The online gaming market is currently valued at around $2.2 billion and is expected to reach $5 billion by 2025. Largely driven by smartphones, affordable data, and increasing disposable income, the rapid growth is expected to strengthen the sector’s share of the total media and entertainment industry by 4−5 percent. 


Taking note of the growing player engagement, gaming companies are gradually moving from a business model dependent on download volumes and advertisements to one with diversified revenue streams built on consumer engagement and elevated experience levels. In-game revenue streams, such as chargeable expansion packs or virtual coin packs as well as subscriptions, are gradually picking pace. 


While it has been a fun experience for most players involved, a concerning number of users have become victims of cybercrime through their online interactions, ranging from fraudulent transactions to identity theft. 


A Safe And Welcoming Space


In order to maintain and build upon its promising growth, the online gaming market in India needs to maintain a safe and welcoming space for its diverse players. Responsible gaming is a broad concept that comprises several policies and requirements that apply to both players as well as gaming operators. It ensures that both parties adhere to the highest quality standards and provide a safe user experience that shields gamers from the potential risks involved in the process. 


Simply put, safe gaming requires operators to implement a set of controls and systems that form the foundation of a safe online environment. One of the primary components of responsible gaming is the prevention of juvenile gaming, and it should be highlighted that people who have not achieved the legal age (18 or 21) should not be permitted to play for real money.


Apart from this, game operators must ensure that the privacy of gamers is protected, and they follow most regulators’ standards by implementing many rigorous procedures to limit access to crucial private data, like players’ names, addresses, and phone numbers. 


Play Limits


In addition, gaming platforms should also offer setting play limits, and support for the display of in-game messages when a certain limit has been crossed. 


Players who experience difficulties in controlling the amount of time or money they are spending on the games should be strongly encouraged to contact the online gaming platform where they have registered their account, providing their username, in order to request temporary or permanent freezing of their account. A feature that reminds players how long they have been playing, and how much they have won or lost can be built in the game. 


Safety For Gamers


Apart from these, gaming operators should focus on the risks involved in multiplayer games. These often involve anonymous players engaging on the same platform who can use inbuilt chat features or connect on sites like Discord. Sometimes these interactions can become acrimonious and may result in cyberbullying and harassment. 


This poses a persistent risk for especially unsuspecting young gamers interacting with sexual predators and other criminals who can use the opportunity to exploit them. To safeguard against such risks, it is crucial to always minimise contact with strangers and shut down any abusive language immediately. Game developers should also give players an opportunity to report unusual activities or players that threaten the ecosystem’s safety.  


Meanwhile, online gamers who wish to protect themselves against common threats should ensure that the firewall on their device is enabled. 


Installing a good antivirus program, maintaining backups of any personal or financial data, and above all, remaining vigilant at all times. 


Responsible Gaming Is Critical


Mindful gaming concepts should be included and promoted in the platform and products offered by credible online gaming platforms in order to curb gaming addiction, illicit gaming, dealing with online hazards and privacy breaches. 


Responsible gaming is critical for sustaining the integrity and actual enjoyment of online gaming. It is the responsibility of both the players and the platform to conduct ethical gaming so that it continues to generate employment and revenues for the country. 


(The author is Founder and CEO, Witzeal Technologies, a new-age gaming tech platform)


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