GoodGameNation signs Viral Fission to drive India's largest college esports competition

 Viral Fission, Asia's largest GenZ community, today announced that it has signed a multi-year contract with GoodGameNation (GG Nation), India's first and only esports-as-a-service platform, to create India's largest esports championship and transform gaming from a hobby to a lucrative career option for millions of Indian student gamers by creating gaming clubs and gamer communities across campuses in India.

Esports is the fastest-growing sport globally and is the competitive format of video gaming, and is now a medal sport in Asian Games and Commonwealth Games; esports are also under consideration for the Olympics. To unearth and attract gaming talent that can represent India on the world stage, GoodGameNation has also announced its plans to disburse ₹ 3 crores in cash prizes.

Over the course of three years, this tie-up envisions attracting 100 million gamers and hosting over 16,000 intra-college and 10 national-level college esports tournaments.

 

Speaking on the vision for the partnership, Animesh Pande, Head of Marketing, Community & Content from GoodGameNation, said, "We are excited to partner with Viral Fission to amplify our efforts in campus esports in India. Viral Fission's track record of delivering youth activation for some of the biggest brands globally was an important factor in GoodGameNation picking them to amplify our efforts in campus esports. At GoodGameNation, we truly believe in the power of esports and its ability to bring communities together.

 

The Federation of Electronic Sports Associations of India (FEAI), the country's apex body for esports, states that India's esports industry will touch INR 1100 crore by FY25. This association will present the student gamers across the nation with unique opportunities to upskill themselves in the gaming arena through mentorship programs and engagement with their peers. "With this partnership, we endeavor to further our mission to build the most holistic and well-rounded ecosystem of gamers in the country by creating a platform for them to compete at multiple levels, upskill themselves and potentially even explore a full-time career in this fast-growing industry. Our dream, though, is to create esports athletes that could represent India at international tournaments and bring glory to Bharat," He further added.

 

Under the partnership, campus-based gaming clubs and gamer communities will be created across campuses to provide an opportunity for student gamers to compete in domestic and national-level esports competitions. These clubs will also be an inclusive space for gaming enthusiasts, game developers, and game streamers, to cultivate a sense of belonging. They will further act as a catalyst for brands to host various mobile, console, and PC games competitions in over 3000 colleges across the country.

 

Speaking on this partnership, Umang Gandhi, Product Head from Viral Fission said,

"We believe in fostering communities and in creating community first experiences in order to foster and nurture the next generation. Gaming is one of the fastest-growing industries globally, providing ample opportunities for young minds. With our partnership with GG Nation, we are glad to be a part of the global gaming boom and to bring gaming-first nano-communities within the campus ecosystems. This truly will create a unique experience for the youth and will foster the culture of gaming at the grassroots level. We aim at unlocking unique opportunities for the youth to get on board this wagon and build lucrative futures for themselves in the gaming industry."

 

About Viral Fission

Viral Fission was founded in November 2019 with a vision to bridge the gap between India's energetic youth and the brands they love. The core thought is an inspiration drawn by the founders from their own academic experience and learning. The company aims at redefining brand salience metrics with/for the youth. Viral Fission offers a community-based youth network that co-creates unparalleled brand experiences.

Website: https://www.viralfission.com/

 

About GoodGameNation

GoodGameNation (GGNation) is India’s first and only esports-as-a-service provider for student gamers in high schools and colleges. GGNation offers a holistic and structured program in esports that includes competitions at an institutional, domestic, regional and national levels, coaching from professional players and teams, and career opportunities for the best performers every annual calendar. GGNation was founded in 2021 by Abhinandan Balasubramanian, ex-founder of Racing Promotions which was majority acquired in 2021, and Hariansh Nagpal, Director of Rosmerta Group of Companies. GGNation already has campus gaming clubs in 100 colleges across India, and has conducted over 500 tournaments till date.

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Chase India launches report on Regulatory Road Map for Online Skill Gaming Platform

Chase India released a paper highlighting the need for ‘unified’ framework for the online skill games ecosystem. A clear and sound national regulatory framework for skill-based online gaming will protect children, consumers, ensure the growth of the ‘sunrise’ sector while keeping at bay the illegal actors operating from overseas in the space.

 

At present different states have interpreted laws on gaming differently causing confusion for legitimate players while unwittingly allowing illegal offshore players with no accountability in the country to operate with abandon.

 

The policy paper examines the issues relating to online skill gaming and proposes the way forward. Based on the issues faced by users, industry, and other stakeholders, the policy paper recommends reforms in the existing regulatory framework to ensure that the growth of the industry is balanced with protective measures to ensure that consumers particularly children are not harmed, and unscrupulous players are weeded out.

 

The following framework of regulation can ensure growth of the ecosystem and protection of users of online skill gaming platform:

 

1. Games of skill should be clearly defined in the proposed regulatory framework.

 

2. Build a robust self-regulatory mechanism that sets high standards of ethics for the industry while maintaining their operational efficiencies.

 

3. A grievance redressal mechanism on the lines of OTT platforms regulatory framework should be prescribed in the gaming industry.

 

4. Provisions to ensure protection of children should be in built into the system, such that their access to age-inappropriate content can be blocked.

 

5. The regulations should ensure reasonable security and privacy of the users and the platforms.

 

6. Through this light touch regulation financial protection of the users should be ensured.

 

7. The regulatory framework should be able to tackle the menace of offshore gaming sites systematically operating in India.

 

 

The policy paper recommends that the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 may be amended to include specific provisions for online game of skill intermediaries. The proposed reforms will address the urgent need to protect players and online games of skill ecosystem.

 

The policy paper urges the nodal ministry, Ministry of Electronics, and Information Technology to initiate the process of inclusion of guidelines for online games of skill intermediaries with administrative support from the concerned line Ministry.

 

ABOUT CHASE INDIA: Chase India is a leading public policy research and advisory firm with growing practices in Technology & Fintech, Transport & Infrastructure, Life Sciences, Energy and Sustainability. Chase provides consultancy services to organizations for mitigating business risks through insight-based policy advocacy. Chase India is a part of the WE Communications Group worldwide. For more information, please visit www.chase-india.com