Diwali in digital space

This is for the first time in a decade that Sangeeta Sharma’s sister isn’t in India during Diwali. She is little disappointed for the simple reason that her absence would be greatly missed at pre-Diwali card party, a ritual their family has been following for generations.

While it is physically impossible for her sister to come to Delhi, she is virtually available in the digital world where the family is pitted against each other and are engrossed in their mobile phones playing popular games like Teen Patti and Rummy.

Welcome to the world of online gaming space that has transcended distance and time to unite friends, families and strangers in the most amusing fashion. “You can compare the experience between online and offline gaming. Both are different, but as long as one is able to connect and communicate, it looks like virtual bonding,” Sharma tells Metrolife.

According to a recent KPMG report “the mobile gaming market has grown from Rs 820 crore in 2013 to Rs 1,070 billion in 2014.”

The gaming space sees a surge in the market pre and post Diwali.

“People who want to brush up their gaming skills play online before Diwali. Though there is a dip in engagement on Diwali, but many enthusiasts play before and after the festival. The online gaming requires slightly different skill sets, but people play against friends and family to enjoy the intimacy,” Saurabh Aggarwal, founder and CEO, Octro Inc, a mobile gaming company that is based in Noida.

Another important aspect of online gaming platform is “money”. Not all gaming formats invite physical money. Octro Inc, uses virtual money to make it an experience that is “betting-free”.

However, companies like Junglee Rummy allow monetary transactions and they adhere to strict guidelines to ensure fair play and comply with them. “Regulations and guidelines are applicable on unauthorised activities like betting on games of chance.”

According to their blog, any game where the result is based on luck or chance is called as a ‘game of chance’. The best examples would be games where devices like dices, slots, spinning tops, numbered balls and others are used.

On the other hand, the games which can be played only with skills are called as ‘games of skills’. You need mental or physical skills in order to win the game and luck plays infinitesimal role in its outcome.

“In games of chance, gamers are ready to spend real money to purchase virtual currency to unlock higher levels and make premium purchases,” Ankush Gera, CEO, Junglee Games,
tells Metrolife.

These online transactions have also become safe and convenient with the growing popularity of ‘mobile wallet services’ like Paytm and Oxigen. The other aspect of business explored by them in much-fertile online space is the concept of “social gifting.”

“Gifting is an intimate process and a very difficult decision to make. Usually, what people do is if they don’t have time to buy a gift, they would opt for gift card. But the real fun lies in curating something for your near and dear ones,” says Ashutosh Upadhyay, head, product and marketing, Transerv, a mobile wallet company.

“The idea of social gifting is all about creating an experience. So rather than opting for a boring thing, one can always gift dinner to their friends or family at a place they love the most. By doing this, you know you are making someone happy and it is unconventional,” he adds.

The online gaming and gifting is just another extension of redefining our conventional experiences.