In a first-of-its-kind effort to build awareness around gaming and esports in India, CyberPowerPC has unveiled an 'Esports Masterclass' series. Furthermore, this initiative will take place at ApeCity, Navi Mumbai, targeting both gamers and their parents. The series aims to help participants understand the structure, opportunities, and challenges of India's growing esports and video gaming industry.
The initiative aims to spark open dialogue between families and the gaming industry. Additionally, it offers insights into the discipline, dedication, and long-term potential of esports. Through structured sessions, the program addresses common misconceptions while emphasizing how parental support can play a crucial role in a gamer's journey.
Masterclass Sessions and Key Speakers
The first masterclass of the series featured Vishal Parekh, Chief Operating Officer of CyberPowerPC India, alongside Jai Shah and Yash Bhanushali, co-founders of esports organization Orangutan and ApeCity. Together, they helped 30+ parents and gamers understand the current state of India's esports ecosystem. Moreover, they discussed the career opportunities it offers and the importance of balancing academics with competitive ambitions.
The second masterclass, titled 'The Journey of Becoming an Esports Athlete', spotlighted two of India's top players, Arman (Aaru) and Ankit Shukla (Akop). They shared personal stories from their early days in the industry, their daily routines, and the pressure of competition. Additionally, they discussed their experiences dealing with losses, public expectations, burnout, and social media scrutiny. Their candid advice gave young players a realistic perspective on what it truly takes to thrive in esports.
Esports Recognition and Government Support
This awareness push comes at a time when esports is gaining unprecedented recognition and entering the mainstream sporting landscape in the nation. Since being officially recognised as a multi-sport event by the Government of India in December 2022, esports has featured in this year's Khelo India Youth Games. Furthermore, it is a medal sport at the Asian Youth Games 2025 and will also be part of the upcoming Asian Games.
The Olympic Esports Games, set to take place in Riyadh in 2027, further cements its global standing. At the state level, governments in Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Bihar, among others, are actively hosting official esports tournaments. Indian athletes will also represent the country at the Esports World Cup in Riyadh this year, which features a total prize pool of $70 million (approximately INR 598 crore).
Industry Growth and Market Projections
According to the FICCI-EY Media and Entertainment Industry Report 2025, total participation in esports tournaments in India crossed the 2 million mark in 2024. Moreover, it is expected to reach 2.8 million in 2025. The prize pool across major tournaments is also projected to grow from INR 187 million in 2024 to INR 250 million in 2025, reflecting the rising scale and competitiveness of the industry.
Vishal Parekh, COO, CyberPowerPC India, emphasized the industry's evolution. He stated that gaming and esports in India have evolved into a thriving ecosystem offering diverse career opportunities across content creation, game development, broadcasting, esports management, and professional play. With this masterclass series, their goal is to involve both gamers and their families in the journey.
CyberPowerPC's Commitment to Indian Esports
CyberPowerPC India, which recently celebrated its first anniversary in the country, has consistently contributed to the ecosystem. Additionally, the brand has shown commitment not just by offering powerful gaming PCs but by creating access and driving grassroots engagement. From giving away gaming PCs worth lakhs to powering ApeCity with high-performance rigs, the brand has shown a strong commitment to building a pipeline of talent.
This ensures that world-class gaming infrastructure is accessible at the grassroots level. Consequently, aspiring players can train and grow in the right environment. The Esports Masterclass series is just the beginning of CyberPowerPC's larger effort to drive understanding and acceptance of esports and PC gaming as a serious, structured, and sustainable career path.
Through its 'Esports Masterclass' series, CyberPowerPC India aims to bridge the knowledge gap between parents and gamers by encouraging honest conversations, breaking common myths, and nurturing a more supportive environment for India's next generation of esports athletes. The masterclass series will take place every Sunday at ApeCity, featuring different voices from across the esports ecosystem to help raise awareness, educate families, and advocate for the industry.
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