- WinZO engages over one lakh gig workers who contribute to content creation, game streaming, translation, game testing, and game operations.
The recent economic downturn in the tech industry and cost-cutting measures have adversely affected India’s gig economy, especially drivers in the e-commerce sector. However, the emergence of the online gaming industry has opened fresh avenues for these affected professionals. WinZO, India’s leading vernacular online gaming platform, has created over one lakh direct and indirect jobs within the gig economy. These opportunities span various roles, including engineers, game developers, animators, designers, and marketing professionals, as well as gig workers involved in content creation, game streaming, translation, game testing, and game operations. WinZO not only offers work opportunities but also provides comprehensive upskilling support, equipping individuals with relevant industry knowledge and best practices. This empowers them to enhance their skills and excel in the digital-first industries. Around 70% of WinZO’s gig partners hail from tier II and beyond, making it a truly inclusive platform.
“WinZO envisions a future where entrepreneurship is democratized, and the youth of our nation is empowered to seize opportunities. Through our tech-enabled collaborations, we break the barriers of language, location and socio-economic background, seamlessly integrating gig professionals from rural areas and smaller cities such as Sangli, Naliya, Barasat, and Vategaon,” Saumya Singh Rathore, co-founder, WinZO declared, highlighting the extraordinary surge in employment opportunities for gig workers within the thriving realm of online gaming.
Micro-influencers associated with WinZO leverage their audience to create monetization opportunities by providing game reviews, tutorials, strategy studies, and more. Collectively, they have generated seven lakh hours of content in various vernacular languages and dialects, such as Konkani, Kutchi, Haryanvi, Konkani, Malvani, and more, garnering 10 billion impressions.
Translators, primarily housewives, college students and retired professionals contribute to making game content more accessible and inclusive by translating in-app assets, marketing creatives, and other content used by WinZO to provide a localized vernacular experience.
Game testers and game operations professionals play vital roles in ensuring the quality and user experience of games on WinZO. Testers provide feedback and bug reporting to improve the overall gaming experience, while operations professionals efficiently manage backend infrastructure remotely, offering valuable opportunities for individuals who may face restrictions on leaving their homes.
Nitin Chougale, a WinZO collaborator from Maharashtra, shared his experience, stating, “The micro-influencer program offered by WinZO has arrived at an opportune moment for creators like myself who faced challenges breaking into the mainstream. Collaborating with WinZO has given me the much-needed financial stability to pursue my passion as well as connect with my audiences.”
India’s gaming industry is projected to reach $8.6 billion in FY27, growing at a CAGR of 27%. With a user base expected to surpass 450 million in 2023, according to a FICCI-EY report, the gaming industry offers immense potential. Certain influencers who have grown alongside WinZO, to reach one million subscribers on their channel and now earn monthly incomes ranging from INR 5 lakh to INR 10 lakh.
WinZO’s success, with 130 million registered users and over four billion monthly microtransactions, can be attributed to its dedicated team and the commitment of its network of indirect employees. Leveraging this partner network, WinZO aims to expand its user base to 700 million in the next five years.
About WinZO
WinZO is the largest social gaming and interactive entertainment platform in India. Launched in early 2018, the Company partners with third-party developers to host games on their Android app, where users can enjoy personalized multiplayer gameplay experiences. The platform is available in 12 languages such as English, Hindi, Gujarati, Marathi, Bengali, and Bhojpuri, with over 100 million registered users. The WinZO platform facilitates over 4 billion micro-transactions per month across a portfolio of 100+ games. WinZO is focused on building an enthusiastic community of gamers and gaming influencers in Tier 2 – 5 cities in India. The Company envisions a future where the WinZO platform can deliver a culturally relevant and enjoyable experience in the Indian gaming ecosystem, monetized through a unique micro-transaction model.
WinZO, a series-C funded venture, has raised $100 million from Marquee gaming and entertainment investors such as Griffin Gaming partners, Courtside ventures, Maker’s fund, all of whom made their first investment in the Indian start-up ecosystem through WinZO.
