Gaming
Swipe right on Bharat Lumikai unlocks the new face of digital play
MUMBAI: India’s gaming and interactive media scene just got a reality check and it’s not coming from the usual suspects in metros. In a swipe-worthy new consumer report titled “From Swipes to Stories”, Lumikai, the country’s first interactive media VC, has laid bare the habits, preferences, and quirks of India’s 12.5 billion dollars new media economy and it’s more Bharat than hindi flims.
Unveiled at WAVES 2025, the report dives deep into how mobile-first, non-metro audiences are rewriting the digital playbook. A few standout facts? 44 per cent of gamers in India are now women, up from 41 per cent last year, and a whopping 66 per cent of all players come from non-metros. The rise of this culturally rooted, tier-2+ gaming community marks a seismic shift in India’s entertainment map.
South India emerges as the undisputed champion of screen time, with users spending 1.6x more on interactive platforms than the national average. And while Instagram and OTTs top the leaderboard everywhere, dating apps sneak into the North’s top three, proving Delhi really does love its drama with a dash of romance.
Gaming itself now gulps 13 hours a week up 30 per cent from FY23 and smartphones are the arena of choice for 99 per cent of players. Consoles and PCs remain niche, and players cite data costs, ads, and hardware limitations as the top killjoys.
The motivations behind the joystick? Relaxation (75 per cent), social connection (51 per cent), and self-expression (45 per cent) making gaming India’s emotional escape hatch, right alongside music and movies. While only 32 per cent splurge on in-game goodies immediately, 56 per cent convert to paid users within a week, lured by perks like ad-free play and performance upgrades.
Commenting on the report launch Lumikai founder and managing partner Salone Sehgal said, “One of the report’s most defining conclusions is the evolution of the Indian user from player to creator. Interactivity has emerged as the core currency of engagement, and platforms that enable connection, competition, and expression will lead this next chapter. It is deeply meaningful to have presented the report at WAVES 2025, a global stage that reflects our shared vision for India as a global powerhouse in new media and gaming. It is evident how India is building its own interactive entertainment paradigm where UPI-powered microtransactions meet mobile-first storytelling. With improved access and infrastructure, India’s interactive media market touched 12.5 Bn dollars in FY24, driven by vernacular content, microtransactions, and social gaming experiences that resonate with Bharat’s cultural fabric.”
Doubling down on interactivity as the way forward Lumikai vice president Aditya Deshpande said, “The report delineates how the opportunity to build lasting value in India’s interactive media ecosystem lies in building sustainable, culturally resonant models. These are ecosystems where monetization aligns with user psychology, discovery is inherently social, and localization drives depth of engagement. For developers, this means designing experiences that optimize for low-data usage and micro-transactional access. For investors, it means backing models that prioritize long-term retention over viral spikes. And for policymakers, the signal is clear: gaming is no longer peripheral. Interactivity is the language, and systems of play are the engines driving this economy forward.”
Based on insights from nearly 3,000 mobile users, this isn’t just a data dump, it’s a pulse check on a nation clicking, tapping, and swiping its way into a homegrown media future. From small-town streamers to microtransaction mavens, India’s new media user is lean-forward, socially wired, and anything but passive.
Gaming
Nodwin Gaming partners with Runestone for esports data and integrity solutions
South Asian esports leader joins forces with Czech tech firm to enhance tournament operations.
MUMBAI: Nodwin Gaming has just levelled up its game by bringing in a specialist to keep the scoreboard honest and the fans fully engaged. The leading South Asian esports and gaming company has announced a strategic partnership with Runestone, a Prague-headquartered esports technology firm specialising in real-time data and engagement solutions for tournament organisers and publishers.
The collaboration aims to strengthen competitive integrity, improve operational oversight, and deliver more interactive viewing experiences across Nodwin’s properties. It will initially focus on the Nodwin Clutch Series for Counter-Strike 2, a Tier 2 tournament that provides emerging teams with consistent competitive opportunities and helps build the talent pipeline.
The latest edition of the series recently concluded with Big defeating ECSTATIC 2–1 in the grand final of the $50,000 online event.
Nodwin Gaming chief business officer at MENA and global head of data monetization Teemu Koski said, “Integrity and transparency are fundamental to sustainable esports ecosystems, especially in Tier 2 competition where the next generation of talent emerges. Runestone’s expertise complements our experience in building scalable esports IPs.”
Runestone head of partnerships Michael Schwartz added, “Nodwin Gaming has built one of the most dynamic esports ecosystems across emerging markets. We’re thrilled to collaborate on supporting tournaments with greater transparency, deeper fan interaction, and scalable tools.”
Both companies are exploring opportunities to extend the partnership across additional titles, including mobile-first competitive ecosystems, and to develop new products for publishers, tournament operators, and event promoters.
In the rapidly growing world of esports, where fair play and fan excitement are equally crucial, Nodwin Gaming and Runestone are teaming up to ensure every match is not only competitive but also transparent and engaging. This alliance could well become a game-changer for Tier 2 tournaments across South Asia and beyond.
