Why Aren’t Gamers in India Spending More?

India’s mobile gaming market is hard to ignore. With over 8.4 billion game downloads in the past year, it’s by far the biggest in the world. Yet, when you look at how much money these games are actually making, the story is very different. India ranks eighth in Asia for mobile game revenue, bringing in just over $400 million from in-app purchases. That’s a huge gap between being the biggest market for downloads and not yet being a major player in terms of revenue.

Plenty of Players, Not Enough Paying

The fact that downloads have dropped for the second year running shows the market isn’t growing as fast as before. This could mean it’s maturing, but the slower growth in revenue suggests Indian gamers aren’t spending as much on games compared to other countries. This points to some deeper issues that developers and publishers need to figure out.

Why Aren’t Gamers in India Spending More?

Why Isn’t India Spending More on Games?

A big part of the picture is who’s playing. Most Indian gamers are young men between 18 and 34 years old. This is similar to other countries, but the difference is in spending habits. Many Indian players prefer free games or those supported by ads rather than paying for in-app purchases.

Looking at popular game types, simulations and arcade games get the most downloads, but most of the revenue comes from shooter games like Garena Free Fire and PUBG Mobile. This suggests that while casual games attract large numbers, only a smaller group is willing to spend money, often on more competitive games.

One interesting exception is the big revenue boost seen by location-based games like Pokemon GO, though why exactly this happened is unclear. It might show that games offering social or outdoor experiences have potential here, but whether this will last is still uncertain.

Why Aren’t Gamers in India Spending More?

Local Favorites vs. Global Revenue

Games like Ludo King and Indian Bikes Driving 3D are hugely popular in India because they resonate culturally. Ludo King’s huge success, built on a classic board game, shows local games can capture a wide audience. But despite their popularity, Indian-made games don’t usually make the top revenue lists. Instead, international games dominate the money side of things.

This tells us that while Indian developers get a lot of downloads at home, they’re often relying on international players for most of their revenue. It highlights a disconnect between what Indian players want and what they’re willing to spend on.

Why Aren’t Gamers in India Spending More?

What’s Next for India’s Mobile Games?

The takeaway is clear: having a huge number of players doesn’t automatically mean strong revenue. For India to fully realize its mobile gaming potential, developers will need to rethink how they make money from their games. This might mean new monetization models that fit better with local spending habits, or making games that connect more with social and cultural aspects important to Indian players.

At the same time, the success of games like Ludo King shows there’s real value in creating games tailored for the local market - especially when combined with smart marketing and features like voice chat that boost social interaction.

Why Aren’t Gamers in India Spending More?

Final Thoughts

India’s mobile gaming market is at a crossroads, and in my view, the current gap between downloads and revenue is not just a passing phase, it’s a fundamental challenge. Without a significant shift in strategy, India risks remaining a market where users consume games in volume but rarely invest financially.

Developers and publishers must acknowledge that simply attracting millions of downloads won’t build a sustainable industry. Instead, they need to innovate on monetization strategies that resonate with Indian gamers’ realities, including affordability, cultural relevance, and social connectivity. Those who fail to adapt may find themselves left behind, while those willing to understand and address these challenges will shape India’s mobile gaming future.