Tag: iQOO

  • iQOO appoints 25-year-old as chief gaming officer; offers Rs 10 lakh

    iQOO appoints 25-year-old as chief gaming officer; offers Rs 10 lakh

    MUMBAI: iQOO appointed Vedang Vikas Chavan, a 25-year-old eSports coach and gamer from Mumbai, has been named as iQOO’s new chief gaming officer, emerging victorious in a three-month-long search that drew over 80,000 participants from 400+ Indian cities and towns. Vedang has been tested on his gameplay skills, gaming knowledge, personality, and communication along with the other participants. As part of this role, he will take home a remuneration of Rs 10 lakh.

    Hailing from Navi Mumbai, Vedang’s journey is a story of relentless passion and perseverance. A chess prodigy in his early years, Vedang discovered gaming at age 10 and soon found himself captivated by esports. From sneaking into gaming cafés during college to representing India at international PUBG PC tournaments in Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, and Australia, his hustle never stopped. When he transitioned to coaching, he set out to give aspiring gamers a real shot at experiencing competitive esports. He handpicked grassroots talent and built teams from scratch, coaching them to podium finishes at top esports events. From being told he wasn’t good enough to become a sought-after leader, Vedang carved his space in a tough industry and helped others rise alongside him.

    Expressing his excitement, Vedang said, “I’m genuinely overwhelmed and grateful to be named iQOO’s new Chief Gaming Officer. When I first came across this opportunity on LinkedIn, I saw it as the perfect way to challenge myself, a chance to grow, upgrade my skills, and do something meaningful in the esports space. And the fact that it was coming from a brand like iQOO made it even more exciting. I knew I had to give it my all. I never imagined it would take me all the way here. The competition rounds were intense, and the finalists I met along the way were all incredibly talented. I’ll never forget the video call with Nipun sir congratulating me, that’s a moment I’ll always treasure. This journey has been surreal, and I’m thankful to iQOO, the jury, and everyone who believed in me. I’m excited to now take this passion forward with iQOO and give back to the community that shaped me.

    Welcoming Vedang, iQOO CEO Nipun Marya said, “This is yet another iconic moment for the Indian smartphone industry, and we are proud to welcome Vedang as our new Chief Gaming Officer. Vedang perfectly embodies the spirit of ‘I Quest On and On’. His journey from grassroots gaming to leading top teams reflects the passion and perseverance we value at iQOO. With his experience as a player, coach, and mentor, we believe he will bring a sharper understanding of the gaming community and a fresh perspective to our gaming initiatives. All of us at iQOO are excited to have him join the family, and we are  confident he will make a meaningful impact in this role.”

    From competing against 80,000+ passionate gamers to impressing a power-packed jury panel featuring Nipun Marya, Rannvijay Singha, Payal Gaming (Payal Dhare), and 8bit Thug (Animesh Agarwal), Vedang has emerged as the winner of CGO 2.0. As CGO, Vedang will work closely with iQOO’s leadership, offering insights to enhance the smartphone gaming experience and  connect with the esports ecosystem. The position will also give him the opportunity to collaborate with top gamers across India and earn a prize of Rs 10 lakhs.

    In addition to strengthening its presence in the esports space, iQOO has appointed Harshvardhan as its official caster. A passionate storyteller and presenter, Harshvardhan began his casting journey two years ago and quickly made a mark by winning the Nodwin Gaming Talent Hunt three times, including during BGIS 2024. Beyond the mic, he brings a well-rounded understanding of the esports ecosystem, skilled in production, match analysis, editing, and design. With his deep connection to the gaming community and evolving expertise, Harshvardhan will serve as a strong voice for iQOO’s gaming initiatives across platforms.

  • Battle royale gets a cash boost as BMPS 2025 ups prize pool to Rs 4 crore

    Battle royale gets a cash boost as BMPS 2025 ups prize pool to Rs 4 crore

    MUMBAI: Drop in, level up and cash out Krofton India has gone all in with Battlegrounds Mobile India Pro Series (BMPS) 2025, announcing a blockbuster Rs 4 crore prize pool, the highest in the tournament’s history. The mega bump in winnings signals a big moment for Indian Esports, putting the spotlight firmly on mobile gaming’s rise from hobby to headline act.

    The top 16 BGMI teams have locked in their slots for the Grand Finals, set to light up New Delhi’s Yashobhoomi Convention Centre from July 4 to 6. With the crowd roaring and the stakes sky-high, fans can expect three days of edge-of-the-seat action, tactical brilliance and adrenaline-fuelled eliminations.

    The elite contenders include heavyweights like iqoo 8Bit (led by Saumraj), Oneplus Gods Reign (featuring Destro), and rising stars like 2oP Official, TWOB and Team Eggy. All 16 teams have battled their way through a gruelling qualifying gauntlet, showing off the kind of skill that’s fuelling the BGMI frenzy across India.

    The Final 16 Squads:

    ●    Nonx eSports

    ●    Aryan x TMG Gaming

    ●    Genesis Esports

    ●    Los Hermanos

    ●    Team Eggy

    ●    Team Forever

    ●    TWOB

    ●    Oneplus K9 Esports

    ●    Gods Omen

    ●    Oneplus Gods Reign

    ●    iqoo 8Bit

    ●    Team Insane Esports

    ●    Rising Inferno Esports

    ●    4TR Official

    ●    4Merical Esports

    ●    2oP Official

    “The Rs 4 crore prize pool is not just a number, it’s a message,” said Krofton India associate director of esports Karan Pathak. “It tells every aspiring gamer that this is a career path with passion, prizes and potential. The BMPS Grand Finals will be a celebration of everything Indian Esports has grown into and where it’s going next.”

    Even if you’re not on the Yashobhoomi stage, you can still win big. 1 Until July , players can rack up Discovery Island (DI) points in Classic Mode for exclusive BGMI Esports outfits and up to 50 in-game rewards. Hit 3000 Exploration Points and unlock all six DI rewards because who says the audience can’t be in the game too?

    With a record prize pool, premium venue, fan-first features and big-brand partnerships, BMPS 2025 isn’t just the grand finale, it’s a new beginning for Indian mobile Esports. And as the top 16 prepare to drop in, the rest of India is getting ready to watch history being made one clutch play at a time.

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  • Iqoo levels up mobile gaming with India’s top gamers on board

    Iqoo levels up mobile gaming with India’s top gamers on board

    MUMBAI: Iqoo is taking mobile gaming to the next level, forging a power-packed alliance with seven of India’s biggest gamers, Dynamo Gaming, Gamerfleet, Mortal, Payal Gaming, Scout, Shreeman Legend, and Ungraduate Gamer. Together, they will test, refine, and certify Iqoo smartphones, ensuring a next-gen gaming experience built by gamers, for gamers.

    Kicking off this high-stakes collaboration is the Iqoo Neo 10R, the first smartphone tested and certified by these gaming legends. Armed with the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 processor and India’s slimmest 6400mAh battery, the Neo 10R is set to launch on 11 March 2025, promising unparalleled gaming endurance and performance.

    As part of this industry-first initiative, these gaming stalwarts will not only stress-test every Iqoo device but also use them as their primary smartphones during live YouTube streams. By directly incorporating their insights, Iqoo ensures its smartphones meet the intense demands of pro and casual gamers alike.

    “These gamers are the real questers, the catalysts behind India’s Esports culture,” said Iqoo CEO Nipun Marya. “By collaborating with them, we are ensuring iQOO smartphones push the boundaries of Android gaming, delivering an experience gamers truly deserve.”

    With the Indian gaming market projected to reach 9.2 billion dollars by FY’29 (Lumikai-Google report), Iqoo is doubling down on its commitment to Esports, solidifying its position as a key player in the industry. The brand has already made significant strides, including partnering with six BGMI Esports teams and over 100 gamers in December 2024, onboarding a 23-year-old Gen Z chief gaming officer in 2023 to gather firsthand gaming insights, and serving as the official mobile phone partner for Esports in the 2022 Asian Games.  

    This gamer-driven innovation strategy positions Iqoo as a key player in shaping India’s Esports future. With cutting-edge devices and gaming champions at the helm, Iqoo is not just playing the game, it’s changing it.

     

     

  • 8Bit Creatives scores naming rights sponsorship for  three esports teams with smartphone brand  iQOO

    8Bit Creatives scores naming rights sponsorship for three esports teams with smartphone brand iQOO

    MUMBAI:The Indian esports segment  is  driving at a zippy speed into the fast lane. 

    Consider: esports and talent management agency 8Bit Creatives, has scored big by landing what it calls one of the largest naming rights sponsorship deals in Indian gaming history.  

    8Bit Creatives pitched and managed to get performance smart phone brand iQOO to sign up for the sponsorship package for three of the five naming rights deals. The agency represented its own team 8Bit Esports, Reckoning Esports and Revenant Xspark.

    iQOO has been associated with esports for a while, and the current deal builds on its ongoing association with team iQOO Soul, which has been a flagship collaboration with 8Bit Creatives for over a year.

    “We  are happy to support their (iQOO) gaming & esports initiative,” said 8bit Creatives founder & CEO Animesh Agarwal.  ”This is a moment of great pride for Indian gaming, and we are excited to see iQOO’s continued contribution to growing the esports landscape in India.”

     

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    “Partnering with 8Bit Creatives has always been a key driver of Reckoning Esports’ growth,” said  Reckoning Esports owner Sarang Naicker.  “This historic association with iQOO reflects the strength of our collaboration and our shared vision to elevate the esports ecosystem in India. Together, we aim to continue setting new benchmarks for gaming excellence.”

    Revenant Xspark owner Rohit Jagasia added: “Our partnership with 8Bit Creatives has always been focused on driving innovation and creating meaningful opportunities for our players and fans. This association with iQOO is a testament to that vision, and we are thrilled to continue our journey together to elevate esports in India.”

    A press release issued by 8bit Creatives states that iQOO continues redefining the boundaries of brand integration within esports, ensuring that fans and players benefit from an elevated experience. 

    “By associating its  high-performance brand with some of India’s leading esports teams, iQOO reinforces its position as a key driver of the country’s gaming revolution. The naming rights deal is not just a commercial success but also a testament to the thriving Indian esports ecosystem, as brands increasingly recognise the value of investing in gaming’s vibrant community,” it said. 
     

  • iQOO unveils ‘My Quest Story ft. Bhuvan Bam’

    iQOO unveils ‘My Quest Story ft. Bhuvan Bam’

    Mumbai: Redefining its brand value of ‘Questing for more’, iQOO, the premium performance smartphone brand of the vivo group, has launched The Film #MyQuestStory, directed by renowned filmmaker Shoojit Sircar. Known for cinematic gems like Pink, Sardar Udham, and Piku, Sircar brings his storytelling magic to this short yet powerful 3-minute film, which features an inspiring message by content creator and actor, Bhuvan Bam.

     

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

    A post shared by Bhuvan Bam (@bhuvan.bam22)

     

     

     

    Inspired by the insights from the recently launched iQOO’s Quest Report, which highlights that 1 in 4 youngsters in India are seeking new-age careers, while 2 in 3 face societal and family pressures, The Film brings this shift to the forefront. Conceptualized by Ogilvy India, tells the inspiring journey of a young man who defies family expectations to follow his quest for content creation. Set against the backdrop of societal pressure and traditional career paths, The Film celebrates the bold choices made by today’s youth. It highlights how they chase their dreams in an ever-evolving digital world.

    The film features Babla Kochar (as the father), Anubha Fatehpuria (as the mother), Yogendra Singh (as Rohan, the elder brother), Aditya (as the younger brother), and Ebong Ipsita (as the house help).  It promises to be both entertaining and inspiring, bringing to life a story of passion, resilience, and unwavering determination. The film embodies iQOO’s core brand value of ‘I Quest On and On’ encouraging viewers to embrace their quest for greatness despite the obstacles they face.

    Bhuvan Bam, reflecting on his involvement in the film, said, “When the iQOO team invited me to join their campaign celebrating the pursuit of youth dreams, I felt an immediate connection. The spirit of ‘i Quest On and On’ embodies the ambition and determination that drive so many young people today. Being part of a story that resonates so closely with my own journey was a truly rewarding experience. I hope this film inspires others to persevere and continue chasing their dreams.”

    Shoojit Sircar added, “Making this film was a truly inspiring journey,” shared Shoojit Sircar, his voice filled with emotion. “The moment I heard the concept, I felt a deep connection to the characters and their stories. It reminded me of the incredible spirit of Indian youth and their unwavering perseverance in the face of challenges. They chase their dreams with a fire in their hearts, a determination to carve their own paths and make their mark on the world. This film is a testament to that spirit, a celebration of their unwavering quest for something more. I hope it not only entertains but also ignites a spark in the hearts of viewers, encouraging them to embrace their own journeys and pursue their passions with courage and unwavering belief.

    On the creative process, Ogilvy CCO (North) Ritu Sharda said, “iQOO celebrates the spirit of a generation that believes in continuously exploring and questing. Bringing this narrative to life was a thrilling endeavour for us. The vision was to craft a story that not only reflects the boldness and ambitious nature of youngsters today but also to inspire viewers to push boundaries and chase their dreams with unwavering determination. Collaborating with visionary talents like Shoojit Sircar and Bhuvan Bam gave our concept a huge boost. We believe this film will resonate with audiences and ignite a spark of relentless questing within them.”

    The film is now streaming on iQOO’s official YouTube, Instagram, X (Twitter), and community platforms.

  • New age careers are becoming number one choice for youth today: Nipun Marya

    New age careers are becoming number one choice for youth today: Nipun Marya

    Mumbai: iQOO has launched ‘The Quest Film’ directed by Shoojit Sircar featuring Bhuvan Bam which was premiered at the PVR Directors Cut, Ambience Mall, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi. Conceptualised by Ogilvy India, “Keep Questing” aims to inspire the youth to explore their passions, and follow their dreams and aspirations. The film further delved into the quest of the youngest boy of the family who aims to make it big in his life despite multiple hurdles.

    Futhermore the brand has also unveiled The Quest Report 2024’ which encapsulates insights from 6,700 respondents, aged between 20-24 years, 7 countries- India, United States of America, United Kingdom, Brazil, Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia. The report covers three broad areas: Gen Z Questers’ spirit & motivation to fulfil their dreams, obstacles & barriers that disrupt their quest for passion, and career choices that drive their interests.

    Executed by iQOO with CyberMedia Research (CMR), the report decodes Questers’ drive, passion and ambition through a quantitative metric- Quest Index, or “QI”. The results showcase India’ s QI as 9.1 followed by Malaysia with 8.7 QI, Thailand & USA with 8.2 QI, Indonesia with 8.1 QI, United Kingdom with 8 QI, and Brazil with 7.8 QI.

    Indiantelevision.com at the sidelines of this event, caught up with iQOO India CEO Nipun Marya, where he shared some vital details into the process of making this film, some additional insights on the report and much more.

    Edited excerpts

    What inspired you to create The Quest Film and collaborate with Shoojit Sircar?

    We prepared this film on the back of the findings which we got from the Quest report. In which we talked and surveyed 6,700 people across seven countries in the age group of 20-24. When we asked them, we found some very interesting findings. First is new age careers. They are really shaping up and becoming the number one choice for the youth of today. Second that we saw was that at one level, new age careers are becoming prevalent amongst the youth, but they still find very high societal pressure. So when we saw that, we thought why don’t we combine the two and make a film. We discussed with our creative agency Ogilvy and we were able to create a film which also depicts at one level what is the interest amongst the youth and at the same time how do they feel challenged when they express their choices.

    What are the key trends about Gen Z did the report uncover?

    Lot of trends actually! Firstly how audacious your dreams are. We found out that Indian youth are among the highest in the world in dreaming big. What is more heartening is even though dreaming big is one thing, the Indian youth are also hustling twice the global youth. Which means they are taking double the amount of steps to reach their goal. It also means whether they are taking courses or internships etc, whatever they are doing, they are trying to somehow learn more. Then gender also came out where we found out that women expressed the cause of the gender difference. Twice the number of women feel more challenged than men. Lastly societal pressure is still quite high and as a society if we can do something around it, I think it would be better.

    How does the research in the global report inform iQOO’s strategy and product development?

    When we discussed about this report, it gives us more insights into when we are communicating with Gen Z, like how we should do it and what are the aspects which we should touch upon when we communicate with them. At the product development level, it also shows us what are the key areas we should focus on when we have to think about our products like how new age careers are becoming important and critical and how can we enable better usage through our phone. Esports is one example, content creation is another example.

    How do you plan to leverage the findings of this report in its future marketing and product strategies?

    Firstly, this campaign is not necessarily for product marketing. We don’t intend to sell more products through this report. It is more about sharing our brand’s perspective.

    Any specific outcome you hope to achieve with The Quest Film and the report?

    We believe its a long journey. But its a first step towards taking this journey. We are just hoping we put our best foot forward and let’s see how the results come. 

  • Tokyo Paralympics: iQOO honours athletes in its new campaign

    Tokyo Paralympics: iQOO honours athletes in its new campaign

    Mumbai: As the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games began on 24 August, iQOO, in collaboration with Omnicom Media Group India, launched a digital campaign ‘I Quest On and On’ saluting the indefatigable spark, thrill, and drive of para-athletes on their journey to become the best versions of themselves.

    The campaign features sportspersons Suyash Jadhav (para-swimming) and Vikas Singh Bhati (para high jump) in a short video that captures the deep motivation with which they train to attain their goals. The film celebrates their passion and rigour, while highlighting their unparalleled skill.

    Omnicom Media Group, chief content officer, Shailja Saraswati Varghese said, “The campaign was created to articulate and honour the greatest quest we have – to quest on and on towards the best version of ourselves. This is the spirit behind iQOO as a company, so we took this route as it resonated deeply. Monster performances are delivered by the resolve to outdo our own benchmarks. Suyash Jadhav and Varun Singh Bhati personify this indomitable spirit. As does the entire product range from iQOO like the recently released iQOO 7 legend.”

    Iqoo, chief marketing officer, Gagan Arora said, “We respect the spirit of para athletes and salute their quest to perform to the best of their ability while representing India at Tokyo. iQOO believes in the same philosophy of ‘I Quest On and On’, pushing the limits to provide the best for the consumers. This campaign is our tribute to these champions, who make us proud by pushing boundaries and challenging odds with their undying spirit and relentless effort.”