As India celebrates International Creators Day, gaming has firmly emerged as the crown jewel of the country’s booming creator economy. With over 4 million influencers now part of the ecosystem — a jump from just under a million in 2020 — gaming has carved out a massive niche for itself, growing 213 per cent between 2020 and 2022, and boasting nearly half a million creators by the end of 2024, as per data from Qoruz.
But how do you thrive in a space brimming with competition? What separates the weekend streamers from the full-time legends? Some of India’s top gaming creators from the esports collective S8UL have shared insights that could help aspiring creators gear up for the next big leap in 2025.
Be Yourself, Always — That’s Your Power-Up
For anyone aiming to break into gaming content creation, originality isn’t optional — it’s the whole game.
“Focus on what makes you truly unique,” says Payal Dhare aka PayalGaming, one of India’s most recognised female gamers. “Whether it is your personality, your sense of humour, or your gaming style, stay consistent and authentic.”
Salman Ahmad, known online as 8Bit Mamba, urges creators to learn from the best without mimicking them. “Study how they structure their content and engage with their audiences, then add your own perspective and creativity.”
Fellow S8UL star Snax (Raj Varma) adds, “Audiences resonate most with creators who are genuine, both on and off the camera.”
For Joker Ki Haveli (Gulrez Khan), consistency and audience interaction are key. “Interact meaningfully with your audience, be consistent in your storytelling, and collaborate with others to grow your presence organically.”
Don’t Fall for the Clickbait Trap
Every seasoned creator has battle scars from early missteps — but learning fast can be your secret weapon.
8Bit Mamba recommends starting with edited videos or shorts instead of diving straight into livestreams. “It allows you to refine your storytelling skills, understand your audience better, and gradually build confidence on camera.”
Gulrez warns against erratic uploads and clickbait. “Irregular uploads, poorly designed thumbnails, and clickbait titles can dilute your brand and confuse your audience.”
PayalGaming says chasing virality isn’t sustainable. “Staying true to your own voice and originality is far more sustainable in the long run.”
Snax breaks another myth: you don’t need expensive gear. “Whether your budget is fifty rupees or five lakh rupees, it is the strength of your concept and content that ultimately makes the impact.”
From Controller to Career: The Long Game
Passion is just the starting point — discipline, patience, and long-term vision are the real grind.
“Approach gaming with the seriousness of a professional career,” says Payal. “You need to be consistent, disciplined, and prepared for the days when growth feels slow.”
Gulrez stresses multi-platform visibility. “A successful creator must be visible beyond just YouTube or Twitch.”
Raj offers a sobering reminder: “It is essential to give it your all — but also wise to have a backup plan in place.”
Salman adds that the community needs creators who can adapt. “We need more versatility in the community — creators who are open to experimentation and can adapt to different gaming genres.”
Final level? Stay authentic, stay consistent, and most importantly — keep playing.
