Gaming
Nazara invests USD 2.5 Million in US Based Game Fund BITKRAFT Ventures
Nazara Pte. Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Nazara Technologies Limited an India based, diversified gaming and sports media company announced their investment in US Based Game Fund BITKRAFT Ventures. Nazara will invest USD 2.5 Million in BITKRAFT Ventures out of which USD 0.875 Million will be invested upfront, while the balance investment amount of USD 1.625 Million will be deployed over a period of three years.
BITKRAFT Ventures is a leading investment platform for gaming and Web3 / blockchain projects globally. Nazara, with the above proposed investment, aims to build a network with Limited Partners (âLPâ) as well as the investee companies to gain access into the global gaming ecosystem.
Nazara aims to leverage the BITKRAFT Ventures network for the following strategic initiatives:
- Potential partnerships and/ or potential investment into the company & its subsidiaries.
- Securing deal flow for future M&A from the current portfolio of the funds as well as inflow of deals coming to funds.
- Co-investment opportunities into highly sought-after founders/ companies.
Manish Agarwal, CEO, Nazara Technologies, âBITKRAFT Ventures have fast established themselves as one of the most promising investors in the global e-sports and gaming ecosystem. Our investment in BITKRAFT is in line with our long-term commitment to nurture and empower the gaming community across the world. Over the course of the next few years, this investment will enable us to work towards realizing our strategic vision of becoming the catalysts to empower the global gaming community and chart the next stage of growth in an increasingly connected and virtual world.â
“Given our long-term relationship with Nazara we are very excited to get into this partnership for a win-win-win between Nazara, the BITKRAFT Venture Portfolio companies and BITKRAFT Ventures as a platform. The Partnership will help to increase the connectivity into the highly strategic Indian video games market. We have done multiple investments in the subcontinent and intend to do more in the future, in addition to supporting international Investment to drive growth in India,” shared Malte Barth, Founding General Partner at BITKRAFT Ventures.
In addition to the investment in BITKRAFT Ventures, Nazara Technologies Ltd. has acquired multiple companies over the past few years. The company has placed itself in a leading position in esports, interactive gaming and the gamified early learning space with the âFriends of Nazaraâ network. Nazara has acquired a majority stake in Nodwin Gaming Pvt. Ltd; Next Wave Multimedia Pvt. Ltd., which operates World Cricket Championship (WCC), the largest mobile-based cricket simulation game, in addition to investment in Absolute Sports Private Limited, which operates Sportskeeda and Paper Boat Apps Private Limited – gamified early learning subscription app and OpenPlay – Skill Gaming.
Gaming
SPGA Announces Social Sweeps Game Sector Video Briefing
eSports
CS2 Intel Extreme Masters Rio 2024 SuperComputer: NaVi to bounce back after Blast Fall Final loss
Final: Natus Vincere (36.5%) to beat Team Vitality (28.1%)
Semifinal 1: Natus Vincere (52.6%) to beat MOUZ (16.3%)
Semifinal 2: Team Vitality (47.7%) to beat G2 Esports (18.7%)
Quarterfinal 1: G2 Esports (39.8%) to beat FaZe Clan (32.8%)
Quarterfinal 2: MOUZ (35.9%) to beat Eternal Fire (24.7%)
Group stage:Â
-
Natus Vincere –Â 48.7% to finish 1st; 17.0% to finish 2nd; 84.1% to make playoffs
-
Team Vitality –Â 40.8% to finish 1st; 17.4% to finish 2nd; 77.7% to make playoffs
-
G2 Esports –Â 19.3% to finish 1st; 20.4% to finish 2nd; 56.7% to make playoffs
-
MOUZ –Â 14.5% to finish 1st; 21.8% to finish 2nd; 53.0% to make playoffs
-
FaZe Clan –Â 13.9% to finish 1st; 21.0% to finish 2nd; 50.2% to make playoffs
-
Eternal Flame – 40.7% to finish 1st; 16.2% to finish 2nd; 40.7% to make playoffs
-
Liquid –Â 16.3% to finish 7-8th; 35.7% to make playoffs
-
Virtus.pro – 15.4% to finish 7-8th; 29.9% to make playoffs
-
Astralis –Â 28.9% to finish 9-12th; 31.5% to make playoffs
-
The MongolZ –Â 32.7% to finish 9-12th; 25.4% to make playoffs
-
Complexity –Â 34.3% to finish 9-12th; 21.2% to make playoffs
-
Heroic –Â 26.8% to finish 9-12th; 23.5% to make playoffs
-
paiN –Â 36.5% to finish 13-16th; 21.0% to make playoffs
-
FURIA –Â 36.4% to finish 13-16th; 20.9% to make playoffs
-
9z –Â 44.7% to finish 13-16th; 14.6% to make playoffs
-
Imperial – 49.1% to finish 13-16th; 13.9% to make playoffs
It has been quite the run for NaVi despite their loss with back to back grand finals in recent weeks but CSDB.ggâs predictive model suggests there will be no let up for the Ukrainian esports organisation.
G2 will also be looking to build more momentum in preparation for Majors season with NiKo on a quest to finally get over the line this year to win his first major title. Hopefully Rio wonât have to see a repeat of his reaction in the semifinals at BLAST Premier Fall Final 2024 where he punched a hole in a table after losing out to Team Vitality in a key moment.
However, the hosts of Intel Extreme Masters Rio 2024 may want to lockdown any nearby furniture and reinforce their desks if G2 are set for disappointment at the semifinals stage as predicted by the CSDB.gg SuperComputer.
A victory in Rio could be even more consequential for how the end of the year shapes up for the leading teams on the circuit. The Valve Global rankings have both teams close at the very top (NaVi at 1988 and G2 at 1953) meaning a win for either team could hand them a key advantage when it comes to who enters the Majors as top seed.Â
Back-to-back wins in T1 events for G2, should they prosper in Rio, would set the Berlin-based team on an incredible trajectory going into the winter months.
Meanwhile, Brazilian hopes for glory look slight according to the CSDB.gg SuperComputer with FURIA, the team co-owned by Neymar, having only been given a 20.9% chance of even making the playoffs.Â
They are the leading contenders to make an impact for the home crowd but there are other teams flying the flag for Brazil with paiN and Imperial also set to give it their best to give local fans something to cheer on.
In terms of forecasted matchups of note, G2 and FaZe Clan could offer up a fascinating encounter in the quarterfinals should both teams qualify, with each organisation rated as having a strong chance of making the semis with little to separate them should they meet.
How was the CSDB.gg CS2 Tournament SuperComputer created?
The CSDB.gg CS2 Tournament SuperComputer is a predictive model created using world ranking points, team quality ratings and performance trends. An element of randomness is also included in the model to avoid the best teams and players always winning, to reflect the fact that upsets can happen.
Every tournament is simulated 1,000 times with the results aggregated into a percentage rating of the chances teams or players have to achieve the predicted result.
Gaming
NASCAR launches persistent world on Roblox where players can become racing tycoons
NASCAR is once again taking the virtual racing world by storm, this time with the launch of âNASCAR Tycoonâ on Roblox created by Dubit.
Building on the success of its previous âNASCAR Speed Hub,â this new experience promises to deliver an even more immersive and interactive NASCAR world.
Developed in partnership with the renowned metaverse studio Dubit, âNASCAR Tycoonâ allows players to dive deep into the management and racing aspects of NASCAR, offering a unique blend of strategy and high-speed thrills in a distinctly Roblox-native way.
Players will have the opportunity to jump in the driver’s seat of cars styled after NASCAR’s Next Gen Cup Series vehicles, competing against each other and managing teams in thrilling races. Earning fame and fortune as they build their virtual tycoon, players can make passive income while they play. As players progress in âNASCAR Tycoon,â they will unlock exclusive perks such as building their own NASCAR racing teams, expanding their garages, collecting new cars, accessing customizations and attracting sponsors.
The launch comes hot on the heels of recent Fortnite activations and follows the debut of NASCAR in Jailbreak and NASCAR Speed Hub last year â a virtual environment built by Dubit, for players to race around tracks linked to real-world races.
“We’re thrilled to launch ‘NASCAR Tycoon’ on Roblox, developed in partnership with Dubit, marking a key milestone in our ongoing efforts to authentically engage with the Roblox community,” said Nick Rend, VP of Interactive and Emerging Platforms at NASCAR. “This initiative is about more than reaching new audiences; it’s about deepening our connection on a platform where we see tremendous potential. By blending the excitement of NASCAR with the interactive and dynamic environment of Roblox, we’re enhancing traditional fandom in ways that are engaging, fun, and distinctly forward-looking.â
With over 300 million monthly active users, Roblox is ripe with opportunities for sporting organisations like NASCAR and offers a chance to engage with audiences in an immersive and interactive environment.
Andrew Douthwaite, Chief Commercial Officer at Dubit, shares his excitement: âWeâre thrilled to bring the next phase of NASCAR to life on Roblox, building on the success of previous activations. NASCAR Tycoon allows Roblox players to experience the excitement of NASCAR racing like never before, blending the strategic elements of team management with the adrenaline-pumping action on the track. It has been a true joy working with such a forward-thinking, iconic sports brand in NASCAR, and we look forward to continuing to push the boundaries togetherâ
Dubit has created Roblox activations, virtual merchandise ranges and experiences for global brands including Unilever, Samsung, Reckitt, Kraft, H&M and adidas.
âNASCAR Tycoonâ is now available on Roblox.
-
Latest News5 days ago
Leading Brazilian Lottery Operator Grupo da Sorte Selects Optimove as CRM Marketing Solution to Accelerate Growth through Personalized Journey Orchestration
-
Latest News4 days ago
BetRivers Introduces PropPacks, an Innovative Feature for the NBA Season
-
Latest News3 days ago
ProntoPaga Transforms its Operating Model in Brazil to Ensure Risk-Free Transactions
-
Compliance Updates3 days ago
Brazilian Ministry of Finance and IBIA sign sports betting integrity agreement
-
Latest News2 days ago
Carnival Corporation & PLC Fleet Go âAll-Inâ With Galaxy Gamingâs Galaxy Table Games Progressives
-
Latest News2 days ago
Brazilian Ministry of Finance and Sportradar Join Forces to Strengthen Integrity of Sports
-
Gambling in the USA1 day ago
Phoenix Link by Aristocrat Gaming Now Lighting Up Casino Floors
-
Latest News1 day ago
Panel on the benefits of regulation in the Mexican iGaming market