Game changers!
Strap: Inside city’s booming gaming industry, where careers are being coded, streamed & levelled up
Byline: Bhuvana Shridhar
In Bangalore, gaming isn’t just a pastime — it’s a fast-evolving career path fuelled by tech, talent, and imagination. As the city’s startups code the next big hits and classrooms fill with students mastering design, animation, and development, a new creative revolution is underway.
From indie studios tucked inside Koramangala lanes to sprawling campuses teaching game art and coding, young minds are turning passion into profession. We met studio founders, faculty members, and aspiring game-makers to explore a scene where Bangalore isn’t just playing the game — it’s quietly rewriting the rules…
‘It’s not just play — it’s a profession’
Animesh Agarwal, Co-founder & CEO, S8UL
OB: What skills does the gaming industry demand?
Animesh: Gaming isn’t just about playing. The industry spans development, casting, analysis, marketing, social media, coaching, and more. Developers need strong coding, design, and problem-solving skills. Casters must communicate well, understand game formats, and keep audiences hooked. Marketers need to follow digital trends and build communities.
OB: What’s the future of gaming in India?
Animesh: Mobile gaming is booming, with brands like iQOO investing big. New Indian titles are emerging. Content creators are becoming influencers with loyal fanbases. It’s an exciting time to be part of this evolving industry.
OB: What are S8UL’s key achievements?
Animesh: S8UL is representing India at the Esports World Cup 2025 in Riyadh — the only Indian team in the Club Partner Program. Our Apex Legends team made the grand finals, and our EAFC athlete Jonny and GM Nihal will also compete. With ₹600 crore in prize money, it’s a global stage, and we’re proud to be on it.
OB: What’s the role of a content creator?
Animesh: They must be creative, consistent, and audience-savvy. Esports athletes must train with discipline, build strategy, and treat gaming as a serious profession.
OB: Is the industry growing?
Absolutely. With government support and inclusion in major sporting events, esports is finally getting its due.
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‘Growth is gigantic % opportunities, limitless’
Ganesh Babu Naik, Faculty, Frameboxx 2.0
OB: Is gaming a great career choice today?
Naik: Absolutely. Whether you’re creating, designing, testing, or writing about games, it’s an exciting space. You need strong creative thinking and imagination to build engaging gameplay and stories. Developers, especially, must learn programming languages like C++, C#, Python, or Java — these are the grammar of games.
OB: What advice would you give students entering the field?
Naik: The long-term outlook is strong, particularly in mobile, esports, and emerging fields like VR, AR, and cloud gaming. Bangalore and Asia-Pacific markets are expanding faster than global averages. Students should master engines like Unity or Unreal and understand the tech behind graphics, AI, networks, and sound.
OB: What’s day-to-day work like?
Naik: It’s teamwork. You coordinate with artists, designers, and other devs. Familiarity with Git is essential. Problem-solving is key — you’ll often debug under pressure.
OB: Is the industry growing?
Naik: The global market is projected to hit $189 billion by 2025. India alone may touch $35.6 billion by 2030, with mobile and esports leading. Indie titles, AI integration, and AR/VR innovations are redefining the space — and pulling in big investments.
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‘Here, imagination meets interaction’
Mani Gupta, MD, MAAC, Kalyan Nagar
OB: How is gaming a creative art?
Gupta: Gaming blends creativity with code. It’s where storytelling, design, art, and interactivity converge to create immersive worlds. Every game goes through three stages — imagining the universe, building it, and finally launching it for players to explore.
OB: Is Bangalore seeing a surge in demand for gaming tech & talent?
Gupta: Absolutely! From blockbuster games to immersive digital experiences, the demand for creative storytellers who can push the boundaries of art and technology is growing. Gen Z learners are keen to explore game design, VFX, animation, digital art, and comics. At MAAC, we equip them with the right tools, skills, and even global opportunities to thrive in this space.
OB: Is there a skills gap in the industry today?
Gupta: Yes, as the industry evolves rapidly, there’s a strong demand for trained professionals. Game design and development today call for expertise in 3D modelling, animation, game art, real-time rendering, and UI/UX. Those who master these skills are well-positioned to ride the gaming wave in Bangalore and beyond.
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“We’re levelling up—with passion, skill & big dreams”
Paras, Saai, Gaurav, aspiring gamers
OB: What are you currently learning in gaming tech?
Paras: I’m 21, and moving from Goa to Bangalore was a bold step—but one I don’t regret. I’m currently training in 3D animation and visual effects, and the city’s buzzing gaming ecosystem is the perfect place to grow. With strong placement support, I’m confident about landing a job soon in one of Bangalore’s top studios.
OB: What are your future plans in gaming?
Saai: I’m pursuing gaming art and software. My dream is to work with global giants like Rockstar Games or Atlas, where I can channel both my creativity and technical skills into world-class projects.
OB: Has your degree helped shape your career?
Gaurav: Absolutely. Earning a degree in gaming and animation changed everything for me. I landed a great job at a leading gaming company, and the pay reflects both my training and passion. I feel lucky to be in a creative field where every day brings something exciting.
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Fact Box: India’s Gaming Surge
- $35.6B – Expected value in India by 2030
- 4% CAGR – Growth forecast (2025–2030)
- Mobile gaming – Dominates global revenue
- Unity & Unreal – Most in-demand game engines
- Esports – Official medal sport in Asian Games & Khelo India
- Roles – Game design, development, marketing, streaming, casting, analytics, community management