Highlights

• BGMI Masters Season 2 wants to carry the success of Season 1 into bigger stages and more frequent tournaments, proving BGMI is more than just a trend.
• With investments from Krafton and affiliation with Nazara Technologies, NODWIN aims to expand its esports influence in India and globally.
• Star Sports and Rooters to broadcast Masters Season 2, bringing esports into mainstream television and reaching wider audiences.
• Demonstrating NODWIN’s commitment to cater to the diverse linguistic demographics of India, with potential future inclusion of Telugu and Bengali.

The explosive growth of esports has become a global phenomenon, captivating millions of gaming enthusiasts around the world. In India, one company stands at the forefront of this remarkable evolution – NODWIN Gaming.

Co-founder of NODWIN Gautam Virk, says their journey in shaping the esports landscape in the country has been nothing short of extraordinary. From organizing high-stake tournaments to securing the involvement of major broadcasting giants, NODWIN has played a pivotal role in elevating esports to new heights. With their ambitious plans for the future, including expanding beyond India’s borders, NODWIN Gaming continues to be a trailblazer in the world of esports, redefining the competitive gaming scene one milestone at a time. In an interview with us Gautam tells us about India’s growing esports market and the role NODWIN plays in it.

Q1. What are some of the key highlights of BGMI Masters Season 2? How is it different from what you achieved in Season 1?

The success of BGMI Masters Season 1 has indeed been a notable milestone in the world of esports. It has proved that the game is not just a fleeting trend but a long-lasting phenomenon with a substantial following.

The overwhelming response from the audience, both on television and digital platforms, has further reinforced the potential that BGMI holds. It has not only garnered millions of fans across the country but has also succeeded in creating a thriving community of gamers who are passionately engaged with the game.

The plan to carry this momentum into subsequent seasons, including Season 3, Season 4, and beyond, is a testament to the commitment towards nurturing this eSport and its ardent player base. The intention to fill the calendar with key marquee events throughout the year hints at the organizers’ ambitious plans.

It not only presents regular opportunities for players to showcase their skills and compete on a national platform but also promises continuous, high-quality entertainment for the spectators.

Furthermore, the continuation of these series provides a steady growth platform for esports in India, creating more professional opportunities in the field. It also facilitates the growth of the gaming industry in India, inspiring other game developers and tournament organizers to innovate and bring more engaging content to the table.

Q2. Is NODWIN going to maintain its top position as an esports giant in the Indian market?

NODWIN Gaming, with its solid foothold in the Indian esports market, is undoubtedly aiming to be at the pinnacle of this rapidly evolving industry. The significant investment from Krafton, the South Korean video game developer, demonstrates faith in NODWIN’s potential to drive growth and profitability. Furthermore, NODWIN’s affiliation with the publicly listed company Nazara Technologies only amplifies its responsibility to deliver substantial growth.

NODWIN is not only tasked with maintaining a profitable business model, but it’s also expected to foster the growth of the eSports ecosystem in India and globally. This task involves organising more tournaments, developing world-class gaming infrastructure, and nurturing talent in the esports community.

Sony’s investment is another sign of international recognition and confidence in NODWIN’s strategy. This added financial backing and the global influence that Sony brings could be pivotal for NODWIN’s expansion plans.

Moving forward, NODWIN’s objective is to leverage these investments and partnerships to expand the esports landscape in India and beyond, and to bring esports into the mainstream, thereby bolstering its position as a leader in this arena.

Q3. How did Star Sports and Rooters get involved in the broadcasting and streaming of Masters Season 2?

Securing the involvement of Star Sports and Rooters in the broadcasting and streaming of Masters Season 2 was a crucial step for the esports scene in India. Recognising the potential of esports to draw in a youthful audience, Star Sports saw the value in collaborating with the organizers to broadcast these esports tournaments.

The groundwork began with numerous discussions and demonstrations that underscored the popularity and potential of the country’s biggest esports titles.
Presenting the vast digital numbers these esports events pull in was a significant factor in convincing Star to bring this new form of sport into their mainstream television programming.

Simultaneously, highlighting the popularity of individual esports athletes was another key aspect. In India, where cricket players often enjoy demigod status, drawing parallels between these esports athletes and conventional sports stars helped underline the appeal and potential viewership.
It was explained to Star Sports and Rooters how these esports athletes often garner as much, if not more, popularity as cricketers among the younger demographic.

This move is a huge win for the esports scene in India, bringing the competitions and the stars to an even wider audience, thus continuing the journey towards mainstream recognition.
The sense of pride in this achievement is justifiable, given that it represents a significant stride forward in the evolution of esports within the country’s sports culture.

Q4. What made you take the decision to include Tamil as an additional language for esports commentary? Will there be more languages as well?

Inclusion of Tamil as an additional language for esports commentary was a strategic decision based on its status as one of the major languages for our audience.

Tamil commentary was featured last year too, but this time, the coverage in Tamil will be significantly more extensive, offering a lot more live-screen action. After Hindi, Tamil is our most widely spoken language, making it a valuable addition to broaden the reach of esports .

The consideration of more languages aligns with our strategy to expand the appeal of esports to more linguistic demographics across India. Specifically, we are considering Telegu and Bengali, which have substantial speaking populations.

The decision to add more languages to our commentary does come with some challenges, especially with TV rights.

Including additional languages involves a complex process, including additional resources, technical aspects, and ensuring quality content. Nonetheless, we remain committed to broadening our linguistic reach, and we are actively exploring how we can overcome these challenges.

The addition of more languages in our commentary is an exciting prospect for the future of esports broadcasting, and we are eager to see how it unfolds.

Q5. What is your expectations with the Rs 2.1 crore prize pool, which is the biggest in Indian esports history?

The introduction of a Rs 2.1 crore prize pool, the biggest ever in Indian esports history, is a significant milestone for us. We’re immensely excited about this decision and its potential impact on the competitive landscape.

Two main considerations have guided us in structuring this prize pool. First, we’ve increased the overall prize money, which in itself is a notable leap for Indian esports.
We believe this increase not only acknowledges the burgeoning skills and talents of players but also acts as a significant incentive that can attract more participation and viewership.

Second, we’ve decided to create a substantial gap between the first, second, and third positions in the prize distribution. The first-place winner will take home Rs 1 crore, the second will receive 50 lakh, and the third will earn 35 lakh and so on.
This deliberate difference in rewards is designed to instill a fierce competitive spirit amongst the teams.

The aim is to ensure that all teams are focused on gunning for the first place. We feel that if the gap between the rewards for different positions is not significant, it could reduce the competitive zeal amongst the teams.

Q6. How do you feel, as the co-founder of NODWIN, the growth of esports in India?

As the co-founder of NODWIN, witnessing the growth of esports in India is indeed akin to seeing a dream come true.

When we started the company about 7-8 years ago, we were simply esports enthusiasts who saw a problem in the ecosystem and wanted to provide a solution. The scale at which we have grown and the heights we have reached since then is something we couldn’t have imagined back then.

The growth journey of NODWIN and esports in India has been deeply intertwined. As the esports landscape grew bigger and broader, we expanded alongside it, contributing to its development while also harnessing its potential.

The faith and investments from big players like Star and Krafton are testament to the fact that we’ve been successful in our endeavors and are on the right path.
Moving forward, we’re aiming to introduce more IPs and continue to foster growth within and beyond the country.

Q7. What are your plans outside of India?

Regarding our plans outside India, we’re indeed looking at expansion opportunities. We’re eyeing several emerging markets where esports hasn’t yet become a significant phenomenon.
We believe that the potential of esports is universal, and with games like BGMI gaining popularity rapidly, it’s the right time to push for its growth in countries where it’s still in nascent stages.

Our vision is to leverage the learning and experience we’ve gained in India and apply it to these markets, all while being sensitive to the unique cultural and demographic contexts of each region.
This approach, we believe, will help us effectively replicate our success from India on a global scale and contribute to the worldwide growth of esports.

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