Since finding its place in India, the gaming industry has grown exponentially. Aided by the proliferation of high-end mobile phones as well as PCs, the gaming industry is taking a firm foothold amongst a populace that is the largest buyers of mobile phones in the world today. And while the PC gaming genre has seen a huge increase in its revenues across the country, the clear winner seems to the mobile gaming market, which is easily overshadowing other gaming markets (including console gaming) out there today.

There has been an eight to tenfold increase in the number of games that are downloaded on mobiles when compared to as little as three years ago. With the mobile-owning population of India set at 200 million (and expected to reach 450 million by 2021), it is no wonder that gaming is on its way to becoming a big business in the country.

However, while most gamers have their preferences, many do not rely on just one device to get their dose of entertainment. There is a plethora of games that can be played online, on mobiles, laptops and tablets. They can be played only with a viable internet connection since they often include having one player pitted against another, and contrary to popular belief, the player on the other end is usually a human player from somewhere else in the country or world. From strategy games like rummy online to adventure games like World of Warcraft’, online games are fast becoming the next big thing. Here are some games that are gaining popularity with the Indian public.

1. Rummy: Rummy has always been a highly entertaininggame that relies heavily on skill and strategy, offering a particularly exhilarating playing experience. Rummy is usually played between 2 and six players offline, and even the online version of the game fully maintains that illusion. Today, there are multiple websites that offer gaming enthusiasts the option of playing Rummy against real people. In addition to this, many of these sites also let players choose from playing the different variants of the game (13-card Rummy, Pool Rummy etc.) Additionally, such websites also provide the option of mobile rummy downloads through app stores, which are designed with mesmerising UI and perfect algorithms to give players the perfect blend of skill and fun. Rummy can now be safely enjoyed from wherever you are provided you have a good internet connection. Another feature of the game that makes it even more inviting, is that it can be played with money, which adds a more thrilling experience. In fact, India is undergoing a resurgence as far as Indian Rummy is concerned with people becoming avid players, who are not only looking for entertainment, but want to also try their hand at winning cash and other kinds of prizes through their skill and expertise.
2. PUBG: Player’s Unknown Battleground, or PUBG as it is universallyknown as one of the latest gaming phenomena to take gamers by storm. Be it a techie from a metro, or a small-town boy from the village, PUBG has all of India addicted to its easy-to-learn playing style, attractive UI and its excellent gaming environment. Players can play solo or as a team with the objective being the last man, or team, standing. PUBG has become a favourite pastime for the youth in India, who have some time to kill (pun intended). And with long commutes being a norm for most people, the popularity is soaring. But what truly makes PUBG so alluring is the open world environment in which it is played, along with the speed of the matches and the fast respawn time. All of this ensures unbridled entertainment for users no matter how long they play the game. PUBG is played online for no cash incentives, yet there are numerous PUBG tournaments being arranged all over the country, and at a variety of levels that have the effect of turning this game into a highly competitive one with the opportunity to win real cash prizes. In India alone, PUBG tournaments offer up to Rs 50 lakh in cash prizes in total.
3. Candycrush: The Candycrush saga is onethat can be considered one of the first mobile games that helped start the trend of actual mobile gaming. With more than 2.7 billion downloads, it is the most downloaded and played game available on smartphones. Candycrush can be described as the first completely successful ‘freemium’ model, where the purchase of the game is free and the game can be played for free, but there are numerous special items and lives that can be bought with actual money. In its heyday, it was reported to have been making as much as a million dollars a day via loot boxes and other sales. The objective of the game is to get three or more similar coloured candies adjacent to each other, which will then earn the player points while freeing up slots for more candy to come in. The ultimate objective is to collect as many points as possible at each level, all while the ask gets increasingly tougher.

These are just a few of many popular games that are slowly but surely drawing people of all ages into the gaming sphere. So, what are you playing today?