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Esports World Cup 2024: Indian Esports Industry Reacts to its Potential as Game-Changer for Country’s Video-Gaming Ecosystem

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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.

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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.

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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

India: Six People, Including Cops, Arrested After Ranchi Police Busts Illegal Gambling Den

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Six people, including cops, were arrested after the Ranchi Police busted an illegal gambling group in the Gonda area of Jharkhand’s capital.

In recent news, six people, including cops were arrested after the Ranchi Police busted an illegal gambling den in the Gonda area of Jharkhand’s capital. Acting on the received information, a police team raided the spot. Reportedly, a sum of five lakh rupees was seized from the accused.

BJP State President Babulal Marandi raised his concern over the incident, emphasising on the involvement of police personnel stationed at CM Hemant Soren’s residence in the gambling operation. Marandi suggested that there might be pressure on the police, leading to potential manipulation of the case.

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He even took to his official handle on X (formerly Twitter), to express his worries over the state’s leadership being involved in wrongdoings. He also questioned where the money earned from the gambling activities was going.

The station in-charge Ravi Thakur confirmed the arrests. A detailed investigation into the matter is underway. The illegal gambling activities were reportedly ongoing in the police like area for several days. Upon receiving the information about the illegal gambling den, Ranchi SSP formed the team who conducted the raid.

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Genting Berhad Reports Group Revenue of $1.57 Billion for Q3 2023

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Genting Berhad has posted its financial report for the third quarter of 2023, highlighting a 20.39% increase year-on-year in its group revenue to RM7.37bn ($1.57bn).

This improved performance in the group’s revenue was contributed mainly by the Leisure & Hospitality Division continuing to recover.

There was a significant increase in the group’s net profit from the previous year’s third quarter results, seeing them go up 177.16% to RM995m.

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EBITDA also saw an increase, going up from RM2.06bn in the third quarter of 2022 to RM2.73bn in the third quarter of 2023, representing an increase of nearly 33%.

Resorts World Sentosa continued to benefit from the sustained recovery of travel and tourism within the region, seeing both revenue and EBITDA increase, while Resorts World Genting recorded higher revenue this quarter due to a higher volume of business registered by its gaming and non-gaming segments; owing to the relaxation of border control as compared to Q3 2022.

Genting mentions that its financial performance for the rest of the 2023 financial year may be impacted by a number of factors, including the continuation of domestic demand employment growth; and the regional gaming market is expected to continue its recovery as airline capacity and air connectivity in the region improves.

The report also mentions that Resorts World Sentosa has collaborated with a local charity organisation called Food from the Heart to fund, to enable the distribution of fresh, locally sourced produce to 2400 underprivileged families across the island over the next three years.

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Mohegan INSPIRE to Hold Soft Opening on November 30

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Mohegan INSPIRE Entertainment Resort President Chen Si announced the opening of its first phase as a true entertainment resort in Asia with a soft opening on November 30. This phase encompasses significant attractions, including three hotel towers with 1275 rooms, Korea’s first multi-purpose arena, MICE facilities including the largest ballroom in Korea, its signature restaurants and Aurora, a state-of-the-art digital entertainment street.

With the aspiration of “Inspiring Worlds, Inspiring People,” INSPIRE aims to set a new standard for entertainment resorts in South Korea, offering an unforgettable and unparalleled experience to visitors of all generations and nationalities. INSPIRE plans to open the entire resort in phases by the first half of 2024, employing a gradual opening strategy.

“This is a momentous occasion for Mohegan, marking both a historic partnership for our Tribe and a new echelon for our system of premier integrated entertainment resorts around the world. We have been honored to work closely with the Korean government to make this day possible, and we look forward to INSPIRE contributing to the local and regional economies by creating local jobs, bringing visitors to enjoy the Incheon region, and attracting new businesses both on and adjacent to the property. I am grateful to the Mohegan and Mohegan INSPIRE teams for their efforts and their leadership and look forward to many years of success and partnership in South Korea,” said James Gessner Jr., Chairman of the Mohegan Tribe and the Mohegan Management Board.

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A soft opening on November 30 will introduce a premier hotel comprising three towers, each with a distinct concept (Forest Tower, Sun Tower and Ocean Tower); INSPIRE Arena, a multi-purpose indoor performance venue with a total capacity of 15,000 seats; and Aurora, a 150-meter-long digital entertainment street featuring super-large LED screens. This opening also showcases Splash Bay, a glass-domed indoor water park (swimming pool available to hotel guests in the initial phase), more than 10 INSPIRE-owned restaurants, including the world-famous Michael Jordan’s Steak House, and state-of-the-art MICE facilities.

“INSPIRE is significant to us not only for our growth in the global market but also for the opportunity to share Mohegan’s legacy and spirit with the world. Together as a team, we look forward to bringing this incredible entertainment destination to Asia, offering the top-notch hospitality services and products that our guests expect from our brand,” Ray Pineault, President and Chief Executive Officer of Mohegan, said.

Following the initial soft opening, INSPIRE Mall—an integrated cultural space combining shopping, dining and entertainment—and a foreigner-exclusive casino are expected to open in the first quarter of 2024. Discovery Park, an outdoor entertainment facility covering approximately 100,000 square meters; an international food court in collaboration with Glow Seoul, along with Splash Bay’s water attractions, Korea’s largest digital immersive content exhibition center and an indoor children’s playground are expected to open in the second quarter of 2024.

“We are delighted that project INSPIRE, aimed at creating a leading entertainment integrated resort in Northeast Asia in Incheon, South Korea, has reached a major milestone. I would like to express a sincere gratitude to the Korean government, municipalities, local communities and our team members for their support and collaboration on this project. As we grow with the community, we will establish ourselves as an ultimate entertainment destination that attracts visitors from around the world, filled with inspiration and innovation,” Chen Si, President of Mohegan INSPIRE, said.

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