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Tag: Esports World Cup

  • Krafton plots India’s path to esports glory

    Krafton plots India’s path to esports glory

    MUMBAI: Indian esports just got its marching orders. Krafton India chief executive Sean Hyunil Sohn has rolled out an ambitious 2026 roadmap designed to transform bedroom gamers into international champions. Speaking before thousands at the BGMI International Cup 2025 in New Delhi, Sohn unveiled an expanded tournament calendar spanning multiple cities—and a new awards ceremony to boot.

    The plan is deliciously simple: build a ladder. At the bottom sits BGMIS (Battlegrounds Mobile India Series), open to anyone with thumbs and ambition. Registrations open in late December 2025, with battles running January through March 2026. Survive that gauntlet and you graduate to BMPS (Pro Series) in May and June, where the winner bags a ticket to the Esports World Cup in Riyadh come July. Then comes BMSD (Showdown), a high-octane LAN slugfest running August to October. The cherry on top: BMIC (International Cup) in October, where India squares off against Korea and Japan on home turf.

    “This is more than a tournament calendar—it’s a structured pathway for Indian gamers to rise from grassroots to the global podium,” Sohn declared. The company is putting its money where its mouth is. In 2025 alone, Krafton’s tournaments offered a collective prize pool exceeding Rs 4 crore.

    The timing couldn’t be better. India’s esports scene has shed its scrappy underdog skin. Stadium-scale events now replace dingy internet cafés. Government recognition and corporate cash are flowing in. Krafton’s BGMI has racked up 240 million downloads, and the company has sunk over $200 million into Indian startups since 2021.

    Krafton India  associate director for esports Karan Pathak reckons the roadmap will democratise opportunity. “We want to give every player—from underdogs to champions—a platform to showcase their skill and represent India on the global stage,” he said.

    Krafton is also launching the inaugural Krafton India Awards on 9 January 2026 in Mumbai, a new annual bash to recognise the country’s gaming talent.

    The message is clear: India isn’t just playing anymore. It’s coming to win.

  • S8ul signs grandmasters Nihal and Aravindh for Esports World Cup 2025

    S8ul signs grandmasters Nihal and Aravindh for Esports World Cup 2025

    MUMBAI: S8ul has signed grandmasters Nihal Sarin and Aravindh Chithambaram to represent the organisation at the Esports World Cup (EWC) 2025, where chess will make its official debut.

    With a massive prize pool of dollar 1.5 million, the EWC marks a historic entry for chess into the esports ecosystem—and S8ul becomes the first Indian esports organisation to compete in this format on the global stage.

    Chithambaram, a 25-year-old grandmaster from Madurai, brings an impressive resume. He first gained national attention at age 12 by winning the Indian Under-19 title and later earned his grandmaster title in 2015. He is a two-time National Premier Champion and the only Indian to have clinched the Indian Open across classical, rapid, and blitz formats. Most recently, Chithambaram won the 2025 Prague Chess Festival Masters and currently ranks fourth in India and 11 globally, with a FIDE rating of 2749.

    “This moment is special not just for me personally, but for Indian chess as a whole. Being part of S8ul’s lineup for the Esports World Cup reflects how far the game has come and how it continues to evolve. The fact that a mainstream esports organisation is investing in chess players shows the growing recognition of chess as both a competitive and spectator sport in the digital space. It feels great to be part of this new wave, and I hope to make my country proud on the global stage,” stated Chithambaram.

    Joining him is Sarin, the 20-year-old prodigy from Thrissur, Kerala. Nihal became a household name after winning the World Youth Chess Championship in the Under-10 category. Since then, he has earned multiple accolades including a runner-up finish at the Chess.com Global Championship 2022, and recent victories at the President’s Cup 2024 and Tashkent Open. He currently ranks 8 in India and 40 in the world, with a FIDE rating of 2687.

    Sarin said, “Being part of the Esports World Cup is a new and exciting experience for me. Chess has traditionally lived in a very classical space, but the way it is now being embraced as part of the esports world opens up a whole new dimension for players and audiences alike. Representing India and S8ul on this global stage is an honour, and I look forward to this opportunity of taking the game I love to a much broader audience and inspire more young minds to pick it up.”

    The addition of chess to the EWC will follow a 10+0 rapid time control format. Players will qualify through events on the Champions Chess Tour in February and May, with the final four slots determined by a Last Chance Qualifier in Riyadh. Norwegian grandmaster Magnus Carlsen has also joined as Global Ambassador for the event.

    S8ul co-founder & CEO Animesh Agarwal aka 8Bit Thug remarked, “We are incredibly proud to be the first Indian team to step into the global esports chess arena. Sarin and Chithambaram are not just two of India’s best, but among the top minds in the world. Their addition reflects our commitment to representing India in every genre of competitive gaming, and our belief that esports is about excellence, whether it’s aim or intellect. This is a historic moment for both S8ul and Indian chess.”

    S8ul, already a decorated name in the esports space with three consecutive ‘Content Group of the Year’ wins at the Esports Awards, continues to build on its global presence. Aside from chess, the team will also participate in titles including Apex Legends, EAFC 25, Call of Duty Warzone, and Tekken 8 at EWC 2025.

  • Honor of Kings is the world’s most-played mobile MOBA with 100 million daily players

    Honor of Kings is the world’s most-played mobile MOBA with 100 million daily players

    Mumbai: As per the recent development, Honor of Kings, one of the world’s highest-grossing and most popular Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA) games will potentially be launched soon in India as part of its phased global release.

    The official Instagram handle of Clash of Titans (which is the Indian version of Arena of Valor – the international adaption of Honor of Kings), published by Actoz Singapore, has been rebranded as Honor of Kings India and has posted this announcement on their page.

     

     

    Here are some key information and statistics about the game:

    – Honor of Kings is the world’s most-played mobile MOBA with 100 million daily players.

    – Honor of Kings will be part of the Esports World Cup in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia with a $3 million prize pool to 12 competing teams.

    – Sensor Tower store intelligence data shows that in February 2024, Tencent’s “Honor of Kings” attracted US$248 million in the global App Store and Google Play, ranking first in the global mobile game best-selling list.

    – Esports serves as a central strategy for Honor of Kings with the game’s developers organizing tailored local and global tournaments across various regions with lucrative prize pools.

    In regards to the potential launch of one of the biggest MOBA games in the world in India, please find below the reactions of the Esports industry stakeholders:

    8Bit Creatives and co-founder of S8UL  founder & CEO Animesh Agarwal:

    “The release of Honor of Kings in India can be a game-changer for the country’s mobile gaming market. With its massive player base and global popularity, the game’s potential entry into India will attract a new segment of players and drive growth within the MOBA gaming community. The entire industry is anticipating the game’s official launch.”

    Esports Federation of India director &  Asian Esports Federation (AESF) vice president Lokesh Suji:

    “The introduction of Honor of Kings to the Indian video gaming landscape can play a crucial role in catalyzing the growth of Esports in our nation. With the game well renowned for placing a strong emphasis on Esports tournaments with lucrative prize pools, we anticipate a surge in competitive gaming in the country. Its release will also elevate the competition within the MOBA genre in India which will contribute to creating a sustainable Esports ecosystem based on multiple games. We are eager to witness the positive impact of the game on the country’s Esports community.”

    Mrinmoy Lakhar a.k.a. 8Bit_Beg4Mercy, a prominent gamer of S8UL:

    “Honor of Kings marking its official launch in India will provide our Esports players with the opportunity to enhance their gameplay by competing against their international counterparts. With the game having laid out a well-structured roadmap for other regions, we hope that the Indian market will be prioritized in a similar fashion to grant our players ample opportunities to showcase their skills. Concurrently, gaming creators will find a fresh canvas in Honor of Kings. By curating unique content, creators will be able to cater to the game’s passionate audience and expand the reach of gaming in the nation.”

    Rohit Agarwal, founder & director, Alpha Zegus, the next-gen marketing agency specializing in the domains of gaming & lifestyle:

    “One of the biggest mobile MOBA games ever, Honor of Kings very recently made its entry into the (MENA) region, and its entry in India is going to be very warmly welcomed, considering India loves MOBA. It’s going to go head-on with the likes of BGMI, which is currently the biggest MOBA game in India, and that would be quite interesting to watch. But I’m glad that the players as well as the audience will have more MOBA titles to try apart from BGMI, and if all goes well, our country might be represented at the Riyadh Esports World Cup. Fingers crossed that there are no pushbacks from the government on any compliances.”

  • Indian Esports industry buzzes with excitement for 2024 World Cup impact

    Indian Esports industry buzzes with excitement for 2024 World Cup impact

    Mumbai: In a landmark announcement, Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and prime minister of Saudi Arabia declared the creation of the Esports World Cup, set to kick off in the summer of 2024 in Riyadh. The event promises to reshape the Esports landscape and enable the sport to usher in a new era of opportunity and competition for gamers worldwide.

    The Esports World Cup will be replacing Gamers8, a renowned Esports festival held in Saudi Arabia. In this year’s edition of Gamers8, there were 20 different competitions across titles such as League of Legends, Fortnite, DOTA 2, FIFA 23, Rainbow Six Siege, PUBG Mobile, and Starcraft II amongst others.

    Furthermore, the event boasted an unprecedented prize pool of $45 million, marking the largest in the history of Esports tournaments. While the titles for the Esports World Cup are yet to be announced, the tournament will include the most popular games in the world across all genres and have the largest prize pool in Esports history, as per the official announcement.

    The recently published ‘India Games Market Report 2023’ by Niko Partners states that India is predominantly a mobile-first market, with 96.8 per cent of total gamers playing on smartphones or tablets. With the opportunity to compete in such a high-profile tournament with substantial prize pools, Indian Esports athletes are expected to diversify into various gaming titles that are not that popular within the community, to secure a spot at the tournament. This, in turn, will contribute to the growth and diversity of the Esports industry in the country.

    Sharing his thoughts on the Indian video-gaming community expanding its boundaries and encompassing the PC, console, and mobile gaming titles, Esports Federation of India director and Asian Esports Federation vice-president Lokesh Suji commented, “The announcement of the Esports World Cup is indeed a historic moment for the global Esports community. This tournament will serve as a catalyst for change and growth, both on the global Esports map and in India. For a country with a predominantly mobile-focused gaming culture like ours, this event’s massive prize pool and diverse title offerings will undoubtedly motivate our Esports athletes and aspiring gamers to broaden their horizons and branch out to different titles. We see the Esports World Cup as an exciting platform that not only celebrates Esports but also unites the industry’s stakeholders on a global scale.”

    According to data from Gamers8, the 2023 edition of the tournament recorded a cumulative viewership of 1.3 billion, with peak concurrent viewers reaching 1 million. The total views reached 2.09 million, and the impressions stood at 3.8 billion. The event also roped in prominent names such as Adidas, Pepsico, Aramco, Razer, and many more global brands as official sponsors.

    The Esports World Cup’s magnitude is expected to surpass these numbers, providing high visibility and prestige to Indian athletes participating in the tournament. This will undoubtedly lead to attracting more investments from sponsors, legacy brands, and venture capitalists, which will bolster Indian players and the community.

    “Esports has always transcended borders and united passionate gamers from around the globe. With the announcement of the Esports World Cup in Saudi Arabia, the Indian Esports ecosystem is on the verge of a transformative journey. The tournament will not only serve as a platform for our incredibly talented players to showcase their skills on the world stage but also foster international collaboration, promote the growth of Esports in India, and inspire a new generation of gamers to chase their dreams. The Indian Esports community is ready to make its mark and this opportunity is the catalyst we’ve been waiting for. Let’s rise, break boundaries, and redefine what it means to be a part of the global Esports family,” stated S8UL co-founder and founder & CEO of 8Bit creatives Animesh Agarwal aka 8Bit Thug.

    Esports in India has witnessed remarkable growth in recent years, with notable achievements in international competitions. In the Asian Games 2022, the nation fielded a historic 15-member contingent, competing in titles like DOTA 2, Street Fighter V: Champion Edition, League of Legends, and EA Sports FC Online. Prior to that, Esports also made an appearance at the Commonwealth Esports Championships in Birmingham 2022 where India’s DOTA 2 team even clinched a remarkable bronze medal.

    In the 141st session of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) held in Mumbai recently, IOC President Thomas Bach announced their plans regarding the creation of the Olympic Esports Games. With Saudi Arabia’s commitment to the Esports World Cup, India’s Esports talents will have another global platform to showcase their skills.

    Mayank Prajapati aka MiKeYROG, who represented India in Street Fighter V: Champion Edition at the recently concluded Asian Games 2022 also expressed his feelings regarding the tournament saying, “As an Esports athlete, I see this as a window of opportunity for every gamer across India to proudly represent the country and make a name for themselves on the global stage. Much like in traditional sports World Cups where previously lesser-known athletes rise to prominence and lead their nation to glory, this could be the moment for Esports athletes to shine. The Esports World Cup has the potential to motivate Indian players to push their limits in various titles, thus expanding the talent pool and propelling the entire sector to newer heights.”

    In conclusion, the Esports World Cup could serve as a stepping stone for India to solidify its place on the world Esports map.