The partnership will co-present the India Gaming Awards and India Gaming Report, positioning gaming as a cultural and economic powerhouse across India and Bharat.
Mumbai, August 21, 2025: Dentsu India and IWMBuzz Media have announced a three-year strategic partnership to co-present the India Gaming Awards and publish the India Gaming Report, two platforms that have fast become the country’s most authoritative voices in the pure-play gaming industry. Unlike real-money gaming, pure-play gaming is driven solely by entertainment and is witnessing exponential growth across India.
The collaboration builds on the success of last year’s inaugural India Gaming Report, which revealed the scale and momentum of the sector — 13.85 crore gamers, a rapidly expanding mobile-first ecosystem, double-digit annual growth, and Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities emerging as key growth hubs. Today, the industry is valued at ₹6,715 crore, growing at a CAGR of 24%, and shaping itself into a cultural and economic force.
Over the next three years, the partnership aims to elevate gaming as a cornerstone of India’s creative economy, not only for the youth but for audiences across Bharat.
The India Gaming Awards, already regarded as the most prestigious celebration of gaming and esports, will expand into a year-round movement that unites gamers, developers, publishers, influencers, brands, and policymakers to drive dialogue, innovation, and community-building. Meanwhile, the India Gaming Report will continue as the definitive industry guide, broadening its scope to cover consumer behaviour, monetisation, regulation, and cultural trends.
Speaking on the announcement, Harsha Razdan, CEO, South Asia, dentsu, said:
“Gaming is the most dynamic cultural and economic force shaping India’s youth and Bharat’s heartland today. This partnership with IWMBuzz is not just about awards or reports — it is about building the foundation for an industry that can rival the best in the world. From metros to small towns, gaming will be India’s next great connector — a platform for jobs, innovation, and cultural pride. Dentsu India will be at the heart of this transformation.”
Narayan Devanathan, President & Chief Strategy Officer, South Asia, dentsu, added:
“The India Gaming Awards and India Gaming Report are more than events or publications — they are catalysts. Our mission is to help brands enter gaming authentically, building trust, fandom, and growth. This is how we will shape India’s gaming story.”
Siddhartha Laik, Founder & Editor-in-Chief, IWMBuzz Media, commented:
“When we launched the India Gaming Awards, the goal was to give the gaming community a stage worthy of its ambition. With dentsu’s scale and cultural insight, we are now building platforms and narratives that will inspire the next generation of gamers, developers, and innovators.”
Together, dentsu and IWMBuzz are set to make pure-play gaming not just a fast-growing sector, but a defining force in India’s digital and cultural economy.
About Dentsu India:
Dentsu India is a leading integrated communications network, combining creativity, data, and technology to help brands build meaningful connections with audiences. With a global footprint and deep local expertise, dentsu drives innovation across industries, including gaming, entertainment, and digital transformation.
About IWMBuzz Media:
IWMBuzz Media is one of India’s fastest-growing digital media companies, known for creating content and platforms that engage audiences across entertainment, lifestyle, and gaming. Through initiatives like the India Gaming Awards and India Gaming Report, IWMBuzz continues to champion emerging cultural movements and industries.
