In Kohima, nestled between old-school cyber nostalgia and the modern digital era, stands the city’s only surviving gaming cafe—Elite Gaming Client Café. Run by 31-year-old Ruokuolazotuo Belho, this establishment has weathered the storm of changing times, economic hurdles, and the rise of mobile gaming.
What was once a booming scene of cyber cafes scattered across Kohima—from High School Junction to Jail Colony—has now dwindled to just this one survivor.
Speaking to EastMojo, Belho recounted how his journey into gaming entrepreneurship began in 2016 when he was still a student at Mount Olive College.
“One of my maternal uncles, who once ran a cyber cafe himself, encouraged me to start the cafe. Since I was a student back then, he helped me get started, assisting with procuring equipment from Guwahati on a repayment plan that took me two years to settle,” Belho recalled.
With a deep passion for gaming—especially Dota—Belho envisioned creating a space where players could come together, compete, and share their love for esports.
However, keeping the cafe running has been no easy feat. Once bustling with students eager to play after school hours, Elite Gaming Cafe had to evolve with time. Gone are the days of 12-hour gaming sessions where players were too engrossed to even take a meal break.
“Initially, I remember over 20 gamers gathering for a session, the excitement in the air palpable. But over time, the numbers have settled, and now I cater to a smaller, more dedicated group of 8–12 gamers. The demographics have also shifted. In the beginning, most of my players were students, but now I see more office-goers joining in. This change has created a more diverse age group, with most gamers being 20 and above,” he shared.
Operating hours have also undergone adjustments. Initially running from 9 AM to 10 PM, the cafe now operates from 12 PM to 8 PM to accommodate a clientele that has become largely employed.
Belho noted that over the past decade, many of his peers have shut down their cafes, primarily due to unpaid gaming fees from student players, leaving them burdened with debt.
Reflecting on the past, he recalled the golden era of Dota, one of the most popular multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) games. The thrill of rushing to cyber cafes after school, watching expert players battle it out, and dreaming of running a cafe of his own all culminated in a full-time business venture for him.
“However, as times change, so do the challenges. The gaming industry continues to evolve, and newer generations may see older games as outdated. Attempts to introduce upgraded titles, such as Dota 2, were met with hurdles, particularly due to electricity issues. The cafe also faced a decline in footfall, compounded by its proximity to a residential area. While overnight gaming sessions could have doubled revenue, noise restrictions limit such opportunities to just one or two special events per year,” he added.
One of the biggest hurdles? Electricity. Frequent power outages mean that even though he upgraded his computers in 2020, his backup system struggles.
“When the power goes, we have about two to three hours of battery. But new CPUs don’t support the backup well,” Belho explained. “If the electricity was stable, I’d upgrade in an instant. People still ask for new games, but I hesitate because of poor electricity.”
Despite challenges, Belho’s cafe continues to house 10 computers running the classic Dota 1, all connected via LAN. While he hopes to upgrade equipment and expand offerings, sustaining the business full-time has become increasingly difficult.
At 40, Areikuo Theünuo, a government employee, remains a dedicated patron of the Elite Gaming Client Cafe. One of the earliest Dota players in the state, he used to spend up to 20 hours gaming after office hours at different gaming cafes. Now, although his sessions have reduced to about 5–6 hours maximum, Areikuo acknowledged the bond that has been created among gamers.
“It is an addictive game with evolving skills.”
Areikuo speaks passionately about Dota, describing how every match feels like a different game despite familiar heroes and items. “The same heroes, the same items—but the gameplay always changes. That’s what keeps me coming back,” he says.
He also highlighted the cafe’s affordability—just Rs 100 for a full day of gaming. However, Areikuo observed that Dota has nearly died out, with most esports players now preferring mobile gaming at home.
“The game is not growing locally anymore. People seem to have lost interest, and without friends, there is less motivation to play,” he said.
Seyie Keretsü, 40, another regular client, recalled his college days when he was introduced to gaming—nothing has changed except for improved skills.
“It is the same keys, the same mouse, and a game that still runs on any computer. Despite occasional updates and AI-integrated maps, the gaming setup remains largely unchanged,” he said.
He observed that the decline of gaming cafes started prior to the COVID-19 pandemic due to financial struggles and shifting interests.
“In the early days, an hour of play cost Rs 20; now, it stands at Rs 30, an increase of Rs 10, although the value of money has changed over the decade,” Keretsü said.
The rise of mobile-friendly games like Mobile Legends further pushed traditional PC gaming to the sidelines. Unlike other countries with strong esports ecosystems, a lack of professional players has stunted the growth of competitive gaming locally.
“For many, gaming was more than just a pastime—it was a social space, a culture. Friendships were forged in cafes, but as people moved on to home gaming or different interests, the sense of community faded. With fewer players, the experience becomes less engaging. If this last cafe shuts down, it could mark the end of gaming as a social culture in the state,” said Keretsü, who is a journalist by profession.
He opined that, unlike countries with deep-rooted esports traditions, gaming cafes may not survive in a family-centric society like Nagaland, where the culture never fully took off.
Despite the hurdles, the cafe remains a nostalgic haven for loyal patrons while adapting to the realities of an evolving industry. As gaming trends shift, the challenge lies in finding innovative ways to keep the spirit of LAN gaming alive while ensuring sustainability in an ever-changing landscape.
Also Read: Unplugged: Nagaland could face a severe power crisis this summer
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