(March 21, 2024) Over the past few years, India’s online gaming scene has boomed like never before, propelling it among the world’s top three gaming markets. Although not yet a traditional career choice, numerous young people now spend their afternoons competing in professional tournaments. Among them is gamer Akarsh Chaudhary, also known as Vivone, a nine-year-old from Mumbai. Despite his tender age, he has not only taken part in but also emerged victorious in numerous tournaments.
The young child embarked on his gaming adventure at the age of four, inspired by watching his father play popular games like PUBG on his mobile device. “I asked my father if I could try the game, and he handed me his mobile. Instantly, I became hooked and began playing by myself. After practicing regularly for a couple of days, I even managed to defeat my father,” shared the young gamer.
Gamer Akarsh Chaudhary aka Vivone
With a substantial following of 108K followers on Instagram and over four lakh subscribers on his YouTube channel, Vivone has created more than 6000 live streams and videos. “Recently, I participated in the SkyEsports Streamers Showdown, competing against numerous top gamers from around the country. I clinched the first prize of ₹15 lakh, impressing even my opponents with my performance throughout the tournament,” said the gamer, whose average earning through live streaming games is around $6000-7000 per month.
Game on
Amid the challenges of the lockdown, numerous individuals sought refuge in online gaming, including Akarsh’s father, Vivek Singh. Unbeknownst to the IT professional, this pastime would eventually serve as the inspiration for his son’s career. “Initially, when I started playing, it was purely for enjoyment. However, my father soon noticed my potential and began coaching me accordingly. He taught me a variety of moves and tricks that significantly improved my game,” said the Global Indian.
Akarsh with his parents, Shikha and Vivek
Recognising his potential, his father commenced live streaming his games under his gamer alias Vivone, which phonetically sounds like “we won”. Shortly after, Rooter, Vivone’s streaming platform partner, received a surge of offers from gadget companies, fantasy apps, and even some FMCG brands, willing to pay up to ₹1 lakh for video collaborations. Vivone is proficient in playing games across multiple platforms, be it mobile, PC, or console. Talking about his favourite games, he said, “I really enjoy playing BGMI the most, but right now, Valorant is my top favourite. I like messing around with its characters and maps. I also like playing CODM, Fall Guys, Tekken 7, Rocket League, New State Mobile, Pokemon, and other little mobile games.”
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A balancing act
Although it’s fascinating, Akarsh’s parents take caution to ensure their son doesn’t spend all his time glued to his laptop. “If you really love something and want to do it well, you should start learning and practising early with someone to guide you,” the gamer’s father, Vivek, shared in an interview, adding, “We noticed our child’s talent and helped them get better at what they love. But we also make sure they do well in their studies and play physical games. Luckily, Akarsh enjoys playing football outside just as much as he enjoys playing it on the computer.”
Giving an insight into the young gamer’s day, Vivek shared, “Because Vivone streams games nearly every day, we decided not to give him too much schoolwork, so we chose to homeschool him. After he finishes his studies in the afternoon, Vivone streams for about two hours. Then, like any other kid, he plays with his friends, especially cricket or basketball. Sometimes in the evenings, I take him swimming too.”
The road ahead
After winning against some of the best gamers in the country in various tournaments, Vivone is now preparing to represent India in international competitions. “When I first began playing, I never imagined having such a large following and subscriber base. Now, my main aim is to excel in international tournaments. I’m currently searching for tournaments for players under 13 years old, primarily organized in the US, Europe, Korea, and China,” the young gamer shared.
