From Darjeeling in the East to Nagpur in the West, India is full of places that hold a distinct identity owing to the local delicacies they have to offer. However, these food capitals are now forging another identity for themselves—that of gaming hubs of the country.
According to a report called the India Mobile Gaming Report (IMGR) 2022, cities predominantly famous for their delicious delights are now seeing an increase in gamers, who are venturing into the world of mobile gaming, readily adopting classics and new-age games alike. The report lists Darjeeling (West Bengal), Murthal (Haryana), Bikaner (Rajasthan), Moradabad and Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh), Nagpur (Maharashtra) and Ratnagiri (Maharashtra), Coorg (Karnataka), Ambur (Tamil Nadu)—some of the top Indian culinary destinations—are witnessing a massive boom in gaming.
Well-known for its world-famous aromatic tea, the quaint town of Darjeeling is emerging as a top-notch mobile gaming hub in the country, having witnessed a higher percentage growth than the larger and more populous cities like Kolkata. The scenic hill station also features in the top five biggest cities in West Bengal by a number of gamers. Snakes & Ladders is one of the most played games here.
Located in the Sonipat district of Haryana, the small village of Murthal, notable for its highway dhabas that serve a variety of delicious parathas, is a popular gathering spot for foodies. The village now gives tough competition to other neighbouring cities, outshining over 85% of towns and cities in terms of growth. Fruit Dart, a game where slicing fruits earns you points, is the most played game here.
In the West, Bikaner has always drawn crowds from across the country for its famous bhujia and chiwda. The Rajasthani tourist hotspot is earning a name for itself in gaming as well, growing at the same clip as other tourist destinations in the region like Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodhpur and Jaisalmer. The most popular game here is Ludo Dice, a digital version of the traditional family board game.
The neighbouring Uttar Pradesh has a similar story. From being known for their lip-smacking biryanis, Moradabad and Lucknow have registered rapid growth in gaming. Both these places are in the top 10 in UP when it comes to the number of mobile gamers: Lucknow occupies the number 1 spot while Moradabad, is number 10.
