EWar Games: Parth Chadha on Revolutionizing Vernacular Gaming in India
From the streets of Meerut to the tech hubs of Bangalore, Parth Chadha has always had his finger on the pulse of what makes Bharat tick. As the Founder and CEO of EWar Games, Parth is building more than just a gaming app; he's constructing a digital stadium for India's next generation of esports athletes. EWar Games is a one-stop vernacular gaming platform that caters to everyone—from the casual Ludo player to the hardcore Free Fire strategist—proving that gaming in India is no longer just a hobby, but a serious profession.
Parth's journey began in Meerut, a small town in Uttar Pradesh, before he moved to Bangalore to study engineering at M.S. Ramaiah Institute of Technology. After a stint at JP Morgan Chase and building a fintech solution used by over 500 banks, the entrepreneurial bug bit him. Along with his co-founder Rahul, Parth dove into the gaming industry, armed with a deep understanding of user behavior and a vision to democratize esports in India.
The 'Gully Cricket' of Esports
Parth describes the current state of Indian gaming as the "Gully Cricket" phase of esports. Just as kids play cricket in the streets before dreaming of the IPL, millions of Indians are now honing their skills on mobile games. "We are seeing the transition from casual gaming to serious esports," Parth notes. "People are practicing daily, treating their mobile screens like nets, preparing for their big break." EWar Games aims to be that launchpad, offering a platform where skills translate into rewards and recognition.
More Than Just Games: A Social Revolution
One of the key insights Parth shares is the social nature of gaming in India. It's not just about winning; it's about hanging out. "We added social elements where people can chat, challenge friends, and even talk over voice while playing," says Parth. This became especially crucial during the pandemic, where gaming replaced physical meetups. For many, EWar became a virtual hangout spot, a place to connect when the outside world was closed off.
The platform caters to this by being a comprehensive ecosystem. Users can play casual games like Knife Dart or Candy Crush, switch to mid-core games, or dive into hardcore esports titles like Free Fire and Call of Duty Mobile. Beyond playing, users can watch live streams of professionals, learn new strategies, and even interact with their favorite streamers—all within a single app.
The Pandemic Accelerator
While the gaming industry was already on an upward trajectory thanks to cheap data and affordable smartphones, the pandemic acted as a massive accelerant. "The pandemic condensed two to three years of growth into a few months," Parth observes. It forced people indoors and made them look for alternative entertainment and connection.
Crucially, it also helped break the stigma around gaming. "Parents started seeing that their kids weren't just wasting time," Parth explains. "They saw them collaborating, making quick decisions, and developing reflexes. And when they saw young players earning serious money—sometimes more than a standard job—the perception shifted from 'waste of time' to 'potential career'."
Emerging Careers in Gaming
Parth highlights that the gaming ecosystem is creating a multitude of new professions beyond just being a player:
- Pro Gamers: Athletes competing for large prize pools.
- Streamers & Influencers: Content creators entertaining millions.
- Casters & Analysts: Commentators who narrate the action, much like cricket commentators.
- Game Designers & Developers: Technical roles building the next big hit.
Building a Data-Driven Culture
Transitioning from a corporate job to a startup founder required a shift in mindset for Parth. The biggest lesson? Reliance on data. "In the early stages, you run on passion and gut. But to scale, you need data," he advises. He emphasizes that data doesn't just show growth; it ruthlessly exposes what isn't working. This "fail fast, learn faster" approach allowed EWar to pivot and refine its features to better suit its audience.
He also stresses the importance of team culture. "We look for passion over pedigree," Parth says about hiring. "In a startup, you need people who treat the company as their own, who are willing to work on weekends not because they have to, but because they want to solve the problem." This shared ownership is what sustained the team through the grueling early days of bootstrapping.
About the Guest
Parth Chadha is the Founder and CEO of EWar Games. An engineering graduate from M.S. Ramaiah Institute of Technology, Bangalore, he started his career at JP Morgan Chase. Parth is a serial entrepreneur who previously built a fintech solution adopted by over 500 cooperative banks. With EWar Games, he is on a mission to organize the fragmented mobile gaming market in India, providing a vernacular platform for the next billion gamers.
EWar Games is a leading esports and gaming platform in India that offers a mix of casual and real-money games. It focuses on the "Bharat" audience, providing a vernacular interface that makes gaming accessible to users from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. The platform hosts tournaments, live streams, and interactive features, creating a comprehensive ecosystem for gamers.