With the gaming industry expanding, Puneites explore the virtual world

The gaming industry has slowly overtaken Hollywood in the West in terms of popularity and money. There’s a huge change witnessed in India too, with gamers looking to future prospects in the field.

Pune is one of the cities in the forefront of this gaming revolution.
There is no dearth of gaming centres in the city, but Prashant Thakkar of Intencity in Camp considers his centre to be a bit different. He explains, “Intencity is a first-of-its-kind gaming centre in Pune where there are consoles to play as well as a cafe.”

They also have a website where gamers can order the latest games online and hold regular competitions to encourage new talent.

Fifa 11 on the Xbox is the most popular game at the centre and Sanjog Mali admits he is addicted to it. “I come here sometimes after work or on the weekends and play for relaxation and entertainment”, he says.

Most youngsters may prefer watching movies or hanging out in cafes and malls, but there are a few like 17-year-old Khorzan Irani, who claims gaming centres are their coffee shops. Michael Condillac, 18, says the reason more younger people play games is that the present versions are a little advanced for the older generation. He quips, “My dad still prefers playing Pac-man!”

While some may consider gaming to be fun and enjoyable and still others, a waste of time; there’s another aspect to the gaming trend. From development and design to production and testing, it’s big business for the gaming industry. International and national gaming firms have set up development studios in the city and are always on the lookout for talented and innovative people who have an interest in working in this industry.

And for them to learn the skills, game design institutes have been established, which impart a balance of theoretical and practical knowledge. DSK Supinfocom is one such specialised institute in Pune. Pranav Bachal, who joined at the year of its inception, is now ready to graduate and look for an internship in the field.

He says his decision to study such an unusual subject was about following his passion. “I was always interested in gaming and music since I was very young, and hopefully, my job will allow me to combine both my interests.”

Apart from the computer and video games, they also learn about other areas of gaming such as mobile and social network games and the almost obsolete board games.

The institute’s Neetu Savaogi said, “It’s a misconception that parents believe games are a waste of time. There are great careers and great money involved for people who are a part of the gaming industry.”

There are also added benefits for gamers who are not looking at it in terms of their careers. It has been proven that gaming improves hand- eye coordination and reflexes.

So, with a bright future ahead, gamers in the city can play and know they will win in the end.