Smartphone gaming is the go-to entertainment option for a large section of the Indian population. Other platforms such as Netflix are also widely used, but they are generally harder to consume throughout the day, whereas smartphone games are specifically designed to be dipped in and out of, hence why they’re thriving with busy professionals alongside the usual millennials and Gen Z gamers.
The sophistication of our smartphone devices has certainly played a leading role in the emergence of smartphone gaming. With more power comes more capabilities for games developers, which is why we see a dramatic improvement in terms of the gaming options for the average smartphone gamer. Gone are the days when Tetris and Snake were the most appealing games on mobile, instead being replaced by popular live casino games, augmented reality titles like Pokemon Go, and a range of virtual reality titles using VR headsets. The options are mightily impressive in today’s innovative climate, although some games are obviously more popular than others, particularly in 2021.
With that in mind, here is a look at the most popular games in India right now.
Pokemon Go
The aforementioned Pokemon Go and its augmented reality offering took the mobile gaming scene by storm as soon as it was released in 2016. Since then, the game has gone from strength to strength both in India and globally. In 2020, the game accumulated sales of 31.5% in India as more and more gamers discovered the title and its unique offering. Interacting with VR-simulated surroundings, catching a wide variety of Pokemon, battling gyms, taking down fellow trainers, hatching eggs, and everything else you can do in such a detailed game, never felt so good.
Garena Free Fire
A battle royal match developed by 111 Dots Studio, Garena Free Fire recorded more than 80 million active users worldwide in May 2020, becoming the most downloaded game globally before that in 2019. Since then, the game has gone to reach more than $1 trillion gamers with its engaging features.
Among Us
One of the most popular games in smartphone gaming history, Among Us was downloaded by an astonishing 83.8 million people in September 2020. The online multiplayer video game involves players working together to uncover the killer on a spaceship. but its developers, InnerSloth, eventually went with Among Us, which seems to have elevated the title even further. Among Us is a simple but highly effective release as friends and family join forces to keep a spacecraft intact. At this moment in time, Among Us is one of the most popular games in India, and it’s entirely understandable as to why.
PUBG Mobile
(Image via https://twitter.com/Thalapathy_SH18)
Since making the transition over to mobile, PUBG has kicked on even further and tapped into new audiences in the process. In 2020, the game generated sales of nearly $2.6 billion from both the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store. The game suffered somewhat after a recent ban from the Indian government due to national security issues, but it has since returned under the name of Battleground Mobile India.
Ludo King
After its launch in 2016, Ludo King has gone on to become a hugely popular smartphone title with the Indian public. Bringing classic board games to a smartphone device, this free-to-play app is played all over the country. The game is the work of Indian Studio Gametion Technologies Pvt Ltd, a company that is based in Mumbai. With its variety of games and the all-around fun and entertainment it provides, Ludo King’s success is hardly surprising.