[...] FXLabs CEO Tony Garcia thinks that PC gaming is the way to go in India. Gaming consoles and games are cost prohibitive in the Indian market. He feels that gaming in India is largely untapped and holds a lot of potential. Although he agrees that there no good estimate of the market and size of the Indian gaming scene. (IAMAI pegs Indian gaming at Rs 21 crore, but I have my own doubts). [...]

I dont think the cafe model has anything to do with Indian culture (I’ll stick to indian market since I am not well informed about China and the filipino market).

I still believe the only reason the cafes thrive is because of
(1) PCs are still expensive
(2) Broadband woes

Give me one good reason why people would use cafes if the above two obstacles are overcome.

But this issue aside, do you think its fair game to include the revenues from organized cafes into the online gaming market size ?

Btw – To this date my laptop wallpaper is set to HatoriHanzo’s sword

Organized Cafes- The number would probably be much higher if un-organized cafes are counted.. but.. whatever..
Yeh, about org. cafes.. and this is where I believe you’re quite wrong
Online gaming isn’t necessarily like surfing or watching TV. It’s more like a Sport. People like playing or watching sports with other people.. and thats where cyber cafes’, especially Organized Chains really have the growth potential.
You must look at it differently. Online Gaming is a different form of media altogether and comes with it’s own quirks (varying from culture to culture)
Asian cultures have shown an affinity to the Cafe Model. Check out the scene in China, the Philippines, Malaysia etc.; gaming cafe’s are the locations of choice.
Small homes and large families are common across all these markets..and if you’re in India, add high PC costs to the list too.
For the same reasons, Cafe’s aren’t just enablers. They’re way more than just infrastructure, just like Coffee shops are to Coffee sale. Both channels, yet so much more.

Anyway.. great article.
-HH