Is Esports Mainstream? Ashwin Suresh on India's Digital Entertainment Revolution

In an increasingly digital India marked by decreasing attention span and constantly evolving content formats, Ashwin Suresh stands out as a visionary who is shaping the trajectory of youth entertainment and gaming in the country.

Ashwin is the founder of Pocket Aces and Loco, two of India’s most influential media platforms. 

Read this blog to explore Ashwin’s business insights he shared during his recent campus visit, including his career journey, the explosive rise of esports, and the principles guiding his ventures.

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Esports: A cultural movement, not just a genre

There’s a tendency to speak of Esports as a trend, something that will arrive in the future. But Ashwin claims that esports is the present, and it is being consumed right now.

This isn't speculation. The numbers show that apart from cricket, Esports commands more viewership than any other sport in India. 

Titles like Valorant, Free Fire, BGMI, and Call of Duty Mobile are becoming household names among Gen Z. So why do many stakeholders still treat it like a fringe space? 

Offering a solution, Ashwin shares that the problem is the talking heads on TVs and people on panels are all a generation removed from the Esports consumer. This generational gap in understanding is precisely why the Esports industry, though rich in attention and engagement, is catching up in terms of monetisation strategy, policy support, and mainstream legitimacy.

A career built on reinvention

Before founding two of India’s most influential digital media companies, Ashwin Suresh started his career in finance and private equity, then pivoted into film production, and ultimately into tech-led content entrepreneurship. Each pivot was a conscious decision, not just a reaction to market trends but a reflection of his personal quest for meaning and impact.

He has often described his path as one led by first-principles thinking, questioning assumptions and reimagining how content is created, distributed, and monetised in India.

This mindset laid the foundation for Pocket Aces (a digital media company with brands like FilterCopy, Dice Media and Gobble) and Loco (India’s leading game streaming platform).

Building businesses like sports teams

Beyond vision, running multiple companies requires structure. Ashwin compares his approach to building companies to managing a high-performance sports team. 

Ashwin values people who operate with urgency, think from first principles, and align with a shared goal. His sports-team mindset fosters a culture of accountability, urgency, and adaptability. It also informs his hiring philosophy. He shares: “In a good team, everyone has to earn their place. You can’t coast. Everyone needs to bring something valuable to the table”.

A consumer-first philosophy

At the core of both Pocket Aces and Loco lies a deep focus on consumer psychology. Ashwin and his teams invest heavily in understanding their audience, not just what they watch or play, but why they engage, what they value, and how their behaviours are evolving.

For Ashwin, consumer-centricity isn’t a buzzword. It’s a lens through which every decision is made. This mindset has helped Loco become a platform not just for passive consumption, but for community engagement, creator growth, and live interaction.

Developing an ecosystem, not just a product

What makes Loco stand out is its ambition to democratise gaming. His streaming platform is an ecosystem that nurtures creators, connects fans, and builds stars.

He further states that “We don’t just make content. We manage talent. We help people go from zero to someone the audience knows and loves”. 

Just like Pocket Aces has incubated a wave of young influencers and web series talent, Loco is working to build the next generation of Indian Esports personalities including streamers, commentators, analysts, and community leaders.

Monetisation: Time for New Playbooks

While traditional entertainment in India has relied on advertising and celebrity endorsements, digital content creators are building hybrid revenue models from subscriptions and tipping to brand integrations and merchandise. Ashwin is optimistic about monetisation but remains pragmatic:

“You can’t rely on one revenue stream anymore. Consumers are willing to pay—but only if the value and experience are there.”

This means creators and platforms alike must continuously innovate, and offer not just content, but a differentiated experience worth paying for.

Influencer Economy 2.0

In today’s creator economy, virality is no longer enough. Audiences demand substance, consistency, and authenticity. Ashwin believes that the future belongs to creators who treat their work like entrepreneurs: diversifying income, adapting to platforms, and engaging communities deeply.

Beyond fame, success will be defined by who’s relevant, resonant, and reliable.

Looking ahead: Why structure and integrity matter

In closing, Ashwin notes that success in this space isn’t just about content or creativity. It is as much about integrity, structure, and clear decision-making. 

You can build fast, but if you don’t build with structure and good people, you’ll burn out.

Here are some key takeaways from his session:

• Esports is no longer “emerging”, it’s dominant.

• Building strong, aligned teams is non-negotiable.

• Consumer needs should guide every product decision.

• Talent and content must be supported with real infrastructure.

• The future of entertainment in India will be built by creators, not celebrities.

The gaming and digital media worlds are evolving rapidly, and building sustainable businesses requires more than hype. It calls for discipline, deep consumer insight, and organisational excellence.