Competitive gaming as a legitimate source of income has recently gained momentum in India, with Bengaluru emerging as a key destination for gamers from around the globe. We catch up with the Super Smash Bros (SSB) community in Bengaluru to delve deeper into this thriving scene. Sixteen-year-old Shreyas, currently India’s top-ranked SSB player, shares his journey, mentioning how the pandemic led him and his friends to explore online gaming tournaments, ultimately propelling their hobby into a successful pursuit. The city attracts gamers from various countries, including the UAE and Mumbai. Arjun, ranked fifth nationally in SSB, highlights the lucrative aspect of competitive gaming, mentioning significant earnings earned through tournaments. Additionally, the community boasts a notable presence of female gamers, setting a positive trend within the gaming landscape.In the wider gaming landscape, our community has a strong appeal to female gamers. We are known for our inclusivity, with Super Smash Bros standing out as a game that maintains the challenging nature of professional gaming without the graphic violence. The game offers a variety of characters like Kirby and Jigglypuff, attracting fans from different entertainment genres,” explains Rahul. Ipsita Thapa, a student at NIFT and part-time cosplayer, attended an event dressed as Link from The Legend of Zelda. Ipsita mentions that creating the outfit from scratch took over a week and cost around ₹5,000 in materials. She happily invests over ₹50,000 annually into cosplay to bring characters to life and spread joy at conventions.

The professional gaming scene has seen notable improvement over time, with local players now successfully competing against international counterparts. Arjun Sivaram highlights the dedicated practice seen in the community, reflecting a positive trend in the industry.

Reflecting on the thriving gaming community in Bengaluru, Nitin Rao, a graphic designer and member of the SSB community, notes the city's social nature as a key factor. In Bengaluru, people are more inclined to engage socially, fostering a close-knit community that transcends the gaming realm, resembling a large family of friends beyond the game.