Asia

Ultimate Battle: Virtual Paradise for the Gamers to Excel in Top Esports Titles

Published

4 years ago

May 31, 2021

Reading Time: 3 minutes

If I tell you that you can play all the esports games on one single platform, will you believe that? Well, you’ll have to because Ultimate Battle has all kinds of esports titles to play under one roof. Ultimate Battle is India’s first-ever one-stop online esports platform; players connect, interact and compete with each other in their favorite esports games for entertainment and rewards on this platform. Ultimate Battle’s goal is to bring esports into the mainstream and engage millions of gamers and fans together.

Currently, the platform has garnered a player base of 3,00,000 which is growing daily. With over 39000 monthly active users, gamers get an active community to interact with and compete against each other. The platform is now available on Google PlayStore for Android users and till now has seen over 38,000 downloads already. The freshly launched app of the platform will facilitate easier connectivity and accessibility for users and leverage the power of the mobile-first ecosystem of the country.

Here is a list of some of the popular game titles like Valorant, DOTA 2, Fortnite, Call of Duty: Mobile, Garena Free Fire, FIFA 20, Chess, etc. that the platform hosts. Besides Gameplay, Ultimate Battle enables gamers to network along with Gaming News and E-commerce portal to create a complete 360 experience.
Let’s take a look at the top five esports titles according to gamer’s engagement on the Ultimate Battle platform from January to April 2021:

European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

1. Garena Free Fire

Garena Free Fire is currently the most played esports game on the platform. It’s an action-adventure battle royale game played in a third-person perspective. The game consists of up to 48 players falling from a parachute on an island in search of weapons and equipment to kill the other players. Players are free to choose their starting position, take weapons and supplies to extend their battle life.

2. Call of Duty: Mobile

Call of Duty: Mobile stands runner-up on this list. It is a free-to-play shooter video game. It has two modes primarily, Multiplayer and Battle Royale. The multiplayer mode is the basic first-person shooter, similar to the previous Call of Duty games on other platforms along with old maps. Battle royale mode features up to 100 players. A player can choose to play alone, on a two-man team, or in a four-man squad.

3. Chess

Interestingly Chess stands third on the list. It’s a strange fact in a good way that even after having the options of playing so many action-packed games with high-end graphics on the platform, our analytics tell a different story. Chess is a competitive board game played between two players. The game is played on a square board of eight rows and eight columns. Chess pieces are divided into white and black sets. Each set consists of 16 pieces: one king, one queen, two rooks, two bishops, two knights, and eight pawns. The objective of the game is to checkmate the opponent; this occurs when the opponent’s king is in check, and there is no legal way to remove it from the attack.

4. Counter-Strike: Global Offensive

Counter-Strike has been dominating the PC gaming scene for a decade. Growing from CS: Zero to the all-new CS: GO by Valve, this first-person shooter team strategy game has become one of the top esports title games in the world. Two teams (Terrorists and Counter-Terrorists), with 5-players on each side, face off against each other on a defined map to complete their objectives to win the round. CS: GO is one of the games with a well-structured professional scene with lots of esports teams competing every year for millions of dollars in prize money.

5. Valorant

Valorant is the all-new character-based FPS PC game. The new in-game dynamics and mechanics with high-tech guns and skill-weapons in Valorant have become hype among gamers. In this 5v5 team battle gameplay, each player controls a different in-game character. The characters are termed Agents which have their unique skills and weapons giving every player their special abilities. Valorant has also started marking its footprint in the esports industry with various leagues and events for professional players.

Apart from online tournaments on Ultimate Battle, players can also compete with each other using 1v1 challenge mode as well as monthly leaderboard events to add to the overall excitement. 1v1 Challenges is one of the most used features of the platform as it provides instant gameplay. Players can directly challenge another active player or their friends on the platform and compete. While the leaderboards events are a function of the performance of the player on the platform.

Asia

Former Thai Police Chief Torsak Faces Investigation for Bribery

Published

5 days ago

December 18, 2024

Niji Narayan

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Reading Time: < 1 minute

Thailand’s National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has initiated an investigation into former Royal Thai Police commissioner-general Pol General Torsak Sukvimol and seven others for alleged bribery linked to illegal gambling operations.

According to Thai media, this decision follows accusations that Torsak demanded money and assets from 18 gambling websites and other illicit businesses during his tenure as national police chief from October 2023 to September 2024.

NACC secretary-general Sarote Phuengramphan stated that sufficient evidence, including witness testimonies, has been gathered to justify the investigation, with the commission overseeing the inquiry.

In addition, the NACC is examining separate allegations against former deputy national police chief Pol General Surachate Hakparn, who is accused of accepting bribes from gambling sites and involvement in money laundering. Sarote indicated that more information is needed before proceeding with this case.

Torsak had been suspended in March due to conflicts with Surachate but returned to duty in June until his replacement by Pol General Kitrat Phanphet on October 1. Surachate, known as “Big Joke,” was removed from his position by royal command.

The post Former Thai Police Chief Torsak Faces Investigation for Bribery appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Asia

DigiPlus Celebrates Double Victory at the Asia Pacific Enterprise Awards

Published

6 days ago

December 17, 2024

Niji Narayan

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Reading Time: < 1 minute

DigiPlus Interactive, the brand behind popular gaming platforms BingoPlus, ArenaPlus and GameZone, announced its double recognition at the Asia Pacific Enterprise Awards (APEA) 2024. DigiPlus was honoured with the Corporate Excellence Award and the Fast Enterprise Award, reinforcing its role as a leader in digital entertainment.

The awards ceremony, held on December 11 at Hilton Manila, celebrated businesses and individuals who have demonstrated exceptional achievements, leadership and innovation. The Corporate Excellence Award recognises DigiPlus’ commitment to sustainable growth, innovative leadership and exemplary business practices. The Fast Enterprise Award acknowledges the company’s rapid growth and adaptability in an ever-evolving and competitive market.

“DigiPlus was born from a vision to redefine digital entertainment in the Philippines. This recognition is a celebration of the incredible passion, ingenuity, and dedication of our team. It is also a tribute to our stakeholders, whose trust empowers us, and the communities we serve, who inspire us to continue pushing boundaries and elevating entertainment experiences for all,” said Celeste Jovenir, VP of Investor Relations, Corporate Communications and Sustainability.

The post DigiPlus Celebrates Double Victory at the Asia Pacific Enterprise Awards appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Asia

Government support, medals, and global recognition define a landmark year for Indian esports and video gaming in 2024

Published

1 week ago

December 16, 2024

Wladimir P.

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Reading Time: 5 minutes

The Indian video gaming and esports industry witnessed exponential growth in 2024, breaking into the mainstream. According to the recently published ‘India Gaming Report,’ the Indian pure-play gaming industry is valued at INR 6,715 crore and is on track to grow at a CAGR of 24%, reaching INR 10,487 crore by 2026. With a staggering 13.85 crore gamers and an annual growth rate of 11.82% projected until 2026, the sector shows no signs of slowing down.

This year was marked by several historic milestones. India showcased its esports prowess on the global stage by securing a silver medal in Tekken 8 at the BRICS Esports Championship and a bronze medal in eFootball at the Asian Esports Games 2024. Adding to the excitement, the International Olympic Committee’s announcement of the Olympic Esports Games 2025 has opened new doors for India to achieve further international acclaim in esports.

Government and state support for the industry also saw remarkable growth. The Union Cabinet announced the establishment of the National Centre of Excellence for AVGC-XR in Mumbai, while the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting is backing the inaugural WAVES Esports Championships 2025. States like Bihar introduced esports tournaments in schools, and Meghalaya became the first Indian state to sponsor an esports team. Nagaland also joined the momentum by hosting its first esports tournament, reflecting the growing grassroots movement across the country.

In addition to government initiatives, one of the industry leaders driving this transformation was NODWIN Gaming, a leader in new-age youth entertainment, gaming, and esports whose initiatives elevated Indian gaming to new heights. The company’s flagship esports IP, the BGMI Masters Series, not only brought esports to national television for the third consecutive year but also facilitated the entry of high-profile brands like Garnier Men and Android into the Indian esports ecosystem.

NODWIN Gaming also created one of the nation’s biggest youth entertainment events of the year by hosting DreamHack India alongside Hyderabad Comic Con. Internationally, the company acquired leading European esports company Freaks 4U Gaming and Turkey-based esports firm Ninja Global, while also partnering with the Global Esports Federation. Domestically, NODWIN Gaming expanded its footprint by acquiring Trinity Gaming and Comic Con India and collaborating with JSW Sports, reinforcing its position at the heart of youth entertainment.

Akshat Rathee, Co-founder and Managing Director, NODWIN Gaming believes that in 2024, games became an integral part of the cultural zeitgeist, with creators and influencers amplifying their appeal among youth. The year witnessed significant strides in institutional support, with government recognition playing a pivotal role in legitimising esports as a sport.

“This rapid growth of gaming and esports has allowed NODWIN Gaming to evolve into a holistic youth-focused entertainment company. By focusing on curating entertainment platforms that go beyond esports, we have managed to build a comprehensive ecosystem that includes content production, event management, and community engagement, enabling us to connect with youth across multiple touchpoints. We believe that our philosophy of timeshare of mindshare has driven our strategy to reach audiences where they live, play, and engage, ensuring sustained growth and relevance,” he explains.

A significant highlight this year was the acknowledgment of the gaming industry by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. For the first time ever, the PM met with leading Indian gamers like Animesh Agarwal (8Bit Thug), Naman Mathur (Mortal), and Payal Dhare (PayalGaming) to discuss the sector’s various aspects and its potential.

Creating even more history, S8UL Esports, India’s leading esports and gaming content organization, co-founded by Mortal and Animesh, completed a hat-trick of awards at the global Esports Awards, with Mortal also winning ‘Esports Content Creator of the Year.’ S8UL secured back-to-back victories at MOBIES 2024, with PayalGaming becoming the first Indian female to win ‘Streamer of the Year,’ further elevating India’s global esports reputation.

“2024 was a landmark year for S8UL, filled with milestones that cemented our position as leaders in global esports. In the past year, esports has solidified its position as a mainstream cultural phenomenon. The distinction between competitive esports and gaming became clearer, helping audiences and stakeholders better understand the ecosystem. At the same time, esports, traditional sports, and influencer-driven content began working more cohesively, creating synergies that enhanced fan experiences and industry growth. Brands now view esports not just as a sponsorship opportunity but as a platform for deep, authentic engagement with Gen Z and Millennials. This evolution underscores the industry’s maturity, making esports a dynamic and indispensable part of modern culture,” states Animesh Agarwal aka 8Bit Thug, Co-founder, S8UL Esports.

While India has long been a mobile-first gaming market, 2024 saw developments aimed at diversifying the landscape, with CyberPowerPC, a global leader in custom gaming computers, making its debut in the Indian market. Along with its groundbreaking configurator tool, the company introduced the EZPC module, allowing gamers to build PCs tailored to their favorite titles.

CyberPowerPC recently demonstrated its commitment to expanding the PC gaming community by awarding two premium gaming PCs, each valued at over INR 1 lakh, to two gamers at one of India’s largest gaming festivals in Mumbai. The initiative aimed to showcase the potential of custom gaming PCs while fulfilling the dreams of these gamers for an unparalleled gaming experience.

Vishal Parekh, Chief Operating Officer, CyberPowerPC India, notes “2024 has been a year of unprecedented growth for the Indian gaming and esports ecosystem. Gaming has evolved into a mainstream cultural phenomenon, fueled by India’s expanding digital economy and government initiatives like ‘Digital India,’ which have provided fertile ground for the industry’s growth. The focus on Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities has unlocked new demographics, driving demand for high-performance gaming rigs. At CyberPowerPC India, we have strengthened our engagement with the gaming community through partnerships with esports organizations, and our focus remains on delivering systems that combine high performance with affordability.”

Another notable development in the Indian gaming sector was 88 Pictures, the Indian animation and VFX studio behind Emmy-winning shows launching its game development division called 88 Games. With three premium titles in development, the studio aims to showcase India’s rich folklore and history to a global audience. This aligns with Prime Minister Modi’s Independence Day call for Indian developers to make their mark internationally, positioning 88 Games as a leader in India’s growing presence in the global gaming landscape.

“In 2024, we witnessed a surge of homegrown studios and games, including our own, highlighting the immense potential for the industry’s growth. The rapid growth of gaming and esports has transformed them into viable career paths. Awareness has increased, not just about being a gamer or creator but also about the wide array of roles in the industry. While the industry is currently mobile-centric, there’s a massive opportunity in PC and console gaming. At 88 Games, we aim to fill this gap by focusing on premium titles for these platforms, contributing to a more balanced and diverse gaming ecosystem,” says Milind D. Shinde, Founder & CEO of 88 Games.

As the year closes, it is evident that Indian esports and gaming have not only grown but transformed into a cultural and economic powerhouse. Given the rapid pace of growth, the industry is all set to shape the future of entertainment both at home and on the global stage.

The post Government support, medals, and global recognition define a landmark year for Indian esports and video gaming in 2024 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.