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Tag: Riyadh

  • 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.

  • Nat geo’s ‘postcards from Saudi Arabia’ paints a new picture of travel

    Nat geo’s ‘postcards from Saudi Arabia’ paints a new picture of travel

    MUMBAI: Talk about a trip worth writing home about. National Geographic is sending viewers on an unforgettable journey with its new four-part travel series Postcards from Saudi Arabia, streaming on Jiohotstar and airing on Nat geo channel from 6 September.

    Hosted by actor and presenter Ridhi Dogra, the series peels back the curtain on Saudi Arabia’s hidden gems, from ancient wonders to modern marvels. The show takes viewers across three Unesco world heritage sites such as Jeddah’s Al-Balad, Riyadh’s At-Turaif and Diriyah, and AlUla’s awe-inspiring Hegra.

    In Aiuia, audiences encounter iconic landmarks such as Elephant Rock and Old Town, where local crafts, music and desert luxury blend seamlessly. Jeddah offers a different rhythm with souks, vibrant street art, and sunsets over the Red Sea, while Riyadh balances tradition and innovation, showcasing bustling markets, art galleries and a city on the rise.

    For Dogra, the series carried a personal resonance. “As a woman travelling through the location, I felt an unexpected sense of freedom, warmth, and welcome,” she shared. “I hope viewers, especially women, see this as an invitation to explore freely.”

     

  • Saudi Media Forum returns to Riyadh

    Saudi Media Forum returns to Riyadh

    MUMBAI: The fourth Saudi Media Forum (SMF25) is set to commence on 19 February at the Hilton Riyadh, bringing together prominent figures from the international media landscape for a three-day conference.

    The event will feature notable speakers including Starz Executive Vice President Karen Bailey, Gersh Agency partner Roy Ashton, and Wonderhouse Studios CEO David Abraham. Former British prime minister Boris Johnson will attend as a special guest alongside other industry executives such as FIPP CEO Alastair Lewis and SeriesFest founder Randi Kleiner.

    Running concurrent with The Future of Media Exhibition (FOMEX), the forum will showcase emerging technologies in artificial intelligence, digital content creation, and Esports. The programme includes business matchmaking sessions, innovation showcases, and investor roundtables aimed at fostering growth in Saudi Arabia’s media sector.

    The event aligns with Saudi Vision 2030, the kingdom’s economic diversification strategy, as it seeks to establish itself as a global media hub. Organisers have emphasised the forum’s role in facilitating strategic partnerships and developing local media talent.

    SMF25, which has become the largest specialised media event in Saudi Arabia, will conclude on 21 February. The forum aims to highlight investment opportunities in the region’s expanding media and entertainment industry.