Asia
Profiles of Animesh Agarwal, Naman Mathur, Payal Dhare and Tirth Mehta
- Animesh Agarwal aka 8Bit Thug, Founder & CEO of 8Bit Creatives and Co-Founder of S8UL
Mr Animesh Agarwal is the Founder, and CEO of 8Bit Creatives, India’s leading Esports consulting and talent management agency. He is also the founder of S8UL, a hub of gaming content and Esports. S8UL is the parent org of IQOO SOUL, the leading Esports organization in India.
S8UL is the only Indian Esports organization to win at the global Esports Awards and has done so multiple times by securing the prestigious ‘Esports Content Creator of the Year’ recently. Having also won the inaugural ‘Global Impact on Mobile Gaming’ award at the MOBIES earlier this year, the organization has elevated the stature of Indian Esports worldwide. Moreover, team SOUL has also roped in iQOO as its exclusive title sponsor, marking the first time that an Esports organization in the country secured a high-profile title sponsorship with a mobile manufacturer that extends beyond individual tournaments.
Animesh dons several hats as an entrepreneur, an ex-pro gamer, a monster energy Esports athlete, a gaming & luxury lifestyle content creator, and a pioneer in the Indian Gaming Industry. He has a deep understanding of the industry and is dedicated to shaping the Esports and gaming industry in India. He has partnered with other industry front runners like Nodwin Gaming & LOCO to make substantial strides in advancing gaming & Esports in India.
His Company, 8Bit Creatives is equally making remarkable milestones in the business of content creation and brand collaborations around gaming and esports. With some of India’s top gaming talents in their line-up and backed with experience and exposure of collaborating and curating campaigns with 100+ top-notch brands like Netflix, Coca-cola, Reliance Digital, Mx Players, OnePlus, Realme Narzo, Flipkart, Airtel, and many others; 8Bit Creatives boasts of managing popular and renowned gaming content creators and influencers- Mortal, Scout, Mavi, Snax, Thug, Payal, Kaashvi, 8bit Goldy, 8bit Sid to name a few.
- Naman Mathur aka Mortal, Co-Founder of S8UL
Naman Mathur, popularly known as Mortal, is a prominent figure in the Indian Esports community and the Co-Founder and CMO of S8UL Esports. Known for his exceptional gaming skills and influential presence, Naman has been instrumental in shaping the landscape of Indian Esports. His achievements both as an Esports athlete and a gaming creator have earned him global recognition, cementing him as the face of Indian Esports.
Naman holds the distinction of being the only Indian Esports athlete nominated four times in the prestigious global Esports Awards. The 26-year-old clinched the runner-up in the ‘Esports Personality of the Year’ category in consecutive years in 2022 and 2023, following his previous nomination for the ‘Streamer of the Year’ category in 2020 and 2021 where he secured the second position on both occasions.
As an Esports athlete, the Mumbai-born gamer has won notable tournaments including the BMPS Season 1 (2022), PUBG: Mobile Club Open, and PUBG Mobile India Series (2019) while also representing India on the international stage. Acknowledged for his exceptional gaming content, Naman was honored with the ‘Best Gaming Influencer’ at the Impact Digital Influencer Awards last year.
With an impressive following of 7 million subscribers on YouTube and over 5.3 million followers on Instagram, Naman’s influence transcends his gaming prowess, as he has played a pivotal role in elevating the status of Indian Esports on a global scale.
- Payal Dhare aka PayalGaming, India’s leading female gamer who is part of 8Bit Creatives
Payal Dhare, hailing from the small city of Chhindwara in Madhya Pradesh, defied societal stereotypes from an early age and embarked on a journey as a gamer. It all began when her cousin brothers introduced her to the world of video games.
While Payal’s father provided unwavering support, her mother initially shared the concerns for her future. However, Payal’s determination and passion gradually changed her mother’s perspective. As a result, her mother now stands as a proud supporter of Payal’s achievements.
Payal commenced her career as a hardcore content creator. Although her first video on YouTube did not feature gameplay, it served as a significant starting point for her. Unlike aspiring lifestyle influencers, Payal’s primary focus was to connect with her audience through gaming. She aimed to have fun while playing games and involve more people in the process. Payal believed that competitiveness was not always necessary when engaging in video games.
By breaking stereotypes and pursuing her passion, Payal Dhare has become an inspiration for aspiring gamers, content creators, and individuals seeking to challenge societal norms. With over 3.1 million followers on Instagram and 3.69 million subscribers on YouTube, her journey exemplifies the importance of following one’s dreams, even in the face of adversity.
- Tirth Mehta, Bronze medal winner in Hearthstone at Asian Games 2018
Tirth Mehta, a 28-year-old lad from the sleepy town of Bhuj in Gujarat’s Kutch district won the bronze medal in Hearthstone — a popular online digital collectible card game — at the Esports demonstration event at the 2018 Asian Games. Hearthstone, developed and published by American video game company, Blizzard Entertainment, has garnered huge interest among online gamers from across Asia, including Japan, Hong Kong, China, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan, besides India. The game is a combination of chess and poker, requiring players to have core skills in maths and probability.
The post Profiles of Animesh Agarwal, Naman Mathur, Payal Dhare and Tirth Mehta appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Amusnet
Amusnet Strengthens Asian Expansion Strategy with Strong Presence at SiGMA Asia Manila 2026
Amusnet is going to participate in SiGMA Asia Manila 2026. This year’s participation marks a special milestone as Amusnet celebrates its 10th anniversary.
Against the vibrant backdrop of Manila, one of Asia’s fastest-growing gaming hubs, Amusnet will present a portfolio designed to reflect both its international expertise and its strong commitment to localised player experiences. The company’s presence at SiGMA Asia is about unveiling games and products for online casino, live casino and land-based, while building long-term partnerships and deepening its strategic footprint across the Philippines and the wider Asian market.
“SiGMA Asia represents an important strategic opportunity for Amusnet as we continue to strengthen our footprint across the Philippines and the wider Asian region. The market demonstrates exceptional growth potential, and our focus remains on delivering localised gaming experiences, building strong partnerships, and expanding sustainably in one of the industry’s most dynamic regions. Celebrating our 10th anniversary makes this year’s participation even more special for us,” said Desieriel Agdeppa, Director Philippines at Amusnet.
At the heart of the showcase will be Golden Tiger 1000, one of the standout titles leading Amusnet’s Online Casino presentation. Inspired by themes and mechanics that resonate strongly with Asian audiences, the game embodies the company’s ongoing focus on combining engaging storytelling, dynamic gameplay, and entertainment-driven features. Set against a vibrant Asian-inspired backdrop, every spin is a joyful chase for rewards. Stacked symbols, cheerful Wild Tigers and the Respin Feature keep the reels full of surprises, while multipliers can boost wins up to 25,000x the bet.
Alongside it, visitors will discover a diverse lineup that includes Coin Gobbler, 20 Golden Coins: Reel Fishing, Wenshi Lion, Hot Deco Super Pot, Roman Coins, Asian Palace, 40 Extra Crown Triple Boost Golden Coins Link, Crazy Red, Clover Super Pot and Gorgon’s Luck.
The experience extends beyond individual titles. Amusnet will also demonstrate how its broader engagement ecosystem supports operators through tools such as Golden Coins Link, Tournaments and the Bonus Platform, solutions created to enhance retention, increase engagement and deliver more personalised player journeys.
The company’s Live Casino offer will bring another layer of excitement to the exhibition floor. Designed to blend immersive entertainment with high-energy gameplay, the showcase will unveil new products like Golden Goal Roulette, Eye of Ra Roulette 2000x, Candy Wheel and Vegas Gobbler LIVE, highlighting the company’s ambition to continuously evolve the live gaming experience for players and operators alike. The portfolio will also feature existing titles such as Virtual Monaco 72x, Space 120x, Vegas Roulette 500x, Showtime Roulette 500x, Football Thrill, Dynamic Roulette 120x, Live European Roulette and Speed Baccarat.
Amusnet will also highlight selected solutions from its Land-based portfolio, further demonstrating the company’s comprehensive multi-channel strategy. Among the products on display will be the Type S 55J cabinet with a striking 55-inch J-curved monitor and Jackpot Signage, designed to deliver enhanced visual impact and elevated player engagement on the casino floor.
Type S55J slot cabinets will be powered by the Amusebox 3.0.0 software. The showcase will highlight the Golden Coins Link jackpot and the renowned Jackpot Cards Plus systems. One of Amusebox’s 3.0.0 key advantages is its ability to run Jackpot Cards Plus and Golden Coins Link simultaneously on a single machine, providing operators with greater flexibility and players with enhanced jackpot opportunities.
The presentation will also include specially developed Golden Coins Link titles and popular Triple Boost games, such as 40 Power Hot Triple Boost, 40 Vampire Beast Triple Boost, 40 Extra Crown Triple Boost and Trophy Rush Triple Boost Golden Coins Link, all designed to deliver engaging bonus features and dynamic gameplay.
Completing the land-based showcase, Amusnet will present an advanced roulette centre with four terminals, combining modern design, seamless functionality and interactive multiplayer gameplay, further reinforcing the company’s commitment to innovative casino entertainment solutions.
For Amusnet, SiGMA Asia Manila 2026 comes at a particularly important moment in the company’s regional journey. Asia continues to emerge as one of the most dynamic and strategically important markets in the gaming industry, offering significant opportunities for innovation, expansion and long-term collaboration.
As the company celebrates ten years in the industry, its presence in Manila reflects not only how far Amusnet has come, but also where it is heading next. With a strategy centered on localised content, scalable gaming solutions and strong regional partnerships, Amusnet continues to position itself as a trusted and forward-looking provider for the evolving Asian gaming landscape.
The post Amusnet Strengthens Asian Expansion Strategy with Strong Presence at SiGMA Asia Manila 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Asia
Playson Secures Approval from PAGCOR for Game Distribution in Philippines
Playson, the accomplished digital entertainment supplier, has secured approval from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) for the distribution of its games in the regulated Philippine market.
The approval was achieved through close cooperation between Playson and its aggregation partner, Light & Wonder, enabling Playson’s portfolio to be made available to licensed operators in the Philippines.
The project was delivered in a matter of days through a coordinated effort across Playson’s and Light & Wonder sales, integration, architecture and compliance teams. From a technical perspective, the process was completed with no major market-entry or infrastructure changes needed, as Playson’s platform was already prepared to meet the relevant specifications.
The milestone marks a new regulated market entry for Playson, which already operates in 27 regulated markets worldwide. PAGCOR approval further reinforces the company’s position as a recognised entertainment supplier with a strong and expanding compliant markets’ presence, and for delivering high-quality gaming content to operators and players around the world.
Ben Wood, Chief Commercial Officer at Playson, said: “Securing PAGCOR approval is an important step in Playson’s continued regulated-market growth. The Philippines represents an exciting opportunity for the business, and we are delighted to have achieved this milestone in cooperation with our valued aggregation partner, Light & Wonder.
“This approval reflects the strength of our platform, the readiness of our technology and the expertise of the teams involved. We are proud to bring Playson’s product suite to a new audience and to further strengthen our international presence.”
The post Playson Secures Approval from PAGCOR for Game Distribution in Philippines appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Asia
S8UL streamer Payal Dhare and OWND! launch gamer-curated fashion capsule
S8UL gaming creator and streamer Payal Dhare has partnered with OWND!, the Gen Z-focused fashion brand from Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Limited, to launch a gaming-inspired fashion capsule called ‘Gamer Drop’. The companies describe it as India’s first female gamer-curated capsule. The collection will be available on OWND!’s website and in the brand’s stores across India.
According to the press release, ‘Gamer Drop’ includes menswear and womenswear pieces built around gaming culture and streetwear, positioned as a creator-led collection rather than conventional creator merchandise. The campaign leans on the growing overlap between gaming culture, creator communities, and youth fashion.
Marco Agnolin, Chief Executive Officer, OWND!. said, “We see gaming today as a powerful cultural force that is shaping how young consumers express themselves, communicate, and engage with fashion. As one of India’s biggest gamers, Payal Dhare represents this new generation perfectly through her authenticity, confidence, and deep connection with the gaming community. Her influence extends far beyond gaming content, making her an ideal face for our gaming collection. Through this collaboration, we aim to celebrate individuality and connect with India’s digitally native youth in a way that feels relevant, inclusive, and culture-driven.”
Payal Dhare aka Payal Gaming said, “Gaming today has become a culture and a form of self-expression for millions of young people across the country. That’s what makes this collaboration with OWND! so exciting for me. With this curation, I wanted to create something that genuinely reflects my vibe and the energy of my community. It’s stylish, comfortable, expressive – and made for people who want to own who they are.”
The release also points to India’s expanding creator economy. Citing a Boston Consulting Group report, it says India has nearly 2 to 2.5 million creators, with more than 60% of consumers exposed to creator-led content and over 30% of shoppers influenced by creators in purchase decisions.
The post S8UL streamer Payal Dhare and OWND! launch gamer-curated fashion capsule appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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