Asia
Esports World Cup 2024: Indian Esports Industry Reacts to its Potential as Game-Changer for Country’s Video-Gaming Ecosystem
In a landmark announcement, Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia declared the creation of the Esports World Cup, set to kick off in the summer of 2024 in Riyadh. The event promises to reshape the Esports landscape and enable the sport to usher in a new era of opportunity and competition for gamers worldwide.
The Esports World Cup will be replacing Gamers8, a renowned Esports festival held in Saudi Arabia. In this year’s edition of Gamers8, there were 20 different competitions across titles such as League of Legends, Fortnite, DOTA 2, FIFA 23, Rainbow Six Siege, PUBG Mobile and Starcraft II amongst others.
Furthermore, the event boasted an unprecedented prize pool of $45 million, marking the largest in the history of Esports tournaments. While the titles for the Esports World Cup are yet to be announced, the tournament will include the most popular games in the world across all genres and have the largest prize pool in Esports history, as per the official announcement.
The recently published “India Games Market Report 2023” by Niko Partners states that India is predominantly a mobile-first market, with 96.8% of total gamers playing on smartphones or tablets. With the opportunity to compete in such a high-profile tournament with substantial prize pools, Indian Esports athletes are expected to diversify into various gaming titles that are not that popular within the community, in order to secure a spot at the tournament. This, in turn, will contribute to the growth and diversity of the Esports industry in the country.
Lokesh Suji, Director of Esports Federation of India and VP of Asian Esports Federation, said: “The announcement of the Esports World Cup is indeed a historic moment for the global Esports community. This tournament will serve as a catalyst for change and growth, both on the global Esports map and in India. For a country with a predominantly mobile-focused gaming culture like ours, this event’s massive prize pool and diverse title offerings will undoubtedly motivate our Esports athletes and aspiring gamers to broaden their horizons and branch out to different titles. We see the Esports World Cup as an exciting platform that not only celebrates Esports but also unites the industry’s stakeholders on a global scale.”
According to data from Gamers8, the 2023 edition of the tournament recorded a cumulative viewership of 1.3 billion, with peak concurrent viewers reaching 1 million. The total views reached 2.09 million, and the impressions stood at 3.8 billion. The event also roped in prominent names such as Adidas, Pepsico, Aramco, Razer and many more global brands as official sponsors.
The Esports World Cup’s magnitude is expected to surpass these numbers, providing high visibility and prestige to Indian athletes participating in the tournament. This will undoubtedly lead to attracting more investments from sponsors, legacy brands, and venture capitalists, which will bolster Indian players and the community.
“Esports has always transcended borders and united passionate gamers from around the globe. With the announcement of the Esports World Cup in Saudi Arabia, the Indian Esports ecosystem is on the verge of a transformative journey. The tournament will not only serve as a platform for our incredibly talented players to showcase their skills on the world stage but also foster international collaboration, promote the growth of Esports in India, and inspire a new generation of gamers to chase their dreams. The Indian Esports community is ready to make its mark and this opportunity is the catalyst we’ve been waiting for. Let’s rise, break boundaries, and redefine what it means to be a part of the global Esports family,” said Animesh Agarwal aka 8Bit Thug, Co-founder of S8UL and Founder & CEO of 8Bit Creatives.
Esports in India has witnessed remarkable growth in recent years, with notable achievements in international competitions. In the Asian Games 2022, the nation fielded a historic 15-member contingent, competing in titles like DOTA 2, Street Fighter V: Champion Edition, League of Legends and EA Sports FC Online. Prior to that, Esports also made an appearance at the Commonwealth Esports Championships in Birmingham 2022 where India’s DOTA 2 team even clinched a remarkable bronze medal.
In the 141st session of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) held in Mumbai recently, IOC President Thomas Bach announced their plans regarding the creation of the Olympic Esports Games. With Saudi Arabia’s commitment to the Esports World Cup, India’s Esports talents will have another global platform to showcase their skills.
Mayank Prajapati aka MiKeYROG, who represented India in Street Fighter V: Champion Edition at the recently concluded Asian Games 2022, said: “As an Esports athlete, I see this as a window of opportunity for every gamer across India to proudly represent the country and make a name for themselves on the global stage. Much like in traditional sports World Cups where previously lesser-known athletes rise to prominence and lead their nation to glory, this could be the moment for Esports athletes to shine. The Esports World Cup has the potential to motivate Indian players to push their limits in various titles, thus expanding the talent pool and propelling the entire sector to newer heights.”
Asia
PhilWeb Showcases Technology-Driven Growth Vision at SiGMA Asia 2026
PhilWeb Corporation has reinforced its position as a technology-driven company at SiGMA Asia 2026, highlighting its continuing transformation through digital innovation, scalable platform solutions and strategic technology investments aligned with the rapidly evolving digital economy in Asia.
As one of the Philippines’ established technology and platform providers, PhilWeb participated in SiGMA Asia 2026 to showcase its long-term vision centered on digital infrastructure, operational scalability, customer engagement technologies and future-ready platform development. The company’s presence at the international event reflects its broader strategy of strengthening its role within the growing technology, digital entertainment and fintech ecosystem in the region.
With more than 25 years of operational experience, PhilWeb continues to evolve alongside changing market demands and technological advancements. Over the years, the company has steadily expanded its capabilities through investments in platform modernization, integrated digital systems, payment technologies and data-driven operational tools designed to support scalable and efficient business operations.
As industries across Asia continue to undergo digital transformation, PhilWeb sees increasing opportunities in technology-enabled ecosystems where connectivity, automation, customer experience and operational efficiency play increasingly important roles in long-term business growth.
At SiGMA Asia 2026, the company highlighted initiatives focused on strengthening its digital ecosystem through improved platform capabilities, enhanced payment integration infrastructure and technology solutions designed to support seamless experiences across both physical and digital customer environments.
PhilWeb also emphasised the growing importance of integrated platforms and scalable digital operations as consumer behaviour continues to shift toward more connected and technology-driven experiences. The company continues to adapt to these evolving trends by exploring innovations that improve accessibility, operational flexibility and customer engagement.
Participation at SiGMA Asia 2026 also provided PhilWeb with opportunities to engage with international technology firms, fintech companies, digital infrastructure providers, payment solutions companies and regional business partners as it continues to strengthen its long-term growth strategy.
Beyond technology expansion, PhilWeb continues to prioritise governance, compliance-driven systems, operational transparency and sustainable business.
The post PhilWeb Showcases Technology-Driven Growth Vision at SiGMA Asia 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Asia
NODWIN and Nodding Heads launch India Games Showcase with Summer Game Fest
NODWIN Gaming and Nodding Heads Games are launching the inaugural India Games Showcase (IGS), a digital event set to premiere on June 8 as an official partner showcase of Summer Game Fest. The broadcast will feature 40 curated Indian indie games across trailers, reveals, gameplay segments and announcements.
The India Games Showcase will be accompanied by a dedicated Steam event aimed at helping players discover, follow and wishlist participating titles. The event is scheduled for 10 AM PT / 10:30 PM IST and will stream on YouTube and Twitch.
NODWIN Gaming Co-founder and Managing Director Akshat Rathee said: “There is a raw, untapped creative energy in the Indian indie ecosystem right now that is completely unique. We are seeing developers blend world-class mechanics with incredibly rich, localized storytelling that the global gaming community hasn’t experienced before. We want to make sure that a brilliant game built in India doesn’t just stay a local secret, but gets the global eyeballs, distribution, and recognition it rightfully deserves.”
Nodding Heads Games Co-founder and Game Director Avichal Singh added: “The debut of India Games Showcase proves that Indian indies are making strides as they arrive and make a presence internationally. The rise of quality and genre variety titles in recent years is very promising. Our partnership with the world’s biggest showcase, Summer Game Fest, is another mark of approval for the country. We’re excited for the times ahead.”
Ahead of the broadcast, the organisers named the first set of participating games, including Raahi (Kalp), Dodo Duckie (BornMonkie), Loop : Beginning Of Never Ending Journey (Pravin Nikam), Rakshasa (Odd Compass Studio), and Silkgrove (Gallic Entertainment). The showcase is spearheaded by Nodding Heads Games, the studio behind Raji: An Ancient Epic.
The post NODWIN and Nodding Heads launch India Games Showcase with Summer Game Fest appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Asia
EGT wins SiGMA Asia Awards 2026 for Best Land-Based Game Feature
EGT has won the Best Land-Based Game Feature category at the SiGMA Asia Awards 2026 for the second consecutive year. The award was presented at a ceremony on 01 June, with EGT recognized for its multi-level progressive jackpot Sheng Sheng Bu Xi.
According to the company, Sheng Sheng Bu Xi is part of its Asian-themed products portfolio and is available in two titles: Bonus Boom and Bonus Craze. EGT said the feature runs across four jackpot levels with bonus mechanics including free spins and multipliers.
EGT said the feature is powered by its Exciter IV platform and is compatible with its Supreme, General and Phoenix Series slot cabinets. The company added that Sheng Sheng Bu Xi is deployed in “numerous gaming establishments globally.”
Mariana Manchina, Director of EGT Philippines Corp., said: “It is an honor to us to be acknowledged by the SiGMA Asia Awards again. Following the success of Zhao Cai Shuang Yu last year, the prize for Sheng Sheng Bu Xi is eloquent proof that our Asian-themed products are widely accepted by players, operators, and the professional gaming community as a whole. I would like to thank our customers, partners and friends for their continuous support and recognition, as well as our team, without whose creativity, talent and passion for innovation we would not have been able to have these remarkable achievements.”
The post EGT wins SiGMA Asia Awards 2026 for Best Land-Based Game Feature appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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