The cloud gaming market in India is heating up as new players enter into this futuristic market to compete with OnePlay, JioGames Cloud, GameAway, and AntPlay.
Vi (previously known as Vodafone and Idea), in collaboration with European cloud gaming company, CareGame, has launched Cloud Play in India.
First introduced in India Mobile Congress 2022 labeled as "India’s first ever Mobile Cloud Gaming Service" is now (April 4, 2024) open for all Vi users.
Available for Android (Through Chrome), iOS (Through Safari Browser), and web users via the Vi Games app, gamers can now play AAA and indie titles on their smartphones like:
Modern Combat 5,
Shadow Fight,
Storm Blades,
Riptide,
Beach Buggy Racing,
Badland,
Mini Metro,
Jackpack Joyride,
Table Top Riding,
Zombie Tsunami
Stay,
Spirit Roots,
Ludomania,
Lara Croft Go,
Hitman Sniper,
Football Championship,
and more are coming soon.
It also offered the exclusive version of Gameloft’s Asphalt 9: Legends with unlocked multiplayer mode, two bonus cars, and many more.
Vi has introduced a try-and-buy mode, where users can experience cloud gaming via Cloud Play for free for the first 15 days (Jio Cloud offered a 30-day free trial) as an introductory offer.
The service will cost Rs 100 a month post-offer period, where prepaid users can recharge for the Rs 104 plan to continue playing games on Cloud Play.
Commenting on the launch of Cloud Play, Avneesh Khosla, CMO, of Vodafone Idea said At Vi,
"we have always believed in a collaborative approach to strengthen our bouquet of customer offerings. We recognize the potential of the fast-evolving Gaming landscape with the smartphone playing a key role in making Gaming more accessible anytime, anywhere. With Vi Games in partnership with CareGame, we welcome our users to the future of gaming, where the cloud is your playground and the possibilities are limitless. It's not just a game, it's a seamless journey into a world where imagination meets technology. Get ready to elevate your playtime and explore the extraordinary."
Comparison with OnePlay
OnePlay, another prominent cloud gaming service in India, offers a vastly different approach compared to Vi Cloud Play.
Unlike Vi's service, which provides access to a curated game catalog, OnePlay allows users to stream a wide range of AAA titles, including Apex Legends, Cyberpunk 2077, Palworld and Baldur's Gate 3, directly from their personal game libraries on platforms like Steam, Ubisoft, and Epic Games Store.
This approach gives OnePlay users more flexibility in terms of game selection, but it also comes with a higher price tag.
OnePlay's pricing structure is based on a tiered system, with plans ranging from ₹39 per month to ₹699 per month, depending on the desired playtime and features.
Advantages of Vi Cloud Play over OnePlay
While OnePlay offers a more comprehensive game library, Vi Cloud Play presents several advantages:
Simplicity: Vi Cloud Play's straightforward ₹100 per month subscription model provides a more simplified and accessible cloud gaming experience, especially for those new to the concept.
No Additional Purchases: Unlike OnePlay, which requires users to own the games they want to stream, Vi Cloud Play offers access to its entire game catalog for a single monthly fee, eliminating the need for additional game purchases.
Broader Reach: With its availability on Android, iOS, and web platforms, Vi Cloud Play has the potential to reach a wider audience, including those who may not have access to or be comfortable with the PC-centric approach of OnePlay.
Service | Pricing Tiers | Key Differences | Availability on Platforms |
OnePlay | - Foundation: Starting from ₹39/month | - Offers access to a wide range of AAA titles from personal libraries owned | - Android (via Chrome), iOS (via Safari), |
- Enhanced: Starting from ₹49/month | - Requires users to own the games from Steam, Ubisoft, or Epic Games Store they want to play | ||
- Ultimate: ₹999/month | - Flexible pricing based on desired playtime and Video Quality | ||
Vi Cloud Play | - ₹100/month (after 15-day free trial) | - Provides a curated game catalog for a fixed monthly fee | - Android (via Chrome), iOS (via Safari), |
- No need for additional game purchases | |||
- More accessible pricing for casual gamers | |||
JioGames Cloud | - Pro Plan: ₹199/month | - Also offers a curated game catalog like Vi Cloud Play | - Android, iOS, PC, tablet, TV, as well as Jio’s STB box |
- Leverages Jio's large user base and infrastructure |
How is the Cloud Gaming Market Evolving in India?
The cloud gaming market in India is witnessing a rapid influx of new players, each vying for a share of this lucrative industry.
According to Statista, the cloud gaming market in India is projected to reach a revenue of $102.90m by 2024, with an expected CAGR of 32.83% from 2024 to 2029, resulting in a market volume of $425.50m by 2029.
What Challenges and Opportunities Lie Ahead for Cloud Gaming in India?
As the cloud gaming market in India continues to grow, it faces both challenges and opportunities:
Challenges:
Bandwidth and Latency: Cloud gaming is heavily dependent on stable, high-speed internet connections with low latency, which may not be readily available in all parts of India.
Content Availability: Building a robust and diverse game catalog is crucial for cloud gaming platforms to attract and retain users.
Pricing Strategies: Finding the right balance between affordability and profitability will be a key challenge for cloud gaming service providers.
Opportunities:
Untapped Potential: With a vast and growing gaming population, India presents a significant opportunity for cloud gaming providers to capture a large market share.
Technological Advancements: Continued improvements in 5G networks, cloud infrastructure, and streaming technologies will enhance the cloud gaming experience.
Collaboration with Local Developers: Partnerships with Indian game developers as by Google Play and Krafton can help cloud gaming platforms offer more localized and culturally relevant content.
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