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WinZO is the largest interactive entertainment platform in India. Launched in early 2018, the Company partners with third-party developers to host games on their Android app, where users can enjoy personalized multiplayer gameplay experiences. The platform is available in 12 languages such as English, Hindi, Gujarati, Marathi, Bengali, and Bhojpuri, with over 175 million registered users in India and Brazil. The WinZO platform facilitates over 4 billion micro-transactions per month across a portfolio of 100+ games. WinZO is focused on building an enthusiastic community of gamers and gaming influencers in Tier 2 – 5 cities in India. The Company envisions a future where the WinZO platform can deliver a culturally relevant and enjoyable experience in the Indian gaming ecosystem, monetized through a unique micro-transaction model.

OVERVIEW

India's online gaming industry has undergone a remarkable transformation in recent years, driven by factors such as increased smartphone penetration, affordable data plans, and a growing tech-savvy youth population. The online gaming industry across India was valued at around Rs 13,500 crore in 2022 and is expected to be worth over Rs 23,100 crore by 2025, indicating a compound annual growth of around 19%.

The industry encompasses a wide range of gaming genres, including mobile, PC, console, and esports. While the growth potential is substantial, the sector also faces significant challenges which require strategic solutions for sustainable development.

RECENT CHALLENGES

Issues related to age restrictions, content standards, and loot boxes have raised concerns among policymakers and parents alike. Moreover, the addictive nature of online games has led to concerns about its impact on mental health, especially among younger players. Balancing immersive gameplay with responsible gaming practices and awareness campaigns is a challenge. What is to be noted is that while in-game purchases and microtransactions are crucial revenue streams, these have raised concerns about overspending and the potential for creating a pay-to-win environment. GST Implications: The Goods and Services Tax (GST) issue has affected the industry's growth. The 28% GST rate on the face value has led to complexities and increased operational costs for game developers.

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GST Impact and New Business Models

The recent GST issue has adversely affected the industry's growth trajectory. The 28% GST rate has led to increased operational costs for game developers. This has hindered investment and expansion plans, and some developers have had to adjust pricing strategies to accommodate potential tax implications. To overcome these challenges and explore new business models, the Indian gaming industry can draw inspiration from international markets. For instance, the freemium model, where the base game is free but players can make in-game purchases for cosmetic items or gameplay enhancements, has proven successful globally. Collaborations with international game studios for co-development, leveraging emerging technologies such as blockchain for secure item trading, and exploring subscription-based models that offer premium content are all viable options.

At this year’s India Gaming Summit, the aim is to initiate dialogues which would help in promoting the thought of responsible gaming. Regulatory clarity, responsible gaming practices, and innovative business models can foster sustainable growth and make the industry more resilient in the face of evolving dynamics. Advocating for fair taxation policies and learning from successful models in other markets can further contribute to the industry's progress.

TOPICS OF DISCUSSION

  • Rebuilding the online gaming industry
  • Responsible gaming
  • New business models
  • Rise in in-app purchases
  • Investors’ Outlook
  • A gamer friendly environment

Meet our speakers

Abhishek Kumar

Vice President
First Games

Amit Chadha

Director
Keywords Studios India

Anurag Khurana

Founder and CEO
Newgen Gaming

Aparajita Srivastava

Partner (Regulatory)
Ikigai Law

Chirag Chopra

Founder - Game Design and Art
Lucid Labs

Deepak Goyal

Chief Financial Officer
Octro

Deepak Nayak

Senior Vice President
Gameskraft

Devashish Dhar

Public Policy Specialist
Winzo

Devhuti Bakshi

Director – Public Policy
E-Gaming Federation

Gaurav Kapoor

Chief Financial Officer
Baazi Games

Jaganathan Chelliah

Senior Director, Marketing, India Middle East and TIA
Western Digital

Joydeep Mukherjee

Chief Marketing Officer
Deltatech Gaming Limited

Khalid Wani

Senior Director Sales, India
Western Digital

Lokesh Suji

Director
Esports Federation of India & Vice President of the Asian Esports Federation (AESF)

Nachiket Yagnik

Sports and Gaming Lawyer
Krida Legal

Payal Thaker

Partner, Indirect Tax
BDO India

Rahul Bhattacharya

Co-Founder and Managing Director
Microgravity

Rameesh Kailasam

President and CEO
India Tech

Shivani Jha

Director
EWA Centre

Shrey Mishra

Co-Founder
XR Central

Siddharth Nayyar

Co-Founder
AFK Gaming

Soham Thacker

Founder
Gamerji

Srishti Saxena

Public Policy Specialist
Winzo

Suhas Khullar

Chief Financial Officer
Loco

Tamesh Sharma

Co-Founder
Funstop Games

Varun Mahna

Founder and CEO
Dangal Games

Zerah Gonsalves

Co-founder
GG SPACE

AGENDA

Theme: Need to Reboot

09:45 am - 09:55 am

Opening Address

  • Anushree Bhattacharyya, Editor - Brand and Marketing, FE Digital
10:00 am - 10:20 am

Keynote Session

Next 5 Years of Online Gaming in India
  • Subi Chaturvedi, Global SVP, Chief Corporate Affairs and Public Policy Officer, Inmobi
  • Dhruv Garg, Tech Lawyer and Advisor, AIGF
  • Anushree Bhattacharyya, Editor - Education, Brand and Marketing, FE Digital (Moderator)
10:25 am - 10:50 am

Fireside Chat

The GST Impact
  • Payal Thaker, Partner, Indirect Tax, BDO India
  • Aparajita Srivastava, Partner (Regulatory), Ikigai Law
  • Suhas Khullar, CFO, Loco
  • Rameesh Kailasam, President and CEO, Indiatech (Moderator)
10:55 am - 11:30 am

Panel Discussion

Rise of the Phoenix?
  • Joydeep Mukherjee, CMO, Deltatech Gaming
  • Siddharth Nayyar, Co-Founder, AFK Gaming
  • Rahul Bhattacharya, Co-Founder and Managing Director, Microgravity
  • Deepak Goyal, CFO, Octro
  • Shrey Mishra, Co-Founder, XR Central
  • Roshun Povaiah, Editor, FE Digital (Moderator)
11:35 am - 11:50 am

Interview Session

Empowering Gamers
  • Jaganathan Chelliah, Senior Director, Marketing, India Middle East and TIA, Western Digital
  • Anushree Bhattacharyya, Editor - Education, Brand and Marketing, FE Digital (Moderator)
11:55 am - 12:30 pm

Panel Discussion

Understanding Responsible Gaming
  • Shivani Jha, Director, EWA Centre
  • Deepak Nayak, Senior Vice President, Gameskraft
  • Zerah Gonsalves, Co-Founder, GG Space
  • Nachiket Yagnik, Sports and Gaming Lawyer, Krida Legal
  • Roshun Povaiah, Editor, FE Digital (Moderator)

Theme: Game-On

12:35 pm - 01:10 pm

Panel Discussion

Casual Games on a Rise
  • Amit Chadha, Director, Keywords Studios India
  • Tamesh Sharma, Co-Founder, Funstop Games
  • Chirag Chopra, Founder - Game Design and Art, Lucid Labs
  • Saptak Bardhan, Correspondent, BrandWagon, FE Digital (Moderator)
01:15 pm - 02:00 pm

LUNCH

02:05 pm - 02:40 pm

Group Discussion

E-sports Turns Mainstream
  • Anurag Khurana, Founder and CEO, Newgen Gaming
  • Khalid Wani, Senior Director Sales, India, Western Digital
  • Soham Thacker, Founder, Gamerji
  • Saptak Bardhan, Correspondent, BrandWagon, FE Digital (Moderator)
02:45 pm - 03:00 pm

Standalone Session

Innovating Monetisation Strategies
  • Srishti Saxena, Public Policy specialist, WinZO
03:05 pm - 03:30 pm

Networking Tea Break

Theme: Game Play for Future

03:35 pm - 04:00 pm

Fireside Chat

Decoding Financial Responsibility in Gaming
  • Abhishek Kumar, Vice President, First Games
  • Gaurav Kapoor, CFO, Baazi Games
  • Varun Mahna, Founder and CEO, Dangal Games
  • Jatin Grover, Special Correspondent, Financial Express (Moderator)
04:05 pm - 04:30 pm

Fireside Chat

Gaming = Skill Development and Employment
  • Devhuti Bakshi, Director, Public Policy, E-Gaming Federation
  • Devashish Dhar, Public Policy Specialist, WinZO
  • Lokesh Suji, Director, Esports Federation of India and Vice President of the Asian Esports Federation (AESF)
  • Ritarshi Banerjee, Correspondent, FE Digital (Moderator)

WHY ATTEND?

  • The road ahead for the online gaming industry in a post-Covid world
  • The rise in employment opportunities
  • Building game publishers' story
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  • How to empower gamers
  • Building and sustaining business models
  • Increase in diversity in gaming

DELEGATE PASS

VIP Delegate Pass

₹10,000

₹4,999/-

+18% GST

WHAT DO YOU GET?

  • Access to all Insightful sessions
  • VIP access to the speaker’s lounge
  • Access to networking lunch
  • One-on-one interaction with the top Banking experts
  • Exclusive pass to networking over Hi-Tea
  • Access to Partner Booth
PROCEED

Standard Delegate Pass

FREE

+18% GST

WHAT DO YOU GET?

  • Access to limited sessions on a first come first served
  • Networking opportunity with delegates

Note: Attending the event physically at the venue is available only on invitation basis

PROCEED

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

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Venue

The Park

15, Sansad Marg, Hanuman Road Area, Connaught Place, New Delhi - 110001

CONTACT US

For any urgent matters or issues requiring immediate escalation, please write to rohit.singh@financialexpress.com 

DELEGATE REGISTRATION