Meet Payal Dhaare one of India’s biggest YouTube women gamers
When 20-year-old Payal Dhaare initiated her YouTube channel in 2020 amid the initial nationwide Covid lockdown, she possessed minimal knowledge about livestreaming gaming content on the video platform. However, fast forward two years, and Payal’s channel, PayalGaming, stands as one of the most noteworthy success stories, boasting nearly 2.55 million subscribers.
Reflecting on her journey, Payal recalled, “I was in my first year of college, playing PUBG with friends on my mobile. Although I wanted to livestream, the first year left me with little time. To be honest, I didn’t even realize that livestreaming my content could be a viable career option. Focusing on gaming seemed risky at the time.” Confronted with the challenge of convincing her parents and hindered by the subpar internet connectivity in her hometown Chhindwara, Madhya Pradesh, Payal faced additional hurdles.
However, circumstances changed post the initial coronavirus lockdown. At that time, PUBG Mobile was still legal in India, serving as the preferred mobile game for teens and young audiences. Payal initially shared clips of her gaming sessions on Instagram, amassing 100k followers. Encouraged by her followers and friends, she transitioned to YouTube to showcase her real-time gaming skills, and from that point, her success surged.
“Instagram was more accessible for me initially, so I started there. However, my audience wanted to see me play live. Even my friends urged me to livestream on YouTube, and that’s how I started on YouTube,” she explained. Initially focusing on PUBG and lacking a sophisticated PC setup, Payal livestreamed and uploaded content directly from her phone. Over the two years, she has evolved, now operating with a proper PC setup featuring dual monitors, continuously learning and seeking audience recommendations.
At the inception of her YouTube channel, Payal admitted to being camera-shy during livestreams. Despite the initial nervousness associated with being watched by a large audience, she gradually gained confidence. Initially opting not to reveal her face, Payal began interacting more with her audience, eventually appearing in her videos, a crucial element for success in livestreams. Standing out in a male-dominated space, Payal’s channel represents a notable success for a woman gamer.
Payal’s triumph aligns with YouTube’s increasing dominance in gaming-related content in India. YouTube reported 90 million hours of games being livestreamed globally on the platform in the first half of 2021, with over 250 million uploads. The gaming audience in India is expanding beyond metropolitan areas, as evidenced by the presence of five popular gaming channels in YouTube’s top 10 channels in India.
However, Payal’s success journey faced challenges. She had to persuade her parents to relocate for better internet connectivity, coping with hate comments and criticism as her follower count soared. Despite facing body shaming and negativity, Payal persevered. The ban on PUBG necessitated a switch to PC-based games like GTA, initially uncertain of her audience’s reception. Streaming for three to four hours, and even completing a 10-hour livestream, Payal adapted to new games like BGMI (Battlegrounds Mobile India), ensuring her channel’s continued popularity.
Beyond YouTube, Payal’s success has translated into financial gains and brand opportunities. While she has shifted to Mumbai, Payal expresses a desire to explore diverse content formats beyond gaming. Addressing concerns about potential BGMI bans impacting her channel, she remains prepared with alternative plans, emphasizing a commitment to featuring a variety of games on her channel, ensuring continuity in content even if one game faces challenges.
