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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.

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.”

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NOVOMATIC Announces New Strategic Distribution Partnership with Harvest Gaming

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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.

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ZITRO TO SHOWCASE CONCEPT CABINET LINE AND NEW GAMES AT G2E ASIA 2025

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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 SwordTriple Charm JourneyFairyland QuestKing Fu FrogMerging Fu PotsLucky 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.

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NOVOMATIC: Showcasing cutting-edge gaming innovations for the Asian market at G2E Asia 2025

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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 3XTENSION 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 BoBaccaratRoulettePokerBlack 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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