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Tag: esports in India

  • Tamil Nadu hits play on global esports with mega Chennai championship

    Tamil Nadu hits play on global esports with mega Chennai championship

    MUMBAI: Game on, Chennai. The Tamil Nadu government has just rage-quit the sidelines and entered the esports arena with a mic-drop announcement: the Chennai Esports Global Championship (CeGC). And no, this isn’t a side quest. It’s a full-blown, state-backed, international esports extravaganza. Buckle up, because India’s southern tech-and-temple capital is about to be the battleground for global gaming gladiators.

    In what marks a seismic shift for Indian esports, the CeGC will bring top-tier teams from across the world to Chennai later this year. This move by the Tamil Nadu government is no token gesture; it’s a bold, joystick-wielding power play. For the first time, an Indian state is levelling up its commitment to the industry with a dedicated global event.

    The youth welfare and sports development department is spearheading the project, armed with a Rs 562 crore war chest allocated in the 2025–2026 state budget. Part of this fund will go into summoning the CeGC into existence—cementing Chennai’s spot as India’s esports capital and a genuine global hotspot for competitive gaming.

    While the full title lineup remains under wraps (no spoilers yet), CeGC is poised to build on Tamil Nadu’s successful esports experiment during the CM’s Trophy 2024. That event, organised by Skyesports, saw over 5,000 gamers from across the state brawl it out across multiple titles. Think of CeGC as that on steroids, with international bragging rights on the line.

    This isn’t just about headshots and XP. It’s a cultural reset. Esports is now a medal event at both the Commonwealth and Asian Games and is primed to make its standalone Olympic debut in 2027. Tamil Nadu’s move echoes national momentum—the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports recently included esports in its cash incentive programme, giving it a legitimacy boost that could make even cricket jealous.

    By planting its flag in this digital battlefield, Tamil Nadu isn’t just organising a tournament. It’s laying the groundwork for a future where India isn’t just playing catch-up but leading the game. Chennai, get ready. The world is logging in.

     

  • MIB’s Neerja Sekhar visits SuperGaming, champions India’s gaming sector

    MIB’s Neerja Sekhar visits SuperGaming, champions India’s gaming sector

    Mumbai: SuperGaming, India’s prominent game development studio, recently hosted the ministry of information & broadcasting, IAS, special secretary, Neerja Sekhar, at its Pune office. During her visit, Sekhar explored SuperGaming’s latest Indo-futuristic battle royale game, ‘Indus’, which has captured the Indian gaming community since its release in October. Her discussions with the SuperGaming team delved into the creative and technical processes of game development, offering valuable insight into this fast-growing industry.

    The ministry of information & broadcasting continues to emphasise gaming as a valuable career path within India’s burgeoning animation, visual effects, gaming, and comics (AVGC) sector. The SuperGaming team shared their vision for ‘Indus’ as a cultural export, underscoring the importance of gaming in skill-building and career growth for India’s youth.

    India’s esports scene has seen considerable momentum, especially since esports was recognised as a multi-sport event by the government. In line with this growth, the ministry recently announced the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES), set for February 2025 in New Delhi. This event will debut the WAVES Esports Championships (WESC) 2025, the nation’s first gender-inclusive esports tournament.

    prime minister Narendra Modi recently called for Indian game developers to step onto the global stage, a vision embodied by ‘Indus Battle Royale’ as it resonates with players worldwide. SuperGaming is committed to fostering this vision through initiatives like the ‘Clutch India Movement,’ a year-long esports program starting with the Indus International Tournament, which features the largest prize pool for a battle royale game in India at Rs 2.5 crore.

    Sekhar’s visit to SuperGaming reflects the government’s dedication to nurturing the AVGC sector, positioning it as a vital component of India’s digital economy and cultural landscape.

  • Lionsgate Play announces new original ‘Gamer Log’ based on e-sports

    Lionsgate Play announces new original ‘Gamer Log’ based on e-sports

    Mumbai: Streaming platform Lionsgate Play has announced a new show titled “Gamer Log” set against the backdrop of competitive esports. The show is produced by RDP Pulp Fiction Entertainment and headed by Abhinay Deo and Neeta Shah.

    “This will be a first-of-a-kind Indian gaming show that will follow the adventures and misadventures of a team of professional gamers,” said the platform in a statement. The show has been created by Karmanya Ahuja.

    Lionsgate MD South Asia and Networks – emerging markets Asia Rohit Jain said this announcement reiterates their mission to bring compelling stories and new content to viewers across the globe. “E-sports is a booming industry in India; 350+ million online gamers were recorded last year, and it’s an upward growth from here. Gamer Log will essentially showcase the lives of these very gamers. We look forward to working with Abhinay and Neeta on a show that will be funny, youthful, and mainstream,” Jain added.

    “’Gamer Log’ embodies the exact principles of content coming out of Lionsgate stable – innovation blended with entertainment,” added Lionsgate Play VP originals Mrinalini Khanna.

    “We are thrilled to be working with Lionsgate Play for ‘Gamer Log’,” said producer and showrunner Abhinay Deo. “With this show, we plan to tap into an unexplored world, bringing audiences a story about friendship, camaraderie, hopes, dreams, and ambition.”

    “’Gamer Log’ is a unique concept with peculiar characters who are quirky yet extremely relatable, managing internal dysfunction and navigating the competitive world of esports with comedy, drama, entertainment and a lot of gaming,” said producer Neeta Shah. “Abhinay and I believe that Lionsgate Play’s ethos works best for ‘Gamer Log’ – it’s a story for the masses with an innovative thought. I’m glad that Rohit and Mrinalini are in complete sync with our vision of the show.”