Mumbai-based mobile gaming company Nazara Games announced that it will set up a professional esports league in India, according to Anuj Bhatia of the INDIAN EXPRESS. The esports arm will be a 100% subsidiary and Nazara Games will invest Rs 136 crore ($20.4M) to develop the Indian esports "ecosystem" over the next five years, CEO Manish Agarwal said. While esports "are big enough to fill stadiums and pull in crowds" in South Korea, the U.S. and China, the segment is "still in its infancy in India." However, Agarwal "aims to target the growing community" of pro gamers, who are "serious about this segment" and have the understanding of a professional esports league. Agarwal said, "We are targeting the 4 million people who are passionate for these games. They love to play two-three hours everyday and have their clans already; they are connected on the global network; they aspire to play in the global leagues; they follow the global gamers; and they already paying for that; they are paying for the items inside the games" (INDIAN EXPRESS, 2/14). YOUR STORY's Harshith Mallya reported Nazara Games recently reported a revenue of Rs 220 crore ($33M) and 40% compound annual growth rate over the last four years in the "fast-growing mobile gaming market and is now committed to building an all-encompassing ecosystem" for esports in India. Nazara Games Founder & Managing Dir Nitish Mittersain said, "Given improving Internet connectivity in India today, launching an esports league seemed the perfect way to reach out to the large group of esports enthusiasts in India." The league will have two seasons per year and will feature six teams that will be "selected through open and free online qualifier tournaments" (YOUR STORY, 2/14).
