Vickram Bedi, Senior Director of Personal Systems at HP India, recently shared insights on HP's strategic positioning within India's burgeoning gaming landscape. In an exclusive interview with indianexpress.com, Bedi outlined HP's initiatives aimed at bolstering the esports community.
Amidst growing parental acceptance of gaming, Bedi emphasized HP's role in transforming perceptions. HP's research revealed a notable shift in parental views, with 42% now embracing gaming as a hobby and 47% recognizing it as a potential career choice, a substantial increase from 2021's 32%. Bedi expressed a desire to spotlight success stories of gamers turning their passion into lucrative careers through HP's campaigns.
Contrary to popular belief, gaming offers an array of career options beyond competitive play. Bedi shed light on various opportunities in content creation, streaming, and event organization within the esports industry. Gamers now have the chance to build personal brands and communities beyond their gaming prowess.
Highlighting HP's commitment to nurturing aspiring gamers, Bedi discussed the Gaming Garage program. Launched last year, the initiative offers free online courses in esports management and game design on edX, available in 12 languages including English, Hindi, and Telugu. Additionally, HP's Omen Playground stores provide gamers with hands-on experience and community engagement nationwide.
Bedi expressed unwavering optimism about the future of Indian esports, citing its inclusion in the Asian Games 2023 as a significant milestone. He foresees esports gaining parity with traditional sports in the country. HP is actively contributing to this evolution by offering learning opportunities and leveraging cutting-edge technology.
Delving into women's growing presence in gaming, Bedi highlighted HP's efforts in fostering an inclusive environment. With 58% of women gamers dedicating 12 or more hours per week to gaming, HP's Omen Playground stores and Gaming Garage aim to support and empower women in the gaming industry. Streaming and content creation have opened new avenues for women to thrive in the gaming world.
HP's commitment to revolutionizing the gaming landscape extends beyond hardware and software – it's about empowering gamers to explore diverse opportunities and redefine the industry's future.