E-sports have observed exponential growth globally, driven by enhanced internet access and the rising mainstream popularity of online games. The revenue of the global E-sports market is expected to reach US$ 4.8 billion by 2025.
Developing countries have also been impacted by this growth in E-sports as it has become a transformative force in creating a career aspect for the youth in these countries.
This blog will look into the potential of developing nations as significant emerging markets for E-sports.
Developing Countries and the present state of E-sports
From the 2010s to the 2020s, E-sports has witnessed a significant growth in developing nations. This decade brought on many significant changes to such countries, including the introduction of accessible internet as well as affordable gaming equipment.
Thus, gaming has gradually come to be considered as a viable career option for the youth in Southeast Asia, Africa and South America.
The role of mobile gaming in developing nations
Cell phones have become the platform of choice for gamers in developing countries. Mobile games are generally more accessible to people in developing countries compared to PC and console games.
A key cause of this is that both internet and mobile phones are quite affordable in developing nations and do not require the additional expense required to maintain a PC or a gaming console.
Challenges faced by gaming communities in developing nations
Despite the boom of gaming and E-sports observed in developing nations, several challenges still exist that these nations haven’t yet overcome.
Lack of infrastructure is probably the most critical challenge. Ranging from unreliable internet connections to a shortage of quality gaming equipment, gamers from developing nations face a disadvantage when competing with gamers from developed nations.
Cultural skepticism is another issue, where gaming or E-sports is not considered a feasible career path in developing nations.
However, with the advent of iGames or online card games such as the rummy app you can download on your smartphone, developing countries, such as India, have become aware of gaming as a valid hobby.
Facilitators of E-sports growth in emerging markets
As it has been discussed, the affordability of smartphones and increased accessibility of the internet are two key drivers behind the popularity of mobile gaming in developing nations.
How can steps be taken to contribute to the feasibility of E-sports as a career option in emerging markets?
Increased digital literacy of the youth population
The advent of high-speed internet and the increased accessibility to smartphone technology have led to the increasing exposure of youth in developing countries to digital technologies.
Smartphone technology, due to the increasing availability of affordable smartphones, has increased significantly in developing countries. And as of 2022, nearly half the people, aged 15-24, in developing countries were online.
Investment in gaming technology
A prime example of organisations in less developed countries investing in gaming technology is the mobile gaming boom in countries such as Brazil, India and Indonesia.
The existing infrastructure in said countries has led to barriers in the full implementation of console gaming technology. Mobile gaming, on the other hand, has seized the moment to shine.
Online multiplayer games began to be developed on the mobile platform, with notable titles such as Call of Duty entering the market, with notably similar features to mobile and console games.
iGames have also gained mainstream gaming attention, with rummy being a popular online card game in developing countries.
You might have observed several times throughout this blog that one challenge to gaming and E-sports in developing countries is the lack of a gaming infrastructure. In this section, an in-depth assessment of how to overcome the infrastructure challenge can be attempted.
Improving the Internet
Increasing investment in the internet can be what leads to further realizing the untapped potential of emerging markets in E-sports.
Improved internet connectivity can help gamers from developing nations equally compete with those from developed countries. With improvements in internet connectivity, you will find that a career in E-sports has become more feasible.
Establishing Gaming Hubs
Established gaming hubs can be a significant step in raising awareness of gaming and E-sports among people in developing countries.
An established gaming hub can show the positive impact of a range of games, from iGames such as rummy to more traditional online gaming experiences such as Counter Strike or League of Legends.
These hubs can help people in less developed countries process the positive aspects of gaming, raising awareness and even promote the idea of gaming as a possible career option.
Educational Steps
Schools and universities can be the ultimate legitimizing bodies for E-sports as a viable career choice.
Adding an academic framework to E-sports training can reveal the real-world skills associated with the practice, and exploring the possible career pathways associated with E-sports can show that gaming can be a feasible option as a career choice.
Schools in many developed nations offer E-sports programs, something that developing countries can also adopt.
Economic Impact of E-sports
E-sports, when accepted as a viable career option, can unlock significant opportunities for emerging gamers in developing countries.
It will not be an outrageous claim to state that job creation will be promoted by E-sports career adoption, as streamers, game developers or even as gaming coaches.
Such opportunities can fulfil the career aspirations of youth in areas with limited opportunities in traditional fields of employment.
A great prospect of this can be summed up in an example. Considering the employment aspect of E-sports and gaming can imply that: You can start by enjoying a game of rummy, and grow to developing your own rummy app.
Conclusion
Developing nations are on a gradual growth path in the field of E-sports and are untapped emerging industries for gaming.
The general youth of developing nations are becoming increasingly tech-savvy. Accessibility of the internet has increased significantly. Thus, E-sports is becoming a valid future career prospect for the youth in these nations.
One important thing you must note is that the gradual acceptance of gaming as a legitimate career option needs to be established first. To defeat the stereotype of gaming being nothing more than a time-wasting hobby.
