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Tag: K R Rohith

  • OnePlus powers up Gods Reign for battle royale glory at BGMI Pro Series

    OnePlus powers up Gods Reign for battle royale glory at BGMI Pro Series

    MUMBAI: It’s game on as OnePlus teams up with Gods Reign, one of India’s top-tier BGMI (Battlegrounds Mobile India) squads, in a turbo-charged partnership ahead of the BGMI Pro Series (BMPS) 2025, where 96 elite teams are slugging it out for a whopping Rs 2 crore prize pot.

    The tie-up, stitched together by Times One, a unit of Times OOH, blends speed, swagger, and silicon. At the heart of the deal is OnePlus’ mission to cement its gaming credentials by powering Gods Reign’s training grind and match-day performance with its flagship devices—built for buttery frame rates, rapid cooling and marathon battery life.

    Having already clinched Rs 50 lakh as ESL Snapdragon Pro Series Season 6 champs, Gods Reign is no stranger to the winner’s circle. Now, with OnePlus tech fuelling their BGMI charge, the team is ready to frag, flank and fire their way to the top once more.

    But it’s not just about hardware. The deal brings co-branded storytelling, real-world gamer feedback loops for OnePlus’ next-gen devices, and high-impact content that celebrates the grit behind the game. Think tech meets teamwork, with a generous dose of community buzz.

    “This partnership with OnePlus marks a significant milestone for our team. We’re proud to be aligned with a brand that not only understands elite performance but also shares our hunger for innovation and excellence. With Times One’s support, we look forward to creating impactful experiences for our fans and the gaming community,” said Gods Reign CEO & cofounder K R Rohith.

    Added Times One gaming business head Kanishka Singh: “At Times One, we believe in the transformative power of esports as the next big cultural movement. Facilitating this partnership between OnePlus and Gods Reign underscores our mission to bring together premium brands and elite gaming talent. We are thrilled to play a pivotal role in scripting this chapter of India’s gaming evolution.” 

    With Ficci-EY 2025 projecting brand participation in esports to rise from 68 to 75 and player involvement to hit 2.8 million this year, OnePlus’ power play is well-timed. It’s a high-stakes, high-speed partnership that’s already levelling up India’s esports narrative—one kill streak at a time.

  • Union Budget 2024: Government support and tax relief key for Indian esports industry’s growth

    Union Budget 2024: Government support and tax relief key for Indian esports industry’s growth

    Mumbai: Since the Indian government’s official recognition of Esports as a multi-sport event, the industry has witnessed substantial growth as a new-age sport. The sector’s journey to mainstream recognition reached new heights with its inclusion as an official medal sport in the Asian Games 2022 and its potential entry into the Olympics.

    With finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman set to present the interim Budget for fiscal 2024-25 in the Lok Sabha on 1 February, the Esports community is optimistic about the prospects of government support.

    Esports Federation of India director & Asian Esports Federation (AESF) VP Lokesh Suji noted, “We hope to see a dedicated allocation of funds for the Esports sector, alongside incentives for Indian video game development studios. This will not only encourage innovation but also enable homegrown titles to prosper within the community. To ensure the long-term success of our Esports athletes and attract more aspiring players to pursue careers in Esports, we also hope for tax relief for athletes on winnings from Esports tournaments. ESFI will remain committed to working closely with the government to further elevate the status of Esports in the country.”

    According to the “Leveling up: State of India Gaming FY’23” report by Lumikai in collaboration with Google, the Indian gaming industry clocked $3.1 Bn in FY23 and is set to hit $7.5 Bn by FY28.

    “The Esports industry is growing at an impressive percentage and is only forecasted to grow. We hope for fair support and conducive policies from the government in the upcoming budget to further foster this growth,” said 8Bit Creatives founder & CEO and S8UL co-founder Animesh Agarwal.

    Recognizing the industry’s potential, states like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Kerala are actively engaging with Esports by organizing tournaments, establishing Esports academies, and partnering with the sector’s organizations or publishers.

    Highlighting how the involvement of state governments can be leveraged to enable the development of the video gaming community, Gods Reign CEO K R Rohith commented, “We hope for the government’s consideration and support in encouraging educational programs by adding Esports into Educational Curriculums and skill development initiatives focused on gaming and Esports. This would contribute significantly to nurturing talent within the sector, aligning with the national agenda of promoting digital skills. In addition, we earnestly suggest the allocation of funds to each state government for the organization and promotion of State Esports Championships. This collaborative effort with prominent esports organisations at the state level, starting from the school level to the national level, will undoubtedly contribute to the organic growth of esports across the nation.”

    Furthermore, there is also a call to reduce the GST on esports activities from 28 per cent to 18 per cent and introduction of regulations.

    “From budget 2024, one of the major steps I look forward to is more ‘Esports’ based activities moving to 18 per cent slab (from 28 per cent slab). Apart from this, I’m also looking forward to the government encouraging more state governments to assign budgets for the growth and promotion of Esports (similar to Bihar). Lastly, more regulations in terms of in-game and tournament winnings are expected to come in,” emphasised  Alpha Zegus founder & director Rohit Agarwal.

    With all eyes on the upcoming budget, the esports community is hopeful that government support will pave the way for a sustainable and thriving esports ecosystem in India.

  • Gods Reign signs BGIS and BGMS Champions for BGMI 2024 domination

    Gods Reign signs BGIS and BGMS Champions for BGMI 2024 domination

    Mumbai: Gods Reign, an Esports organization based in Bangalore, has signed the nation’s leading BGMI team as its official roster on a three-year contractual agreement. With a wealth of talent, success, and expertise under their belt, the team is all set to take over the country’s BGMI landscape this year.

    Led by their in-game leader (IGL) Ammar Khan (Destro), the star-studded roster comprises notable entry fraggers Justin Nadar (Justin), and Parth Garg (DeltaPG), alongside prominent support/assaulter Pavan Kumar (Shogun). Furthermore, Gods Reign has also appointed Vedang Chavan (Vedzz) as the team coach and Dharmdipsinh Zala (Code), as the team’s Analyst.

    Vedang, who brings vast experience from representing India in the PUBG PC Acer Predator League in Tokyo, Japan, and Dharmdipsinh, the team’s Analyst, credited for instrumental contributions in 2023, will together provide strategic guidance to help the team formulate effective strategies and analyze numerous data to enhance the team’s prowess.

    Speaking on the thought process behind onboarding the roster and their vision for the year, Gods Reign K.R. Rohith, CEO K.R. Rohith stated, “At Gods Reign, our commitment to excellence is evident. Acquiring the nation’s top BGMI team reinforces our dedication to building a formidable organization for success in 2024. With a proven track record in Star Sports-televised events and official tournaments, this team embodies exceptional skill and a relentless drive for victory. Gods Reign is confident that this well-balanced lineup is poised to achieve new heights in the competitive BGMI circuit in 2024. As we set our sights on upcoming tournaments, we aim to showcase the indomitable spirit that defines Gods Reign as an Esports powerhouse.”

    In 2023, the team secured a total of approximately USD 2.80 lakhs (INR 2.5 crores) in prize money by showcasing their dominance and prevailing in tournaments. This included emerging victorious in official tournaments such as BGMI Master Series Season 2 (BGMS), which was televised on Star Sports, Battlegrounds Mobile India Series 2023 (BGIS), and third-party tournaments, including Nodwin BGMI Champions Cup: Champions and the country’s largest online third-party BGMI tournament India Today League Invitationals.

    They almost completed an unprecedented hattrick of official tournament triumphs but unfortunately fell short, finishing as runners-up at the Battlegrounds Mobile Pro Series 2023 (BMPS). Beyond leading their team to victory, the individual brilliance of the team’s stars has consistently shone through, with Justin earning the Most Valuable Player (MVP) title in BGMS Season 2, and DeltaPG securing the MVP title in the BGIS 2023, as well as the India Today League Invitationals.

    “I am honoured to join Gods Reign, an epitome of Esports excellence. My track record reflects a commitment to success, aligning seamlessly with the organization’s dedication to excellence. With immense pride and confidence, I take on the responsibility of representing the prestigious name of Gods Reign. In unity, I’m convinced we will transcend boundaries, achieving unparalleled success and adding to the ongoing legacy of greatness,” stated BGMI Esports Athlete at Gods Reign Ammar “Destro” Khan.

    To fulfil its commitment to providing its players with an unparalleled support structure, Gods Reign will be providing its brand new BGMI roster with its cutting-edge BootCamp facilities that offer an optimal environment for practice, skill refinement, and strategic planning. Complementing these facilities is top-tier coaching, ensuring that players receive expert guidance and mentorship to elevate their individual and collective performances.

    By creating an environment conducive to both physical and mental well-being, the team is focused on a holistic approach to player development and aims to bring out the best of their squad to replicate their extraordinary performances in the upcoming year.