Facebook and Instagram parent Meta is making a major push into India’s rapidly expanding gaming market. Sandhya Devanathan, Meta India’s vice president and head has said the country is poised to become a global gaming powerhouse with an estimated 700 million gamers by 2028.

Speaking at the Indian Gaming Convention 2024, Devanathan said Meta aims to support India’s gaming industry by supporting the entire ecosystem, including developers, creators, brands and startups.

She said in an interview, “India is a key part of Meta’s global gaming strategy, and we’re committed to fostering innovation and growth within the developer community here. We want to empower the gaming ecosystem in India by offering platforms like Facebook Gaming and Instagram, where creators can not only engage with their communities but also monetise their content effectively.”

Discussing the company’s efforts to empower developers, creators and the broader gaming ecosystem, Devanathan emphasised the significant role gaming plays on consumer behavior and the economic potential it holds. She said the gaming sector’s expansion could make way for great economic opportunities.

India’s explosive gaming growth

“India could become an $8 trillion economy in the near future, with $1 trillion driven by digital initiatives, including gaming,” Devanathan said. Adding, “The Indian gaming market is poised for explosive growth, and we want to be part of that journey by empowering developers and creators with the tools they need to succeed.”

She also emphasised on the potential for the ecosystem to generate about 300,000 jobs. “Advertising is a crucial component for creators and developers to scale their businesses, especially in markets like India. Our platforms provide the tools needed to reach a global audience and grow sustainably through effective monetisation.”

With 200 billion reels played daily and 200 million people online shopping in India, she underscored the engagement on Meta’s platforms. She further noted that with such an engagement, it shows that gaming is increasingly becoming integrated within the country’s digital lifestyle and economy.

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