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Category: Gaming

  • Flipkart dares gamers to name it and claim it with BGMI challenge

    Flipkart dares gamers to name it and claim it with BGMI challenge

    MUMBAI: What’s in a name? If you’re a gamer this Big Billion Days, potentially your entire wishlist. Flipkart has pulled off one of its quirkiest surprises yet, teaming up with Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) for a campaign that proves true to its tagline Yahan Kuch Bhi Ho Sakta Hai.

    Every festive season, gamers flock to Flipkart to upgrade their rigs whether it’s snagging a new gaming chair, upgrading to a beast of a device, or grabbing peripherals to boost their play. But in 2025, Flipkart is cranking the stakes up several notches. The prize? The ultimate gamer’s wishlist, free. The challenge? Name2claim, a dare so outlandish it could only be born in BGMI land.

    Conceptualised by DDB Mudra, Name2claim taps into the colourful culture of gamer tags the quirky, witty, often bizarre usernames that have become the identity badge of millions of BGMI players. To win, players must go all in and make their gamer tag their real, official name.

    To make it legit, Flipkart has built a dedicated platform www.name2claim.in where gamers can “file” for a name change by drafting a classified ad announcing their new moniker. Flipkart will even publish the ad on their behalf, officially stamping the transformation. In other words: prove your passion, and the loot is yours.

    Flipkart vice president for marketing & growth Pratik Shetty explained the madness: “Gaming is one of the fastest-growing passions in India, and BGMI has built a community that thrives on creativity and fun. With Name2claim, we wanted to celebrate that culture in a way only Flipkart can by turning something as quirky as a gamer tag into a real identity. It’s a light-hearted challenge that shows how far gamers will go for what they love, and a reminder that during Big Billion Days, yahan sach-much kuch bhi ho sakta hai.”

    Backing the idea, DDB Mudra group group creative directors Gagandeep Bindra and Rahul Arcot added, “BGMI fans are one of the most fun-loving and creative communities out there. It shows in their gamer names and the way they engage. And one thing they love more than playing? A challenge. With Name2claim, we gave them the most unexpected dare change your real name to your gamer tag and win the ultimate wishlist. Crazy? Absolutely. Possible? Only for a true BGMI fan.”

    The campaign has been brought to life with a quirky film stitched entirely from in-game footage, showcasing the randomness, fun, and chaos of the BGMI universe. Fans can watch it on Youtube or catch the buzz spreading fast on Instagram, where reels and reactions are already trending.

    With over 100 million BGMI users in India and Flipkart’s Big Billion Days sale attracting millions more, the crossover feels like a cultural flashpoint where e-commerce meets esports. And as Flipkart proves once again sometimes, all it takes to unlock the deal of your dreams is a name.

  • Bengaluru gears up for Comic Con 2025

    Bengaluru gears up for Comic Con 2025

    MUMBAI: Comic Con India is returning to Bengaluru on 20 and 21 December at KTPO, Whitefield, promising a weekend of cosplay, comics, gaming and immersive fan experiences.

    The 13th edition of Bengaluru Comic Con is set to unite cosplayers, gamers, artists and live performers, offering aspiring creators a platform to showcase their work and connect with fans and industry professionals. Highlights include the National Cosplay Championship, exclusive merchandise, interactive fan zones, gaming arenas and sessions with leading comic book creators, anime artists and directors.

    Nodwin Gaming co-founder and md, Akshat Rathee, said, “Bengaluru Comic Con has its own flavour. Only here can you find a coder debugging all week and then showing up on the weekend dressed as Darth Vader. The city’s fandom is restless and inventive. Every edition here feels electric, proof that pop culture runs deep in India’s tech capital.”

    Comic Con India, ceo, Shefali Johnson, added, “Fans here don’t just come to watch, they come to build, share and celebrate together. Bengaluru turns Comic Con into something bigger than the event itself, blending creativity, gaming and cosplay with the city’s culture of innovation.”

    Last year’s edition drew over 50,000 attendees, with more than 5,000 cosplayers. International guests included American comic creators Ron Marz and Jamal Igle, while Indian studios such as Tadam Gyadu, Raj Comics, Indusverse, Sufi Comics and Amar Chitra Katha showcased their work. The event also featured stand-up performances, a 40,000 sq. ft. gaming zone with tournaments and VR experiences, alongside themed attractions like the Superman Zone and Minecraft Movie booths.

    Tickets for Bengaluru Comic Con 2025-26 are now live exclusively on the District app.

  • Game of cons Dreamhack x Comic Con 2025 powers up in Hyderabad

    Game of cons Dreamhack x Comic Con 2025 powers up in Hyderabad

    MUMBAI: Grab your capes, consoles and comic books Hyderabad is about to become the nerdiest city in India. Dreamhack India 2025 is teaming up with Hyderabad Comic Con for a three-day pop culture takeover from 31 October to 2 November, promising a mash-up of esports battles, cosplay showdowns, comic book launches and retro gaming nostalgia.

    The festival, celebrating Dreamhack’s sixth anniversary in India, lands at a time when fandom culture is booming. Last year, Comic Con Hyderabad drew over 40,000 fans, and organisers expect to top that number this year as gamers, cosplayers and comic collectors converge for what’s being billed as India’s ultimate geek carnival.

    The line-up is stacked: Pan Fest (BGMI) brings daily lobbies for fans to squad up, KO Fight Night revives arcade rivalries with Tekken 8, Super Smash Bros and Street Fighter VI, while Chess at Dreamhack adds cerebral fireworks with Rapid and Blitz formats. The iconic Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) zone returns, letting fans lug in their PCs, consoles or mobiles (or rent high-performance rigs on-site) to play non-stop across the weekend.

    And it’s not all about pixels and joysticks the Retro & Board Games Zone will tug at nostalgia with Contra, Pac-Man, Tetris and good old-fashioned Carrom and Ludo. Throw in comic launches, cosplay showcases, music gigs and shopping alleys, and the festival promises to be a sensory overload of fandom culture.

    Nodwin Gaming co-founder and MD Akshat Rathee called it “a one-of-a-kind celebration where gaming meets pop culture,” while Comic Con India CEO Shefali Johnson said the partnership takes Hyderabad Comic Con’s magic “to the next level.”

    With tickets now live on District App and official websites, Hyderabad is gearing up for three days of caffeine, costumes and controllers proving once again that when it comes to fandom, the more, the merrier.

  • Team K9 Esports clinch BGMS Season 4 title, take home Rs 60 lakh

    Team K9 Esports clinch BGMS Season 4 title, take home Rs 60 lakh

    MUMBAI: The squad stormed to victory at the Oneplus android ‘Battlegrounds Mobile India Masters Series’ (BGMS), lifting the trophy and walking away with Rs 60 lakh from the Rs 1.5 crore prize pool. The three-day LAN finals, held from 12–14 September at the Nodwin Gaming Arena in Delhi, drew record eyeballs: over 10 million views on Youtube and more than 500,000 on Jiohotstar, with streams in Hindi, English, and Gujarati.

    Led by in-game leader Sahil “Omega” Jakhar, Team K9 Esports (Arclyn, Beast, Ninjaboi, and Slug) topped the table on all three days, finishing with 107 points and three chicken dinners. “One in the bag, more to go,” Omega quipped after their win.

    Sinewy Esports and Iqoo Soul tied at 96 points but Sinewy edged second place on finishes, pocketing Rs 22.6 lakh. True Rippers and Revenant Xspark completed the top five.

    Individual honours shone too: Hydro of True Rippers was named MVP with 27 finishes, while Tracegod of Revenant Xspark bagged the ‘TVS Most Wicked Player’ award for a stunning 113 finishes across the season.

    This season also pushed boundaries beyond the battlefield. With its dual-format league, grassroots teams and even all-women rosters from the BGCS feeder league earned their shot on the big stage. Big-name partners including Oneplus, TVS, Red Bull, Swiggy, Bisleri, and even Tesla (which showcased its Model Y) added to the spectacle.

    Nodwin Gaming, co-founder and md, Akshat Rathee, hailed the season as a breakthrough moment and said, “From all-women teams to new brands entering esports, BGMS Season 4 has set benchmarks for inclusivity, scale and reach, bringing competitive gaming to Indian homes on TV and OTT, and proving it’s more than just a tournament. It’s a movement.” 
     

  • Scoutop digs in as vloggers chase glory in Jio Hotstar’s Treasure Hunters

    Scoutop digs in as vloggers chase glory in Jio Hotstar’s Treasure Hunters

    MUMBAI: Mumbai is about to turn into one giant puzzle box, and Scoutop holds the keys. India’s esports poster boy, Tanmay Singh aka Scoutop, is stepping off the battleground and into the spotlight as host and mastermind of The Treasure Hunters, a reality show premiering 15 September on Jio Hotstar.

    The high-octane series pits 10 of India’s leading vloggers against each other in a citywide hunt that blends brains, brawn and plenty of bravado. Across seven unpredictable challenges, contestants will race through Mumbai’s landmarks from the iconic Gateway of India to the bargain-packed chaos of Chor Bazaar armed only with wit, grit and an eye for clues.

    This isn’t just another hosting gig for Scoutop. As brand ambassador of Revenant Xspark and one of India’s most-followed gaming stars, he has designed the entire hunt setting riddles, planting traps and keeping contestants on edge. “The Treasure Hunters is designed to test the limits of speed, strategy and endurance,” he said. “It’s a tribute to Mumbai’s never-say-die spirit and a celebration of our vibrant creator community.”

    Adding to the mix is Bigg Boss alum and influencer Manisha Rani, co-hosting the adventure with her trademark flair. If Scout is the game-maker, she’s the sparkplug ensuring the drama never dips.

    At every stage, the vloggers will crack codes, outwit rivals and dodge elimination, with only one survivor claiming the treasure and ultimate bragging rights. With 10 creators, seven challenges, and one glittering prize, The Treasure Hunters promises to turn Mumbai into the stage for India’s most adrenaline-charged digital showdown yet.

  • Battle royale hits prime time as BGMS Season 4 Grand Finals go live

    Battle royale hits prime time as BGMS Season 4 Grand Finals go live

    MUMBAI: The battleground has shifted from mobile screens to the big stage, literally. The Oneplus Android Battlegrounds Mobile India Masters Series (BGMS) Season 4 Grand Finals fire up today at the Nodwin Gaming Arena in Delhi, where 16 of India’s finest esports teams will fight it out across 12 matches from 12–14 September for the championship crown and a cool Rs 1.5 crore prize pool.

    This isn’t just another LAN event; it’s India’s only esports tournament with national TV presence, beaming live on Star Sports Khel and JioHotstar from 5 pm to 8 pm. For fans, that means three days of adrenaline-fuelled prime-time action.

    The star-studded line-up includes league toppers Revenant Xspark, Team SouL, Gods Reign, and Nonx Esports, who qualified directly, joined by 12 hungry challengers from the semi-finals among them Godlike Esports, K9 Esports, Medal Esports, Phoenix Esports, Nebula Esports, and Sinewy Esports. Phoenix stole the show in the Playoffs with 58 points, while Godlike led the semi-finals with 92, setting up a tantalising clash of momentum and pedigree.

    The season has been equally dramatic off the battleground. Oneplus returns as title sponsor and official smartphone partner, Android steps in as co-title sponsor, TVS Motor revs into its third consecutive year, while Red Bull, Swiggy, and Bisleri keep players fuelled. Duolingo English Test makes its debut as official learning partner, and Tesla will showcase its Model Y at the finals because why not add some horsepower to the firepower?

    Nodwin Gaming co-founder and MD Akshat Rathee framed it as a milestone moment: “The fact that teams from the BGMI Challenger Series made it to the Grand Finals is proof that our grassroots-to-pro vision is working. Now, it’s time to see the very best of Indian esports on the biggest stage.”

    With legacy orgs, rising stars, and the world watching, BGMS Season 4 is more than a tournament, it’s proof that Indian esports has levelled up. The only question is: who will drop in, loot up, and walk away with the crown?

  • BGMI digs deep with Stepwell as 4.0 update blends culture and combat

    BGMI digs deep with Stepwell as 4.0 update blends culture and combat

    MUMBAI: Cricket may be India’s favourite sport, but when it comes to battlegrounds, millions are logging in with their squads this time, to fight it out in a Stepwell. Krafton India has rolled out the BGMI 4.0 Update, and its showstopper is Stepwell, a brand-new location on the Erangel map that’s conceived, designed and created entirely in India. This is a first for Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI), with the design borrowing inspiration from the subcontinent’s architectural heritage while reshaping tactical play.

    Unlike the flat plains and predictable ridges of Erangel, the Stepwell is a maze of tiered vertical combat, twisting corridors, sniper-friendly sightlines and ambush corners. High ground advantage collides with claustrophobic traps, forcing squads into close coordination and precision movement. From 18–24 October, the site even turns festive, letting players set off Diwali fireworks mid-match, fusing celebration with combat.

    “This isn’t just a new location, it’s a statement,” said Krafton Inc VP and head of India Publishing Minu Lee. “Stepwell sets a new benchmark for blending cultural inspiration with world-class gameplay.”

    But Stepwell is only one pillar of BGMI’s latest overhaul. The 4.0 Update also introduces:

    . Ghost Gameplay: Players summon spectral allies with active skills like Floating Balloon and Guardian Shield, while passive boosts like Heal, Armorer and Ghost Helm allow even eliminated teammates to remain useful through Spectral Revival mechanics.

    .  Unfail (4v1 Mode): A bold asymmetrical format where one stealth-powered hunter takes on four survivors racing to escape.

    .  Spooky Soiree Seasonal Mode: Complete with Wraithmoor Mansion (a haunted estate of gardens and magic mirrors), The Performing Dead concerts that double as enemy alerts, and interactive ghosts hidden in crates.

    . Magic Broom Vehicle: A flying broom for two, complete with dash and sweeping attack options.

    Alongside, players get new firepower with the Mortar weapon, refreshed Training Camp systems, and rewards at the Diwali Exchange Center (3–23 October). The much-loved Weekend Grind log-in rewards also return, promising purple-tier prizes.

    The update is backed by hard numbers too: according to industry research, comms professionals use an average of 11 tools daily with 68 per cent citing workflow fragmentation as their biggest barrier BGMI is answering a similar call for consolidation by weaving seasonal events, survival modes and India-first design into one package. Early testers have reported richer tactical variety and sharper squad play.

    BGMI has long been more than just a battle royale; it has become a cultural playground. With Stepwell as its India-first landmark, ghostly revivals, and Diwali fireworks lighting up firefights, the 4.0 update proves that battlegrounds can be both a warzone and a festival ground.

    For fans, the message is clear: the battleground just got deeper, darker and more desi.

  • Puntoon Kids levels up with safe and fun learning-through-play gaming app

    Puntoon Kids levels up with safe and fun learning-through-play gaming app

    MUMBAI: Puntoon Kids, one of India’s fastest-growing fun-learning platforms with over 9 million subscribers, has expanded beyond Youtube with the launch of its first gaming app and the numbers are already impressive. In just one month, the Puntoon Kids games app has crossed 1,05,000 organic downloads on the android play store.

    Built around the brand’s flagship characters Gattu and Chinki, the app is designed for children aged three and above, offering a mix of storytelling, puzzles, and interactive play that also sharpens logical thinking, memory, hand–eye coordination, creativity, and problem-solving.

    Safety and credibility remain at the core. The app has earned Google Play’s teacher approved badge, sits within a select pool of child-safe apps vetted by educators, and is fully COPPA compliant with multiple levels of authentication.

    Puntoon Kids, ceo and founder, Sourabh Kumar said, “At Puntoon Kids, we believe fun and learning are inseparable. Guided by our 3C philosophy: Culture, Curriculum and Curiosity, the app ensures children not only enjoy themselves but also develop important skills and values through play.”

    Priced at Rs 699 a year (Rs 58 a month), the subscription offers premium access to exclusive games alongside free content for all users.

    The launch marks Puntoon Kids’ evolution from a Youtube-led storytelling platform into a broader edutainment ecosystem. For brands, it also opens up meaningful collaboration opportunities in a safe, parent-trusted environment.

  • Game on as BGMS playoffs set to heat up with Rs 1.5 crore prize pool

    Game on as BGMS playoffs set to heat up with Rs 1.5 crore prize pool

    MUMBAI: From campus underdogs to esports titans, India’s BGMI battleground is primed for its fiercest face-off yet. After 20 days of high-octane action, the league stages of the Oneplus Android Battlegrounds Mobile India Challenger Series (BGCS) 2025 and Masters Series (BGMS) 2025 have wrapped up, clearing the path for the Playoffs beginning 9 September.

    The BGCS league saw 16 teams clash, but it was Nebula Esports fresh from the Oneplus Campus Dominate qualifiers that stole the spotlight, finishing on top with 222 points. Hot on their heels were Sinewy Esports (213), Team Versatile (201) and Team H4K (163), all four securing a ticket to the BGMS Playoffs.

    Meanwhile, the BGMS league itself was a blockbuster. Across 56 matches each, 24 elite teams fought tooth and nail. Team Revenant XSpark emerged on top with 557 points, edging out fan favourites Team Soul (551), with Gods Reign (533) and Nonx Esports (529) rounding out the top four. These four have already booked their direct slots in the Grand Finals (12–14 September).

    The fight isn’t over yet. The bottom 12 BGMS teams will now enter the Playoffs alongside the top four from BGCS. From there, the top eight squads will progress to the Semi-Finals (10–11 September), joining the 5th–12th placed BGMS teams. Ultimately, 16 teams will battle for glory in the Grand Finals, chasing both the title and a hefty share of the Rs 1.5 crore prize pool.

    Nodwin Gaming co-founder & MD Akshat Rathee noted that BGCS has created a “structured pathway” for fresh gamers, adding: “It’s inspiring to see a collegiate qualifier like Nebula Esports now entering India’s premier BGMI stage.”

    Season 4 continues to flex serious sponsor power: Oneplus as Title Sponsor, Android as Co-Title Sponsor, TVS Motor in its third year, Red Bull in its second, and debuts from Duolingo English Test, Swiggy, and Bisleri.

    And in true prime-time fashion, the BGMS Playoffs (9–11 September, 5–8 pm) will go live on Star Sports Khel and JioHotstar, the only esports tournament in India to command a national TV slot.

    The stage is set, the points are tallied, and the stakes like the prize pool are sky-high. The only question left: who will rule India’s ultimate BGMI showdown?

  • Gujarati gamers get their lingo fix as BGMS streams in local style

    Gujarati gamers get their lingo fix as BGMS streams in local style

    MUMBAI: When Battlegrounds Mobile India Masters Series (BGMS) Season 4 kicked off this week, it wasn’t just the 48 teams vying for a share of the Rs 1.5 crore prize pool that had fans buzzing, it was the voice. For the first time, the action came alive in Gujarati, with a co-produced feed by Nodwin Gaming and the Duolingo English Test (DET), opening to a roaring 165,000 views on Day 1.

    Running from 18 August to 14 September, the season features 164 matches streamed with Gujarati commentary from popular casters Jayesh Prajapati (Engineer The Gamer), Vinod Keshwala (Firestar) and Jitendra Patel. Fans can also dive deeper through exclusive watch parties hosted by Gujarati streamers, adding local flavour to the high-stakes drama. The initiative signals a big leap in esports’ regional push, making the digital battlefield more relatable for Gujarat’s swelling community of players and spectators.

    DET’s role in the collaboration reflects its knack for speaking the language of Gen Z literally and figuratively. With its English proficiency test already accepted by nearly 6,000 universities worldwide, DET has become a go-to for Gujarat’s study-abroad aspirants. Now, by stepping into esports, it taps into a state that is both a powerhouse of gaming viewership and one of India’s top markets for global education. By blending entertainment and opportunity, BGMS and DET are proving that whether it’s cracking headshots or cracking admissions, Gujarat’s youth like to play and win in their own language.