We collaborate with the Super Smash Bros (SSB) community in Bengaluru to explore the gaming scene in the city. While gaming has been a popular hobby for a long time, competitive gaming as a viable source of income has gained momentum in India recently. Bengaluru has emerged as a major hub for gamers, attracting players from around the world to compete, network, and grow personally and professionally. We spoke with members of the Bengaluru SSB community to gain insights:

"Covid-19 spurred the beginning of many gaming journeys globally," shares Shreyas, a 16-year-old who is currently the top-ranked Super Smash Bros player in India. He reflects on how the pandemic lockdown led him and a friend to start playing Super Smash Bros on new gaming consoles, eventually discovering online tournaments and expanding their passion for gaming. This trend resonates with many others in the community.

Players from various countries, including the UAE, and cities like Mumbai flock to Bengaluru for competitions. Nitin Rao mentions this diverse participation.

Arjun Sivaram, ranked 5th in India for Super Smash Bros and who traveled from Mumbai for a tournament, shares that he has earned over ₹1.5 lakh through gaming. He describes the lucrative nature of competitive gaming with rewards ranging from ₹20,000-30,000 for tournaments, emphasizing the financial potential for podium finishers. Shreyas adds that weekly winners usually receive ₹5,000-10,000, while larger tournaments offer prize pools of ₹30,000-50,000.

Rahul Diwakar, a tech enthusiast in the community, notes the increasing presence of female gamers among their ranks.The Super Smash Bros community boasts a significant number of female competitors compared to other gaming communities. Rahul notes that while there hasn't been an official count, the community is known for attracting a diverse range of female gamers. Super Smash Bros is praised for its inclusive and challenging nature, lacking the graphic violence seen in other competitive games. The game's varied character roster, including fan favorites like Kirby and Jigglypuff, appeals to a wide audience, drawing in fans from different entertainment genres.

Ipsita Thapa, a NIFT student and part-time cosplayer, invested over a week and ₹5,000 in creating a Link cosplay outfit. Ipsita passionately spends about ₹50,000 annually on cosplaying to bring characters to life and spread joy at conventions.

The professional gaming scene has significantly improved, with Indian players now competing and defeating overseas rivals, a feat previously uncommon. Arjun Sivaram praises the commitment and dedication of gamers who take their practice seriously.

Nitin Rao, a graphic designer in the SSB community, attributes the thriving gaming scene in Bengaluru to the city's social atmosphere. The community has evolved from online players to a close-knit group of friends who gather offline, forming a supportive "giant family" beyond the game itself.