In Chennai, esports has transformed from a casual pastime for young people using mobile phones into a lucrative industry. The city now boasts professional e-gamers who represent India internationally, earning between 10 to 20 lakh monthly. Recognizing this growing trend, the Tamil Nadu government has embraced esports by incorporating it into the CM Trophy competition. Sudin Dinesh, a Chennai native who started playing online games with friends at local parlors, never anticipated competing on a global stage. What began as a leisure activity quickly evolved into a serious pursuit, with Dinesh dedicating 10 hours a day to practice and achieving success in tournaments across the country. His talent eventually caught the attention of a Delhi-based gaming organization, leading to his participation in the 2015 Esports World Championship, where he ranked among the world's top 32 players. Although Dinesh has since retired from professional gaming, he now holds a high-paying position as the Head of Production at Esports Club in Bengaluru. He believes that more young people will enter this profession, evidenced by the increasing viewership of esports livestreams on social media platforms. In Chennai, gamers typically attract between 3 to 4 lakh views while top performers can reach up to 17 lakh views. These viewers, mostly beginners, watch to learn from professionals as they tackle in-game challenges. Aside from streaming revenue, gamers also earn rewards from tournament organizers and brand partnerships. The scale of esports has expanded significantly over the years, with larger prize pools and the involvement of international game publishers in organizing tournaments.Indian cities are aiming to promote esports. By the end of November, Chennai will host a significant event featuring the top e-gamers in the country. Not all players are professionals; some, like Kirubakaran Sundar Rajan, a doctor from Georgia, play for fun with friends in Chennai. Kirubakaran explains that he values the interaction through streams and networking with people worldwide.
There is a growing trend among professionals, including doctors and engineers aged 20 to 40, using gaming as a means to enhance concentration. However, concerns about addiction are on the rise, with some individuals playing games for 4-6 hours straight after work, leading to issues such as lack of sleep, poor posture, and eyesight problems. Dr. D Sidharth reports treating three to four cases of back pain or stress monthly due to excessive gaming.
To address these concerns, certain game publishers have implemented self-regulatory measures, such as limiting daily gaming to six hours and sending alerts every two hours to prevent health problems. Sriram Vishaal, the Head of esports at Skyesports, a tournament organizer, mentions that skill-based esports is unlikely to be targeted by the Tamil Nadu Online Gaming Authority, which focuses on games involving chance and betting, unlike rummy or poker.
