Latest News
National Video Game Day 2024 – The mainstream breakthrough of Indian esports and Olympics aspirations
The video gaming and esports industry in India has witnessed a meteoric rise in the last few years. With a rapidly growing audience and player base, the industry has commanded attention from brands and investors alike.
According to a FICCI-EY report, total esports tournament participation is projected to reach 2.5 million participants across various titles, compared to 1.79 million in 2023. Additionally, airtime for esports broadcasts is set to increase to 8,000 hours from 6,500 in 2023, with a rising average minute audience.
Tournaments such as the Battlegrounds Mobile India Masters Series (BGMS) have recently announced their third straight season being broadcast on a mainstream sporting network, changing the way esports is consumed and marking a significant milestone in the sector’s acceptance. India’s participation in major multi-sport tournaments such as the Commonwealth Esports Championships 2022, where the nation’s DOTA 2 team won bronze, and the Asian Games 2022 where esports debuted as a full-fledged medal sport, has further validated its competitive stature.
While states such as Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and others are undertaking various initiatives for the development of esports, the country’s honourable Prime Minister has also advocated for the growth of the sector. With the International Olympic Committee (IOC) also set to discuss the creation of the Olympic Esports Games during the upcoming Paris Olympics, the future looks bright for esports in India.
Sharing his thoughts on the evolution of esports from a pastime hobby to a mainstream sport and form of entertainment, Akshat Rathee, Co-Founder and Managing Director of NODWIN Gaming stated, “More than a decade back, gaming was nothing but a hobby of a few passionate gamers, with small groups of them organising scattered community competitions across the country. We started NODWIN Gaming in 2014 to streamline esports in India with a vision to bring opportunities for video gaming enthusiasts throughout the country. Looking at the scenario today, we can indeed say India has come a long way. The industry has gained immense popularity and legitimacy among the masses, attracting interest from celebrities, brands, corporates and traditional sporting organisations alike. We will continue to contribute to this growing ecosystem and try to further shine the deserving limelight on gaming and esports. In the near future, we envision esports getting the same mantle as traditional sports, especially with the IOC announcing plans to create Olympic Esports Games and we, along with the Global Esports Federation, are honoured to work alongside the industry stakeholders to achieve that common vision!”
In addition to gamers and gaming creators, Indian game developers are also making significant strides with games inspired by the country’s rich culture and mythology. Games like ‘Ludo King’ which recently surpassed 1 billion downloads, and ‘Raji: An Ancient Epic’ exemplify this trend.
Another promising upcoming title that highlights the potential of homegrown developers is the Indo-futuristic ‘Indus Battle Royale’. Developed by Pune-based SuperGaming, the game has recently surpassed 11 million pre-registrations.
“Over the past decade, India’s gaming industry has transformed from a niche pastime into a mainstream entertainment medium. The surge in mobile gaming, fueled by the high number of smartphone users in the country, has made gaming more accessible to a wider audience, driving the industry’s growth. The creativity and innovation brought in by Indian game developers have produced unique and culturally rich gaming experiences, earning international recognition that has placed India firmly on the global gaming map,” commented Roby John, CEO and Co-Founder of SuperGaming.
Despite India being predominantly a mobile-first gaming nation due to high data penetration and affordable smartphones, there has been a noticeable surge in interest in PC gaming. Beyond hardcore gamers, PCs are increasingly utilized by gaming creators and streamers for content creation and editing. The rise of the creator economy indirectly fuels the growth of the gaming PC ecosystem in India.
Recent data from Valve highlights that Asia, including India, is one of the fastest-growing regions for Steam users, with a more than 150% increase in new users from 2019 to 2024. CyberpowerPC, the Number 1 Gaming PC manufacturing brand in North America which recently forayed into the Indian market promises to cater to this growing demand and create an overall thriving ecosystem that caters to diverse gaming preferences.
Highlighting the factors that will accelerate the rise of PC gaming in the country, Vishal Parekh, Chief Operating Officer, CyberPowerPC India said, “The growth of gaming in India, evolving from arcades and gaming cafes to an official sport, is remarkable. While mobile serves as an entry point for gamers entering the ecosystem, the shift towards more immersive experiences on larger screens is becoming inevitable. Additionally, PC-based esports titles prominently featured in major sporting tournaments highlight the importance of gaming PCs for grassroots development and achieving success in these events. At CyberPowerPC, we are excited to support the country’s growing PC gaming community and give them an immersive experience along with a competitive edge.”
Another monumental trend catapulting video gaming into the mainstream is leading streaming and social media platforms increasingly embracing gamification as a strategy to engage users and attract new audiences. Facebook, Netflix, YouTube, Amazon, Google Pay, Zomato, and LinkedIn have all integrated gamification features to tap into a massive and engaged audience.
“I have been a part of the gaming and esports industry for over a decade and it is fascinating to see how the industry has evolved and grown over these years. For example, esports was a niche, limited to a few people and now it is on its way to be integrated as a new-age sport. Today, gamers of all ages and backgrounds have become active contributors to the sector’s growth, and it is amazing to see how gaming has cemented its place in mainstream culture. Through movies, TV series adaptations and gamification via social media platforms, delivery apps as well as streaming platforms, it has become an integral part of our everyday lives, which was almost unimaginable till a few years back. This momentum is only going to grow, and the future of gaming in India looks incredibly bright. Max Level is committed to contributing to this growth and taking gaming to new heights across the nation,” noted Siddharth Nayyar, Co-founder and CRO, Max Level.
Without a doubt, the video gaming sector in India is on an upward trajectory, and looking ahead, the sky’s the limit!
The post National Video Game Day 2024 – The mainstream breakthrough of Indian esports and Olympics aspirations appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Latest News
GGPoker Unveils $24M End Of Year Giveaway – Celebrate December with Over $24 Million in Prizes!
December 1 through 31 – GGPoker to say #Thanks2024 with ticket drops, daily rewards and more
GGPoker, the World’s Biggest Poker Room, is excited to announce its $24M End of Year Giveaway, an extraordinary month-long festival running from December 1 to December 31, 2024. Packed with giveaways, tournaments, and rewards, the promotion is designed to delight players of all levels and close out the year in style.
The $24M prize pool includes the following highlights:
- $1M Paradise Online Ticket Drops: Randomly distributed tournament tickets during the upcoming WSOP Paradise Online series
- $12M 12 Days of Christmas Gift Boxes: Daily rewards for players logging in from December 15 to December 26
- $1M End of Year #Thanks2024 Flipout Tournament: A fast-paced, unique event running December 27 to December 31
- $10M December Cash Game Giveaway: Monthly leaderboards and promotions across GGPoker’s popular poker variants, plus $2.5M in GGCare & GGCheers rewards and $1M in bonuses for new players joining GGPoker in December
$1M Paradise Online Ticket Drops
Players participating in WSOP Paradise Online tournaments – running December 1 through December 15 – will automatically get a shot at winning one of $1M worth of tournament tickets, which will be dropped randomly as each event plays out. These tickets can be used to access some of the most exciting tournaments in the WSOP Paradise Online series, offering a shot at major prize pools.
$12M 12 Days of Christmas Gift Boxes
From December 15 to December 26, every player who logs in will receive a daily Christmas Gift Box. These festive surprises include:
- C$ Rewards
- Tournament Tickets
- Daily $100K Freeroll Tickets
- Sit & Go Tickets
- Snow Splash Items
Unwrapping a new surprise every day ensures that the holiday season is both fun and rewarding for GGPoker players.
$1M End of Year #Thanks2024 Flipout Tournament
To wrap up the year, GGPoker will host its #Thanks2024 Flipout Tournament, running from December 27 to December 31 and open to all GGCheers and GGCares qualifiers during this time. This fast-paced, unique format automatically pushes every player all-in each hand, creating an adrenaline-fueled path to big prizes. Qualifying is simple, and the players that make it through to Stage 3 will share in a $1M prize pool.
$10M December Cash Game Giveaway and more!
GGPoker’s popular monthly leaderboards will distribute $6.5M in prizes across multiple game variants, including:
- Rush & Cash
- Omaha
- All-In or Fold
- Short Deck Poker
Another $2.5M will be awarded through the long-running GGCare & GGCheers promotions, which reward players for bad beats, coolers, and lucky moments alike. Additionally, new players joining in December can claim up to $1M in bonuses, including welcome packages and daily freerolls.
“2024 has been an incredible year, and we couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate than by giving back to our players,” said Sarne Lightman, Managing Director of GGPoker. “With over $24M in prizes, including tournament tickets, cash giveaways, and festive rewards, the End of Year Giveaway ensures that every player, whether they’re seasoned grinders or just starting out, has the chance to finish the year on a high note. It’s our way of saying thank you and welcoming even more players to the GGPoker family!”
For full details about the $24M End of Year Giveaway, including terms and conditions, please visit: ggpoker.com/promotions/2024-end-of-year-giveaway/
The post GGPoker Unveils $24M End Of Year Giveaway – Celebrate December with Over $24 Million in Prizes! appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Latest News
GIANTX announces its Valorant team for 2025
Westside, Runner, and Tomaszy join Purp0 and Cloud to aim for a return to the top of one of the most prestigious international esports competitions
The global esports organization GIANTX has unveiled its new Valorant team for the 2025 Valorant Champions Tour (VCT). The primary goal is to qualify for the Valorant Champions, the world championship that will take place in Paris, after an uneven 2024 season.
The roster includes Cloud, Purp0, Westside, Runner, and Tomaszy. Cloud and Purp0 remain with the organization, while Westside, Runner, and Tomaszy are new additions.
- Cloud will take on the role of in-game leader (IGL).
- Purp0 will continue to bring his ability to perform in key situations.
- Westside joins from Diamant Esports and makes his debut at the highest level.
- Runner, previously with Team Vitality, played in the 2024 world championship.
- Tomaszy, formerly of Rebels Gaming and Karmine Corp, also joins the project.
The coaching staff will be led by Pipson, with Waylander as assistant coach. Both bring extensive experience from the competitive scenes of Valorant and Counter-Strike.
The EMEA region will feature 12 teams in the 2025 VCT:
- GIANTX,
- Fnatic,
- Natus Vincere,
- Team Liquid,
- KOI,
- Team Heretics,
- Apeks,
- BBL Esports,
- FUT Esports,
- Gentle Mates,
- Karmine Corp,
- and Team Vitality.
The official competition kicks off in January with the Kickoff Tournament, where teams will compete for a spot at the first international event of the year: Masters Bangkok.
This weekend, GIANTX will participate in the preseason tournament Intel Monsters Reloaded 2024 in Istanbul.
Their first opponent will be Team Liquid on Saturday at 6:00 PM. If they win, they will face the winner of the match between BBL Esports and SuperMassive in the final.
The post GIANTX announces its Valorant team for 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Latest News
Sportradar Launches Gen AI Audio Advertising for Sportsbook and Casino Operators
Sportradar announced the launch of generative AI (gen AI) audio, a new feature within its ad:s multi-channel marketing service. The tool leverages the power of gen AI integrated with Sportradar’s live data, to automate the creation of personalized, real-time audio adverts for sportsbook and casino operators across one of the fastest growing digital marketing channels globally.
Ad:s gen AI audio provides operators with a ready-to-use audio marketing solution, allowing them to generate creative content during key sporting and gaming moments to efficiently scale advertising efforts into podcast streaming services and internet radio networks. Sportradar’s industry-leading technology automatically creates customised and dynamic adverts – featuring live-data to update odds, jackpots, and upcoming events— to increase brand awareness, uplift purchase intent and increase the likelihood of customer acquisition.
AI-generated audio adverts are the latest addition to Sportradar’s comprehensive, industry-leading, end-to-end marketing services, driving brand awareness, acquisition and retention across channels including programmatic display, video, audio, digital-out-of-home (DOOH), paid social media, paid search, sponsorships and affiliate marketing.
Niki Beier, SVP Marketing Services, said: “Sports fans and bettors are increasingly consuming audio content, with listenership increasing by over 1000% in the past seven years1. To deliver maximum marketing efficiency, we’re providing a sophisticated yet simple-to-use solution to sportsbook and casino operators. Through our gen AI technology, we’re making it easy for clients to integrate audio adverts into their acquisition and branding campaigns, to reach more customers with real-time relevant audio messages, without the need for creative teams or a high production budget.”
The post Sportradar Launches Gen AI Audio Advertising for Sportsbook and Casino Operators appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
-
Latest News2 months ago
BlueOcean Gaming Wins Best Aggregator 2024 Award at SiGMA East Europe Awards
-
Latest News2 months ago
EGT’s bestseller Bell Link with another great success: Its bells are now ringing in the Czech market
-
Latest News2 months ago
BOS/The Swedish Trade Association for Online Gambling commissions Advisense to strengthen efforts against money laundering
-
Latest News2 months ago
MIRACL partners with Continent 8 to offer its single-step passwordless MFA solution to simplify the login experience
-
Latest News2 months ago
Applications invited to become safer gambling charity for 2025 editions of ICE, iGB Affiliate and iGB L!VE
-
Latest News2 months ago
ACR Poker’s OSS XL Exceeds Guarantee With Over $46 Million In Prize Pools
-
Latest News2 months ago
Match of LeGGends: Double Down. Highlights of the show match between NAVI and Team Vitality
-
Latest News2 months ago
FBMDS and FBM Foundation host solidarity keepy-uppy initiative at G2E Las Vegas 2024
You must be logged in to post a comment Login