Indian gamers spend on cosmetics and battle passes; almost never on pay-to-win. The data is clear.

Indian mobile gaming spend per user crossed ₹1,200/year in 2025 — meaningful by global mobile-gaming standards. The categories of spend are uneven: cosmetics (skins, outfits) and battle passes (₹250-600 per season) dominate. Pay-to-win mechanics convert at single-digit rates and are increasingly seen as scams by Indian audiences. For mobile game developers targeting India, the playbook is clear. Build a strong core gameplay loop, monetise via cosmetics and progression rewards, and avoid pay-to-win in PvP titles. Free Fire, BGMI, and the most successful Indian-built mobile games all follow this pattern.