FGC Veteran “FREESER” Weighs India’s Fighting Game Esports Scene

Australian fighting game professional Fraser “FREESER” Johnson assessed the state of India’s fighting game esports ecosystem during his visit to the Versus Experience showcase at Anime India Kolkata. The event was held on Feb 14 and Feb 15, 2026.

The Western Australia-based Street Fighter veteran participated in exhibition activities and community sessions designed to engage local players and grassroots organizers. The Versus Experience was an interactive fighting game and arcade community event that allows attendees to compete, play freely, and experience on-stage matches in a live setting.

Johnson competes in Street Fighter V and Street Fighter 6, among other fighting games, and is regarded as one of the leading E. Honda specialists in the global scene.

His visit formed part of a broader initiative to expand international collaboration within India’s fighting game community through offline tournaments and player interaction. The initiative was conducted in association with the Esports Federation of India (ESFI).

India’s Fighting Game Esports Growth Hinges on Access and Community

Speaking to Outlook Respawn, Johnson highlighted strong early signs within India’s regional talent pool, citing player enthusiasm and competitive interest. “I feel like there are so many players who are just really excited to try it out, which is really good for a growing scene. I think that there's a lot of potential in India,” he said.

He identified accessibility as a structural hurdle compared to mobile-first esports ecosystems. Smartphone-based battle royale and multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) titles offer lower entry costs than fighting games that require consoles and controllers.

“I think it's just a matter of access because obviously, the other ones are phone games, which are really easy because everyone has a phone,” he said, noting that hardware requirements make fighting games harder for new players to enter.

Additionally, Johnson emphasized that community-driven events help bridge this gap by offering shared play environments. He added that offline gatherings remain foundational to the fighting game culture, enabling players to build trust, rivalries, and long-term engagement beyond online matchmaking.

He also cited Street Fighter 6’s global reception as a positive momentum driver. “With the positivity of Street Fighter 6 and everyone playing it, there's a good chance that fighting games will become more mainstream,” he said.

Altogether, platforms like Versus Experience signal the gradual maturation of India’s fighting game esports scene, with offline infrastructure and community access central to its growth.