We connect with the Super Smash Bros (SSB) community in Bengaluru to gain insight into the gaming scene in the city. Gaming has been a popular hobby for many years, but competitive gaming as a viable source of income has recently gained traction in India. Bengaluru has become a hub for gamers, attracting players from around the world to compete, network, and improve personally and professionally. We interview members of the SSB community in Bengaluru to learn more about their experiences during the pandemic and the opportunities in competitive gaming.
During the COVID-19 lockdown, Shreyas, a 16-year-old, became India's top-ranked Super Smash Bros player by participating in online tournaments with his friends. Many others have similar stories of starting their gaming journeys during the pandemic. Bengaluru attracts players from various countries, including the UAE and Mumbai.
Arjun Sivaram, India's fifth-ranked Super Smash Bros player, traveled from Mumbai to participate in tournaments in Bengaluru, where he has earned over ₹1.5 lakh through gaming. Winning tournaments can result in rewards ranging from ₹5,000-50,000, with top players making substantial earnings. The community in Bengaluru has also seen a rise in female gamers, showcasing the inclusivity of the gaming scene.The Super Smash Bros (SSB) community has a significant number of female competitors in comparison to other gaming communities. "Although we haven't conducted an official count, the SSB community appears to attract a large female gamer population compared to the overall gaming scene. Our community prides itself on being inclusive, and Super Smash Bros stands out as a professional-grade game that maintains a challenge without resorting to graphic violence. With its diverse range of playable characters like Kirby and Jigglypuff, the game appeals to fans from various entertainment genres," explains Rahul.
Ipsita Thapa, a NIFT student and part-time cosplayer, attended the event dressed as Link from The Legend of Zelda. Ipsita shared, "It took me over a week to create this costume from scratch, with raw material expenses totaling around ₹5,000. I willingly invest over ₹50,00 annually in cosplay because I enjoy bringing characters to life. I also participate in various conventions dressed as popular characters to spread happiness."
The professional gaming community has shown improvement over time, now regularly achieving victories against international players – a feat that was uncommon in the past. The increasing dedication to practice among gamers is a positive trend highlighted by Arjun Sivaram.
"Bengaluru's sociable culture has been instrumental in fostering the gaming community," says Nitin Rao, a graphic designer and SSB community member. "The city's outgoing nature has paved the way for our community to thrive. Initially, we were just a bunch of individuals playing online, but transitioning to offline meetups has transformed us into a close-knit group of friends – almost like a large family. Our friendships extend beyond the game."
