In Chennai, the perception of esports as a casual hobby for young people playing games on their mobile phones is changing as it has developed into a multi-million rupee industry. The city is now home to professional e-gamers who compete globally, earning between 10 to 20 lakh rupees per month. Recognizing this growth, the Tamil Nadu government has integrated esports into the CM Trophy competition.
Sudin Dinesh, originally from Chennai, never imagined he would progress from playing online games casually with friends at local gaming parlors to becoming a competitive global player. Starting as a way to relax, his gaming hobby soon became a serious pursuit. Investing 10 hours daily in practice, he began winning tournaments across India.
His success led to a contract with a gaming organization in Delhi, which organized FIFA tournaments in major Indian cities. This opportunity eventually led him to the 2015 Esports World Championship, where he was ranked among the top 32 players globally. Dinesh, now retired from competitive gaming, holds a high-ranking position as Head of Production at Esports Club in Bengaluru. He believes that many young people will follow in his footsteps, evident from the increasing viewership on social media platforms during livestream gaming sessions.
Livestreamed games in Chennai attract an average of 3 to 4 lakh viewers, with top performers reaching up to 17 lakh viewers. Most of these viewers are beginners seeking to learn strategies from professional gamers. In addition to streaming revenue, gamers earn rewards from tournament organizers and brand collaborations.
The esports industry has seen significant growth over the years. For instance, a FIFA tournament prize pool in Chennai in 2010 was ₹5 lakh, while a recent Battlegrounds tournament in Kochi (India's version of PUBG) featured a ₹2 crore prize pool. Game publishers from countries like South Korea and the US are increasingly organizing tournaments in the region.Indian cities are embracing esports to increase popularity. In late November, Chennai will host a major event showcasing the top e-gamers in the country. Not all players are professionals - some, like Kirubakaran Sundar Rajan, a doctor from Georgia, play for passion alongside friends in Chennai. Kirubakaran values the global connections and feedback from streaming. Some professionals, including doctors and engineers aged 20 to 40, see gaming as a way to enhance concentration, although concerns about addiction are growing. Dr. Sidharth mentions treating cases of back pain and stress monthly due to excessive gaming habits, with players spending 4-6 hours straight after work, impacting sleep, posture, and eyesight. Game publishers have begun implementing self-regulatory measures, such as a six-hour daily limit on gaming and alerts every two hours to mitigate health risks. Sriram Vishaal, Head of esports at Skyesports, notes that unlike games of chance and betting, skill-based esports like rummy or poker are not likely to be targeted by the Tamil Nadu Online Gaming Authority's regulations.
