FIFA and Konami join forces to include eFootball at FIFAe World Cup – A golden opportunity for Indian esports

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In another major development to delight India’s growing poker community, Natural8 India is gearing to follow up on the stellar success of its ATP Taipei Exclusive by hosting another Asian Poker Tour (APT) Exclusive tournament. Set to take place on October 20, the multi-table tournament will bring professional and amateur poker players from across the country to compete for a chance to appear at APT Phu Quoc – all for a buy-in of just INR 5,500!

‘Natural8 India @ APT Phu Quoc Exclusive’ will give the top 9 players – the most to ever be taken from India to compete in an APT tournament – a chance to win an all-expense paid trip to compete with Asia’s best and brightest. Apart from travel and accommodation (worth up to INR 85,000 per head) on the beautiful island off the coast of Vietnam, Natural8 India will offer Main Event Tickets worth INR 1,23,905 each to the top four and Mini Main Event Tickets worth INR 41,301 each to the other five winners. The champion will also take home the prestigious APT Lions Trophy, along with the accumulated prize pool!

Speaking on the announcement, Kunal Patni, Executive Director and Country Head, Natural8 India, said, “We are thrilled to bring another exclusive tournament to India’s vibrant poker community through our partnership with the Asian Poker Tour. The ‘Natural8 India @ APT Phu Quoc Exclusive’ offers a unique platform for players – whether seasoned pros or passionate amateurs – to showcase their skills and compete for a shot at international recognition. By making this experience accessible with a buy-in of just INR 5,500 and offering incredible rewards, we hope to inspire more players to take their game to the next level. It’s an exciting time for poker in India, and we’re proud to be at the forefront of that growth.”

With additional giveaways worth up to INR 15 lakh on offer, and the chance to take on the sharpest poker players in Asia in an exotic locale, ‘Natural8 India @ APT Phu Quoc Exclusive’ is the place to catch the wheeling and dealing and excitement that only high-stakes poker can bring! So whether you’re a poker enthusiast keen on testing your skills or a hobbyist who enjoys the battle of wits and nerve, what are you waiting for, log onto the Natural8 India website for more details right away!

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A diverse array of city-based influencers from across the country, in conjunction with an established roster of creators, has been driving exceptional engagement and transforming the grassroots esports and gaming scene at the College Rivals Season 2.

The Ampverse DMI owned, largest collegiate gaming talent hunt, College Rivals Season 2  has covered 5417 kilometres with its one of a kind cool gaming truck, visiting more than 11 cities. It has surpassed a record-breaking 100,000 plus registrations, engaging with students in both online and offline format, exceeding the total engagement numbers compared to the first edition in just over three months of the tournament.

Ashwin Haryani, Country Head of Ampverse DMI, India, highlighted the broader vision behind this collaboration: “Our partnership is built on the belief that nurturing esports and gaming talent requires more than just competition—it demands inclusivity, mentorship, and localized engagement. By bringing together creators across different tiers and regions, we’re not just amplifying visibility for emerging talent; we’re creating a sustainable pathway for them to transition from amateur to pro. College Rivals is evolving into a platform where every creator, regardless of their background or following, can find opportunities to grow, learn, interact and thrive in the esports and gaming ecosystem.”

Season 2 features prominent and popular creators like Payal Gaming and Ankkita C, two of India’s top female gamers; Snax, known for his informative gaming content with over a million YouTube subscribers; and popular names like Joker ki Haveli and Regaltos. Also, joining the lineup are Antaryami Gaming, AlphaClasher, Brightfox, Willy Gaming, SardarjiYT, Vadhiyaar, and Mazy, making it an exciting season for gaming enthusiasts.

“By collaborating with local influencers and deep diving into diverse audiences to create a more relatable gaming experience. This strategy not only enhances community interaction but also brings unique regional flavours to the game, making it more appealing to players from different backgrounds. It’s a smart move to leverage local voices and personalities, driving excitement and participation in the competition, said India’s top women gamer, Payal Gaming.

As per industry reports, nearly 55 million urban Indians actively engage with nano-influencers. This dynamic blend is revolutionizing the way to connect and energize the gaming community.

The College Rival Season 2 is being staged across 22 Indian cities, including Jaipur, Lucknow, Patna, Assam, Vizag, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Mangalore, Kochi, Goa, and Mumbai being part of it.

Adding to the excitement, the winners from the first two rounds of qualifiers for all three games, Valorant, BGMI and EA FC 24 have also been revealed. They will move on to the next stage, aiming for a spot in the Grand Finale scheduled for February 2025, wherein the winners will win a prize pool of up to INR 50 lakh and the chance to join a top gaming organization to compete professionally.

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Gujarat Titans becomes the first IPL team to step into the world of E-sports with “Battlegrounds Mobile India-Titans Rising”, an electrifying BGMI tournament with a massive ₹22 Lakh prize pool. The tournament guarantees intense matches and nail-biting finishes as top-tier professional teams clash with rising stars who advance through the open qualifier process to lock horns in the Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) tournament.

The tournament starting from October 10th will be sure to provide riveting entertainment for E-sports enthusiasts. E-sports’ inclusion in the Olympics and Asian Games has been a game-changer. This recognition has legitimized E-sports as a globally recognized competitive sport, attracting mainstream media, sponsorships, and investment, ultimately fuelling rapid professionalization and expanding its global fan-base.

The “Battlegrounds Mobile India-Titans Rising”, tournament features multiple elimination phases leading to a Grand Finale. The thrilling competitive journey kicks off with five offline open qualifiers in Phase 1 from the 10th to the 15th of October. These qualifiers are open to all to provide a platform for aspiring BGMI teams to showcase their skills. Moreover, 2,048 teams consisting of over 10,000+ gamers have already registered for the tournament and are buckling up to jump into the battlegrounds.

From these qualifiers, 32 teams will advance to the pre-quarters phase where they will battle alongside 32 invited teams with established and top-ranked players, creating a fiercely competitive pool of 48 teams. Phase 2 intensifies the battle with Quarter-Finals, Semi-Finals, and ultimately culminates in a Grand Finale where the top 16 teams fight to become the Ultimate Champion.

Col. Arvinder Singh, COO of Gujarat Titans, remarked, “With the IOC set to hold the Olympic E-sports in 2025 and the Asian Games featuring E-sports as a medal event since 2022, it has gained widespread international recognition. With ‘Titans Rising,’ our goal is to engage fans and broaden our brand presence. This tournament will create opportunities for aspiring players to compete with professionals, while also allowing our fans to tap into their competitive spirit in BGMI. This initiative enables us to connect with our fan base in innovative ways and highlights exceptional talent in the E-sports arena.”

The behemoths of the E-sports world namely Revenant E-sports, Team IQOO SouL, Team Orangutan, Carnival Gaming, and many more will join the fray to win it all. Marquee gamers like Sc0utOp, Omega, Goblin, and many others will be competing against each other in this all-star tournament,

All matches, starting from Pre-Quarters, i.e. from 16th October, will be streamed on the GT YouTube channel, ensuring maximum exposure and excitement for both participants and viewers. Don’t miss a moment of the action! Catch all the excitement live on the Gujarat Titans YouTube channel, featuring expert commentary and in-depth analysis.