B'luru embraces exciting world of competitive gaming in light of rise of eSports

Leah D’souza | NT

Bengaluru: Esports has grown in popularity around the world, especially in India. The nation's gaming culture has adopted eSports thanks to widespread internet connectivity and inexpensive smartphones.

Games like Dota 2, CS: GO, and PUBG Mobile have developed enormous fan bases, and competitions give players a stage that allows them to display their skills.

“The Indian gaming community has rapidly grown and now boasts a massive pool of talented players who have gained international recognition, competing at the highest levels on the global stage”, says an online gamer from Bengaluru.

The rise of professional Esports leagues and franchises in India demonstrates the growing popularity of the industry.

Esports academies and collaborations with universities have also emerged, offering specialised courses and degrees. Streaming platforms such as Twitch and YouTube Gaming have further contributed to the acceptance and accessibility of eSports.

“Although Esports is gaining recognition, I feel like there aren’t enough funds to support gamers and it’s still a growing profession”.

Parents and children have varying opinions on Esports. Some view it as a viable career option, praising its development of valuable skills.

“It could be a career option in the near future but my concern as a parent is that sometimes children get so immersed in gaming that they tend to play for long hours, skip meals and forget to do essential tasks. Once they are over 18 years old, they’ll be able to make better decisions and so I believe that young children must not be exposed to it since it would affect them adversely due to their lack of maturity”, says Aarti (teacher and parent).

Others express concerns about excessive screen time, addiction, and its impact on physical health. Overall, India has enthusiastically embraced Esports, creating a vibrant community and growing its fan base. The industry's potential and rapid expansion has the ability to change the sports landscape, but there are still issues that need to be resolved.

A deeper comprehension of the advantages and disadvantages of Esports is anticipated to change views among both parents and children as opinions continue to change.