While the overall personal computer (PC) and laptop market is slowing down, gaming PCs and laptops are seeing huge growth. Sales of gaming laptops have surged from 40,000 units in 2016 to more than 1 million units as devices become more affordable and gaming is no longer restricted to professionals.
“The gaming landscape in India has undergone a significant transformation, from catering primarily to professional gamers to a broader, more mainstream audience. While overall PC market demand has been weak, gaming PC sales have bucked the trend, following strong growth in 2022. Gaming PC sales achieved year-on-year growth in the first quarter of 2023. Over the past 4-5 years, Vickram Bedi, senior director (personal systems), HP India, gaming PC market, said: “Our business has maintained strong double-digit growth rates and we expect This trend will continue in the long term. “
India has traditionally been a mobile gaming market, but now there is a major shift in mobile gamers towards PC gaming enthusiasts. There is a considerable number of gamers in India who are actively looking to enhance their gaming experience, which is why they are increasingly attracted to the world of computer gaming.
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“Today’s gamers are looking for devices that combine several key attributes. First and foremost, they value slim and lightweight designs as these features make their gaming devices highly portable and easy to carry around. These slim and lightweight designs are ideal for frequently moving or This is especially important for gamers who want the flexibility to take their gaming experience with them,” said Bedi.
Post-pandemic, there is growing demand for devices that can seamlessly transition between work and play. Many gamers use their devices not only for gaming but also for productivity tasks like work or school.
Arnold Su, Business Head, ASUS India, dives into the factors that guide consumers in choosing a gaming laptop. He said that as new products enter the market, “when it comes to gaming laptops, there are several factors that can drive consumers’ purchasing decisions. Consumers prioritize high-performance hardware, including processor speed, graphics cards and RAM, as well as having high-performance hardware.” A high-quality display with resolution, refresh rate, and color accuracy. Additionally, brand reputation, price, design, battery life, and customer reviews also play a role in the decision-making process.”
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The booming gaming market also brings job opportunities. A recent study by the Electronic Gaming Alliance and the Indian Statistical Institute found that 73% of respondents expressed a strong interest in a career in the industry. Malay Kumar Shukla, secretary of the Electronic Games Alliance, said: “The strong sentiment among respondents and their strong interest in considering employment in the industry is in line with the industry’s interest in advanced technologies such as AI/ML and VR. In line with the rapid integration of technology, India has become a leading force in technological advancement. With the emergence of many such new-age technologies, the online gaming industry has huge potential to revolutionize technological innovation in India and create new opportunities for the industry.”
The rise of virtual reality (VR) gaming could be one of the disruptive factors facing PC makers. Navkendar Singh, assistant vice president of IDC Asia Pacific Devices Research Group, said: “No matter where they are, gamers are always looking for more immersive and realistic experiences. While traditional game consoles still dominate the market, VR games are gradually gaining popularity. , especially among enthusiasts and early adopters. As VR technology advances and becomes more affordable, it will increasingly challenge the traditional console gaming market in India.”
