Asia
Hokkaido Excludes IR from 2021 Budget
Hokkaido has announced its initial budget for 2021 on February 19, with a 15.4% (JPY432.9 billion) increase over last year to JPY3.25 trillion (US$30.9 billion). This is the third-largest initial budget ever for the prefecture, which will now be proposed at the Hokkaido Prefectural Assembly regular session on February 25.
However, the fund for IR development was a notable absentee following a recent comment by Governor Naomichi Suzuki that an IR was not in the immediate future for Hokkaido.
Funds being set aside in prefectural budgets have traditionally been considered by experts as a strong indicator of a prefecture’s intentions regarding IRs. The fact that no funds have been set aside for IR development in Hokkaido’s 2021 budget appears to signal the death knell for any remaining glimmers of hope that Hokkaido could somehow jump back into Japan’s IR race.
At a press conference, Suzuki positioned the new fiscal year’s budget as “a budget that protects lives, livelihoods and creates a path for the future.” It is hoped this will help the prefecture navigate the COVID-19 pandemic and build a society resistant to infectious disease while also promoting Hokkaido’s future in a post-pandemic world.
Revenue has declined in the economic downturn and the prefecture’s financial situation is strained. Governor Suzuki commented, “We will firmly defend ourselves while at the same time starting on proactive policy. Balancing defense and offense has been difficult but we will accept the challenge to build a future for Hokkaido while controlling the pandemic.”
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Asia
SA Gaming partners with EGT Digital to offer extraordinary gaming experiences
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SA Gaming is delighted to announce our new partner, EGT Digital, one of the largest gaming platforms in Europe. This agreement will see our games available on EGT Digital’s platform.
This collaboration marks an important milestone for both of us as it enhances our brand visibility and allows us to reach a broader audience. This alliance is also bringing elevated gaming experience to players on the platform of EGT Digital.
As one of the fastest-growing brands in Europe, EGT Digital has an extensive network and a comprehensive product portfolio that attract a diverse player base from numerous markets around the world. As players of EGT Digital now have access to our wide range of Live Games, which are certain to attract players – this new partnership certainly fulfills the business objectives of both EGT Digital and SA Gaming.
EGT Digital’s spokesperson commented, “For us at EGT Digital, the priority number 1 is always to give our customers the best gaming experience. That is why we are very pleased to have the opportunity to offer them SA Gaming’s titles, standing out with great thematic diversity, highly engaging mechanics and captivating bonuses. We believe that this partnership will both enrich our platform and enhance the game developer’s reach, while providing players with access to the high-quality gaming content they are looking for.”
As we continue to provide top-notch entertainment, this agreement creates new room for both of us to grow and flourish. We are eager to embark on this journey together and look forward to the infinite possibilities that would deliver exceptional value to all players.
The post SA Gaming partners with EGT Digital to offer extraordinary gaming experiences appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Asia
Max Level wins PR & Communications mandate for LVL Zero Gaming Incubator
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Max Level, a leading marketing and PR agency built by gamers, has been appointed as the official PR and communications partner for LVL Zero, a first-of-its-kind incubator program spearheaded by ChimeraVC in partnership with MIXI Global Investments and Nazara Technologies. The initiative aims to accelerate the growth of early-stage gaming startups in India through a 100-day structured program combining mentorship, product acceleration and capital access.
LVL Zero offers an equity-free grant pool worth USD 100,000, open to all startups across the gaming ecosystem. Each cohort will see 10 startups receive a USD 10,000 equity-free grant. The program is designed to help startups accelerate product development through targeted mentorship, access to funding opportunities, and connections with publishing networks. Over the next five years, LVL Zero aims to empower more than 100 promising startups to build sustainable businesses and compete globally.
Speaking on the partnership, Krish Anurag, Managing Partner at ChimeraVC and Founding Partner at LVL Zero said: “LVL Zero is our commitment to catalysing the next generation of gaming founders from India and Asia. We’re thrilled to have Max Level on board as our communications partner. Their deep understanding of the gaming ecosystem, narrative expertise, and proven network within the media landscape make them the ideal agency to help us amplify this initiative and the founders who will shape the future of gaming.”
As the PR and communications partner for LVL Zero, Max Level will lead the initiative’s storytelling and thought leadership strategy, spotlighting the success stories emerging from each cohort to highlight the program’s impact on the gaming startup ecosystem. With a proven track record as the communications partner for some of India’s leading gaming and esports brands, including NODWIN Gaming, S8UL Esports, Riot Games, and CyberPowerPC India, Max Level brings deep industry insight, strategic narrative expertise, and an authentic understanding of the gaming community to help LVL Zero achieve its vision and amplify its influence across the region.
Siddharth Nayyar, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer at Max Level, added: “LVL Zero is an incredible incubator program for gaming startups in India, and we’re excited to help tell its story. The program is perfectly aligned with our mission to support the growth of India’s gaming and creator economy, and we look forward to driving awareness around the founders, ideas, and innovations emerging from LVL Zero’s cohorts.”
In addition to PR and communications, Max Level provides gaming and esports brands with an array of services, including campaign management, brand building, production, video editing, social media marketing, influencer programs, and consultancy. The agency’s portfolio spans leading names such as NODWIN Gaming, S8UL, Riot Games India and South Asia, CyberPowerPC India, KRAFTON, the Saudi Esports Federation, ESL FACEIT Group, The Esports World Cup, ASUS ROG, Jio Games, TVS, and HyperX, among others.
This partnership marks another milestone in Max Level’s mission to power narratives that elevate India’s gaming, esports, and tech ecosystem globally.
The post Max Level wins PR & Communications mandate for LVL Zero Gaming Incubator appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Absolute Sports Pvt.
Nazara’s Subsidiary Absolute Sports Enters Pickleball, Acquires Mumbai Franchise in Indian Pickleball League
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Absolute Sports Pvt. Ltd., a subsidiary of Nazara Technologies Limited and the parent company of Sportskeeda and Pro Football Network, has announced its entry into the fast-growing global sport of pickleball through the acquisition of the Mumbai franchise in the inaugural Indian Pickleball League.
The franchise rights agreement has been executed with PWR Indian League and Tour Private Limited, organizers of the league and strategically backed by The Times Group, one of India’s largest media conglomerates.
Pickleball is one of the world’s fastest-growing sports. Globally, the market is projected to expand from USD 1.5 billion in 2023 to USD 4.4 billion by 2033. In India, participation has surged 159% between 2019 and 2022, driven by increased adoption across sport, fitness, and community recreation centers. The launch of the Indian Pickleball League is expected to propel the sport into mainstream fan culture and open meaningful commercial opportunities across media, merchandising, and grassroots engagement.
With exclusive rights to the Mumbai territory, Absolute Sports will build and operate the team, including its digital identity, brand, website, social channels, athlete marketing, and fan engagement programs. The franchise strengthens Absolute Sports’ mission of bridging digital fandom with on-ground sporting experiences and aligns with its expansion strategy into high-growth sports ecosystems.
Ajay Pratap Singh, Director & CEO of Absolute Sports, said: “Our mission at Absolute Sports is simple, be where the fans are. Pickleball is no longer an emerging trend. It’s a global movement and is rapidly becoming a lifestyle and competitive sport in India. Securing the Mumbai franchise allows us to deeply engage with this growing community and leverage our expertise in content, storytelling, and fandom to build a team that the city can rally behind. This investment is perfectly aligned with our strategy of targeting high-engagement sports assets.”
Vineet Jain, Managing Director, The Times Group, said: “We are delighted to welcome Nazara as the owners of the Mumbai franchise in the Indian Pickleball League. Nazara has been a pioneer in gaming and digital sports entertainment, and their entry into IPBL is yet another signal of the exciting future of this sport. With their innovation-driven mindset and deep understanding of young India, we believe they will play a transformative role in shaping the league, inspiring fans, and building a strong and passionate pickleball community in Mumbai. Together, we look forward to taking the sport to new heights and creating a league that India will be proud of.”
With the Asia-Pacific region projected to be the fastest-growing pickleball market through 2029, this move positions Absolute Sports and by extension, Nazara Technologies — at the forefront of a new and rapidly scaling sports category.
The post Nazara’s Subsidiary Absolute Sports Enters Pickleball, Acquires Mumbai Franchise in Indian Pickleball League appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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