Category: Gaming

Mumbai: Following its 50th meet in New Delhi, the Goods and Service Tax (GST) Council announced that it will levy 28 per cent GST on the full value of online gaming, horse racing, and casinos. Further, the West Bengal GST Council Representative said that the council decided to make an amendment as these are actionable claims.

The GST Council further agreed that there should be no distinction between a ‘game of skill and a game of chance.’

Media reports suggest that subsequent to the GST Council’s decision, the GST authorities will initiate fresh tax demand notices against 40 online gaming companies. The liabilities of these companies could sum up to Rs 10,000 crore.

Experts express their opinion on the decision of the levy of 28 percent by the GST Council:

E-Gaming Federation secretary Malay Kumar Shukla:

“This is an extremely unfortunate decision as charging a 28% tax on full face value will lead to a nearly 1000% increase in taxation and prove catastrophic for the industry. A tax burden where taxes exceed revenues will not only make the online gaming industry unviable but also boost black-market operators at the expense of legitimate tax-paying players, further undermining the industry’s image and capacity to survive. It is in addition to the loss of employment opportunities and the huge impact on marquee investors who are heavily invested in this sunrise sector. Furthermore, online gaming is different from gambling, and the Supreme Court and various High Court decisions have reaffirmed the status of online skill-based games as legitimate business activity protected as a fundamental right under the Indian constitution. While the industry was quite optimistic with the new developments including amendments to the IT rules and implementation of TDS on net winnings, all this will be moot if the industry is not supported by a progressive GST regime. We will wait for further details to assess the situation and evaluate our approach.”

PlayerzPot co- founder & director Mitesh Gangar:

“The GST council’s decision to levy 28% GST on total face value on online gaming will corner the gaming industry in a big way. The overall operations will not be feasible. The high tax burden will completely restrict the cash flow, limiting a company’s ability to invest in research, innovation, expansion or survival. The higher burden will also put a blocker on India’s massive gaming industry and deter the new player from entering the industry. The rising gaming economy will take a big hit and trigger economic stress, restrict job creation and curtail economic growth within the sector.”

Qlan co-founder and CEO Sagar Nair:

“The decision of the GST council to impose a 28% tax will have a significant impact on the online gaming industry, which unfortunately includes the Esports community. While we understand that the government needs to impose such measures on casinos, horse racing, and gambling, the higher tax rate is not justified for the competitive gaming community. It can discourage new players from entering the market as their hard-earned earnings generated through their efforts just like mainstream athletes will be taxed on the same level as those involved in gambling and other such practices. For the Esports industry to continue its unprecedented growth and recognition on the international stage, it is vital for the government to treat Esports as a separate category with reasonable tax rates that would support the development of the sector.”

Alpha Zegus founder & director Rohit Agarwal:

“Yet again, esports being included in the same domain as online gaming, horse racing, and casino, has put our industry at a major disadvantage. While the government might have fair reasons to impose higher GST on horse racing and casino winnings, imposing the same rules on an industry like esports doesn’t seem fair. Esports does not only have a ‘win or lose’ situation basis luck but has a very big element of skill that determines the outcome of the game. This is not what I expected, and our fight to separate esports from other labels still continues.”

IndiaPlays COO Aaditya Shah:

“The GST council’s recent stance is both surprising and disappointing. Despite the government’s previous positive steps and clarifications regarding the skill-based gaming industry, such as clarification about TDS on winnings and establishing self-regulatory bodies, this new decision contradicts and undermines those efforts. As of 2022, the revenue generated by the Indian online gaming industry has already surpassed $2.8 billion, and it is projected to reach $5 billion by 2025, indicating an annual growth rate of 28-30%. The number of gamers in India currently stands at 420 million, and this figure is expected to experience exponential growth by 2025. Additionally, there are approximately 1,300+ gaming startups in India, highlighting the industry’s potential for unlocking further growth. However, imposing a 28% GST on anything other than our gross revenue will have adverse consequences. It would be highly unjust to burden the industry with such a significant tax. Not only would this decision impede the industry’s progress, but it would also put millions of jobs at risk.”

Mumbai: According to the companies, the recent decision made by the GST council to raise indirect taxes on online gaming will cause significant harm to India’s online gaming industry and could potentially lead to the loss of employment for thousands of people.“Imposing GST on CEA will render the legitimate online gaming industry unviable, effectively driving consumers towards offshore and illegal platforms that pay no taxes, resulting in loss of taxes and outflow of foreign exchange. Further, this will also lead to loss of employment for thousands working in this sector,” said Games24x7 co-founder, co-CEO Bhavin Pandya one of the country’s top fantasy sports platforms.At the 50th meeting of the GST Council in Delhi, chaired by union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, a decision was made to impose a 28 per cent GST on online gaming, horse racing, and casinos based on their full value. The Group of Ministers (GoM) had previously agreed on the proposed taxes for these activities, but there was no consensus on online gaming as Goa suggested a lower tax rate of 18 per cent on platform fees.Indian gaming industry raised $ 2.8 billion from domestic and global investors combined in the last five years said Invest India.”This development indicates an increase from 1.8 rupees per 100 rupees spent on a game to 28 rupees on per 100. This will not only discourage players from playing, the professionals for whom its a livelihood will be burdened by taxation. It may also force them to play on offshore platforms, and the whole vision of creating a digital progressing gaming ecosystem seems blurry at this point,” said tech policy lawyer and EPWA (E-Gamers and Players Welfare Association) director Shivani Jha.”There is a fine line between skill-based games and casinos/betting apps, and they must not be treated the same way; a levy of an 18 per cent tax rate would have been helpful for the gaming industry. Introducing a 28 per cent tax rate not only hampers online gaming platforms’ capacity to develop new games and technologies but also undermines their competitiveness in the market,” said IndiaPlays COO Aaditya Shah.

Mumbai: Skyesports, South Asia’s leading Esports tournament organiser, announced today that the ongoing Skyesports Masters, India’s first franchised Esports league with an Rs. 2,00,00,000 prize pool, will culminate in a LAN Finale at the Koramangala Indoor Stadium, Bangalore.

Taking place on  26 and 27 Aug, the Skyesports Masters Playoffs will be a grand on-ground event to crown the best CS:GO team in the country. Being the first LAN Esports event in India at a stadium since 2019, it will be an affair like never before. With free entry, fans can catch all the action live and in-person.

The Playoffs will not only feature nail-biting CS:GO action but will also see engagement booths from AMD and Zebronics, giving fans an on-hand experience of their favourite gaming hardware. It will also have live performances and entertainment to keep fans hooked. Additionally, the Skyesports Award Ceremony, featuring the top teams of the Skyesports Champions Series – BGMI, will also take place at the event with the likes of Blind Esports and Team Soul being felicitated.  

Skyesports founder and CEO Shiva Nandy said, “Bringing India’s biggest gaming tournament to Bangalore, which has a lot of PC gaming fans, is a momentous occasion for Skyesports. We are looking forward to welcoming the top teams and passionate fans to witness the culmination of the Skyesports Masters at the Koramangala Indoor Stadium. We are grateful for the support of our partners, AMD, Windows 11, Flipkart, and Zebronics, who have helped make this tournament a reality and look forward to delivering an unforgettable experience for everyone involved and crowning the inaugural champions of the Skyesports Masters”.

The Skyesports Masters is currently underway with its online League Stage. In the League Stage, happening from July 8 to Aug. 17, eight franchised teams are competing in a double round-robin format. After an intense battle, only the top four will make it to Bangalore to compete in the Skyesports Masters Playoffs to compete for the ultimate glory. The four teams will compete in a single elimination bracket to crown the champions.

The Skyesports Masters is powered by AMD and Windows 11 with Flipkart as the co-powered sponsor. Zebronics is the peripherals partner for India’s biggest gaming tournament.

The eight franchised teams in the Skyesports Masters are as follows:

7Sea Esports

Enigma Gaming

Gods Reign

Marcos Gaming

Medal Esports

Reckoning Esports

Revenant Esports

Velocity Gaming

The entire tournament is being live-streamed on the official Skyesports Twitch, YouTube, and Facebook handles. Stay tuned to Skyesports’ Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook handles for more information about registration for the last leg of the inaugural Skyesports Masters.

Mumbai: Skyesports, the leading esports tournament organiser in South Asia, has announced a partnership with 1XBET as a sponsor for the highly anticipated Skyesports Masters. The collaboration brings together a major sponsor in the global Counter-Strike scene into the country which is a testament to the scale of India’s biggest gaming tournament.

The Skyesports Masters is a historic tournament for India as it’s the country’s first-ever franchised esports league. Eight franchised teams will compete across the League Stage and the Playoffs to determine the champions and for the lion’s share of the Rs 2,00,00,000 prize pool.

The eight franchised teams in the Skyesports Masters are as follows:

.   Marcos Gaming
.   Gods Reign
.   Enigma Gaming
.   Medal Esports
.   Reckoning Esports
.   7Sea Esports
.   Revenant Esports
.   Velocity Gaming

The tournament is set to kick off with the League Stage from 8 July to 17 Aug. The eight teams will compete in an exhilarating double round-robin format with the top four advancing to the Playoffs. The Skyesports Masters Playoffs is set to happen on 26 and 27 Aug as a benchmark-setting on-ground event in front of a live audience.

Skyesports Masters, with 1xBet as a partner, sets the stage for a groundbreaking tournament that will captivate the esports community and propel India’s gaming industry to new heights. The collaboration also opens up avenues for expanded reach and increased visibility for the Skyesports Masters. Fans can catch all the action live on the Skyesports YouTube channel.

Mumbai: Since its modest beginnings in the 1950s, when basic games and simulations were played on minicomputers and mainframes, the video game industry has undergone tremendous growth. Today, the Indian Esports industry flourishes as a multi-billion-dollar sector, thanks to advancements in high-speed internet, improved technology, the increasing popularity of gaming among the younger generation, and official recognition as a multi-sport event from the government of India. 

According to the recent “Windows of Opportunity” report on India’s Media and Entertainment industry by FICCI-EY, the number of Esports players across all competitive level games in India increased from 600,000 in 2021 to one million in 2022, and is expected to reach 2.5 million in 2023.

From winning the bronze in Hearthstone at the 2018 Asian Games to clinching bronze in DOTA 2 at the inaugural Commonwealth Games in Birmingham last year, the prowess of Indian Esports has been highlighted multiple times in major international tournaments.

Now, India is not only sending its first-ever female contingent in CS:GO at the World Esports Championships but is also set to participate in the upcoming Asian Games 2022 where Esports is debuting as an official medal sport. As per the FICCI-EY report, the number of international Esports teams in India grew from 6 in 2021 to 7 in 2022 and is expected to rise to 10 in 2023. 

Asian Esports Federation (AESF) director of ESFI & vice president Lokesh Suji is confident that by supporting and nurturing the Esports ecosystem, India will continue to make its mark on the global Esports stage. “What started with competitive gaming that was only visible in college fests or local tournaments in the late 2000s is now a Rs 250-crore industry. While we have witnessed significant growth and improvement in recent years, winning medals at prestigious events has demonstrated our potential to compete at the highest level and is a testament to the rise of India as a video-gaming powerhouse,” he said.

The rise of gamers and gaming content creators in the country has transformed the entertainment landscape. Many gamers have built large fan bases and have become influential figures within the gaming community through live streaming, video content creation, and social media platforms.

Recognising the potential of these content creators, brands have started to forge partnerships with them through brand deals and sponsorships which has not only opened up new revenue streams for creators but has also contributed to the entry of non-endemic brands in the sector. This is further supported by the findings of the FICCI-EY report, which states that the number of brands investing in Esports rose from 72 in 2021 to 80 in 2022, and it is projected to reach 100 by 2023.

8bit Creatives and S8ul esports founder, and CEO Animesh Agarwal said, “In recent years, the perception of gaming has undergone a remarkable shift, with individuals and brands both recognizing its immense potential as a lucrative revenue stream. At 8Bit Creatives, our creators have successfully curated numerous campaigns with brands from diverse sectors. This allows me to assert that both endemic and non-endemic brands are actively seeking ways to engage with gamers today.”

The recent return of the game as Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) has revitalised the Esports community and is expected to accelerate the growth of competitive gaming. According to the estimates from app intelligence firm Sensor Tower, the game clocked about $33 million in in-app spending from July 2021 to July 2022 and also made history by becoming the first Esports event to be broadcasted on mainstream television (Star Sports).

Parv Singh aka soul_regaltos is a professional gamer as well as gaming content creator with over 2.3 million subscribers on YouTube. Speaking on the importance of BGMI he said, “BGMI has played a pivotal role in contributing to the rise of in-game spending within the Indian gaming community. By also causing an upsurge of Esports tournaments in the country, the game has attracted brands through numerous lucrative mediums such as in-game advertisement, sponsorships, and content creation opportunities. It has single-handedly elevated the competitive landscape, giving emerging players the opportunity to showcase their skill and become stars within the community”.

The evolution of Esports in India has been further accelerated by the emergence of new technology and platforms catering specifically to the gaming community. New-age technology such as Web3, AR and VR, gesture-controlled gaming as well as exclusive gamers’ social network platforms are all enabling a technological revolution to radically transform the Esports industry in India.

Qlan, an exclusive social networking app designed for gamers and esports enthusiasts, recently secured pre-seed funding to fuel its expansion and enhance gamer networking, discovery, and content creation capabilities. Qlan co-founder, and CEO Sagar Nair, commented, “The burgeoning global Esports industry is witnessing an influx of technologies poised to revolutionize the sector. Our own app QLAN has successfully been able to elevate gamers’ social networking to new horizons and empower the ever-expanding community of gamers. We firmly believe that India will adopt further next-gen tech in video gaming to not only relish its immersive experience but to change how gaming is perceived in the coming years, allowing the industry to scale bigger heights”.

All in all, the video game industry in India has experienced remarkable growth, diversification, and recognition. It has become a significant cultural and economic force, offering entertainment, job opportunities, and a platform for creative expression.

Mumbai: Revenant Esports, one of Asia’s fastest-growing esports organizations, has announced that GIGABYTE | AORUS, a leading manufacturer of motherboards and graphics cards, is its official partner for the Skyesports Masters, India’s first franchised esports league with a Rs. 2,00,00,000 prize pool. 

Through this partnership, Revenant Esports will be powered with cutting edge technology provided by GIGABYTE | AORUS. The manufacturer, on the other hand, will leverage the partnership with one of India’s top esports organisations to showcase their products to a zillenial audience at the Skyesports Masters, India’s biggest gaming tournament. 

Commenting on the partnership, GIGABYTE India director Sunil Grewal said, “At GIGABYTE | AORUS, we are dedicated to empowering gamers with the best hardware solutions. We are collaborating with Revenant Esports, one of the strongest teams in the historic Skyesports Masters and providing them with the state of art equipment to get a competitive edge in the tournament. Together, we will push the boundaries of excellence and leave a mark in India’s biggest gaming tournament.” 

Revenant Esports has also revealed its CS:GO roster, comprising a blend of young blood and veterans. With three Indian players and two international imports, the roster is set to be one of the strongest in the Skyesports Masters. The roster is as follows:

● Maclane “gump” Cross 
● Harsh “F1redup” Jain 
● Jaspreet “SpawN” Singh 
● Sadab “SKwow” Khan 
● Muhammad-Ridzuan “3nable” Hazi 

Commenting on the new CS:GO roster, Revenant Esports founder and CEO Rohit Jagasia said, “We are really excited to finally pull back the curtains on our CS:GO roster. Counter-Strike has been a revolutionary title for esports and our involvement in India’s biggest gaming tournament, the Skyesports Masters, is a testament to our remarkable growth. Additionally, our partnership with GIGABYTE | AORUS for the Skyesports Masters is a testament to the sustainable model that is being built by this league for Indian esports.” 

Maclane “gump” Cross and Muhammad-Ridzuan “3nable” Hazi, from Australia and Malaysia respectively, are the two international exports into the Revenant Esports CS:GO roster bringing in crucial experience for the team. The squad also includes the talented Indian trio of Harsh “F1redup” Jain, Jaspreet “SpawN” Singh, and Sadab “SKwow” Khan who are three of the best CS:GO pros that the country has to offer. They are also a part of the squad set to represent the country at the IESF World Championship 2023 and will be traveling to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia later this month to hone India’s colors at the Asia-Pacific qualifier. 

Commenting on leading the Revenant Esports CS:GO roster, gump said, “I am thrilled to be leading this star-studded roster for Revenant Esports in the upcoming Skyesports Masters. We have a perfect blend of young talent and seasoned veterans, and our diverse backgrounds and experiences will make us a truly formidable force in the tournament. We are here to give it our all and are confident of leaving a mark in the Skyesports Masters.” 

The Skyesports Masters, featuring an eye-watering prize pool of Rs. 2,00,00,000, is set to kick off on July 8 with eight franchised teams competing for the title of champions. After a long league stage until 17 Aug, the top four teams will advance to the Playoffs which is set to happen as an on-ground event on 26 and 27 Aug. Revenant Esports’ journey in the tournament will begin on 8 July as they face off against Gods Reign. Fans can catch all the action live on the official Skyesports YouTube channel.

Mumbai: Starlight Gaming, a Softstar Entertainment Inc company, has partnered with S8UL, India’s largest gaming content network, to announce the much-anticipated launch of ‘Raider SIX’ in India. This collaboration marks an exciting milestone for both entities as they aim to revolutionise the gaming landscape in India. ‘Raider SIX’ is specially built for discerning Indian consumers, demonstrating Starlight Gaming’s commitment to providing a first of its kind gaming experience to Indian gamers. Within an astonishing 10-day registration period, Raider SIX has garnered an incredible one million pre-registrations, signifying enthusiasm among Indian gamers.

Crafted by Starlight Gaming in collaboration with Indian gamers, ‘Raider SIX’ is a Battle Royale Action mobile game that immerses players in the captivating Indian battle landscape. It introduces a diverse array of Indian characters and cultural highpoints, marking the first-ever inclusion of such elements in the genre. Tailored exclusively for the Indian gaming community, ‘Raider SIX’ aims to capture the hearts of Indian gamers with its rich tapestry of characters, aesthetic scenery, and unmatched gaming action that reflects the vivid spirit of Indian culture.

Over the coming weeks, Starlight Gaming and Team S8UL will join forces to deliver collaborative content, combining their expertise and resources for unparalleled gaming experiences. The game offers action-packed battles, exhilarating gameplay, unlimited revival opportunities, a vast arsenal of intriguing weapons, heart-pounding helicopter escape missions, a robust trading system, and exciting draw activities.

Sharing his thoughts on the launch, Softstar Entertainment Inc chairman Tu Chun-Kuang stated, “We are thrilled to bring Raider SIX to the vast and dynamic Indian gaming market. By leveraging S8UL’s extensive network and Starlight Gaming’s commitment to innovation, this partnership seeks to captivate Indian gamers and push the boundaries of gaming entertainment. We aim to provide the passionate gaming community in India with a unique gaming experience that mixes innovation, excitement, and the country’s rich cultural history. Our team is overjoyed to make a difference in India, and it’s just the beginning for us.”

“We are super excited to explore the Indian gaming world by unleashing Raider SIX,” said Starlight Gaming COO Laveesh Pandey. “Team S8UL is one of the largest networks of gaming content creators in India and we are elated to see their excitement about Raider SIX.

Get ready to embark on an exhilarating journey as we captivate the hearts and minds of Indian gamers with Raider SIX, an experience like no other!” He added.

S8UL is the only Indian organization to win the prestigious Global Esports Awards for Esports and gaming content. Together, the brand’s 26 premier players are revolutionizing Indian gaming.

On partnering with Starlight Gaming, S8UL CEO Animesh Agarwal AKA 8 Bit Thug conveyed, “We are thrilled to collaborate with Raider SIX as their launch pad in the Indian gaming market. With the overwhelming enthusiasm of the gaming community towards Raider SIX, we are confident in its potential for a successful launch. Together, S8UL and Raider SIX aims to make an impact and contribute to the evolving gaming landscape in India. We look forward to an amazing response to the launch, come lets game together, even more, and always! Onwards & Upwards!”

Engross yourself in a world filled with recognisable Indian people who have been brought to life in exquisite detail and experience the excitement of the Indian battlefield. Raider SIX also includes specially made Indian-style characters with renamable names, paying homage to Indian gaming culture Android users should leave at least XG of space for the installation package, whereas Apple users should set aside at least XG of space. Be ready to dominate the competition and unleash your abilities in this thrilling battle royale experience #IndiaKaApnaGame

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Mumbai: India’s gaming sector is witnessing explosive growth, with over 500 million individual gamers and a rapidly expanding community of gaming enthusiasts across India. The gaming industry in India is expected to become a $5 billion industry by 2025. According to statista.com, India recorded about 421 million online gamers in 2022, and this number is projected to exceed 442 million by 2023. Approximately 90 million of these gamers reportedly paid for online games in 2022. The potential for online gaming and esports is huge in India. According to a recent report by Redseer, the gross revenue for fantasy sports platforms during IPL 2023 was Rs 2800 crores, which is a case in point.

Taking this opportunity to introduce you to IndiaPlays, India’s most rewarding gaming platform. IndiaPlays aims to revolutionise the gaming landscape in India. Offering a diverse array of online games, including popular titles like Poker, Rummy, and Fantasy Sports, IndiaPlays provides players with a secure, rewarding, and unforgettable gaming experience. With a steadfast commitment to transparency, credibility, and innovation, the platform aims to empower users with knowledge to elevate their gaming journeys.

Mumbai: The Poker Sports League (PSL) has once again cemented its position as India’s most prestigious poker event, breaking records and surpassing all expectations. With an extraordinary 9547 unique entries during the qualifying rounds, the season five qualifiers breaks all records for unique participation for a poker event in India. Based on the current trajectory and the massive growth from previous seasons, PSL is expected to break all viewership records for poker with its live streaming of the final matches starting 22 July. 

Poker Sports League CEO, and co-founder Pranav Bagai shared his heartfelt excitement, stating, “The level of engagement we’ve witnessed this year has left us absolutely thrilled! With over 9500 unique entries flooding into the general qualifiers, we are truly humbled by the sheer passion and dedication showcased by the aspiring players vying for the top 37 spots. In comparison, the esteemed World Series of Poker Main Event, which started in 1972, has garnered a maximum of 8773 unique entries in a single year”

Earlier this year, PSL 2023 forged strategic alliances with two leading entities – Pocket52, a prominent online poker gaming app, as its title sponsor, and JioCinema as its official streaming partner. This groundbreaking collaboration revolutionises the gaming experience, reshaping viewer engagement from the comfort of their homes. The tournament, with an impressive prize pool of Rs 1.5 crores, will be exclusively live streamed on JioCinema, commencing from 22 July and culminating in the grand finale on 19 August. 

The excitement begins with the live auction among the six teams in Goa on 8 July, followed by virtual matches from 22 July to 10 August, providing players with a unique opportunity to compete from their homes. In a historic first for Poker Sports League (PSL), the much-anticipated auction will be brought to viewers’ screens through a live-stream, enhancing the excitement and spectacle akin to the IPL-style auctions. The eagerly awaited event will see team owners, captains, and analysts gather in the vibrant ambiance of Goa, promising an enthralling experience for poker enthusiasts nationwide. 

Pocket52 director and founder Nitesh Salvi, “We are ecstatic to see the response for PSL season 5 on our platform. 9500+ unique entries for the general qualifiers alone are testimony to the underlying passion and immense potential of poker in India. We are optimistic that Season 5 will be bigger and better than ever before, and will create a wave of momentum that will bring more and more people into the poker ecosystem and create a sustainable culture for skill-based online gaming in India.”

PSL Season 5 is all set to become the biggest poker extravaganza in India, boasting its largest-ever prize pool and an unmatched level of participation. An unprecedented live finale in Goa awaits, showcasing 72 players, including professionals, captains, and 37 qualifier winners, making it a trailblazing event.

Mark your calendars for the grand finale, scheduled from 16 to 19 August, where the champions will be crowned in an exhilarating live finale in Goa.

Mumbai: Velocity Gaming, the Hyderabad-based Esports organisation renowned for its prominence in the PC esports space, has been revealed as the final franchise for Skyesports Masters, India’s biggest gaming tournament.

The Skyesports Masters is India’s first-ever franchised Esports league, set to happen across two stages: the League stage and the LAN Playoffs. The League Stage will span multiple weeks from 8 July to 17 Aug. as the eight teams compete in a double round-robin format. Only the top four, though, will be able to make it to the Playoffs, set to happen as an on-ground tournament on Aug. 26 and 27 to crown the inaugural Skyesports Masters champions.

Velocity Gaming founder and CEO Manoj Kasyap said, “Counter-Strike has always been an interesting esports title, and while it hasn’t been able to grow exponentially in India, I believe the Skyesports Masters is the first step to making that happen. Skyesports has also managed to make this event very viable in the long run for franchised teams. I believe this is the first time in Indian esports something like this is happening. We don’t want to miss out on this amazing opportunity”.

Velocity Gaming has prioritised experience as it prepares to unleash a fight for the Rs 2,00,00,000 prize pool. The roster consists of the following players:

Bodhisattwa “The_Guru” Panday

Dipayan “MaChOleleR” Das

Tamajit “Logan” Ghosal

Keven “KevinR” Ross Russel

Muhammad “Syahhftw” Shyarul Daneal Bin Arif

Thomas “TAV” Kurian

Nairit “L0sttt” Banerjee

The roster is primarily composed of players scouted from the Skyesports Masters cafe qualifiers. Velocity Gaming acquired the squad of RDX which won the Kolkata cafe qualifier. The cafe qualifiers are a grassroots-level initiative by Skyesports which happened across 20 cities of the country to give a boost to CS: GO and scout for potential talent.

Headlining the experienced roster is KevinR, the veteran U.S. import who has been competing professionally since 2004 and has numerous international accolades to his name. The rest of the team is also highly accomplished as the squad has earned several top-three finishes in different tournaments, including competitions by ESL and the Intel Extreme Masters (IEM).

Skyesports founder and CEO Shiva Nandy said, “Velocity Gaming is a name synonymous with PC esports in India. It’d be an injustice to organise India’s biggest gaming tournament without the organization. I am thrilled that Manoj and Velocity believe in our vision for the Skyesports Masters and Counter-Strike. Their involvement is a testament to the potential and longevity of the league”.

With India’s biggest gaming tournament just around the corner, the stage is set for Velocity Gaming and seven other franchise to enthral the gaming audience of the country with world-class gameplay and nail-biting action.