Gaming Report: Nodwin Gaming Secures 13.51% Stake in Freaks 4U Gaming For €8 Million, Games24x7 Initiates GameTech Accelerate at GAFX 2024 & SuperGaming Debuts ‘Indus’ Beta For Android Users

The gaming world is experiencing exciting developments across borders, with major players making strategic moves and innovative projects entering the spotlight. Let’s dive into three key developments.

Indian esports powerhouse Nodwin Gaming is soaring even higher with an €8 Million investment in German agency Freaks 4U Gaming for a 13.51% stake. This strategic move strengthens their foothold in the European market, propelling their global esports dominance aspirations.

Recognizing the potential of burgeoning Indian game developers, Games24x7 launched its GameTech Accelerate program at GAFX 2024. This initiative empowers 15 promising startups, injecting innovation and dynamism into the evolving gaming landscape.

Pune-based studio SuperGaming unleashed the beta of “Indus,” their highly anticipated battle royale game, on Android. Infused with an Indian essence, “Indus” boasts a unique design and impressive accessibility. This culturally relevant experience aims to captivate both local and international audiences, potentially revolutionizing the Indian gaming scene.

Esports Giants Unite: Nodwin Gaming Invests €8 Million in Freaks 4U Gaming For 13.51% Stake, Targeting Global Alliance

In a landmark move, Indian esports powerhouse Nodwin Gaming, a subsidiary of the publicly listed Nazara Technologies, has acquired a 13.51% stake in Freaks 4U Gaming, a leading German esports and gaming agency, for a strategic €8 Million (₹75 Crores) investment. This bold move marks a significant step towards Nodwin’s global expansion plans and opens exciting new doors for both companies.

The €8 Million investment is strategically divided. Nodwin’s Singapore subsidiary secured a significant €4.4 Million stake, representing 7.4% ownership. Additionally, a €3.6 Million convertible note invested in December 2023 is converted into equity, granting Nodwin a further 6.1% stake. This deal also includes an option for Nodwin to acquire majority control of Freaks 4U in the future through a share swap.

Beyond the financial investment, the partnership promises extensive resource sharing, maximizing operational efficiency and reach. Both companies will leverage each other’s strengths:

Nodwin gains:

• Access to Freaks 4U’s established network in developed markets.
• Expertise in the PC gaming ecosystem.
• Full-service capabilities.

Freaks 4U benefits from:

• Nodwin’s extensive emerging market network.
• Mobile esports knowledge.
• Strong connections within the youth culture space.

To ensure smooth integration and maximize synergy, Niels Wolter from ESL Faceit Group joins Freaks 4U’s advisory board. His expertise in strategic planning, operations, and integration will be invaluable in unlocking the full potential of this collaboration.

Both parties expressed their enthusiasm. Akshat Rathee, co-founder of Nodwin Gaming, emphasized the strengthened collaboration, particularly in PC and mobile gaming. Michael Haenisch, CEO of Freaks 4U Gaming, highlighted the exciting prospect of exploring further avenues for mutual growth.

This strategic alliance strengthens both companies’ positions in the global esports market. Nodwin gains a strong foothold in developed markets and the PC esports space, while Freaks 4U expands its reach into emerging markets and mobile esports. Their combined expertise and resources offer immense potential to attract global brands and publishers seeking seamless operations across diverse markets.

This €8 Million investment marks a significant milestone in the global esports landscape. The collaboration between Nodwin Gaming and Freaks 4U Gaming positions both companies for exciting possibilities and future success, promising to shape the industry in impactful ways.

Games24x7 Launches GameTech Accelerate Programme at GAFX 2024, 15 Startups Vie for Glory in India’s Gaming Future

Games24x7, a leading online gaming company, ignited the flames of India’s gaming potential at GAFX 2024 with the launch of its GameTech Accelerate program. In partnership with the Karnataka government, this ambitious initiative launched last December seeks to fuel innovation and propel 15 carefully chosen startups towards success.

The program drew over 200 applications, showcasing the burgeoning talent in the Indian gaming scene. The chosen 15 represent a diverse spectrum of game development and support aspects:

• New Games: These ventures explore various genres, including real money, casual, hyper-casual, educational, simulation, strategy, and massively multiplayer online (MMO) games.
• Real-time Analytics, Telemetry & Personalization: This category focuses on solutions that enhance user experience through data-driven insights and personalization features.
• Security & Anti-Cheating Measures: These startups aim to ensure fair play and a secure gaming environment for all.
• Community & Social Integration: This group focuses on fostering community engagement and building social elements within online games.

Over the coming months, these shortlisted ventures will be mentored by industry veterans from Games24x7, AWS, and Lumikai. This invaluable guidance will cover crucial areas like cutting-edge technologies, business continuity strategies, financial stability frameworks, and effective market penetration strategies.

The program culminates in March with an exclusive pitch session for investors, offering a golden opportunity for these startups to secure funding and turn their dreams into reality.

The chosen startups include:

• Brahman Studios
• CBIT Original Gaming App
• Credexon
• Felicity
• Geniuscrate Games
• Mantis Pro Gaming
• My Tournament
• NoobStorm
• Pixcell Play
• Play CKT
• PlayDa
• Pro Shooter VR
• Score Kount
• Tolee
• Wega Labs

Games24x7 emphasized the collaborative spirit behind the program, highlighting the shared vision with the Karnataka government. Together, they aim to drive innovation, empower entrepreneurs, and propel the Indian gaming industry to new heights. Ultimately, they aim to position India as a global hub for cutting-edge gaming, creativity, and excellence.

This initiative holds immense potential to shape the future of Indian gaming. By nurturing promising startups, the GameTech Accelerate program can contribute significantly to the overall growth and development of this exciting industry, ensuring India plays a leading role in the global gaming landscape.

SuperGaming Rolls Out Android Beta of ‘Indus’ – The New Indian Battle Royale Sensation

Pune-based gaming studio SuperGaming has thrown down the gauntlet in the global gaming arena with the beta launch of “Indus,” their Indian-made battle royale game set to revolutionize the local scene. Available now on Android, Indus boasts an “Indian-inspired” map, culturally diverse characters, and a unique “Cosmium” twist, promising an immersive experience rooted in India’s vibrant identity.

While the initial beta targets Android users, SuperGaming’s ambitions soar wider, encompassing consoles and PCs in the future. But it’s the distinctly Indian theme that sets Indus apart.

Recognizing the diverse mobile landscape in India, SuperGaming has prioritized accessibility. Their proprietary Indus Engine ensures smooth gameplay with over 40 fps on even low-end devices (2022, 4GB RAM) and a stunning 60 fps on high-end flagships (2023), all within an affordable price range. This commitment extends to virtually all smartphones from 2020 onwards, thanks to adjustable graphics settings. As Technical Director Sujeet Kumar affirms, “Mobile players are at the heart of our design.”

Led by CEO Roby John, SuperGaming is no rookie in the gaming scene. Their proven track record with popular games like MaskGun, Silly Royale, and Tower Conquest, coupled with their ambitious SuperPlatform venture, speaks volumes. Their 150-strong team across Pune and Singapore bring both experience and dedication to the Indus project.

Their commitment extends beyond game development. Recognizing the booming Indian gaming industry, which Lumikai reports reached 568 Million gamers in FY23, with 25% being paying users, SuperGaming aims to tap into this potential and contribute to its further growth. This rapidly evolving landscape, marked by a 12% increase in overall gamers and a 17% surge in paying users compared to the previous year, highlights the industry’s maturity and appetite for engaging experiences like Indus.

The backing of renowned gaming investors like Bandai Namco and Akatsuki adds weight to SuperGaming’s vision. Their $6.80 million funding across three rounds solidifies their financial strength and ability to deliver a high-quality experience.

With the Indus beta, SuperGaming takes a bold step towards democratizing high-quality gaming in India. This culturally relevant, accessible, and technically impressive battle royale game has the potential to not only capture the local audience but also gain international recognition, further establishing India as a key player in the global gaming landscape. This is just the beginning of an exciting journey for both SuperGaming and the Indian gaming industry, brimming with potential for growth and innovation.