Asia
Esports Confirmed as Official Medal Sport at Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya
Esports has been officially designated as one of the medal sports in the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026, as announced by the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games Organising Committee (AINAGOC). This exciting announcement highlights the inclusion of esports among the nine newly added sports for the upcoming games.
Esports is making its full-fledged debut as an official medal sport at the Asian Games 2022 in Hangzhou where India will be competing in four different titles – DOTA 2, FIFA 22, Street Fighter V, and League of Legends from September 23 to October 8. The inclusion of Esports in the 20th Asian Games will undoubtedly serve as a great encouragement for Indian Esports athletes to pursue their passion professionally.
Lokesh Suji, Director of the Esports Federation of India (ESFI) and Vice President of the Asian Esports Federation (AESF), said: “The decision and announcement by both the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) and the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games Organizing Committee (AINAGOC) to include esports as a medal event at the 20th Asian Games, subsequent to the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games, is warmly embraced by ESFI. With this announcement, it becomes crucial for us to expedite the development of our infrastructure, education programs, training facilities, and overall awareness within the esports ecosystem. Additionally, it is imperative that we provide our athletes with top-notch equipment and resources, empowering them to deliver their best performances on international stages. We encourage the entire nation to embrace this remarkable development.”
He further added: “The inclusion of a wide array of titles in the Asian Games not only demonstrates the diverse nature of Esports but also highlights the various dimensions of skill, strategy, and teamwork exhibited by the athletes, delivering a comprehensive experience for spectators.”
Competing at such prestigious platforms will not only provide India’s video-gaming community with opportunities to showcase their skills but also motivate them to win laurels for their country. This announcement is set to inspire a new generation of Indian Esports athletes to aim for greatness and make their nation proud on the international stage.
“The Esports industry and its passionate community have long been working towards gaining recognition, and the recent announcement clearly indicates the significant progress made by the esports ecosystem on international platforms. The official recognition of Esports as a medal sport further enhances and elevates the standing of esports athletes, placing them on par with mainstream sports personalities. We are optimistic that in the Asian Games 2026, our team, S8ul, and 8bit, will have the opportunity to participate and showcase their skills in several esports titles. Moreover, this announcement solidifies the fact that both endemic and non-endemic brands are actively seeking avenues to engage with gamers today and are enthusiastic about investing in the Esports ecosystem,” said Animesh Agarwal, Co-Founder and CEO of 8Bit Creatives & S8UL Esports.
“One small step for esports, one giant leap for the gaming industry! Esports’ inclusion as a medal sport is not only good news in itself, but it also paves the way for other similar tournaments to recognize esports as an important avenue. I hope this trajectory continues upwards, and we are able to eventually see Esports at a scale similar to traditional sports,” said Rohit Agarwal, Founder and Director of Alpha Zegus.
As excitement builds for G2E Asia 2025, Zitro is set to make a powerful statement with the debut of its all-new CONCEPT cabinet line alongside a portfolio of new, tailor-made game titles designed specifically for the Asian gaming market. This year’s lineup reflects Zitro’s continued evolution as a key player in gaming innovation, offering both cutting-edge hardware and captivating content.
Among the titles on display will be Legendary Sword, Triple Charm Journey, Fairyland Quest, King Fu Frog, Merging Fu Pots, Lucky Vaulty, and Cash Totems—each developed with exciting features, enhanced with rich narratives, and high-quality multimedia to elevate player engagement across diverse markets.
Zitro’s rising influence in Asia is evident. The company’s recent expansion in the Philippines—where Zitro’s slot games are among the top performers in casinos within Entertainment City—underscores its rapid success in the region.
“We are proud to showcase our latest innovations at G2E Asia 2025,” said Sebastián Salat, President International of Zitro. “Our commitment to the Asian market remains steadfast, and we are confident that our player-centric products—crafted with deep understanding of the region’s vibrant gaming culture—will resonate with both operators and players. The introduction of our CONCEPT cabinet line and ambitious 2025 game release roadmap in place marks a new chapter for Zitro in this market, and we look forward to sharing it with the Asian gaming community.”
The post ZITRO TO SHOWCASE CONCEPT CABINET LINE AND NEW GAMES AT G2E ASIA 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
NOVOMATIC has announced a new strategic distribution partnership with Harvest Gaming, a renowned company based in Singapore. This new venture marks an important step in NOVOMATIC’s strategy of expanding its presence across Asia and reinforces the Group’s long-term commitment to international growth through strong regional collaborations.
Under the new agreement, Harvest Gaming will represent NOVOMATIC’s leading portfolio of land-based gaming solutions in Singapore, Malaysia and Vietnam. With its in-depth market knowledge, excellent industry relations, and a customer-focused approach, Harvest Gaming is ideally positioned to support NOVOMATIC’s growth and deliver tailored solutions to local operators.
“We are delighted to partner with Harvest Gaming in order to strengthen our footprint in Southeast Asia. Their deep understanding of the regional markets and dedication to supporting our customers make them excellent representatives of the NOVOMATIC brand. This partnership will allow us to serve operators in Singapore, Malaysia, and Vietnam better with our tailored, high-performance gaming solutions,” Michael Barsin of NOVOMATIC Sales said.
“We are proud to be appointed as NOVOMATIC’s distributor for this important region. NOVOMATIC is globally recognized for its innovation, quality, and reliability – values that perfectly reflect our own business philosophy. We look forward to working closely with the NOVOMATIC team to support our customers and drive mutual growth in Southeast Asia,” Alfred Hwee, General Manager at Harvest Gaming, said.
This new partnership further expands NOVOMATIC’s global distribution network and enhances the Group’s ability to meet the specific needs of customers in one of the most dynamic regions of the international gaming industry.
The post NOVOMATIC Announces New Strategic Distribution Partnership with Harvest Gaming appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Visitors to the NOVOMATIC booth #A518B will experience a portfolio designed to meet diverse operator needs, featuring the latest cabinets, game mixes, and electronic table games that exemplify NOVOMATIC’s ongoing commitment to excellence and innovation.
New highlights and classic favorites await
This year, NOVOMATIC’s booth will spotlight a dynamic selection of state-of-the-art products, with a focus on enhancing the player experience and maximizing operator performance. The DIAMOND X™ series returns with significant upgrades to its sophisticated design and powerful performance, presenting: DIAMOND X™ 1.55J QUATTRO featuring XTENSION LINK™ Volume 3, XTENSION LINK™ Volume 4, and the all-new XTENSION LINK™ Evolution. The multi-screen version DIAMOND X™ 2.32/3.32 equipped with GAMINATOR™ X5, will deliver a rich selection of entertaining game titles.
Additionally, the BLACK EDITION II series will make a remarkable appearance with BLACK EDITION II XL 2.32/3.32 showcasing the popular IMPERA LINK™ Series 2 and BLACK EDITION II 1.49J featuring both Impera PROLINK™ and the latest RISING TREASURES™. New releases will be complemented by proven classics such as MASTER SL™ 2.32/3.32 featuring the GAMINATOR™ X5.
Innovative solutions to enhance operational efficiency
Among the highlights of NOVOMATIC’s presentation will be the NOVO UNITY™ PRO, a state-of-the-art electronic table game solution with unprecedented functionality and adaptability. This ETG solution seamlessly integrates electronic live games – including Sic Bo, Baccarat, Roulette, Poker, Black Jack, and even slot games – across numerous player stations. The key benefits include customization for unique gaming experiences, the advanced management console & NOVO UNITY™ DB server as well as Tournament Mode and Simultaneous Betting/Parallel Play – where players can take part in up to three live games simultaneously, enhancing interactivity and engagement. Extra game windows on the betting screen enable guests to switch between the available games and versions.
Also on display will be the NOVOVISION™ Casino Management System, with its comprehensive suite of modules that include powerful loyalty features, TITO, cashless or single wallet solutions, advanced biometric functionalities and much more. From player recognition to secure access solutions, NOVOVISION™ sets a new standard for an efficient and secure gaming management.
Engage, experience, and innovate at G2E Asia 2025
Kenan Bajram, Deputy Director Global Sales at NOVOMATIC AG, highlights the company’s enthusiasm for the event: “G2E Asia is a key platform for NOVOMATIC to demonstrate our latest innovations to the Asian market. This year, we are excited to present a diverse portfolio of cutting-edge solutions that cater to the specific needs of our customers. From the DIAMOND X™ series to the innovative NOVO UNITY™ PRO, our showcase is designed to inspire and impress. We look forward to welcoming visitors to our booth and sharing our latest advancements.”
Visit NOVOMATIC at Booth #A518B during G2E Asia 2025 to discover the future of gaming technology, tailored specifically for the Asian market.
The post NOVOMATIC: Showcasing cutting-edge gaming innovations for the Asian market at G2E Asia 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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