It's playtime

Right from Counter Strike and GTA to Temple Run and Angry Birds, gaming entices all age groups, making it an industry with a high potential for growth valued at over ₹19 billion in 2013 alone. With the high penetration of mobile phones, it is no surprise that the mobile gaming industry is gaining favour, with India becoming one of the largest and fastest growing markets for the same, states a FICCI-KPMG report. Currently valued at ₹8 billion, the industry is expected to touch ₹20 billion by 2018. This puts it much ahead of the PC and console gaming markets, which are estimated to touch ₹6.9 billion and ₹14.1 billion by 2018, respectively, and have seen sluggish growth so far. With the rupee weakening against the dollar, leading to inflated prices, sales of Sony PlayStations and XBOXs have also taken a hit. But as smartphone users spend their time freeing birds, escaping monsters and saving the world, its the mobile game developers who are laughing all the way to the bank.