Competitive gaming has recently emerged as a viable source of income in India, particularly in Bengaluru. The city has become a hotspot for gamers worldwide to compete, network, and advance personally and professionally. We spoke with members of the Bengaluru Super Smash Bros (SSB) community to learn more.

Shreyas, a 16-year-old ranked as India's top SSB player, shared how the pandemic kickstarted his gaming journey. During the lockdown, he and a friend discovered online tournaments while exploring their new gaming consoles. This led to a passion for gaming that quickly grew into something significant, a common experience shared by many gamers.

Gamers from various countries flock to Bengaluru for competitions, including players from the UAE and Mumbai. Arjun Sivaram, the fifth-ranked SSB player in India who traveled from Mumbai for a tournament, mentioned earning substantial amounts through gaming. He highlighted the lucrative prize pools in tournaments, with rewards ranging from ₹5,000 to ₹50,000 for top competitors.

Rahul Diwakar, a tech enthusiast in the SSB community, noted the significant presence of female gamers in their group compared to others."In terms of the gaming landscape, our community is notable for attracting a large number of female gamers. We have a diverse and inclusive group of members, and Super Smash Bros is a game that combines the challenge of professional gaming with a more family-friendly approach, free from violent content. The game features a variety of characters like Kirby and Jigglypuff, appealing to fans of different 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 mentions, "It took me over a week to create this outfit from scratch, costing around ₹5,000 in materials. I happily invest over ₹50,000 each year in cosplay because I enjoy bringing characters to life and spreading joy at different conventions."

The professional gaming community has shown improvement over time, with local players now successfully competing against overseas opponents. The increased focus on practice is a positive development, notes Arjun Sivaram.

Nitin Rao, a graphic designer and member of the SSB community, emphasizes that Bengaluru's social nature has fostered the growth of the gaming community. He highlights how the city's sociable atmosphere has transformed a group of online players into a close-knit family of friends who connect beyond gaming.