Chennai: Despite some still viewing esports as a hobby for young people playing on their phones, it has quietly developed into a multi-million rupee industry in Chennai. The city has now produced professional e-gamers who compete for India at international events, earning between 10 to 20 lakh rupees monthly. Recognizing this shift, the Tamil Nadu government has embraced esports by incorporating it into the CM Trophy competition.

Sudin Dinesh from Chennai, who initially played online games with friends at local game centers using basic PlayStation sets and personal computers, never imagined he would compete on a global level. Initially starting as a way to relax, gaming quickly became more serious. By committing to a professional path and practicing for 10 hours daily, he began winning tournaments across the country, leading to opportunities with a gaming organization based in Delhi that hosted FIFA tournaments in major Indian cities. This eventually led to his participation in the 2015 Esports World Championship, where he was recognized as one of the top 32 players worldwide. Dinesh, who has since retired as a player, now holds a lucrative position as the Head of Production at the Esports Club in Bengaluru. He notes that like traditional sports, e-gamers have a limited career span and anticipates an influx of young professionals entering the field, as evident from the increasing viewership on social media platforms.

In Chennai, gamers typically attract an average of 3 to 4 lakh views when live streaming, with top performers reaching up to 17 lakh views. Most viewers are beginners seeking insights on how professionals navigate in-game challenges. Besides streaming income, gamers receive rewards from tournament organizers and brands seeking collaborations with successful teams.

The esports industry has grown significantly in scale. For instance, in 2010, the prize pool for a FIFA competition in Chennai was ₹5 lakh. In contrast, a Battlegrounds tournament (India's version of PUBG) in Kochi last month featured a prize pool of ₹2 crore. Game publishers from countries such as South Korea and the US are increasingly organizing tournaments in India.Indian cities are working to promote esports, with Chennai set to host a major event in late November featuring top e-gamers. Not all players are professionals, as individuals like Kirubakaran Sundar Rajan, a doctor from Georgia, play for fun with friends in Chennai. Kirubakaran values the community feedback and networking opportunities that come with gaming. Some professionals, such as doctors and engineers ranging from ages 20 to 40, use gaming to enhance concentration, although concerns about addiction are increasing. Dr. D Sidharth has observed cases of back pain and stress related to excessive gaming, with many players spending 4-6 hours gaming after work, impacting their sleep, posture, and eyesight. Some game publishers have implemented self-regulatory measures, such as limiting daily gaming to six hours and sending alerts every two hours to address health issues. Sriram Vishaal, the Head of esports at Skyesports, explains that unlike games of chance and betting, skill-based esports is unlikely to be monitored by the Tamil Nadu Online Gaming Authority.