HP recently released the findings of the HP India Gaming Landscape Study 2023 and some of the findings are downright astonishing. As a gamer myself in the late 90’s and early 2000s access to online gaming meant spending hours in a cybercafe which was at the basement of a mall. Today, we have the likes of HP’s own Omen Playground stores where gamers can come and play on state-of-the-art machines in all its RGB galore! Not only that, but the brand has initiatives to guide gamers looking at making a career in gaming.
Speaking of a career in gaming, while parents are still apprehensive about gaming as a career, it looks like the scales are tipped in favour of gamers. According to the study, 61 percent of those surveyed are looking at becoming influencers in the gaming space, while 60 percent and 40 percent are looking at game streaming and Esports management as career options.
While E-Sports isn’t exactly new, India is primed as the next hot destination for upcoming e-sports players as well as streamers. The survey had some truly interesting insights about the gaming space and I had a chance to chat with Vickram Bedi, Senior Director – Personal Systems at HP India about the survey. Below are the details of our interaction!
Can you highlight some of the most interesting findings from the survey? Something that stood out or a statistic that surprised you?
A: We saw some intriguing insights from the Study. One of the most compelling findings was how gamers are eyeing diverse career opportunities as gamers in India and the increase in their earnings.
The gaming community is increasingly considering gaming as a viable career option, with 52 percent of serious gamers viewing it as a main or part-time career. Aspirations include becoming influencers and streamers. There’s a substantial increase uptick in income from gaming, with 40 percent of gamers earning between Rs 6-12 lakhs annually in 2023, a substantial increase from 16 percent in 2022. Sponsorships emerged as the most popular source of earnings.
The survey says that parents prefer gaming as a hobby for their children. Can you shed light on how HP sees this perception changing in the future?
A: Parents play a significant role in supporting the careers of children. Acknowledging this, we included 500 parents as part of the third edition of our Study, to gather insights into their perspectives on the gaming industry and its potential as a career path for their children. According to the study, there is an observed positive shift, with 42 percent of parents approving of gaming as a hobby, and 47 percent considering it a feasible part-time or full-time career option.
Aligned with the industry’s growth, HP is actively showcasing success stories of individuals who have established careers in esports through dedicated campaigns. As a brand commitment, we continue to support the gaming community by providing learning and skill development opportunities, with initiatives like the HP Gaming Garage. This underscores our commitment to empowering gamers and highlighting the professional possibilities within the gaming sector.
While the survey highlights game streaming and e-sports as a career, is game development also a viable option? What is HP’s opinion on game development as a viable option as a career?
A: The gaming industry has opened diverse career opportunities in addition to being a serious gamer. Beyond gaming, opportunities have grown in areas such as content creation, streaming, esports event organisation and game development. This varied landscape provides gamers with the chance to explore different roles within the gaming industry.
We recently launched the HP Gaming Garage, which provides free-of-cost online professional certificate programs for different segments within gaming including game development. At HP, we believe that the gaming industry offers many career options and as a brand, we are focused on supporting the industry and the young gamers in India.
The survey highlights that gamers are looking for more learning opportunities. Can you shed light on these opportunities and how HP is contributing to this?
A: The findings from our study reveal that 55 percent of gamers in India rely on platforms such as YouTube and interactions with gaming peers to enhance their gaming skills. The study also indicates a notable demand among gamers for educational programs, specifically in areas like gameplay training, content creation, and game design. This signals a necessity for tailored educational opportunities catering to the gaming community in the country.
In response to this, we have introduced the HP Gaming Garage, a free-of-cost online certification program focusing on Esports management and Game development. This initiative aims to offer gaming enthusiasts in India access to thoughtfully curated online modules encompassing esports management, game design, and game programming. Hosted on edX, the program is available in 12 languages, including English, Hindi, and Telugu, ensuring accessibility to a diverse audience. The primary objective of this initiative is to foster continuous learning and skill development in the rapidly evolving field of gaming.
Additionally, our Omen Playground stores, located across India, provide gamers with a free-of-cost PC gaming experience. These spaces serve as hubs for engaging with gaming communities, facilitating interactions with top gamers, and offering opportunities for skill enhancement.
How can HP help potential gamers get a foot in the door to gaming as a hobby or as a potential career option?
A: At HP, we believe gaming is for all. It is not just for a niche segment anymore; the degree of involvement may differ. As mentioned earlier, we opened our Omen Playground Stores across India to provide easy access to technological support for young gamers.
Additionally, with the OMEN community initiatives, we are providing a one-stop destination for gamers to upskill, engage and empower. As part of the community initiatives, we provide gaming videos from pro gamers to learn from and an opportunity to join the OMEN Squad. In addition to this, HP has also onboarded renowned Indian gamers, providing regular content to help aspiring Indian gamers.
Our HP Gaming Garage also provides gaming enthusiasts in India with access to curated online modules covering esports management, game design, and game programming, fostering learning and development in these areas.
