Nestled in Mumbai’s commercial hub, Zero Latency, a Free Roam Virtual Gaming centre invitingly stands at Todi Mills, Lower Parel. As you make your way from bustling roads and the chatter of office-goers, an imaginative game can take you to different scenarios that feel all too real.
Parineeta Rajgarhia, the founder of Samrey Entertainment and the one to bring the Australian brand, Zero Latency to India, stepped into the space with poise and warm hospitality. Over a thrilling game and stimulating conversation, Parineeta reflected on how women are shattering stereotypes in the gaming industry.
It was back in 2019 when Parineeta experienced Zero Latency in Bangkok. She was thrilled with the fact that one could play with their friends, and not just seated in their chairs, but while moving around. Right then, she knew she had to bring it to India.
That was the start of a fulfilling yet challenging journey. From having to introduce the novel concept to the stakeholders and players to facing the uncertainties of a pandemic soon after the brand was launched, Parineeta had to be resilient. “It was very difficult to explain to them what they were getting into without them experiencing it. So it was very tough. But, you know, of course, we did it and people who were on board with us, we are all together still,” Parineeta expressed.
This labour of love has been a joy in our lives, as people of all age groups come to unwind and let their imaginations soar in a virtual world, that feels surprisingly real. But what’s even more heartening is that a woman entrepreneur is taking the world of gaming by storm, shattering long-held stereotypes.
A pioneering gaming venture is brought to India by a woman, and that unfoundedly surprises many, who are conditioned by the gender norms we’ve grown up to believe. “I did not come across anyone who was in the VR gaming space in such a big way, and it was really good to know you're stepping into something and you're sustaining that in these difficult times, and going for it in spite of all the glances, all the eyebrows that were raised,” Parineeta gushes.
In fact, Zero Latency boasts of being free from gender bias and promoting gender neutrality. Parineeta revealed that their games have female avatars and protagonists. In a game for kids, called Mission Maybe, the protagonist is a girl named Arkie so the stereotypes are shattered young. “There is no more bucketing of men and women gamers. They're all seen as gamers. So we don't have only men as the main protagonists in our games,” Parineeta informs.
As a woman entrepreneur in the gaming industry, promoting gender-neutrality in virtual games and witnessing several women and girls come in and indulge in the experience, Parineeta is proud of where things are headed. “Women have brought the change in every sector that they have gone into. Follow your heart, believe in your passion and you will get there. Just be persistent,” Parineeta advises women on their way to shatter the glass ceilings.