A select few Indian gamers had the opportunity to meet and interact with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. According to a video shared by news agency ANI, seven gamers met PM Modi. These gamers include Animesh Agarwal, Mithilesh Patankar, Payal Dhare, Naman Mathur, and Anshu Bisht.
Agarwal and Patankar shared their experience on social media, stating, “Our recent conversation with the Prime Minister was enlightening. His forward-thinking approach is poised to make a significant impact on gaming in India.
During the meeting with PM, the gamers discussed the gaming industry’s emerging prominence. They highlighted the increasing number of games inspired by Indian mythology and the government’s acknowledgment of their creative contributions.
PM Modi also asked about concerns regarding gaming addiction.
PM Modi asked the gamers about the challenges faced by gamers, particularly the misconception of gaming as gambling. He asked: ‘Kya aap gaming or gambling ki ladaai face karte hain…?’ In response, the gamers emphasized the need for distinguishing between real-money and skill-based gaming.
Following the discussion, PM Modi experienced various gaming platforms firsthand, including VR, mobile, and PC/console gaming. This interaction underscores the growing significance of the gaming industry and the government’s interest in its development.
The gaming community in India is vast, with an audience ranging between 450-550 million enthusiasts. The industry witnessed a revenue surge to $3.1 billion in FY23, a notable increase of 19% from the previous year’s $2.6 billion, as per the latest figures.