India Gaming Headset - Market Share Analysis, Industry Trends & Statistics, Growth Forecasts (2024 - 2029)

Key Highlights

• India's growing gaming culture is driven by the expansion of broadband connectivity in Tier-II and Tier-III cities, plummeting data costs, and the affordability of smartphones. This convergence significantly widened gaming's reach, appealing to a broader demographic.
• The growing popularity of gaming and virtual reality applications is driving the demand for headphones and earphones in India. These devices enhance the gaming experience by providing immersive sound effects and spatial audio. Hootsuite reported that India's digital population surpassed 751 million active users in January 2024, bolstered by the government's Digital India initiative and the steady rise in internet penetration. Notably, mobile internet users held sway, driving the traffic in the world's second-largest internet market.
• India, which boasts around 442 million gamers, is the world's second-largest gaming market, trailing only China. Over the past five years, the Indian gaming sector has attracted a substantial USD 2.8 billion in investments from both local and international sources. Notably, the real-money gaming (RMG) segment emerged as a primary revenue generator, as highlighted in the report by Grant Thornton Bharat and the E-Gaming Federation (EGF).
• The Grant Thornton Bharat and E-Gaming Federation (EGF) report reveals that real-money gaming accounts for 83-84% of the revenue in India's gaming sector. The report also highlights that India boasts a staggering 100 million daily gamers, with 90 million of them being paying customers. Furthermore, game downloads in the nation surged from 5.65 billion to 9.5 billion, solidifying India's position as the source of 16% of global game downloads. The country is home to approximately 15,000 game developers and programmers. Mobile gaming dominates the market, capturing a significant 90% share of the online gaming market.
• In the current market scenario, monetization is dominated by publishers and advertisers. However, market restraints like limited local game development and monetization of gamers are still challenging the high potential. In recent years, the overall internet ecosystem initiated a course correction through end-to-end local game development.

India Gaming Headset Market Trends

Rising Internet Penetration and Emergence of Cloud Gaming Platforms

• The online gaming market has seen significant growth, primarily fueled by the rising internet penetration and widespread adoption of affordable smartphones, both in urban and rural areas. Revenue in this sector is generated through various channels, including in-app purchases, pay-per-download, subscription services, in-app ads, and incentive-based ads.
• For instance, according to Hootsuite, the internet penetration rate in India rose to over 52% in 2024 from about 14% in 2014. Although these figures seem relatively low, it means that more than half of the population of 1.4 billion people have internet access this year. Thus, India is ranked second in the world in terms of active internet users.
• With the rising internet penetration, major technology vendors are investing in online gaming, driving market growth in the region. For instance, in April 2024, Krafton, the South Korean gaming company, in collaboration with its Spanish counterpart ZeptoLab, officially unveiled its latest mobile shooter game, Bullet Echo India. The game made its debut on the Google Play Store on April 4. Krafton highlighted that Bullet Echo India is infused with elements from India's vibrant culture and history. Additionally, the company has committed to introducing in-game events that align with India's diverse festivals in the coming months.
• The gaming market has undergone a significant transformation compared to a decade ago, primarily due to globalization, digitalization, and the rise of mobile gaming. Mobile gaming's remarkable growth has not only expanded the player base but also broadened the industry's horizons. The increasing number of mobile internet users is set to drive a fivefold surge in data consumption. IBEF projects that India's smartphone user base will hit 887.4 million by 2030.
• However, restraints like limited local game development and monetization of gamers are still challenging the high potential. In recent years, the overall internet ecosystem has initiated a course correction through end-to-end local game development.

Wireless Gaming Headset Segment to Hold Significant Market Share

• Wireless gaming headsets offer greater convenience and mobility compared to wired headsets. Gamers can move freely without being restricted by wires, allowing for a more immersive and comfortable gaming experience.
• The popularity of mobile gaming in India is on the rise, and wireless gaming headsets are well-suited for mobile gaming platforms. They provide a seamless connection to smartphones or tablets, enabling gamers to enjoy their favorite games on the go. For instance, in May 2024, AjnaLens, an Indian company in extended reality (XR), made waves by revealing the AjnaXR Pro, a mixed reality headset that was completely crafted in India. This milestone underscored a significant shift in the country's tech landscape, positioning Indian innovation on par with global tech leaders.
• Wireless gaming headsets have significantly improved in terms of audio quality, latency, and connection stability. Advancements in wireless technology, such as Bluetooth and wireless USB dongles, have made wireless headsets a viable and reliable option for gamers in India. In June 2024, AVID Products, an audio company hailing from Rhode Island, formally introduced its newest creation in headset technology, the AVIGA gaming headset. Crafted to provide top-tier sound, performance, and comfort, AVIGA is set to enhance the e-sports journey for gamers across the spectrum. Priced at USD 59.95, the AVIGA gaming headset offers either a 3.5 mm TRRS or USB-A connection. Interested buyers can purchase it directly from shop.avidproducts.com or from authorized resellers.
• India has a thriving e-sports scene, with many professional gamers and competitive gaming events. Wireless gaming headsets provide the freedom of movement required for professional gamers during intense gameplay, giving them an edge in competitive gaming environments. Lumikai and Amazon Web Services reported that India's e-sports industry is poised for substantial expansion, with a projected market value of USD 140 million by 2027. This growth trajectory is notable, especially given the prevalent dominance of casual gaming in the country.
• In 2023, India had 521 active professional e-sports players, marking the peak for the surveyed period, as reported by Esports Earnings. Pakistan followed closely with 69 professional gamers, securing the second-highest spot in South Asia.
• With the increasing emphasis on portability in India, wireless gaming headsets are aligning with the preferences of gamers who value convenience and minimalistic setups. Wireless headsets fit well into the modern lifestyles of urban gamers.

India Gaming Headset Industry Overview

• May 2024: Logitech Inc. announced the "ASTRO A50 X Gaming Headset" as a new product under the "Logitech G" gaming brand. The newly released ASTRO A50 X gaming headset inherited the ASTRO A50's built-in mix amp and has a more refined sound quality by incorporating a state-of-the-art graphene driver. The ASTRO A50 X base station supports Logitech's unique LIGHTSPEED wireless technology and Bluetooth 5.1 for simultaneous connectivity.
• April 2024: CORSAIR announced the launch of its new series of essential gaming headsets named HS35 v2 and HS35 SURROUND v2. Featuring wide-ranging audio and universal 3.5 mm connectivity, HS35 v2 and HS35 SURROUND v2 deliver sound across multiple platforms. The pair of custom-tuned 50 mm neodymium drivers produce a wide range of sound, enabling users to detect new details within their games. With a multiplatform 3.5 mm connection, these headsets are not limited to PC gaming. They can be used on the PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, etc.

Additional Benefits:

• The market estimate (ME) sheet in Excel format
• 3 months of analyst support