India is key to Meta's global gaming strategy, with 700 mn gamers projected by 2028, says Sandhya Devanathan

India is key to Meta's global gaming strategy, with 700 mn gamers projected by 2028, says Sandhya Devanathan

Facebook parent Meta is positioning itself to play a pivotal role in the growth of India's burgeoning gaming industry as the country is expected to reach 700 million gamers by 2028, said Sandhya Devanathan, Vice President and Head-India at Meta.

She said Meta is committed to supporting developers, creators, brands, and startups within the country's rapidly expanding gaming ecosystem, while outlining the social networking giant's long-term vision for the Indian market.

“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,” Devanathan said during her speech at the Indian Gaming Convention 2024 in New Delhi on October 14.

"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," she said.

Read: India set to overtake China in gaming but needs regulatory clarity, says Dream11's Harsh Jain

By 2028, India could have a staggering 700 million gamers, cementing its status as a global gaming powerhouse, she projected.

"India could become an $8 trillion economy in the near future, with $1 trillion driven by digital initiatives, including gaming," she noted. Devanathan emphasised that this expansion will create substantial economic opportunities, with the potential for the gaming ecosystem to generate approximately 300,000 jobs across brands, startups, and creators.

"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 said.

"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," she added.

Prior to becoming Meta's India head in January 2023, Devanathan was leading the company's gaming vertical in the Asia Pacific (APAC) market, one of its largest verticals globally.

Read: Meta India head Sandhya Devanathan on why India is a key market for WhatsApp Business, AI initiatives

Impact on consumer behavior

During her speech, Devanathan also discussed how gaming will play a significant role in shaping consumer behavior, particularly online shopping.

Highlighting the massive engagement on Meta’s platforms, she noted, “200 billion reels are played daily across Facebook and Instagram, and 20 crore (200 million) people shop online in India—a number expected to grow significantly."

She said this data illustrates how gaming is increasingly intertwined with India's digital lifestyle and commercial landscape, indicating a shift in consumer engagement patterns.

Devanathan was also optimistic about the immense potential of its Quest mixed reality headsets for Indian developers, even though the devices are currently unavailable to Indian audiences.

“Meta Quest 3 represents a massive opportunity for indie developers here to create immersive experiences for global audiences," she said.

In September, Meta chief executive Mark Zuckerberg unveiled the first functional prototype of its much-anticipated augmented reality (AR) glasses, called Orion. He also announced the Quest 3S, an entry-level version of its Quest line of mixed-reality headsets. Quest 3S will feature the same mixed reality capabilities and fast performance as the Quest 3, but at a lower price point of $300.