Asia
NODWIN Gaming celebrates Chess at DreamHack, India’s largest digital festival
NODWIN Gaming, ChessBase India and comedian Samay Raina will be joining forces to further elevate the DreamHack experience for fans; a total prize pool of Rs.20 lakh on offer for the winners of this grand chess celebration
The Gaming X Chess fusion event will host a nail-biting death match on Nov 5 between two of India’s young grand masters Gukesh D and Arjun Erigaisi; for the first time ever, Comedians over the Board (COTB) will also go live at DreamHack
For fans awaiting NODWIN Gaming’s upcoming DreamHack event scheduled from November 4-6, there is an epic announcement as the party just got bigger! The much-anticipated three-day gaming event has in store a surprise for the audience with the celebration of all things ‘Chess’! In addition to an over-the-edge excitement of all the gaming fun at the event, the inclusion of chess in the largest digital festival is set to generate a palpable buzz.
In partnership with comedian Samay Raina and ChessBase India, NODWIN Gaming, the Gaming and esports arm of Nazara Technologies, has planned a chess celebration which includes an open tournament, a death-match between two leading grandmasters – Gukesh D and Arjun Erigaisi, Comedians over the Board (COTB), free chess workshops, along with some fun activities like Hand-and-brain, a Simul exhibition and meet-and-greet with other chess stars. A total prize pool of Rs.10 lakh has been announced for the winners of the DreamHack Rapid and Blitz chess tournaments that are open to all.
“By bringing a much respected and one of the oldest sports like chess to the DreamHack, we’re giving fans the experience of a lifetime! The super success of our Chess Super League showed us how loved the game is in India and how passionate this community is, which is why we wanted to celebrate chess at DreamHack. “Chess is also played over the internet just like gaming and also features the fabled over-the-board competition, exactly like a LAN event. The synergies and similarities are extremely evident and we believe that these 2 communities will love what they have to offer to each other,” said Gautam Virk, COO and Co-founder, NODWIN Gaming.
“The vision of ChessBase India has always been to make chess the most popular sport in the country. Nodwin has been a wonderful partner in this odyssey of popularizing chess. I am very happy that chess is going to be a part of an iconic event like the Dreamhack. Extremely thrilled and so looking forward,” said Sagar Shah, Co-founder and CEO, ChessBase India.
A deathmatch between two of India’s finest chess players — the 16-year-old India no. 2 and world no. 18 Gukesh D and the 19-year-old India no.3 and world no. 19 Arjun Erigaisi is scheduled on November 5. The winner of this match will take home Rs.3 lakh and the runner-up, Rs.2 lakh.
“I am excited and eagerly looking forward to battling it out with Arjun Erigaisi, my fierce rival on the board and close buddy off it. I am looking forward to a great match,” said Gukesh D, Chess Grandmaster.
Arjun Erigaisi, Chess GM added, “I was closely following the first edition of the deathmatch between Anish and Vidit, it was so thrilling and intense. Now I’m super delighted to be playing the second edition of deathmatch, that too against a very strong opponent like Gukesh. Also, as far as I can recall this is going to be my first 1 on 1 OTB that too in my backyard at Hyderabad. So all in all extremely excited.”
That’s not all. There’s more! Comedians on the Board (COTB), one of the most popular events in the world of chess that has always been hosted online by Samay Raina, will, for the first time, go live at DreamHack. Eight of the strongest chess-playing stand-up comedians including Tanmay Bhat, Samay Raina, Biswa Kalyan, Joel D’souza, Anirban Dasgupta, Vaibhav Sethia, Manik Mahna and Sumit Sourav will face off against each other to win the Rs.5 lakh prize and to become the ultimate COTB champion on November 4.
On the workshop front, there is a fun and exciting line up which includes – How to stream chess in an effective way by Samay Raina, how to make chess exciting in terms of teaching and commentating by Sagar Shah and What is needed to pursue a career as an arbiter by one of India’s finest chess arbiters IA Vivek Sohani.
DreamHack will go live from November 4-6 at Hall 1 and 3, Hitex Exhibition Center, Hitec City, Hyderabad
Asia
Nazara makes an investment of INR 982 Crores
Nazara Technologies Limited (BSE: 543280, NSE: NAZARA), India’s leading publicly listed diversified gaming and sports media company, has announced the acquisition of a 47.7% stake in Moonshine Technology Private Limited (“MTPL” or “Moonshine”), the parent company of PokerBaazi, India’s top online poker gaming platform, for INR 832 crores through a secondary transaction. Additionally, Nazara will inject INR 150 crores in primary capital into Moonshine via compulsory convertible preference shares.
PokerBaazi is India’s largest online poker platform, driving over 85% of Moonshine’s net revenue, while its fantasy sports platform, SportsBaazi, contributes 12%. PokerBaazi had ~340,000 monthly active users as of May 2024. The company’s success is attributed to its dynamic and forward-thinking leadership team, led by Founder & CEO Navkiran Singh and Co-Founders Puneet Singh, Varun Ganjoo, Avneet Rana, and Anirudh Chaudhry, whose combined efforts are driving the transformation of India’s poker ecosystem.
Commenting on the development, Nitish Mittersain, CEO of Nazara Technologies, said: “This investment in Moonshine Technology represents a significant step in our journey to strengthen Nazara’s position as India’s dominant diversified gaming platform. PokerBaazi has not only emerged as the undisputed leader in online poker gaming in India but has also set new standards in user engagement, innovation, and overall experience. We’re excited to join forces with Navkiran, Puneet, and the entire Moonshine team, whose vision and leadership have been instrumental in shaping the poker landscape in India. Together, we look forward to driving growth in this space and taking Indian gaming to new heights, both domestically and globally.”
Navkiran Singh, CEO & Founder, Baazi Games (MTPL) also shared his views, “As the Indian gaming sector continues to grow, we firmly believe that partnering with Nazara Technologies is the right step toward advancing the nation’s gaming ecosystem. This partnership will also contribute to our aim for global expansion in the gaming space. With the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s recognition of the gaming sector’s role in shaping India’s $1 trillion digital economy, we are confident that our combined efforts will foster innovation, create new jobs, and further India’s place in the global digital economy.”
Asia
Jamsos Indonesia Teams Up with New Platform for Top-Notch Online Gaming
Jamsos Indonesia has been electrifying the online gaming scene with its unbeatable selection of games and slots. Now, Jamsos is supercharged by the renowned Joker123 platform, offering players an even more dynamic and immersive gaming experience. This integration not only improves gameplay but also gives consumers access to the most recent features and advancements in the online gaming business.
Located in the bustling heart of Jakarta, Jamsos Indonesia is where excitement meets reliability. It offers players across Indonesia a top-notch gaming experience that is as thrilling as it is secure. Players are set to dive into a world of vibrant graphics, fast-paced gameplay, and endless winning opportunities—all at their fingertips. This digital hub has carefully curated a diverse collection of online games. The platform caters to all types of gamers, from those who prefer classic slots to those seeking innovative experiences.
By integrating the Joker123 platform, known for its vibrant graphics and dynamic gameplay, Jamsos Indonesia offers its patrons a wide array of slot games that are both engaging and rewarding.
A spokesperson for the platform said: “Partnering with Joker123 enhances our gaming library with some of the best games in the industry. We work to provide users with a premium gaming experience they can trust and enjoy.”
With this integration, players can enjoy games without hiccups on any device and without platform restrictions. This flexibility allows them to enjoy their favorite games anytime and anywhere. With a user-friendly interface, the site ensures a smooth experience, letting players focus on their adventures without distractions or hassle. Moreover, it also uses advanced security protocols that protect users’ information and ensure fair play.
To fully appreciate the dynamic offerings of Jamsos Indonesia, its official website features a Live section that provides an authentic and interactive experience. It brings the full thrill of a real gaming environment straight to players’ screens, offering an immersive experience similar to a physical venue. The website includes a variety of online games, such as slot games and others. It has an interactive setup that allows users to chat with dealers and other players, capturing the lively atmosphere of a traditional gaming environment. Designed for desktop and mobile, the Live section offers easy access, high-quality streaming, and the excitement of real stakes.
Jamsos Indonesia also has a Manual page for a smooth experience on the platform. It provides users with essential guidance on accessing games and features using a QR code, enabling quick and easy engagement. This streamlined process helps users set up accounts and dive into their favorite games, enhancing their experience, especially with games powered by Joker123.
Asia
eStar Gaming Announces its Intention to Collaborate with Dalian Young Boy Football Club
China’s leading esports brand, eStar Gaming, a subsidiary of NIP Group announced its intention to collaborate with Dalian Young Boy Football Club. This partnership aims to explore innovative business models that blend digital and traditional sports realms, enhancing urban culture, tourism and the consumer economy through the power of sports.
Kui Wang, Investor and Chairman of Dalian Young Boy Football Club, said: “We are delighted to partner with eStar Gaming, a pioneer in the esports industry. Esports resonates with the youth, offering a dynamic platform for engagement. Our ‘esports+ football’ collaboration is set to spark excitement and innovation, enriching the traditional sport of football with new dimensions. We are confident that this alliance with NIP Group, the first listed Chinese esports company on Nasdaq, will propel Dalian Young Boy and Dalian football into uncharted territories, while our exploration in the integration between esports and traditional sports will pave the way for sustainable growth in both industries.”
Hang “Allen” Sui, Chief Operating Officer of NIP Group, said: “This cross-industry partnership is a groundbreaking step towards integrating esports and football. The synergy between our organizations will deliver unparalleled fan experiences. We anticipate expanding our collaboration with Dalian Young Boy to include cultural exchanges, tourism promotion, and esports festivals, exploring the full potential of digital-inclusion.”
Esports has become an exceptional medium for the younger generation to engage with traditional sports culture and socialize. In late August, Nuoyan and Orange, eStar Gaming’s representative players, engaged in an inaugural exchange with Dalian Young Boy Football Club, experiencing a day in the life of a football player. The event saw a jersey exchange between Dong Chen, General Manager of Dalian Young Boy Football Club, and the eStar Gaming players, with active participation from athletes Weijie Mao, Pengyu Zhu, Shan Huang and Ge Qu.
The integration of esports and traditional sports has emerged as a focal point for both sectors. According to the Esports Working Committee of the China Audio-Video and Digital Publishing Association, the domestic esports industry reached approximately 490 million users in 2023, with over 300 million being young users. This integration is poised to align with the entertainment preferences of the youth, revitalizing sports culture in a manner that reflects the new era and fostering “out-of-the-box” growth for traditional sports and local cultural tourism.
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