In recent times, the online gaming industry has flourished into a global powerhouse, captivating an impressive 420 million active gamers. In India, with the burgeoning gaming culture and widespread internet accessibility, the industry is on the cusp of remarkable expansion. Yet, within this growth, the potential for unethical activities looms.
Experts project that the Indian gaming market will surge from $2.8 billion in 2022 to an astonishing $5 billion by 2025, demonstrating a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 28-30%. The nation’s gamer count is estimated to reach 450 million by 2023 and a staggering 500 million by 2025. Amidst such exponential growth, concerns surrounding unethical practices, including cyberbullying and fraud, have arisen.
This prompts a critical inquiry into how to establish a safer online gaming environment for players. The solution lies in a series of initiatives that gaming corporations can enact to fortify the safety of their platforms.
Fostering a Secure and Inclusive Environment
Responsible gaming encompasses a spectrum of policies applicable to both players and gaming corporations. It ensures the highest standards are upheld, shielding gamers from potential risks. By embracing responsible gaming practices, platforms can forge a secure and welcoming space for players.
Essentially, secure gaming demands the implementation of controls and systems that cultivate a safe online milieu. At the core of responsible gaming is the prevention of underage gaming, ensuring that those below the legal age cannot participate in real-money play.
Furthermore, gaming platforms should champion player privacy by adhering to regulatory practices and stringent protocols that protect sensitive information, such as names, addresses, and contact details.
Enforcing Play Limits
Gaming platforms should afford users the ability to set daily and monthly play limits. In-game notifications should effectively alert players upon reaching these limits. Individuals grappling with addictive behaviors can be encouraged to establish limits, temporarily or permanently freezing their accounts. Real-time reminders of play duration, wins, and losses can contribute to maintaining healthy gaming habits.
Elevating Player Safety
Multiplayer games introduce unique challenges, where anonymous players engage via in-game chat features or external platforms like Discord. While enhancing the gaming experience, these interactions can sometimes devolve into harassment and cyberbullying, disproportionately affecting young players. To mitigate these risks, minimizing interactions with strangers and promptly addressing abusive language is crucial. Developers must incorporate robust reporting mechanisms for identifying unusual activities or threats.
Identifying Fraudulent Activities
According to Experian’s Global Identity and Fraud Report, around 30% of Indian consumers fell victim to in-app purchase fraud in 2022. To combat such issues, gaming industry leaders must establish multiple layers of fraud detection, safeguarding players from potential scams. The implementation of stringent identity verification procedures during sign-in, such as e-KYC, can effectively thwart the creation of fake profiles.
Upholding Responsible Gaming as the Foundation
Promoting responsible gaming principles across all platforms is paramount to combat addiction, unethical gaming practices, and online hazards. Responsible gaming stands as the cornerstone for preserving the authenticity and genuine enjoyment of online gaming. Both players and platforms share the responsibility of ethical conduct, ensuring the ongoing and constructive functioning of the industry.