Krafton India’s 2025 BGMI esports roadmap brings INR 4 crore in prize money, two flagship tournaments, a INR 2 crore campus tour, and a Rising Star mentorship program. In today’s Pixel P&L, we also cover Tencent directors exiting Epic’s board, FAU-G: Domination’s Android beta launch, and S8UL’s KaashPlays diving into gamified dating shows.
Krafton India Reveals H1 2025 BGMI Esports Plans, Allocates INR 4 Crore Prize Pool
Krafton India has announced its Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) esports roadmap for the first half of 2025, outlining a INR 4 crore ($470,000) prize pool across two flagship tournaments. The BGMI India Series (BGIS) 2025, with INR 2 crore ($235,000) in winnings, will open free registrations on January 3 and culminate in the Grand Finals in Kolkata this April. The BGMI Pro Series (BMPS), an invite-only event, will follow with an additional INR 2 crore prize pool.
The roadmap also includes the Rising Star program, which aims to mentor emerging players and content creators, focusing on personal branding and content strategy. Meanwhile, Krafton’s INR 2 crore college campus tour will return, providing esports opportunities to students nationwide, with individual host colleges receiving INR 200,000 ($2,350) to support events.
Krafton’s streamlined esports schedule reflects a strategic shift, consolidating competitions into a shorter timeline, potentially addressing player concerns over an overcrowded calendar while aligning with global Tier 1 esports practices.
Nazara Publishing, the gaming division of Nazara Technologies, launched the Android beta for its first-person shooter FAU-G: Domination on December 22, 2024. Developed by Mumbai-based Dot9 Games, the game aims to offer a localized Battle Royale alternative.
The beta currently includes maps, modes, and weapons, with updates such as sound enhancements and weapon balancing informed by prior playtests. In-person trials at institutions like Ecole Intuit and KJ Somaiya revealed player enthusiasm for Indian-themed environments, though 10% of participants reported technical issues like device overheating.
The game, introduced earlier this year by actor Akshay Kumar, integrates elements supporting Bharat Ke Veer, a fund aiding families of fallen armed forces personnel. Proceeds from specific in-game items will be directed to the cause, linking the game to charitable initiatives.
, FAU-G: Domination enters a competitive domestic market. Whether its localized themes resonate beyond beta testing remains to be seen as Nazara seeks to establish a foothold in India’s crowded Battle Royale field.
Tencent Directors Step Down From Epic Games Board Amid Antitrust Concerns
The follows U.S. Justice Department concerns over potential antitrust violations. The department cited Section 8 of the Clayton Act, which prohibits overlapping directorships among competing firms like Epic and Riot Games, the latter being Tencent-owned. Tencent amended its shareholder rights accordingly.
KaashPlays Ventures into Reality Entertainment with Gamified Dating Show
The show titled Kaash We Match will launch on December 23, with the 12-episode series blending gaming, comedy, and matchmaking. features gaming challenges with prizes like PlayStations and Dyson Airwraps.
ESFI Partners with 8Bit Creatives for a MIB initiative
The collaboration leverages gaming influencers like Mortal and PayalGaming to amplify the , a Ministry of Information and Broadcasting initiative. The event includes competitions in eFootball and World Cricket Championship 3, with qualifiers underway.
The first-ever hand-to-hand combat video game, Sega’s Heavyweight Champ (1976), . This groundbreaking arcade title introduced players to the thrill of virtual boxing, using innovative paddle controls and a side-on perspective to simulate a real fight.
Though it was a hit in Japanese arcades and set the stage for the future of fighting games, no playable version of Heavyweight Champ is known to exist today. All that remains are photographs, fleeting mentions in archives, and accounts from those lucky enough to experience it firsthand.
