Latest News
Government support, medals, and global recognition define a landmark year for Indian esports and video gaming in 2024
The Indian video gaming and esports industry witnessed exponential growth in 2024, breaking into the mainstream. According to the recently published ‘India Gaming Report,’ the Indian pure-play gaming industry is valued at INR 6,715 crore and is on track to grow at a CAGR of 24%, reaching INR 10,487 crore by 2026. With a staggering 13.85 crore gamers and an annual growth rate of 11.82% projected until 2026, the sector shows no signs of slowing down.
This year was marked by several historic milestones. India showcased its esports prowess on the global stage by securing a silver medal in Tekken 8 at the BRICS Esports Championship and a bronze medal in eFootball at the Asian Esports Games 2024. Adding to the excitement, the International Olympic Committee’s announcement of the Olympic Esports Games 2025 has opened new doors for India to achieve further international acclaim in esports.
Government and state support for the industry also saw remarkable growth. The Union Cabinet announced the establishment of the National Centre of Excellence for AVGC-XR in Mumbai, while the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting is backing the inaugural WAVES Esports Championships 2025. States like Bihar introduced esports tournaments in schools, and Meghalaya became the first Indian state to sponsor an esports team. Nagaland also joined the momentum by hosting its first esports tournament, reflecting the growing grassroots movement across the country.
In addition to government initiatives, one of the industry leaders driving this transformation was NODWIN Gaming, a leader in new-age youth entertainment, gaming, and esports whose initiatives elevated Indian gaming to new heights. The company’s flagship esports IP, the BGMI Masters Series, not only brought esports to national television for the third consecutive year but also facilitated the entry of high-profile brands like Garnier Men and Android into the Indian esports ecosystem.
NODWIN Gaming also created one of the nation’s biggest youth entertainment events of the year by hosting DreamHack India alongside Hyderabad Comic Con. Internationally, the company acquired leading European esports company Freaks 4U Gaming and Turkey-based esports firm Ninja Global, while also partnering with the Global Esports Federation. Domestically, NODWIN Gaming expanded its footprint by acquiring Trinity Gaming and Comic Con India and collaborating with JSW Sports, reinforcing its position at the heart of youth entertainment.
Akshat Rathee, Co-founder and Managing Director, NODWIN Gaming believes that in 2024, games became an integral part of the cultural zeitgeist, with creators and influencers amplifying their appeal among youth. The year witnessed significant strides in institutional support, with government recognition playing a pivotal role in legitimising esports as a sport.
“This rapid growth of gaming and esports has allowed NODWIN Gaming to evolve into a holistic youth-focused entertainment company. By focusing on curating entertainment platforms that go beyond esports, we have managed to build a comprehensive ecosystem that includes content production, event management, and community engagement, enabling us to connect with youth across multiple touchpoints. We believe that our philosophy of timeshare of mindshare has driven our strategy to reach audiences where they live, play, and engage, ensuring sustained growth and relevance,” he explains.
A significant highlight this year was the acknowledgment of the gaming industry by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. For the first time ever, the PM met with leading Indian gamers like Animesh Agarwal (8Bit Thug), Naman Mathur (Mortal), and Payal Dhare (PayalGaming) to discuss the sector’s various aspects and its potential.
Creating even more history, S8UL Esports, India’s leading esports and gaming content organization, co-founded by Mortal and Animesh, completed a hat-trick of awards at the global Esports Awards, with Mortal also winning ‘Esports Content Creator of the Year.’ S8UL secured back-to-back victories at MOBIES 2024, with PayalGaming becoming the first Indian female to win ‘Streamer of the Year,’ further elevating India’s global esports reputation.
“2024 was a landmark year for S8UL, filled with milestones that cemented our position as leaders in global esports. In the past year, esports has solidified its position as a mainstream cultural phenomenon. The distinction between competitive esports and gaming became clearer, helping audiences and stakeholders better understand the ecosystem. At the same time, esports, traditional sports, and influencer-driven content began working more cohesively, creating synergies that enhanced fan experiences and industry growth. Brands now view esports not just as a sponsorship opportunity but as a platform for deep, authentic engagement with Gen Z and Millennials. This evolution underscores the industry’s maturity, making esports a dynamic and indispensable part of modern culture,” states Animesh Agarwal aka 8Bit Thug, Co-founder, S8UL Esports.
While India has long been a mobile-first gaming market, 2024 saw developments aimed at diversifying the landscape, with CyberPowerPC, a global leader in custom gaming computers, making its debut in the Indian market. Along with its groundbreaking configurator tool, the company introduced the EZPC module, allowing gamers to build PCs tailored to their favorite titles.
CyberPowerPC recently demonstrated its commitment to expanding the PC gaming community by awarding two premium gaming PCs, each valued at over INR 1 lakh, to two gamers at one of India’s largest gaming festivals in Mumbai. The initiative aimed to showcase the potential of custom gaming PCs while fulfilling the dreams of these gamers for an unparalleled gaming experience.
Vishal Parekh, Chief Operating Officer, CyberPowerPC India, notes “2024 has been a year of unprecedented growth for the Indian gaming and esports ecosystem. Gaming has evolved into a mainstream cultural phenomenon, fueled by India’s expanding digital economy and government initiatives like ‘Digital India,’ which have provided fertile ground for the industry’s growth. The focus on Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities has unlocked new demographics, driving demand for high-performance gaming rigs. At CyberPowerPC India, we have strengthened our engagement with the gaming community through partnerships with esports organizations, and our focus remains on delivering systems that combine high performance with affordability.”
Another notable development in the Indian gaming sector was 88 Pictures, the Indian animation and VFX studio behind Emmy-winning shows launching its game development division called 88 Games. With three premium titles in development, the studio aims to showcase India’s rich folklore and history to a global audience. This aligns with Prime Minister Modi’s Independence Day call for Indian developers to make their mark internationally, positioning 88 Games as a leader in India’s growing presence in the global gaming landscape.
“In 2024, we witnessed a surge of homegrown studios and games, including our own, highlighting the immense potential for the industry’s growth. The rapid growth of gaming and esports has transformed them into viable career paths. Awareness has increased, not just about being a gamer or creator but also about the wide array of roles in the industry. While the industry is currently mobile-centric, there’s a massive opportunity in PC and console gaming. At 88 Games, we aim to fill this gap by focusing on premium titles for these platforms, contributing to a more balanced and diverse gaming ecosystem,” says Milind D. Shinde, Founder & CEO of 88 Games.
As the year closes, it is evident that Indian esports and gaming have not only grown but transformed into a cultural and economic powerhouse. Given the rapid pace of growth, the industry is all set to shape the future of entertainment both at home and on the global stage.
The post Government support, medals, and global recognition define a landmark year for Indian esports and video gaming in 2024 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Latest News
The Battle for VCT Pacific 2026 Begins in Bangkok as Ten Teams Clash at VCT Ascension Pacific 2025
Reading Time: 3 minutes
Velocity Gaming Represents South Asia at VCT Ascension Pacific 2025 — Set to Take on APAC’s Finest for a Place in the VCT Pacific League 2026
National, October 14, 2025: The road to the next VALORANT Champions Tour season reaches its decisive stage as VCT Ascension Pacific 2025 kicks off today in Bangkok. From October 14 to 26, ten elite teams from across the Asia-Pacific region will converge at the Imperial Samrong Convention Hall to fight for two coveted berths in the VCT Pacific League 2026 and a share of the USD 100,000 prize pool.
The tournament marks the culmination of a year-long regional circuit, bringing together emerging contenders and established names, including Velocity Gaming, who will step onto the international stage to take on the Pacific’s top contenders, aiming to secure the region’s first-ever spot in the VCT Pacific League. Over the next twelve days, the stage in Bangkok will determine which teams rise to the international league in 2026.
Qualified Teams – Ten teams from across APAC have earned their place at Ascension Pacific 2025:
South Asia:
- Velocity Gaming
VCT Pacific:
- BOOM Esports
- Nongshim RedForce
Southeast Asia:
- Motiv Esports
- NAOS
- FULL SENSE
- Team NKT
Japan:
- RIDDLE ORDER
Korea:
- SLT Seongnam
Oceania:
- E-KING
Velocity Gaming has qualified for VCT Ascension Pacific 2025 after beating S8UL 3-1 in the Grand Final of the OMEN VALORANT Challengers South Asia 2025 Ascension Qualifiers.
Tournament Format
The competition begins with a Group Stage featuring two groups of five teams each, seeded based on regional performance. Both VCT Pacific representatives will be placed in separate groups. Teams will face off in a single round-robin, best-of-three format within their groups.
The top six teams will advance to the Playoffs, a modified double elimination bracket where the top two seeds from each group start in the upper bracket, and the third seeds begin in the lower bracket.
All playoff matches will be best-of-three, except the upper and lower bracket finals, which will be best-of-five qualification matches, determining the two teams that will ascend to VCT Pacific 2026.
Schedule – The full tournament unfolds over 12 days of competition:
- Group Stage: October 14 – 21
- Playoffs: October 22 – 26
- Upper Bracket Final: October 25
- Lower Bracket Final: October 26
Matches begin daily at 14:00 GMT+7 / 15:00 GMT+8 / 16:00 GMT+9.
Schedules are subject to change. For the latest updates, visit valorantesports.com.
Tickets
- Fans can experience the thrill of Ascension Pacific 2025 live as the tournament reaches its climax from October 24 to 26 at the Imperial Samrong Convention Hall in Bangkok.
- Come cheer for your region’s best as they battle for a spot in the VCT Pacific League 2026.
Venue Address:
- 999 Sukhumvit Rd, Samrong Nuea, Mueang Samut Prakan District,
- Samut Prakan 10270, Thailand
Tickets:
- Early bird tickets went on sale on September 20, followed by general sales on September 23.
- Tickets are available now via Ticketmelon — simply search for “VALORANT Ascension Pacific 2025” to secure your spot.
The post The Battle for VCT Pacific 2026 Begins in Bangkok as Ten Teams Clash at VCT Ascension Pacific 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Latest News
Airoclip Raises $2.75M Seed Round Led by T-Accelerate Capital and Co-led by Centre Court Capital and BITKRAFT Ventures
Reading Time: 2 minutes
Airoclip, an AI-powered gaming studio focused on building adaptive gaming experiences for global audiences, has raised $2.75 million in a seed funding round led by T-Accelerate Capital (TAC), co-led by Centre Court Capital and global gaming investor BITKRAFT Ventures.
Founded in 2024 by IIM Calcutta alumni Naga Rohith Anisetty and Pruthvi Sai Y, Airoclip is pioneering a new era of mobile puzzle games by integrating adaptive story progression, innovative monetisation models, and scalable live operations. The company focuses on AI-driven personalisation and dynamic content generation to deliver superior gaming experiences to the world from India.
Airoclip, with its flagship puzzle games Tap Hexa and Hexa Dreams, has rapidly gained strong traction among players in the USA and Europe. With a stellar 4.8/5 rating on the Play Store and more than 300,000 installs, the studio is just beginning its journey to craft premium puzzle experiences for global audiences.
“We’re not just building games, we’re crafting experiences that evolve with every player. We’re thrilled to partner with investors who share that vision and will help us bring it to life,” said Rohith, co-founder and CEO of Airoclip.
This capital infusion will accelerate the development of Airoclip’s proprietary game personalization technology and strengthen its teams across game development, data, design, and marketing.
“We combine strong game design principles with innovative content formats that generative AI now enables. This approach will significantly enhance player engagement and unlock new revenue streams. By creating personalized, culturally relevant content, we can scale
efficiently across global markets with experiences that truly resonate with players everywhere,” added Pruthvi, co-founder.
Investors see Airoclip’s approach as a blueprint for how Indian founders can merge creative depth with analytical precision to build global gaming experiences.
“We’re excited to partner with Airoclip on their growth journey. Their sharp blend of analytical depth and creative ambition reflects the evolution of India’s gaming ecosystem and underscores the confidence of a new generation of studios ready to compete on the global stage,” said Carol Wong, Founding General Partner at T-Accelerate Capital.
Backed by increasing digital adoption and rising global playtime and revenue, the casual gaming segment is seeing sustained investor interest and global momentum.
“Airoclip represents the new wave of ambitious gaming studios emerging from India with global potential and vision. Their focus on quick prototyping along with their past experience in scaling games globally positions them to create enduring mobile gaming franchises from India in the future,” said Anuj Tandon, Partner – India & UAE at BITKRAFT
The post Airoclip Raises $2.75M Seed Round Led by T-Accelerate Capital and Co-led by Centre Court Capital and BITKRAFT Ventures appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Latest News
Genting Casino Launches the £20k Spin Leaderboard Challenge with VIP finale at Resorts World Birmingham
Reading Time: 2 minutes
Premium online casino brand Genting Casino has announced the launch of its headline £20k Spin Leaderboard Challenge, an exciting promotion offering players the chance to spin for £20,000 grand prize in a roulette showdown at Resorts World Birmingham in December.
Live now until 17 November 2025, this exclusive multi-channel promotion gives eligible UK online casino customers the opportunity to get free spins on deposit, compete in a leaderboard by playing selected games, and secure a place in a live-filmed casino tournament, culminating in a single spin worth £20,000.
Players can opt in by making a deposit of £10 or more at Genting Casino using the bonus code WIN20K, which grants 150 free spins on Big Bass Splash, 10 leaderboard points and a shot at climbing the top 50.
The top five players on the leaderboard will be invited to Resorts World Birmingham for a VIP experience including an overnight stay on the 13th December, up to £150 travel reimbursement and entry into a high-stakes live roulette tournament. The overall tournament winner will claim the Grand Prize Spin which could be worth £20,000.
Those finishing between 6th and 50th place on the leaderboard will receive 100 free spins on Fishin’ Frenzy The Big Catch 2.
Mike Vella from Genting Casino said: “We’re thrilled to offer our unique £20k spin promotion to online customers again, culminating in our unique live finale. The campaign brings players from screen to casino floor in a spectacular fashion and is part of our commitment to capitalise on the exclusive journey we can offer our online customers thanks to our partners at Resorts World Birmingham.”
Leaderboard points are earned playing Online Slot Games and selected Live Tables. Double points are available on specific games on certain weeks with eligible titles including Genting Live Roulette from Manchester, Lucky Lady’s Charm Deluxe and Fishin Frenzy The Big Splash.
The final five players will participate in a filmed, bracket-style live roulette tournament at Resorts World Birmingham, with one last spin deciding who walks away with the life-changing top prize.
Winners will be contacted on 19 November 2025, and the live tournament date will be on 13 December 2025.
This is another example of Genting Casino offering customers a chance to play their favourite online games in order to climb the leaderboard to win prizes from cash following on from previous promotions which offered winners experiences including trips to see some of the world’s most prestigious sporting events.
Genting Casino offer a premium online experience with over 7,000 casino games ranging from the classic casino table games including live roulette, blackjack and a catalogue of online slots and instant win games from leading studios and providers, including favourites like Starburst, Fishin’ Frenzy and Book of Dead, all within a safe and secure gaming environment.
The post Genting Casino Launches the £20k Spin Leaderboard Challenge with VIP finale at Resorts World Birmingham appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
-
Latest News2 months ago
Light & Wonder to Participate in the 2025 Australasian Gaming Expo
-
Latest News2 months ago
ReferOn Shortlisted for Acquisition & Retention Partner of the Year at SBC Lisbon 2025
-
Latest News2 months ago
Gavin Hamilton Joins Sports & Wellbeing Analytics as Chairman to Accelerate Global Expansion
-
Latest News3 months agoDigiPlus Backs Stricter Online Gambling Regulation
-
Latest News3 months agoCEO of MEDIA24 Interviewed: Industry Scams, Business Insights and SEO
-
Latest News1 month ago
Duels for Friends in Trophy Hunter. Invite your friends and create a shared space for fun and competition.
-
Latest News2 months ago
BC.GAME Launches “Nezha” Slot with Up to 46,656 Ways to Win and 10,000x Max Payout
-
Affiliate Succes3 months ago
Affiliates as Market Movers: How Content and Rankings Influence Operator Success
You must be logged in to post a comment Login