Asia
Underdog Teams GOG Esports and Dragon Esports Set for a big leap as they seal a berth for ESPL 2 LAN Finals
In its bid to give promising gamers a chance to showcase their skills on a national platform, the second edition of the Esports Premier League organized the Underdog Phase, where Team GOG Esports and Dragon Esports put up a stellar display of talent to conquer the open qualifiers. Both teams finished in the top two positions with their dominant performances in the open qualifiers.
ESports Premier League envisioned this “Underdog Phase” to ensure that non-established BGMI Esports players and teams from across the country get an opportunity to show their talent and ability. This will be for the first time such an initiative was taken to give opportunity for the Underdogs only via open qualifiers.
Led by Manish Jangid, team GOG Esports topped the chart with a total tally of 142 points (Finish Points – 52 + Position Points – 90) while Team Dragon Esports led by Ritik Rawat finished second with 130 points (Finish Points – 70 + Position Points – 60). Both teams registered one WWCD (Winner Winner Chicken Dinner) each to their name too.
GOG Esports played their first major tournament during BMPS (Battleground Mobile Pro Series) and finished that mega event with the 21st rank. Buoyed by other talented members in Nick, Bullet, and Trex, the team is currently prepping for the mega final in a Boot Camp in Bhopal. The whole team is practicing for about 13 to 14 hours daily to give a tough competition to the best teams during the grand finals of the ESPL Season 2.
The team is excited to play in their first ever major LAN event as Manish Jangid, the team leader for GOG Esports added, “This moment gives me a sense of accomplishment and honor that our team’s diligence and commitment finally paid off. We are grinding really hard together at our bootcamp and are really excited as this will be our first LAN event. The open qualifier was an eye-opener as multiple underdog teams were playing like pros and I am sure all other teams learned a lot and will continue their grid in the upcoming events.”
Team Dragon Esports leader Ritik, son of a retired army officer opted out of education after 12th to pursue a career in gaming. His journey began in 2018 with PUBG. With Sanket Salam, Krishna Sharma, and Ashish Singh, Rawat formed the team Dragon Esports which is his third esports team. The 22-year-old also participated in the PMCO Open qualifiers 2019. He also joined NADE gaming in 2020 and now the Dehradun-based gamer is focused on the upcoming LAN event in Delhi.
Speaking on the success and response of the Open Qualifiers, ESPL director Vishwalok Nath noted, “We have seen multiple tournaments only catering to top teams on an invitational basis, and opportunities for underdog teams are very less in regards to bigger platforms. So, to give equal opportunity to all the teams, we conducted open qualifiers for underdog teams across the country to give them a bigger platform to perform. The Underdog phase was one of its kind, as it provided budding gamers with a promise to get a chance to showcase their skills on a national platform. Both the teams that won thoroughly deserve their success. Now, these teams will get a chance to put their skills and strategies to test against the top names in BGMI Esports. Who knows, we may get our new BGMI heroes out of these two underdog teams.”
This year’s league which carries a massive prize pool of Rs. 1 crore is set to engage esports athletes across the country in a high-voltage action of the most popular battle royale game, BATTLEGROUNDS MOBILE INDIA.
The league is being played in two separate stages in the initial phase — online qualifiers and invitational qualifiers — to shortlist the top 16 teams. ESPL has already got their 2 top Underdog teams from online qualifiers. The invitational qualifiers are being played in two phases; the first phase will select top 5 teams whereas in the second phase, 8 top teams will be chosen from the leaderboard. The finals will also witness one direct invited team competing and vying for the title.
Recently, ESports Premier League (ESPL) extended its association with youth icon and renowned Bollywood actor Tiger Shroff as the face of India’s first-ever franchise-based Esports league for the second consecutive year. India Today Gaming has also roped the Global smartphone brand, TECNO Mobile as Presenting Sponsor for the tournament. The smartphone maker is committed to supporting and helping aspiring underdog esports players with its gaming-focused smartphones like the latest, Tecno Pova 3. Esports fans can also watch the BGMI action live on India’s leading streaming platform, LOCO, the exclusive digital broadcast partner for ESPL Season 2. The tournament organizer has also signed Ishq FM as the exclusive radio partner for the ongoing tournament.
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Asia
NODWIN Gaming joins forces with ICONiQ White to headline NH7 Weekender 2026 as Title Sponsor; to be ‘Powered By’ Mastercard
NODWIN Gaming, a leader in youth entertainment, gaming, and esports, has announced ICONiQ White as the Title Sponsor and Mastercard as the ‘Powered By’ Sponsor for NH7 Weekender 2026, reinforcing the festival’s status as one of India’s most influential live music events.
Scheduled from March 13–15, 2026, at Mahalakshmi Lawns, Pune, this year’s edition promises a vibrant celebration of music and culture, featuring an eclectic lineup including Talwiinder, Prateek Kuhad, Aditya Gadhvi, Raftaar x Kr$na, Faheem Abdullah, Aditya Rikhari, KING, Indian Ocean, Nucleya & Friends, among others. Comedy highlights will include performances by Aaditya Kulshreshth, Rahul Subramanian, Varun Thakur, Rohan Joshi, and Urooj Ashfaq, ensuring plenty of laughs alongside the music.
Representing Allied Blenders and Distillers Limited, India’s largest domestic spirits company by volume, ICONiQ White resonates with a generation that values individuality, confidence, and self-expression. As Title Sponsor, ICONiQ White will curate a social and experiential hub at the festival, offering attendees a space to pause, reset, and reconnect with art, community, and the festival experience.
Alok Gupta, Managing Director at Allied Blenders and Distillers Limited, said:
“Today’s generation creates the culture they consume. ICONiQ White celebrates individuality and bold self-expression – values that define NH7 Weekender. This partnership is about being present where our consumers discover new voices and create unforgettable memories. We look forward to fuelling these experiences and inviting everyone to ‘Be ICONiQ’ this March.”
Mastercard joins as the ‘Powered By’ Sponsor, supporting music and entertainment experiences globally. The festival will feature HDFC Bank Mastercard Credit Card presales followed by general Mastercard presales, providing exclusive access and curated benefits to enhance the live event experience.
Lavani Agarwal, VP Marketing & Communications, South Asia at Mastercard, said:
“NH7 Weekender embodies creativity, inclusivity, and self-expression—values at the heart of Mastercard. We are thrilled to connect with youth and Gen Z through exclusive presales and on-ground engagements. As India’s live entertainment scene grows, Mastercard remains committed to creating culturally resonant and unforgettable experiences.”
The partnerships coincide with a period of strong growth in India’s live events industry. According to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the organised live events segment grew by 15% in 2024, generating an incremental INR 13 billion, as India aims to be among the top five live entertainment destinations globally by 2030.
Akshat Rathee, Co-founder and MD of NODWIN Gaming, said:
“We are thrilled to welcome ICONiQ White and Mastercard as partners for NH7 Weekender 2026. What began as a platform for independent talent has evolved into one of India’s most recognised cultural properties. As the sector grows, building partnerships that enhance the audience journey and support sustainable expansion is essential. Together, these collaborations strengthen Weekender’s identity and propel the festival into its next chapter.”
Leading up to the festival, the Road to Weekender campaign will activate across Mumbai and Pune, extending the festival experience through interactive, community-driven events. Participants will have opportunities to win passes and access exclusive on-ground experiences.
Tickets are available via the District by Zomato app, the festival’s official ticketing partner. NH7 Weekender is a NODWIN IP, curated by Big Bad Wolf, with Exceed Entertainment as the revenue partner and EVA Live as the event partner.
The post NODWIN Gaming joins forces with ICONiQ White to headline NH7 Weekender 2026 as Title Sponsor; to be ‘Powered By’ Mastercard appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Asia
CreedRoomz Expands Localized Portfolio with “Lucky Colors”: A High-Volatility Digital Reimagining of Philippine Gaming Culture
CreedRoomz, a global leader in live casino solutions, has officially launched Lucky Colors, a premium game designed to appeal to the rapidly growing Southeast Asian market. Drawing inspiration from a beloved part of Philippine street culture and game show history, the title transforms the familiar energy of local carnivals into a high-performance digital experience, giving operators a winning combination of recognizable gameplay and engaging payouts.
Game Concept
Lucky Colors brings the traditional “Perya” to life using a realistic, smart engine. Players watch three multi-colored cubes tumble down a sloped path, delivering the dynamic action that has made these carnival games so popular. CreedRoomz has enhanced the experience for digital casino audiences, creating an engaging, fast-paced gameplay environment.
Key Features
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Dual-Mode Gameplay – Designed to maximize Player Lifetime Value (PLV) by catering to two distinct player types within a single interface:
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Classic Mode (Acquisition Tool): A 6-spot layout focused on single-color outcomes, optimized for high-frequency rounds. Perfect for casual players entering the game.
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Advanced Mode (Revenue Driver): An 18-spot strategic layout for experienced players, offering complex betting and higher stakes to boost spending and retention.
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Proprietary Multiplier Dynamics: The Dynamic Multiplier Engine assigns random multipliers to betting spots in real-time, enhancing big-win potential for marketing campaigns.
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Scalable Volatility: Advanced mathematical modeling allows payouts of up to 1111x a player’s stake.
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Special Round Trigger: All 18 advanced spots can simultaneously receive multipliers, creating “hero moments” and powerful promotional opportunities.
Arturs Fjodorovs, Chief Product Officer at CreedRoomz, said:
“Lucky Colors connects traditional fun with modern gaming tech by keeping the real energy of Philippine game shows alive. By combining big multipliers with two ways to play, we give partners a powerful tool to attract more players and keep them coming back.”
CreedRoomz delivers cutting-edge casino entertainment and online gaming solutions, helping operators stay competitive and appeal to diverse audiences. All solutions are fully customizable to align with a business’s scale, region, and player preferences.
With 30+ engaging games in 12+ languages, 1000+ strong partnerships, and 200+ dynamic tables, CreedRoomz provides the infrastructure for seamless, high-impact player experiences across the globe.
The post CreedRoomz Expands Localized Portfolio with “Lucky Colors”: A High-Volatility Digital Reimagining of Philippine Gaming Culture appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
PG Soft, the world-class digital mobile games company, has been confirmed as the Title Sponsor of Global Game Connect 2026 (GGC), which will take place from 16–17 March 2026 at the prestigious Cinnamon Life venue in Sri Lanka.
Organised by HUIDU, Global Game Connect has quickly established itself as a key event within the iGaming industry. The conference brings together global leaders from across the sector, including platforms, operators, API integration providers, payment solution suppliers, and compliance specialists.
The sponsorship highlights PG Soft’s ongoing investment in emerging markets and its commitment to supporting the development of the industry at a regional level. With Sri Lanka identified as a strategic expansion market in 2026, the partnership strengthens the company’s brand presence while contributing to the continued growth of the country’s iGaming ecosystem.
As part of the agreement, PG Soft will receive prominent brand visibility throughout the event, including across promotional materials, exhibition entrance archway displays, and the registration area. The sponsorship also includes a comprehensive HUIDU advertising package, covering membership promotion, press exposure, and targeted digital marketing support.
Spanning two days, Global Game Connect 2026 will feature a forward-looking conference agenda covering a range of key industry topics. Discussions will explore emerging market trends, growth strategies, player data and analytics, regulatory compliance, as well as the evolving role of blockchain technology and artificial intelligence within modern gaming ecosystems.
A PG Soft spokesperson said:
“Global Game Connect 2026 provides an ideal platform to encourage meaningful discussions around innovation, regulation, and the future of the iGaming industry. Sri Lanka is becoming increasingly important as a regional iGaming hub, and we’re proud to support the event alongside HUIDU.”
The post PG Soft revealed as Title Sponsor for Global Game Connect 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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