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Tag: Valorant

  • Gamingcon Bharat 2025 set to level up India’s gaming scene

    Gamingcon Bharat 2025 set to level up India’s gaming scene

    MUMBAI: India’s gaming revolution is about to hit a new high score. The Indian Game Publishers and Developers Association (IGPDA) has announced Gamingcon Bharat 2025, taking place at the NESCO Bombay exhibition centre on 29–30 November. Billed as India’s largest gaming festival and industry conference, the event promises to unite gamers, developers, publishers, investors, and policymakers under one roof.

    With over 10,000 attendees expected, Gamingcon Bharat will feature epic esports showdowns including FAU-G: Domination, Indus Battle Royale, BGMI, and Valorant, alongside the Indieverse Showcase highlighting Made-in-India IPs such as Mukti, Age of Bhaarat, and Ludo King. Fans can also catch the Cosplay Grand Finale, explore 100 plus tech and gaming brands in the Expo zone, and enjoy eight action-packed fan zones and stages.

    For creators and industry leaders, the IGPDA India Gaming Conference will run alongside, offering insights on AI, cloud gaming, global IPs, and policy frameworks. Senior government officials and policymakers will engage directly with the gaming ecosystem.

    Nazara Technologies CEO Nitesh Mittersain said, “For the first time, India has a platform of this magnitude to showcase its own IPs to the world. Gamingcon Bharat is the launchpad for India’s next gaming success stories.”

    Tara Gaming co-founder and best-selling author Amish Tripathi added, “Video gaming is the biggest creative industry, and it’s about time India had a rallying point for gamers and the industry to call its own. Gamingcon Bharat 2025 is that rallying point.”

    Gametion CEO Vikash Jaiswal summed it up, “For culturally-rich Indian games to succeed globally, they first need to succeed at home. Gamingcon Bharat 2025 is the home for Indian gaming. The world has Gamescom, we have Gamingcon.”

    From indie developers to global investors, Gamingcon Bharat 2025 aims to level up India’s gaming industry, creating a home-grown stage where local talent can shine globally.
     

  • One last split to rule them all as Valorant Split 3 kicks off today

    One last split to rule them all as Valorant Split 3 kicks off today

    MUMBAI: The battle lines are drawn, and the bullets are digital but the stakes? Very real. South Asia’s most prestigious Valorant showdown OMEN VCSA 2025 Split 3 blasts off today, 27 June, in what promises to be the most high-pressure sprint of the season. With Rs 53 lakh up for grabs and only four golden tickets available to the VCT Ascension Pacific Qualifiers, the eight teams in the fray aren’t just aiming to win, they’re fighting to represent the region on the global stage.

    Running online until 3 July, the final split in this year’s three-part saga will determine which top four teams move to the Ascension Qualifiers (online: 7–8 July, LAN in Gurugram: 12–13 July), where just one squad will earn the honour of donning South Asia’s colours at the VCT Ascension Pacific 2025.

    Who’s in the arena?

    Revenant X Spark (155 points), Velocity Gaming (130), and Reckoning Esports (120) currently top the Challenger Points leaderboard. They return alongside S8ul, Dot Exe Esports, and GE Academy from earlier splits. New challengers XO Ind and Asterisk enter through the Promotion and Relegation bracket, and every match now could shift the leaderboard entirely.

    Velocity Gaming stole Split 1 in a stunning undefeated run. Revenant X Spark bounced back with a LAN-finale victory in Split 2, defeating Reckoning Esports, whose player Kirill ‘moner’ Matsanov bagged the MVP title with a jaw-dropping 258 kills and a flurry of clutch plays.

    This final split isn’t just about glory, it’s about survival. With a cumulative prize pool of Rs 1.13 crore, VCSA 2025 introduced a points-based system to reward consistency across all three splits. Now, with Challenger Points accumulated so far, Split 3 becomes the final checkpoint before Ascension.

    The winner of the upcoming Ascension Qualifiers won’t just hoist a trophy, they’ll enter the VCT Ascension Pacific tournament, facing off against elite teams from across the Asia-Pacific region. The dream? Securing a slot in next year’s prestigious VCT International League.

    “Split 3 is where pressure peaks,” said Nodwin Gaming co-founder and managing director Akshat Rathee. “This is South Asia’s final shot at international glory and fans can expect the fiercest Valorant action yet.”

    Riot Games’ South Asia Esports Lead Sukamal Pegu echoed the sentiment: “Every match is make-or-break. It’s a chance to witness the best of our regional talent rise.”

    Tournament Timeline:

     . Split 3 (Online): 27 June  – 3 July

     .  Ascension Qualifiers (Online): 7 – 8 July

     .  Ascension Qualifiers (LAN – Gurugram): 12 – 13 July

     . Watch Live: Nodwin Gaming YouTube (Hindi & English), Facebook (Hindi)

    With the battlefield heating up and a shot at global domination on the line, Split 3 isn’t just the final leg, it’s the ultimate proving ground. Ready. Aim. Ascend.
     

  • KGeN launches India’s first VALORANT virtual training academy ‘LIFT//OFF’

    KGeN launches India’s first VALORANT virtual training academy ‘LIFT//OFF’

    Mumbai: KGeN, a community-led gaming platform, partners with Riot Games to launch LIFT//OFF, India’s first-ever community-led and data-driven online training academy aimed at developing professional VALORANT athletes. LIFT//OFF provides aspiring gamers the opportunity to enhance their skills and showcase their abilities on a global stage.  

    This innovative program selects top gaming content creators as ‘creators’ and competitive gamers as ‘trainers’ from the VALORANT community to lead the academy. Creators will form teams by selecting players from their communities, with a total of 60-80 participants to be trained by 20 chosen trainers.

    The selection process will be based on a player’s in-game VALORANT performance, considering factors such as hours played, win rates, kills, headshot percentage, and KDR. Additionally, social standing, including tournament wins and content creation, will play a role in determining the first set of trainers, creators, and esports recruits for LIFT//OFF.

    Through LIFT//OFF, participants will connect with the global esports community. Top-performing teams will gain the opportunity to participate in official VALORANT tournaments. Additionally, creators and trainers will receive official VALORANT merchandise, recognising their pivotal role in shaping the program and advancing India’s esports scene.

    LIFT//OFF goes beyond improving in-game skills—it nurtures the next generation of esports stars. The program offers guidance not only in gameplay strategies but also in fostering a strong social persona, ensuring participants become well-rounded esports professionals. By analysing data-driven insights, the academy will tailor tutorials and challenges to address specific areas of improvement for each recruit.

    LIFT//OFF Roadmap:  

    – Launch (18 September) – Applications for creators, trainers, and recruits go live.  

    – Last Date to Apply (10 October) – Deadline for applications.  

    – Weekly & Daily Challenges Leaderboard (4 – 26 November) – Players participate in in-game challenges and win rewards.  

    – Finale (30 November – 3 December) – Final tournament assesses recruits’ learnings and trainers’ effectiveness.

    To apply, visit https://youtu.be/5QPYdxKlCeA?si=fKVdKoZbV32Rusjl and choose the role that suits you best. KGeN will guide applicants through the next steps.

  • Revenant Esports signs skillz and tricky for the VALORANT team

    Revenant Esports signs skillz and tricky for the VALORANT team

    Mumbai: Revenant Esports, the esports organisation, further announced two signings to its VALORANT roster ahead of the 2024 esports season. The organization has secured the signings of seasoned player Jayanth “skillZ” Ramesh and emerging star Prish “Tricky” Valvani, strategically bolstering its already formidable lineup.

    Skillz is among the most experienced players Indian VALORANT has to offer. His rise to fame came with Global Esports as he formed the core team for the organization prior to their rise to the VALORANT Partnership Program in the VCT Pacific. Following a brief sabbatical in 2023, Skillz made a resounding comeback in December 2022 at the VALORANT Convergence 2023 in Bangalore, securing an impressive third to fourth-place finish.

    Expressing his excitement about competing at the top of VALORANT esports once again, Skillz said, “It feels really exciting because it’s been a long time since I’ve played and with different teammates as well, so I can’t wait for the journey. My expectations are simple, like always, to win it all. Currently, with our two international imports, we are prioritizing effective communication and synergy in the team so we know we have our backs inside the game. Communication is not saying what’s on your mind, it’s also about ensuring others hear what we mean.”

    Tricky, on the other hand, is a rising young blood in VALORANT esports. He played a crucial role in the VALORANT Challengers 2023 Open Qualifier, ensuring Medal Esports made it to the Main Event. Now, the player has signed on with Revenant Esports and will have a chance to showcase his prowess amongst a very talented and experienced team. The signing comes as a no-brainer for Revenant Esports, an organization that believes in identifying young stars and helping them reach their full potential.

    Commenting on joining Revenant Esports, Tricky said, “I am beyond excited to be competing at the top of VALORANT esports with Revenant Esports. It’s been a long and painful journey to get here and I am only looking to improve from here with my talented teammates. With no pain, there is no growth. With no growth , there is no purpose.”

    The announcement of Skillz and Tricky follows Revenant Esports’ earlier revelation of signing Paradox, complemented by two international imports, Severine and Dos9. The Revenant Esports VALORANT team is gearing up for action at the upcoming VALORANT Challengers South Asia, scheduled to kick off next month. 

  • Acer brings esports,Filipino entertainment at Asia Pacific Predator League 2024

    Acer brings esports,Filipino entertainment at Asia Pacific Predator League 2024

    Mumbai: The Asia Pacific Predator League 2024 came to a close on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena, Philippines with the crowning of new DOTA 2 and VALORANT esports champions and electrifying performances from some of the Philippines’s most talented artists. This year’s edition of the Asia Pacific Predator League was a major success with sold-out arenas and online spectators tuned in via the Predator social media channels during the two-day event. From the 26 teams competing for top honours in the Dota 2 and VALORANT, Blacklist Rivalry and Team Secret emerged victorious and lifted the prestigious Predator Shield in their respective categories.

    Acer pan Asia Pacific operations Andrew Hou said, “The success of the Asia Pacific Predator League 2024 is indicative of the strength of the region’s growing esports community and the Predator brand devices’ ability to support intense gaming sessions when playing the most popular titles, I would like to extend my congratulations to the tournament winners and my heartfelt appreciation to all the players, fans, and staff who make this yearly event possible.”

    Dota 2 Highlights

    Blacklist Rivalry prevailed over fellow Filipino team execration in the Dota 2 grand finals. Abed “Abed” Yusop was in incredible form, averaging 8.5 kills and 14 assists in the series to spearhead the offense of his team. They were successful in shutting down Execration’s star Mark “Bob” Urbino, resulting in a heartbreaking defeat for team Execration and another second-place finish in the Predator League grand finals for two consecutive years.

    As this year’s DOTA 2 Champions, Blacklist Rivalry will be going home with a cash prize of Rs 65,000, while Execration will receive $20,000. Third and fourth finishers in China’s Team Aster and IHC Esports from Mongolia will also receive Rs 7,500 each for their impressive showing.

    VALORANT Highlights

    Team Secret came into the Asia Pacific Predator League 2024 as the favourites and exceeded all expectations. They were in full control of the Japanese side FAV gaming during the final, with Adrian “invy” Reyes continuing to be the brightest spot for the team. Team Secret, also known as the “The Adobo Gang” among its fans, has won its first LAN trophy and Predator shield since the inception of its VALORANT team.

    Team Secret goes home with the Rs 65,000 prize pool, while FAV Gaming wins Rs 20,000 for their performance. Third and fourth placers BOOM Esports from Indonesia and Team Flash from Vietnam also receive Rs 7,500 each.

    Intel MVP Award

    Merits were given to exceptional players who stood out amongst the competition during the Asia Pacific Predator League 2024. For Dota 2, it was awarded to carry player Polo “Raven” Fausto while in VALORANT it was awarded to duelist player Jeremy “Jremy” Cabrera. Both players take home an extra Rs 10,000 prizes as well as the Intel MVP Award Trophy for their individual performances.

    Beyond the live esports action, the audience was also treated to world-class entertainment composed of the Philippines’ brightest stars, including Acer ambassadors SB19 and Sarah Geronimo. There were also meet-and-greet sessions with Predator ambassadors Cong TV and the Team Payaman boys, burg, KuyaNic, Chibiby, Maggiekarp, amaratv, Een Mercado, Kang Dupet, and cosplayer Alodia Gosiengfiao.

    Felip and Ylona Garcia were the opening acts for Day 1, exciting the crowd with their exhilarating performance. This was followed by numbers from Urbandub and Al James, and with a special appearance by TV personality Donny Pangilinan. Day 2 was just as impressive with amazing performances from Josh Cullen, Sandwich, Spongecola, Pablo, and KZ Tandingan, who sang the Predator anthem, “It Lies Within.”

    Asia Pacific Predator League 2025 Host Announced –

    The next Asia Pacific Predator League will be held in Malaysia, with the qualifiers starting in late 2024 and the grand finals to be held in early 2025.

    For more information and updates about the Predator League, visit the official website www.predator-league.com.

  • Riot Games successfully concludes Convergence 2023

    Riot Games successfully concludes Convergence 2023

    Mumbai: Riot Games today announced the successful conclusion of Lenovo and Intel-sponsored Convergence, its first-ever international VALORANT esports tournament held in India in partnership with The Esports Club. Hosted at the Manpho Convention Centre in Bangalore, Convergence showcased the pinnacle of competitive VALORANT gameplay, celebrating skill, strategy, and sportsmanship. The tournament, which spanned over four days, saw over 10,000 attendees visit on-ground to support six of the finest VALORANT teams from across the globe.

    The championship match, held in front of an enthusiastic live audience and streamed to millions of viewers globally, showcased intense showdowns and breathtaking plays. After a nail-biting finale match, FUT Esports emerged triumphant, solidifying their place in history as the first ever champions of Convergence. Their exemplary teamwork, precision, and unwavering determination set a new standard for excellence in VALORANT esports.

    Convergence successfully met all of Riot Games’ set objectives concerning viewership, production quality, competitive standards, and fan engagement, including achieving the remarkable feat of organically trending as the #1 topic on Twitter in India for two consecutive days. The event also featured various engaging activities for attendees, including fan meet-and-greets, exclusive merchandise stalls, and community-driven initiatives, creating a memorable experience for gaming enthusiasts.

    “We are thankful to the players, teams, sponsors, partners, and especially our Indian fans for making Convergence 2023 an unparalleled success,” said Riot Games esports lead, India and South Asia Sukamal Pegu. “The passion displayed by our fans is our driving force and serves as a constant source of inspiration. Congratulations to FUT Esports for their exceptional performance and to all participating teams for their dedication and sportsmanship. Convergence will be back with a bigger and more exciting edition in 2024.”

    Riot Games country manager, India and South Asia Arun Rajappa said, “Convergence was the perfect finale to a year of exciting initiatives in India and South Asia, from celebrating VALORANT’s anniversary with fans at gaming cafes, to cheering on teams at the VCSA, to giving back to the community at Harbor’s anniversary event. We were also thrilled to bring amazing influencers together at Radiant Retreat. It’s been a fantastic journey, and we can’t wait to bring even more games and experiences to our players in the region in 2024.”

    Riot Games has been actively engaged in fostering community engagement through multiple initiatives over the past year. Earlier this year, Riot Games celebrated the one-year anniversary of VALORANT’s first-ever Indian agent Harbor by conducting a beach clean-up with the Indian gaming community, and also commemorated the third anniversary of VALORANT in India with BHARAT VALORANT celebrations.

  • Riot Games’ ‘Convergence’: Trailblazing teams in India’s first VALORANT International e-sports tournament

    Riot Games’ ‘Convergence’: Trailblazing teams in India’s first VALORANT International e-sports tournament

    Mumbai: Riot Games’ Convergence, its first ever international VALORANT esports tournament in India in partnership with The Esports Club, and Lenovo as the title sponsor, is all set to kick off, with the top VALORANT teams from across multiple regions taking the field to compete for the prestigious title. Held from 14 to 17 December 2023 at the Manpho Convention Center in Bangalore, Convergence will be Riot’s first international VALORANT e-sports event on the Indian circuit, showcasing its commitment to the growing gaming culture in the country.

    For Indian gamers, the tournament marks an exciting opportunity to see some of the top VALORANT teams from around the world play each other live – including two Indian contenders, Global Esports and True Rippers Esports to cheer for. With the other contenders representing Asia, Europe, and the Americas from Riot’s VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT), the event is sure to be the pinnacle of professional VALORANT esports and boost the Indian VALORANT circuit. Here is a quick look at the teams competing later this month:

    Global Esports

    Mumbai headquartered Global Esports are one of the teams to watch this tournament. Known for their strategic site executions, the team will have plenty of fans to cheer for them in Bangalore, particularly for             local boy Abhirup Paul ‘Lightningfast’ Choudhury. Together, they will be looking to convert their homeground advantage into a strong performance at Convergence.

    FUT Esports

    Representing Turkey, FUT brings a unique flair to the competition with their unpredictable playstyle and knack for surprise tactics. With the potential to take games off any team, they will be strong title contenders and a dark horse coming to challenge the established order.

    Furia

    Representing Brazil, one of the most competitive FPS gaming regions in the world, Furia’s precise and aggressive gameplay has been forged in the fires of the competitive South American region, and has made them a force to be reckoned with. They will be looking to bring their A-game to the Convergence battleground as they go toe to toe with the best in the world.

    Team Vitality

    Hailing from Europe, Vitality’s strategic plays have been their standout feature and carried them to 5-6th Place at the EMEA League of the 2023 Valorant Champions Tour. Convergence will be a new proving ground for the squad, who will be looking forward to clinching the title at the tournament.

    Gen.G Esports

    Gen.G is a powerhouse North American / Korean organization, this year fielding a talented all-Korean squad with a reputation for explosive plays and clutch moments. With a roster stacked with top-tier talent, they are determined to establish themselves as the dominant force in the global VALORANT scene.

    True Rippers Esports

    Fighting their way up to the tournament from the Indian qualifiers, Bangalore based True Rippers Esports have already begun their journey in the tournament with a bang, and will look to continue their winning ways by taking games off the established top teams at the event. Performing in front of a home crowd, the underdogs may be new to the scene but definitely not ones to be counted out.

    As the tournament kicks off, Indian fans can look forward to seeing a stellar showcase of VALORANT performances and global talent going up against Indian esports athletes. Convergence is set to be India’s biggest VALORANT event, and a delight for fans both in India and around the world.

  • Riot Games announces India Closed Qualifiers for ‘Convergence’

    Riot Games announces India Closed Qualifiers for ‘Convergence’

    Mumbai: ‘Convergence’ by Riot Games in partnership with The Esports Club, is all set to showcase India’s esports prowess as the company today announced its plans to host an India Closed Qualifiers into the upcoming tournament. Joining forces with Lenovo as the Title Sponsor for its first ever international VALORANT esports tournament in India, Riot Games is committed to promoting local teams in the tournament scheduled between 14 to 17 December, 2023 at the Manpho Convention Center in Bangalore.

    The India Closed Qualifiers will witness Indian VALORANT teams earn a chance to compete with some of the best professional VALORANT teams from Riot’s International Leagues from across the Pacific, EMEA and Americas. Scheduled to begin on 30 November, the closed qualifiers will invite the top six professional VALORANT teams from India to battle it out and secure a spot in the main tournament. The six teams will follow a Double Elimination format to select the home team that will join the Convergence main event. The upper bracket and lower bracket finals, as well as a grand finale of the qualifiers will be streamed on The Esports Club’s YouTube Channel, starting from 29 November. All teams have secured their invitation to the qualifiers based on their performance in the Indian domestic season in 2023.

    Riot Games esports lead India & South Asia Sukamal Pegu said, “We are super excited to announce that the India Closed Qualifiers gives top local teams a great platform to showcase skills and play against some of the best professional VALORANT teams in the world. The goal behind Convergence is to grow esports talent in India and the qualifiers are a testament to the hyperlocal opportunities we are creating for our VALORANT community in the region.”

    “Lenovo India has been championing esports as a dedicated way to reach out to gaming audiences, and with VALORANT being a popular title that’s well enjoyed across India we have been engaging with the title during various online and offline events. With our portfolio of great gaming products on Legion and LOQ, we feel it’s a great way for Lenovo to be seen and experienced by relevant younger TG who we believe will be glad that we are able to bring a great esports event to India” said Lenovo India director – marketing Chandrika Jain.

    The main Convergence event starting from 14 December will be broadcast live in English on Riot’s Pacific Channels and in Hindi on Riot’s South Asia channels. The Esports Club will also carry the broadcasts on their channels.

    Bolstering the gaming culture in India, Riot Games has been actively involved in fostering community engagement and enhancing the player experience with multiple initiatives over the past year. Recently, Riot Games celebrated the one-year anniversary of VALORANT’s first ever Indian agent Harbor by conducting a beach clean-up with the Indian gaming community, and also commemorated the third anniversary of VALORANT in India with BHARAT VALORANT celebrations.

    The gaming community can witness the live action of the upcoming Convergence tournament through free and paid ticket options. Stay tuned for further details on ticketing set to be revealed in the coming weeks. 

  • Riot Games to host ‘Convergence’

    Riot Games to host ‘Convergence’

    Mumbai: Riot Games has announced plans to host Convergence, its first ever international VALORANT esports tournament in India in partnership with The Esports Club (https://theesports.club/). The tournament is scheduled to take place between 14 to 17 December, 2023 at the Manpho Convention Center in Bangalore.

    Convergence represents Riot’s first international VALORANT esports event in India, showcasing its commitment to the growing gaming culture in the country. The tournament will bring together some of the top VALORANT teams from around the world, such as Global Esports, FUT, Furia, Vitality, and GenG, to compete on the same stage in India. The aforementioned teams play in Riot’s VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT) in Asia, Europe and Americas, representing the pinnacle of professional VALORANT esports. They are set to compete against each other in the main event, commencing on 14 December.

    “Convergence is us at Riot saying thanks to our amazing fans in India, who have supported us since the launch of VALORANT in 2020. We have also since grown the India team to deliver such hyperlocal experiences to our players here. With Convergence, Indian fans will finally get to see some of their favorite VALORANT athletes perform in person and also interact with them off-stage. It will be a perfect ending to the 2023 VCT season and we are just getting started here in India for such international events.” said Riot Games esports lead India & South Asia Sukamal Pegu.

    “We are excited to partner with Riot Games to introduce their first ever international VALORANT tournament to the gaming community in India. This event will not only enhance the esports experiences in the country but also elevate India’s presence on the global gaming stage,” said The Esports Club founder & managing director Vamsi Krishna.

  • Riot Games celebrates one-year anniversary of Indian VALORANT Agent Harbor

    Riot Games celebrates one-year anniversary of Indian VALORANT Agent Harbor

    Mumbai: Riot Games celebrated the one-year anniversary of VALORANT’s first ever Indian agent, Harbor by conducting a beach clean-up at Mahim beach in Mumbai on the 26 of October 2023. The event was organised in partnership with Global Esports, and saw the VALORANT community including players as well as popular influencers such as Binks, Pinkcess, CaspeR, SkRossi, Jimmy, Harsh, and others, come together for the initiative.

    Hailing from India’s coast, Harbor storms the field wielding ancient technology with dominion over water. The beach clean-up drive was a tribute to Harbor’s water-themed abilities, as well as a means to promote awareness of the significance of maintaining clean beaches. It also served as a gesture of gratitude to the Indian gaming community, which has shown immense love and support for the VALORANT agent over the past year.

    Riot Games country manager, India & South Asia, Arun Rajappa said, “We are grateful to the vibrant Indian gaming community, and believe that the success of Harbor is a testament to their unwavering support. The inclusion of an Indian agent not only highlights the significance of the thriving gaming community within the country but also underscores India’s rising influence in the global gaming arena. We are committed to delivering even more innovative and inclusive gaming experiences for our audience here, while also giving back to the community that has embraced our efforts wholeheartedly.”

    Riot Games has been actively engaged in fostering community engagement and enhancing the player experience with multiple initiatives. Earlier this year, Riot Games unveiled eye-catching mural art and billboards to celebrate the successful launch of Agent Harbor with the Indian gaming community, and also commemorated the third anniversary of VALORANT in India with BHARAT VALORANT celebrations.