, like every industry gaming industry also has its cons such as gaming addiction which leads to neglecting mental and physical health.

Adgully spoke to a cross section of gaming brands and gaming content creators, who shared some valuable insights surrounding the rise of female gamers in India.

Rise of female gamers in India

Commenting on the rise of female gamers in India, Kaashvi Hiranandani, also known as KaashPlays, said, “Gaming as an activity and an industry has been on a sharp upward trajectory since the past few years in India. With that, the number of gamers engaging in the activity has seen a significant uptick as well. Once considered a completely male-dominated space, the scenario is vastly different today. Female gamers in India are on the rise and competing head-on with their male counterparts in terms of number. From casual gamers to streamers and content creators, women in India are making their indelible mark on the gaming ecosystem.”

Kaashvi has 1.58 million subscribers on YouTube.

Roby John, CEO and Co-founder, SuperGaming, noted, “The rise of female gamers in India is a transformative trend. Over the past few years, we have seen a certain increase in female participation in what was once a male-dominated space. The diversity of game genres has played a crucial role here. Gaming is no longer limited to just action-packed or combat-oriented games, which were traditionally associated with hardcore gamers, primarily male players. Today, there’s a wide variety of games, from casual puzzles and simulations to role-playing and esports titles, which appeal to a broader demographic, including women. We also cannot ignore the influence of social media and streaming platforms. Female gamers in India and streamers have amassed large followings on platforms like YouTube. Their visibility is helping to break stereotypes and inspire more women to take up gaming, whether as a hobby or a career. Additionally, gaming companies and esports organizations are taking notice, actively promoting female participation by organizing women-only tournaments and creating inclusive communities favouring female gamers in India. In the coming years, we can expect this trend to continue, as more opportunities open up for women in not just playing games, but also in game development, esports commentary, and other roles within the gaming ecosystem.”

Siddharth Nayyar, Co-founder and Chief Revenue Officer, Max Level, added here, “It is really encouraging to see more female gamers stepping into the spotlight in India. More women are recognizing gaming as a viable career option and that is a very positive sign for the industry as it becomes increasingly diverse and brings forth new opportunities. Just last year, we had India’s first all-female CS team represent the nation in the Asian qualifiers for the World Esports Championship, which is a huge step forward. We are also seeing female gamers in India make their mark in the streaming and content creation space, which is very important for breaking the long-standing stereotype that gaming is just for men.”

“Well, that’s women empowerment now!” quipped Piyush Chhaperwal, Vice-President - Sales, Pokkt & AnyTag (AnyMind Group India), adding, “With more and more women looking at me-time and finding stress relief via playing games, we are seeing a rise in casual gamers in women and in the number of female gamers in India. Women today are looking to entertain themselves through casual and mid-core gaming. The likes of Candy Crush are slowly becoming their second crush. The entire match3 category, which falls in hyper-casual games, makes their lives easy as it is super easy to download and play. These games also provide a sense of achievement as they win and lose here and there, besides the constant engagement in these games, while crossing hundreds of levels. Brands like Unilever, L’Oreal, ITC, etc., are latching on this bandwagon. Today, we have got 140 millio+ female gamers in India in our reach.”

Trends, challenges, opportunities

Elaborating on the trends, challenges, and opportunities in the female gaming space, as well as the road ahead, and the factors contributing to the rise of female gamers in India, Siddharth Nayyar commented, “One of the major trends that we are witnessing nowadays is that women are not entering the industry just as gamers. Women are equally as interested in other roles within the ecosystem including management, journalism, marketing, shout casting,, and more. Another trend is the growth of the female audience base, which shows the wider appeal of esports tournaments and content amongst women. Of course, challenges like gender bias and stereotypes still exist for female gamers but the scene is improving as the gaming community is becoming more welcoming and supportive. What is even more uplifting is that, with so many prominent female gamers in India now, aspiring gamers now have strong role models to look up to, which wasn't the case earlier. The future looks promising for female gamers in India as gaming continues to become more mainstream, and inclusive.”

Roby John added here, “Female representation in gaming and female gamers in India has been a growing conversation over the years, not just in terms of the player base, but also with characters and narratives. The rise of female gamers in India and globally is a significant shift in the industry’s dynamics.

The Trends:

Increasing Player Base: Female gamers in India are on the rise. In India, women now make up a substantial percentage of the overall gaming population, with more women engaging in casual, mobile, and even competitive esports titles.
Female Protagonists: Games featuring strong, multi-dimensional female protagonists have gained prominence. Titles like Horizon Zero Dawn, Tomb Raider, and The Last of Us Part II have female leads who are celebrated for their complexity rather than stereotypical traits.

The Challenges:

Toxicity and Harassment: One of the significant barriers female gamers face, especially in multiplayer environments, is online harassment and toxicity. Despite increased awareness, many still experience discriminatory behaviour.
Gender Stereotypes in Characters: While female characters in gaming have evolved, they are often still portrayed through a male gaze. Hyper-sexualized depictions or one-dimensional personalities limit their representation.
Access to Esports Opportunities: Female players often lack the same level of exposure, sponsorship, and opportunities in the esports industry compared to their male counterparts.

The Opportunities:

Untapped Market: Female gamers represent an untapped market in both casual and hardcore gaming sectors. With the rise of mobile gaming in India, games that cater to different interests and preferences are gaining traction among women.
Inclusive Game Design: Studios that focus on creating inclusive and diverse characters and narratives are likely to gain favor. There is a growing demand for gender-neutral and gender-diverse character creation options in games.
Representation in Game Development: Encouraging more women in game development roles can lead to better representation and diversity in game narratives and character design. Women working in narrative design, art direction, and programming can challenge outdated stereotypes and offer fresh perspectives.

“In Indus, we have introduced several female avatars like Heena, Mor-ni, Mech Balika, and Diya. These characters not only represent diverse facets of Indian culture, but also showcase the strength, creativity, and leadership that women bring to the gaming universe. For instance, Heena, inspired by India’s renowned Olympic shooter, Heena Sidhu, is the greatest living bounty hunter in the Indus universe, while Mech Balika, inspired by the Rajasthani ‘Kathputli’ puppet, adds a unique cultural dimension to the game,” added Roby John.

"The number of female gamers in India is growing rapidly as gaming is becoming a center of popular culture. This means that for women, gaming has become a new arena for leisure beyond mere entertainment. In India, it is easy to see that the number of female Indian gamers has increased significantly recently in line with this global trend. We, www.yonogames.shop, are preparing for a variety of games thanks to this increasing trend of female gamers in India, and we are committed to helping women find new experiences and joys through their games,” noted Teen Patti King, Stan Kim, Board Member.

Teen Patti King, Stan Kim, Board Member, further added, “Female gamers find new experiences and enjoyment through games, but at the same time, they are facing sexist hatred and uncomfortable graphics, which is feared to act as a barrier to female gamers’ activities and participation. We at Yonogames Shop, listen to female gamers and do our best to create an environment where all gamers can enjoy Yonogames Shop equally through diversity and various game design policies. It is confident that more female gamers can enter the world of diverse and enjoyable games through its game portal (www.yonogames.shop) and experience equal enjoyment regardless of gender.”

According to Mukesh Chawla, Co-founder and Director, DM Gaming, “Trends such as the growing presence of female esports players, streamers, and content creators are reshaping the gaming landscape. Women are increasingly participating in competitive gaming, influencing both the casual and professional gaming spheres. However, challenges persist, including gender biases, harassment in online gaming environments, and underrepresentation in gaming leadership roles. Despite these hurdles, there is immense potential. Brands and game developers are recognizing the untapped female audience, creating gender-inclusive games, and fostering positive gaming environments. This presents an opportunity for women to shape the future of gaming, whether as players, developers, or industry leaders.”

Factors Favouring the Rise of Female Gamers in India

Mobile Gaming Boom: With affordable smartphones and widespread internet access, gaming has become more accessible to women in India. The mobile-first nature of gaming in the country has allowed many women to enter the space without needing expensive consoles or PCs.
Casual and Social Gaming: Casual games have attracted a large number of female gamers due to their easy-to-play nature and social interaction features.

The future of female gamers in India does look promising. With the gaming industry placing more emphasis on diversity and inclusion, both in the gaming experience and character representation, the industry is ripe for innovation. Continued efforts to reduce toxicity, create more inclusive spaces, and provide more representation in esports will be key to ensuring female gamers can thrive both as players and professionals.

“In the long run, we may see more women emerging as gaming influencers, developers, and esports champions, contributing to a more balanced and inclusive gaming ecosystem,” said Roby John.

Speaking on the challenges, Kaashvi Hiranandani observed, “Challenges persist for female gamers in India, potentially more so if you are doing it professionally. While we’ve come a long way in breaking stereotypes, women are still susceptible to gender bias. For example, as content creators, women often face harassment just because of their gender. These usually manifest in the form of unsolicited and negative comments. However, we surely have made strides in the past few years. Today’s ecosystem is more inviting to women gamers than it was a few years ago. With more awareness, the road ahead looks promising for female gamers. Representation has been and is key for the growth and sustainability of female gamers in India. Recognizing the contribution of female gamers in the ecosystem has been crucial for the rise. This in turn further fuelled inclusivity, and has and will continue to inspire more women to join this vibrant space.”

Mukesh Chawla, Co-Founder and Director of Golden Aces, pointed out, “With increasing accessibility to mobile phones and affordable internet, gaming has become a mainstream form of entertainment for women across diverse demographics. This shift is not just a trend but a societal evolution, as more women embrace gaming for its interactive and social dimensions, breaking away from traditional male-dominated spaces.”

Piyush Chhaperwal elaborated, “Tier 2 and 3 markets have become the major reach contributors in female gaming and this trend will continue. It will be interesting to see marketers tapping into this fast and silently growing genre. Bursting the myths around gaming amongst marketers is also a challenge for not-so-evolved ones. Nevertheless, the opportunity is humongous as it fulfills the full funnel objectives of brands. The 60+ Nielsen & Kantar Brand Lift Studies from the CPG category have established how beautifully this genre works for them. Besides global brands, now is an appropriate time for other brands to also encash on gaming. Besides data negligible data price nominal smartphone price and affordability some other factors fuelling the rise of female gamers in India are stress-busting sources, helping to kill boredom, the popularity of games, competing with others, being part of the daily schedule, social interaction, etc.”