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Tag: Gautam Virk

  • iQOOSouL reigns supreme at Android BGMS Season 3 final

    iQOOSouL reigns supreme at Android BGMS Season 3 final

    Mumbai: After three days of intense competition, the finale of Android Battlegrounds Mobile India Masters Series (BGMS) Season 3, India’s premier esports event culminated with iQOOSouL being crowned champions and solidifying their place at the pinnacle of the nation’s esports landscape.

    Organised by NODWIN Gaming, a global new-age youth gaming, esports, and entertainment company, Android BGMS Season 3 brought together the nation’s top esports teams showcasing the best of BGMI talent in action. The finals, featuring 16 teams, took place at the Android Arena in Chhatarpur, New Delhi, from 9 to 11 August.

    iQOOSouL, a distinguished team in Indian esports, delivered a stellar performance across all of the 12 matches. Under the leadership of in-game leader (IGL) Mohammad Raja (Manya), and comprising Khush Singh (Jokerr), Manpreet Singh (Rony), Nakul Sharma (NakuL), and Saumay Anand (Saumay), the team began the finals with a solid start on Day 1, amassing 34 points to secure fifth place in the table. On Day 2, they added 49 points to move into second place.

    In a dramatic finish to the tournament, iQOOSouL narrowly edged out Entity by just two points on the final day to capture the coveted trophy. The team recorded three Winner Winner Chicken Dinners (WWCD) and 40 points, which brought their total to 123 points, while Entity finished as runners-up with 121 points. Team Tamilas secured third place with 113 points.

    Sharing his excitement after winning the tournament, iQOOSouL IGL Mohammad Raja aka Manya expressed, “Winning the Android BGMS Season 3 title is beyond words. I’m incredibly proud of my team for their unwavering dedication, countless hours of practice, and the strategic planning that brought us to this level. It’s the team’s love for the sport and sheer hard work that propelled us to the top spot. This victory is even more special because it’s shared with our fans. Given the intense competition we faced, this win is truly special. Team iQOOSouL is back, stronger than ever and we promise – this is just the beginning.”

    With an overall prize pool of Rs  1 crore, iQOOSouL walked away with a well-deserved Rs  55 lakhs, while Entity secured Rs  15 lakhs, and Team Tamilas earned Rs  7.5 lakhs. Ankit Shukla (AKOP) of Team Orangutan was honoured with the TVS Raider Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the tournament award as well as the Most Wicked Player award for his outstanding individual performances and claimed Rs one lakh in prize money. Moreover, Harshit Yadav (Beast) of Global Esports was awarded the Audience Favorite Raider award for his remarkable displays.

    “Congratulations to iQOOSouL for their exceptional display on the final day that earned them the prestigious trophy, and to Orangutan’s AKOP for his consistent performance and winning the TVS Raider MVP and the Most Wicked Player award. Android BGMS Season 3 has been a spectacle for viewers and a testament to the incredible growth and potential of esports in India. This year, we have witnessed some of the best talent the country has to offer, and the passion and energy brought by the players and fans alike have been nothing short of extraordinary. Our partners have also played a crucial role in elevating the tournament to new heights,” said  NODWIN Gaming co-founder and CEO Gautam Virk.

    Spanning over 22 action-packed days, Android BGMS Season 3 once again proved to be a monumental event in the Indian esports landscape. The tournament, broadcasted on Star Sports for the third consecutive year, has been instrumental in bringing esports to the mainstream and making it accessible to millions of fans across the country.

    Furthermore, with the introduction of features like Powerplay, Impact Player, and Bounty, the tournament has led the way in redefining competitive esports in India. To elevate the excitement further, NODWIN Gaming also hosted an experiential carnival on Day 3 of the finals which featured various engaging brand experience zones from Garnier Men, Android, and Red Bull, a live performance from hip-hop artist Chaar Diwaari as well as a view party of the finals.

    The final day of the tournament saw a peak concurrent viewership of over 350,000 on YouTube and more than 3.8 million views across the Hindi and English streams. Additionally, the overall tournament accumulated over 4.75 million hours of watch time and an average viewership surpassing 1.8 million.

    “This year’s BGMS was particularly special and innovative which offered a fresh and exciting experience for both players and fans alike. To bring the community together, we organised the Android BGMS Carnival, which became one of the highlights of the season. Through the tournament’s continued presence on Star Sports and its growing viewership, we are proud to see our IP establish new standards for both esports and youth entertainment in India,” further added Gautam Virk.

    This year, NODWIN Gaming joined hands with renowned brands like Android and Garnier Men, marking their entry into the Indian esports scene. Additionally, Crunchyroll and Redbull came on board as partners, while TVS Raider and Phillips Oneblade extended their ongoing support, all contributing to the tournament’s success and enhancing the experience for fans.

  • NODWIN Gaming announces Android carnival at BGMS Season 3 finale

    NODWIN Gaming announces Android carnival at BGMS Season 3 finale

    Mumbai: NODWIN Gaming, a global new-age youth gaming, esports, and entertainment company, in collaboration with Android has unveiled an experiential one-day carnival to celebrate the final of the third consecutive year of Battlegrounds Mobile India Masters Series (BGMS). Designed to bring the community together for a memorable experience, the event is set to take place on August 11, which is Day 3 of the finals of the tournament, at Kicksal, Osho Drive in Chhatarpur, New Delhi.

    The highlight of Android BGMS Carnival will be the view party of the Android BGMS Season 3 finals Day 3 alongside a live performance by music artist Garv Taneja, better known as Chaar Diwaari. The event will also feature ‘AndroidLand’ comprising a range of gamified activities and immersive experiences for attendees. Additionally, there will be several other community experiences including expo stalls and food and beverage stalls from notable brands such as Garnier Men and Red Bull.

    The high-voltage action of Android BGMS Season 3 finals, featuring the nation’s top 16 esports teams will be broadcast on Star Sports from August 9 to 11.

    “So far, Android BGMS Season 3 has showcased the pinnacle of esports action in India. With the introduction of the impact player and bounty system, teams and athletes have consistently delivered outstanding performances and intense moments that have kept fans on the edge of their seats. To elevate the excitement even further, we are announcing this experiential carnival in collaboration with Android to create an unforgettable experience for the youth. We are merging the best of esports with live entertainment, and interactive activities. We also want to extend our gratitude to our partners, who have been instrumental in bringing this initiative to life. This carnival is our way of thanking our incredible community and ensuring they have a blast while celebrating the spirit of gaming with us,” said NODWIN Gaming co-founder and CEO Gautam Virk.

    Chaar Diwaari’s live performance aligns perfectly with NODWIN Gaming’s focus on youth entertainment and providing an all-around experience for the community. Being a well-renowned name among the youth for his experimental hip-hop music makes him the perfect choice to elevate the excitement of the event.

    “Gaming has always been one of the things I have enjoyed, so being part of the Android BGMS Carnival is really exciting for me. I have been following the tournament closely and can’t wait to watch the finals. It is going to be an incredible experience to perform live and then join the crowd in cheering on the top teams as they battle it out for the championship. I’m looking forward to amping up the excitement at the Carnival!,” commented Garv Taneja a.k.a Chaar Diwaari

    After an intense league week, Reckoning Esports, Global Esports, Carpediem, and Gods Reign were the first four teams to have secured their spots in the finals of Android BGMS Season 3. They were later joined by WSB Gaming, Team X Spark, Raven Esports, MOGO Esports, Team Tamilas, Team 8Bit, Godlike Esports, Team Orangutan, OneBlade, IQOO Soul, Carnival Gaming and Entity who emerged victorious during the playoffs.

    Fans can catch all the action of the Android BGMS Season 3 finals live on Star Sports 2 (HD & SD) in English and Star Sports First in Hindi starting at 6:30 PM. Additionally, viewers can also experience the finals in Tamil and Hindi commentary on SS2.

    The finals will also be streaming on the YouTube channels of Star Sports and NODWIN® Gaming.

    The entry for Android BGMS Carnival is free for everyone. Registration is open at: https://insider.in/android-bgms-carnival/event

  • Revenant Esports wins OMEN VALORANT Challengers South Asia

    Revenant Esports wins OMEN VALORANT Challengers South Asia

    Mumbai: Putting up stellar performances, Revenant Esports emerged victorious in the LAN playoffs of the OMEN VALORANT Challengers South Asia Split 2, securing their spot at the VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT) Ascension: Pacific.

    Organized by NODWIN Gaming, the leading South Asian gaming and esports company, in collaboration with Riot Games, the tournament’s playoffs witnessed fierce competition amongst Revenant Esports, Velocity Gaming, True Rippers, and Orangutan at the NODWIN Gaming Arena in Chattarpur.

    Revenant Esports, featuring India’s top VALORANT players including in-game leader (IGL) Jayanth Ramesh (skillZ), Ganesh Gangadhar (SkRossi), Kasif Sayyed (Paradox), Prish Valvani (Tricky) alongside Kazakhstan’s Dastan Zhumagali (dos9) and Sultan Akbay (sultan), remained unbeaten throughout Split 2. After winning three straight games in the league stage, the team sustained their momentum in the LAN playoffs.

    They defeated Orangutan 2-0 in the upper bracket semi-finals, followed by a 2-1 win over True Rippers in the upper bracket final. In the grand finale, Revenant Esports secured another decisive victory over True Rippers with a commanding 3-0 win. The LAN playoffs were contested in a double elimination bracket, with all matches played in a best-of-three format, except the lower bracket final and grand final, which were best-of-five.

    Expressing his enthusiasm for the victory, Ganesh Gangadhar aka SkRossi of Revenant Esports stated, “Winning the OMEN VALORANT Challengers South Asia Split 2 is an incredible milestone for us at Revenant Esports. We faced numerous hurdles in Split 1, but those results only made us stronger and more determined to prove ourselves on the main stage again. Personally, returning to the South Asia circuit after competing internationally was a rollercoaster journey, but I have always believed in the potential of our region. This win reinforces that belief and motivates us to aim even higher. A huge shoutout to all our fans for their constant support. We promise to keep pushing our limits and make you proud at VCT Ascension.”

    OMEN VALORANT Challengers South Asia 2024 boasted an overall prize pool of $130,000 (approx. Rs 1 crore) across Split 1 and Split 2. The total prize pool of Split 1 was $66,000 (approx Rs 55.11 lakhs) distributed evenly across Cup 1 and Cup 2.

    In Split 2, Revenant Esports took home $ 20,000 (approx. Rs 16.68 lakhs) from the overall $ 64,000 (approx. Rs 55 lakhs) prize pool while fellow finalists True Rippers secured $12,500 (Rs 10 lakhs). Velocity Gaming were awarded with $10,000 (approx. Rs 8.34 lakhs), and Orangutan received $7,000 (approx. Rs 5.84 lakhs). OMEN by HP was the tournament’s title partner and Philips was the styling partner.

    “Congratulations to Revenant Esports for demonstrating their prowess against the top teams in the region. Through OMEN VALORANT Challengers South Asia, NODWIN Gaming and Riot Games have dedicated themselves to establishing a sustainable ecosystem for the title, providing a platform for the nation’s best talent to shine. The invaluable support from our partners and the overwhelming response from fans has made this event truly unforgettable. We are proud to have played a role in elevating the VALORANT esports scene in the region and look forward to Revenant Esports representing South Asia on the global stage,” said NODWIN Gaming co-founder and CEO Gautam Virk.

    The dual split format of the OMEN VALORANT Challengers South Asia 2024, initiated earlier this year by NODWIN Gaming and Riot Games, has been instrumental in showcasing the skills of South Asian teams and players. The tournament saw an impressive online viewership of 8 million across Split 1 and 2, recording a total footfall of 30,000.

    “The OMEN VALORANT Challengers South Asia 2024 has been an incredible journey. The intense competition and high level of gameplay we have witnessed has been truly inspiring for the viewers as well as the next generation of esports athletes. We are excited to see Revenant Esports take on the best teams from across APAC at the VCT Ascension Pacific and wish them the very best. We look forward to continuing our support for the region’s growing esports ecosystem,” commented  Riot Games esports lead, India & South Asia Sukamal Pegu.

    As the sole Indian representative, Revenant Esports will compete against nine other leading teams from the continent at the VCT Ascension: Pacific which is set to take place in Tokyo, Japan, this September. The winner will secure a coveted spot in the Pacific League 2025.

  • Nodwin Gaming’s upcoming digital festival DreamHack to celebrate chess

    Nodwin Gaming’s upcoming digital festival DreamHack to celebrate chess

    Mumbai: Nodwin Gaming’s upcoming DreamHack event, scheduled from 4-6 November will also celebrate “chess.” This is in addition to the gaming fun at the event.

    In partnership with comedian Samay Raina & ChessBase India, Nazara Technologies’ Nodwin Gaming has planned a chess celebration which includes an open tournament, a death-match between two grandmasters—Gukesh D and Arjun Erigaisi, Comedians over the Board (COTB), free chess workshops, along with some fun activities like hand-and-brain, a Simul exhibition, and a meet-and-greet with other chess stars. A total prize pool of Rs 10 lakh has been announced for the winners of the DreamHack Rapid and Blitz chess tournaments that are open to all.

    “By bringing a much respected and one of the oldest sports like chess to the DreamHack, we’re giving fans the experience of a lifetime! The super success of our chess league showed us how loved the game is in India and how passionate this community is, which is why we wanted to celebrate chess at DreamHack. Chess is also played over the internet just like gaming and also features the fabled over-the-board competition, exactly like a LAN event. The synergies and similarities are extremely evident and we believe that these two communities will love what they have to offer to each other,” said Nodwin Gaming COO & co-founder Gautam Virk.

    “The vision of ChessBase India has always been to make chess the most popular sport in the country. Nodwin has been a wonderful partner in this odyssey of popularising chess. I am very happy that chess is going to be a part of an iconic event like Dreamhack. I am extremely thrilled and so looking forward to it,” said ChessBase India co-founder & CEO Sagar Shah.

    A deathmatch between two chess players—the 16-year-old India number two and world number 18, Gukesh D, and the 19-year-old India number three and world number 19, Arjun Erigaisi, is scheduled for 5 November. The winner of this match will take home Rs 3,00,000 and the runner-up, Rs 2,00,000.

    “I am excited and eagerly looking forward to battling it out with Arjun Erigaisi, my fierce rival on the board and close buddy off it. I am looking forward to a great match,” said Gukesh D.

    Erigaisi added, “I was closely following the first edition of the deathmatch between Anish and Vidit. It was so thrilling and intense. Now I’m super delighted to be playing the second edition of Deathmatch, that too against a very strong opponent like Gukesh. Also, as far as I can recall, this is going to be my first one-on-one OTB, that too in my backyard in Hyderabad. So all in all, extremely excited.”

    For the first time, Comedians on the Board (COTB), an event in the world of chess that has always been hosted online by Samay Raina, will go live at DreamHack. Eight of the strongest chess-playing stand-up comedians, including Tanmay Bhat, Samay Raina, Biswa Kalyan, Joel D’souza, Anirban Dasgupta, Vaibhav Sethia, Manik Mahna, and Sumit Sourav, will face off against each other to win the Rs 5,00,000 prize and to become the ultimate COTB champion on 4 November.

    On the workshop front, there is a line up which includes: How to stream chess in an effective way by Samay Raina; How to make chess exciting in terms of teaching and commentating by Sagar Shah; and What is needed to pursue a career as an arbiter by one of India’s finest chess arbiters, IA Vivek Sohani.

    DreamHack will go live from 4-6 November at Hall 1 and 3, Hitex Exhibition Centre, Hitec City, Hyderabad.

    The tickets for Chess at DreamHack Hyderabad are priced at Rs 1, 299 can be bought at DreamHack India’s website.