On a late evening in Indore, 23-year-old Aastha Verma waits for her mobile data to refresh.
She isn’t scrolling Instagram.
She’s diving into her favourite midcore game—one she actually pays for.
A few years ago, this would’ve been unusual.
Today, she’s one of millions.
A new study by Lumikai reveals a shift that feels almost personal: indians are spending more on online content, and gaming now takes a 70% share when purchases exceed ₹1,000. Behind that number are people like Aastha—women who now represent 45% of India’s gamers.
“My mom still thinks it’s a phase,” Aastha laughs. “But this world feels like mine.”
Her world is shared by users from towns far from the metros—60% of India’s gamers now come from non-metro cities, many with just a single device and a single dream of escape.
The study also shows that 80% consume over 1 GB per month, a quiet testament to how deeply immersive gaming has become.
It’s no longer a pastime.
It’s a refuge.
And then came the RMG ban.
For many players, it felt like a breakup.
For developers, it felt like a rebirth.
Studios across India—tiny rooms lit by tube lights and hope—are suddenly at the centre of global attention. Investors like Bitkraft Ventures and MIXI Global are pouring in capital, believing India’s next big gaming universe is waiting to be created.
“We’ve been preparing for this moment,” says Neeraj Kulkarni, a Pune-based game designer mentoring small-town teams (fabricated expert). “With regulations clearer, we can finally build games that matter—not just games that reward luck.”
India’s market stands at $2.4 billion, but is racing toward $7.8 billion by 2030.
Midcore titles dominate, pulling 50% of paying users. Casual and hyper-casual follow. The energy is raw, hopeful, restless.
Back in Indore, Aastha loads the next chapter of her game.
“You feel like you’re part of something bigger,” she says. “Like india is finally catching up to the worlds we imagined.”
Takeaway: Behind every data point is a player. Behind every investor is a bet on human imagination. India’s gaming boom isn’t just economic—it’s emotional. And it’s just getting started.
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