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KRAFTON, Govt of India Sign Memorandum to Power AI, Gaming and Esports Growth

Deepak Ojha
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KRAFTON, Govt of India Sign Memorandum to Power AI, Gaming and Esports Growth

KRAFTON India has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), marking a significant step towards strengthening India’s digital entertainment, gaming, and artificial intelligence ecosystem.

The agreement, signed on March 26 in New Delhi, brings together one of the world’s leading gaming companies and a key policy arm of the Indian government at a time when the country is actively shaping the regulatory and structural future of the sector.

The partnership comes at a pivotal moment for India’s gaming ecosystem. With regulatory frameworks nearing finalisation and increased scrutiny on digital platforms, the collaboration signals a more coordinated approach between industry stakeholders and the government.

Under the MoU, KRAFTON India will work closely with DPIIT across multiple domains, including online social gaming, esports, interactive media, and artificial intelligence. The focus is not limited to market expansion, but extends to capability building and long-term ecosystem development.

Focus on Innovation, Startups and Skill Development

A key pillar of the collaboration is the integration of gaming and interactive media into India’s broader startup and innovation ecosystem.

The two entities will explore initiatives such as innovation challenges under the Bharat Startup Grand Challenge, along with targeted hackathons aimed at solving industry-specific problems. In parallel, structured engagements including workshops, roundtables, and masterclasses are expected to be conducted to build expertise in areas such as game design, animation, esports management, and AI-driven technologies.

This approach places gaming alongside other emerging sectors that are being actively nurtured under India’s innovation policy framework.

The MoU also emphasises deeper engagement with startups operating across gaming, esports, AI, and digital media. Through curated industry interactions and exposure to global practices, the collaboration aims to create pathways for Indian startups to scale and compete internationally.

Officials have indicated that the partnership will also contribute to awareness around responsible innovation, digital safety standards, and evolving global benchmarks in interactive media and AI.

Industry and Government Signal Long-Term Commitment

Speaking on the development, DPIIT Joint Secretary Sanjiv noted that the collaboration reflects a broader push to strengthen India’s digital and creative economy, particularly by enabling startups to build globally competitive solutions.

KRAFTON India CEO Sean Hyunil Sohn described the moment as a turning point for the country’s digital entertainment landscape, highlighting India’s potential to emerge as a global hub for content creation and innovation.

The company has increasingly positioned itself as a long-term stakeholder in India, expanding its role beyond publishing and investment into ecosystem development and institutional collaboration.

The KRAFTON–DPIIT agreement reflects a larger shift in how gaming and esports are being viewed within India’s policy ecosystem. What was once seen primarily as a consumer-driven market is now being integrated into discussions around innovation, technology, and economic growth.

As regulatory clarity improves and global players deepen their engagement, such partnerships are likely to play a defining role in shaping the next phase of India’s gaming and interactive media industry.

British Esports to Represent Great Britain at Inaugural Esports Nations Cup 2026

Deepak Ojha
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British Esports to Represent Great Britain at Inaugural Esports Nations Cup 2026

British Esports has been selected as the Official National Team Partner to represent Great Britain at the inaugural Esports Nations Cup (ENC), set to take place in Riyadh from November 2 to 29, 2026.

The national federation will collaborate with key UK-based organisations, including Esports Wales, Fnatic, Scottish Esports, The Football Association (via England Gaming), and the UK Esports Team Committee (UKETC), to oversee team operations, marketing, and content initiatives.

A Unified National Effort

As the designated National Team Partner, British Esports will lead the formation of Great Britain’s national roster across multiple titles while establishing long-term structures to support player development and international participation.

The initiative reflects a broader shift towards nation-based esports representation, with over 100 countries participating in the ENC’s partnership-led model. The Esports Foundation reportedly received more than 630 applications from 150 countries and territories, underlining the scale of global interest.

Jeff Simpkins Appointed as National Team Manager

Jeff Simpkins has been appointed as Great Britain’s National Team Manager. He brings experience from leading organisations such as Resolve and Barrage, along with his role as Rocket League Team Manager for The Football Association during the FIFAe World Cup.

Simpkins will be supported by industry veterans, including Michael ‘ODEE’ O’Dell (Scan Computers), Grant Rousseau (NIP Group), and Saahib Reehal (The FA). Coaches for individual game titles are expected to be announced at a later stage.

“It’s a real honour to be appointed as National Team Manager for Great Britain at the inaugural Esports Nations Cup,” Simpkins said, adding that representing the country across multiple titles makes the tournament a uniquely demanding opportunity.

A New Era for National Esports

The Esports Nations Cup introduces a structured global system for national teams, marking a significant evolution in competitive esports. According to The Esports Foundation, the initiative aims to create long-term pathways for players to represent their countries at scale.

The tournament will feature 16 titles, including Counter-Strike 2, Dota 2, League of Legends, VALORANT, PUBG Mobile, Rocket League, and Apex Legends, among others.

Unlike club-based events such as the Esports World Cup, ENC is designed as a biennial competition focused on national representation, complementing existing global circuits.

$45 Million Backing and Long-Term Vision

The ENC is supported by a $45 million funding structure, which includes:

  • $20 million in prize money for players and coaches
  • $5 million in incentives for esports organisations releasing players
  • $20 million allocated to a development fund supporting national teams

This investment is expected to strengthen infrastructure, logistics, and grassroots pathways for esports talent worldwide.

What This Means for the UK Esports Scene

The collaboration between British Esports and its partners is being positioned as a major step forward for the UK ecosystem. Stakeholders have emphasised the importance of structured pathways and unified representation at the international level.

Scottish Esports CEO Mark McCready described the initiative as a “positive step forward” for player development across Great Britain, while Esports Wales highlighted its potential to strengthen future national representation.

The Esports Nations Cup 2026 will debut in Riyadh before transitioning into a rotating host city model in future editions.

With national teams now entering the competitive framework at scale, ENC 2026 could mark a defining moment in the evolution of global esports — one that shifts the focus from organisations to nations.

BGMI brings cricket fever in-game with new Cricket League minigame during T20 season

Aditya Parsutkar
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BGMI brings cricket fever in-game with new Cricket League minigame during T20 season

KRAFTON India has introduced a fresh cricket-themed experience inside Battlegrounds Mobile India, bringing the excitement of the ongoing T20 season directly into the game. With this move, the company aims to combine two of India’s biggest passions, cricket and gaming, into a single interactive experience.

BGMI Cricket League explained

Launching from March 27, the BGMI Cricket League is a limited-time minigame that allows players to engage with real-world matches in a simple and rewarding way. Players can pick a team from ongoing T20 matches, and if their selected team wins, they earn Support and Win Spin Tokens.

These tokens can be used in the Glacier Lucky Spin, where players get a chance to unlock exciting in-game rewards. The system is designed to keep players engaged throughout the season, as consistent participation increases the chances of earning better rewards.

M416 Glacier returns for a limited time

One of the biggest highlights of this event is the return of the M416 Glacier skin. Widely regarded as one of the most iconic and rare skins in BGMI, its comeback is being promoted as a limited-time opportunity.

According to the announcement, this could be the last chance for players to acquire this skin, making the event especially important for collectors and long-time players.

“Cricket and BGMI – now in one place”

Sharing his thoughts on the feature, Srinjoy Das, Director of Marketing and BGMI Product Management at KRAFTON India, said:

“Cricket and BGMI – two things India absolutely loves, and now they’re in the same place. We wanted to give our players a reason to care about every match this season, not just watch it from the sidelines. Pick your team, back them, and win rewards – it’s that simple and that fun. There’s never been a more exciting time to be a BGMI fan.”

The BGMI Cricket League connects live cricket matches with in-game progression, creating a new way for players to stay involved during the T20 season. The more matches players participate in and win, the higher their chances of unlocking premium rewards.

This approach not only boosts engagement but also ensures that players remain invested in both the game and real-world cricket action.

For more on how cricket games evolved in India, check out our recent podcast with Anuj Mankar, the creator of the Real Cricket franchise:

Promotional campaigns and India-first approach

To further build excitement, KRAFTON India is also rolling out a series of cricket-themed promotional films. These campaigns aim to capture the shared passion for cricket and gaming among Indian players and present the feature in a fun and relatable way.

This move highlights KRAFTON’s continued focus on building India-first experiences that resonate with local audiences.

Read More: BGIS 2026 Grand Finals: All 16 teams, schedule, prize pool, and where to watch

KRAFTON has clarified that the BGMI Cricket League is completely free-to-play and focused purely on entertainment. It does not involve any form of betting, real-money gaming, or official association with cricket boards, leagues, or franchises.

This ensures a safe and responsible environment for players while still delivering an engaging seasonal feature.

With the BGMI Cricket League, KRAFTON India is once again pushing innovative, culturally relevant content for its player base. The mix of cricket-based interaction, consistent rewards, and the return of the M416 Glacier skin makes this one of the most exciting in-game events during the T20 season.

Sony Shuts Down Dark Outlaw Games Studio

Sarjyo Mukherjee
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Sony Shuts Down Dark Outlaw Games Studio

Reports have surfaced suggesting PlayStation has shut down new game development studio Dark Outlaw Games, which was working on an unannounced project. Having integrated into the PlayStation’s developer ecosystem as part of Sony’s strategy to expand its first-party developer portfolio, this decision has sparked concerns over ongoing challenges in the gaming industry.

Why PlayStation Is Shutting Down Studios

Given the ongoing turmoil in the gaming industry, this closure is not an isolated case. Sony has taken several tough decisions, including shutting down other studios and cancelling projects that were under development for a long time, citing business reviews and changing priorities as key reasons.

These moves suggest that PlayStation is focusing more on cost control, profitability, and long-term strategy, especially as game development becomes more expensive and risky if games fail to achieve economic success like some of their recent titles.

Impact on the Gaming Industry

With giants like Sony cancelling games and shutting down studios for undisclosed reasons, it goes to show how difficult profitability has been as of late in the gaming industry. For developers of smaller size, economic success is not optional, and failed projects could land a killing blow. Moves like this might affect further investment and eventually lead to stagnation of the growth of the gaming industry.

These decisions may seem hard from a certain perspective, but they might help shape a more sustainable future for the gaming industry. Sony is known to deliver world-class titles, and there must be a reason for them to have scrapped this project. Only time can tell if the gaming industry continues to grow or if we might see more heartbreaking news surface.

Xbox’s New Indian CEO to Make Game Pass Cheaper

Sarjyo Mukherjee
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Xbox’s New Indian CEO to Make Game Pass Cheaper

Microsoft’s gaming division is set to make a major shift in its subscription strategy as the new Xbox CEO aims to make the popular Xbox Game Pass more affordable than before across the globe. These rumours have surfaced following the criticism from the gaming community over the long-term value of owning a pass, putting the service under a lot of scrutiny.

Reports suggested that the newly minted CEO, Asha Sharma, will aim to make Xbox Services more appealing to the masses. Game Pass has been one of their most successful offerings, and to build on its success, a price reduction is under consideration as a long-term solution to keep the service attractive to consumers.

Why Xbox Game Pass Could Get Cheaper

Game Pass Ultimate saw a 50% price hike in 2025, leading to massive backlash from the community, which called into question the idea of an affordable way to game. To address this, the new leadership is reportedly exploring ways to make Game Pass more accessible, where the following options could be explored:

  • Cheaper subscription plans
  • Ad-supported tiers
  • Bundled services with other platforms

If the developers chose to implement this plan, the new Game Pass would see many more subscribers than ever before. The ability to play AAA titles for a fraction of the price makes the value of the pass incredible, and if it is available at a lower price, then there is nothing like it. However, all of this is just speculation, and nothing can be confirmed as of now, but if it were to come true, then gamers would have a field day with the Pass.

Update: Sharma has since reportedly told staff that Xbox secured exclusive GTA 6 cloud streaming rights for the game’s launch.

Tejo Disabled in Valorant After Players Discover Game-Breaking Exploit

Sonu Banerjee
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Tejo Disabled in Valorant After Players Discover Game-Breaking Exploit

Tejo has been disabled from all game modes in Valorant after players found a game-breaking exploit with the Colombian Initiator, stemming from an unintended interaction with his Guided Salvo.

The exploit in question allowed Tejo to fire three missiles with his Guided Salvo instead of the intended two by repositioning himself after launching the first missile. Fans can check out a clip of the bug in action below.

Tejo Temporarily Removed From Valorant

Shortly after the bug was discovered, several players began abusing it in ranked matches, which led to outrage within the community and prompted calls for Riot Games to fix the unintended bug.

Earlier today, Riot Games finally addressed the community’s frustrations surrounding Tejo, disabling the Agent across all queues while the developers work on rolling out a hotfix for the issue.

“Tejo is being disabled while we fix an exploit that allows him to send 3 Guided Salvos instead of 2,” Riot said in a statement. “He’ll be out of commission in all modes for a bit.”

When Will Tejo Return to Valorant?

While Riot Games has not provided an exact timeline for Tejo’s return, Agents getting temporarily disabled once game-breaking bugs involving them are discovered isn’t exactly a new thing in Valorant. In the past, we’ve seen characters like Reyna and Omen getting removed from the game briefly for the same reason.

Generally, hotfixes for bugs like these take no longer than a few days. So if you’re a Tejo main, you can expect to be able to play him again by the end of the week.

Marvel Rivals is Officially Coming to Switch 2, But Don’t Expect a Mobile Port Anytime Soon

Sonu Banerjee
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Marvel Rivals is Officially Coming to Switch 2, But Don’t Expect a Mobile Port Anytime Soon

Gamers will soon be able to enjoy Marvel Rivals on Switch 2, NetEase has confirmed.

When asked about the possibility of a Switch 2 version of Marvel Rivals in the future, Marvel Games executive producer Danny Koo confirmed in an interview with IGN that it is already in the works. While he didn’t give fans an exact release window for the Marvel Rivals Switch 2 port, he claimed that the devs will officially announce the game when there’s more news to share.

“We’re working on it, but when we have news, we’ll announce that one,” Koo said.

Marvel Rivals Switch 2 Version Confirmed

A Switch 2 version for Marvel Rivals has been rumored for quite a while now. Last year, the devs had confirmed that they were in contact with Nintendo and “ working on some development kits.” However, at a later date, game director Guangyun Chen clarified that while a potential port was still on the table, the team had yet to secure a dev kit.

Luckily, the looming uncertainty surrounding the highly anticipated Marvel Rivals Switch 2 port appears to have since been resolved, as evident from Koo’s latest statement on the topic.

No Mobile Port for Marvel Rivals

Unfortunately, for the mobile gamers out there, the devs have confirmed that we won’t be seeing a Marvel Rivals mobile version anytime soon.

“Yeah, this one on the mobile game is not going to work,” Koo said in the interview. “If we’re going to do a mobile, it’s going to be a whole different game. Because of the feedback, the touch. The controls are just so different.”

While the possibility of a “whole different game” on mobile based on the fan-favorite franchise still remains, it likely isn’t happening anytime soon, based on the developer’s statement.

At the time of writing, Marvel Rivals is available to play on PC, PlayStation 5, and the Xbox Series X / S.

Fortnite Shuts Down Rocket Racing, Festival Battle Stage, and Ballistic Amid Mass Layoffs

Sonu Banerjee
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Fortnite Shuts Down Rocket Racing, Festival Battle Stage, and Ballistic Amid Mass Layoffs

Epic Games is laying off over 1000 employees due to the continuing decline of Fortnite over the past year, the company confirmed in a March 24 blog post. Alongside these layoffs, some of the popular Fortnite game modes, including Rocket Racing, Festival Battle Stage, and Ballistic, are also getting shut down.

The news comes less than a month after Fortnite increased the price tags on V-Bucks purchases, sparking outrage within the game’s community.

While mass layoffs have become an increasingly common trend in the industry amid the rise of AI, Epic Games has claimed that today’s layoffs aren’t related to AI whatsoever. “To the extent it improves productivity, we want to have as many awesome developers developing great content and tech as we can,” the company said in a statement.

Despite being one of the most popular games in the world, Epic attributes the latest cuts to a decline in player engagement since early 2025.

“The downturn in Fortnite engagement that started in 2025 means we’re spending significantly more than we’re making, and we have to make major cuts to keep the company funded,” the official statement reads. “This layoff, together with over $500 million of identified cost savings in contracting, marketing, and closing some open roles puts us in a more stable place.”

As stated by Epic, the staff members who have been laid off in this wave will receive severance packages including at least four months of base pay, with additional compensation based on tenure.

Additionally, the company is also extending its Epic-paid healthcare coverage, with U.S. employees receiving six months of paid benefits. Epic will also accelerate stock option vesting through January 2027 and extend equity exercise windows for up to two years.

Needless to say, for one of the world’s most popular video games, layoffs tied to a decline in player engagement are certainly striking to see. At the same time, the broader decline in the overall popularity of battle royale titles over the past few years can’t be denied either, as certain other genres continue to take their place in the online gaming ecosystem.

Clash of Clans Next Update Brings CWL Expansion & Usable Upgrading Heroes

Hoax
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Clash of Clans Next Update Brings CWL Expansion & Usable Upgrading Heroes

The rumors were true, and now it is completely official. Following a brief, accidental leak from a content creator earlier today, the official Clash of Clans account on X (formerly Twitter) just stepped in and confirmed the massive changes coming to the game.

If you have been frustrated by the Clan War League bottleneck or tired of missing out on practice because your Archer Queen is sleeping, the upcoming Clash of Clans update is going to fundamentally change how you experience the game.

Supercell has confirmed three major pillars for the upcoming patch: offensive and defensive level cap increases, a heavily requested expansion to the CWL ladder, and the biggest Quality of Life (QoL) change we have seen for heroes in years. Here is a detailed breakdown of exactly what was announced and how it will impact your daily gameplay.

The Ultimate Hero QoL Upgrade

For years, the absolute biggest complaint from the community has been the inability to practice with heroes while they are upgrading. The official post on X finally delivered the news players have been begging for: Heroes and Pets will soon be usable while under upgrade in Friendly Challenges (FC) and Friendly Wars (FW).

This is a massive victory for both the competitive esports scene and casual clans. Here is why this specific change is such a big deal:

  • Uninterrupted Practice: You no longer have to halt your mechanical practice just because your Grand Warden is down for a week-long upgrade. You can continuously test new base layouts and army compositions at full strength in your clan chat.
  • Friendly War Viability: Many clans run continuous Friendly Wars for practice or internal tournaments. Allowing upgrading heroes to participate means you no longer have to choose between having fun in clan events and progressing your base.

(Note: The announcement specifically mentions Friendly Challenges and Friendly Wars. You will still need your heroes awake for standard multiplayer farming and official Clan Wars or CWL.)

New Levels: Army Camps, Scattershots, and Key Troops

Whenever Supercell introduces new levels to the Army Camp, the entire attacking meta shifts. The X announcement confirmed that players will be able to upgrade their Army Camps in the next Clash of Clans update.

Historically, an Army Camp upgrade provides an extra 5 housing space per camp. Across four camps, that is 20 additional housing space. This allows you to bring an extra Dragon, a few more cleanup troops, or entirely new hybrid combinations that simply were not mathematically possible before.

To balance out this massive offensive buff, the update will also introduce new levels for the Scattershot. The Scattershot is already one of the most lethal splash-damage defenses in the game, heavily punishing tightly grouped troops. Attackers will need to lean on the Warden’s Eternal Tome or well-timed Freeze spells to mitigate this incoming defensive boost.

Additionally, the post confirmed that the Dragon and the Yeti will receive new level upgrades. Given the extra Army Camp space, we can likely expect “Yeti Smash” and mass Dragon attacks to become incredibly dominant and popular strategies the minute the patch drops.

The CWL Ladder Expansion

If your clan is stuck hovering around the Champion leagues, relief is finally on the way. The final major feature confirmed for the upcoming Clash of Clans update is a massive expansion of the Clan War League ladder.

Supercell stated that four new leagues will come to the game. These new tiers will “mirror the difficulty of Electro 32 to Legend League,” indicating that they are designed specifically for the absolute highest tier of competitive clans.

Currently, the skill gap in Champion I and Champion II is a brutal bottleneck. You have professional esports rosters matching up against casual max-level clans, resulting in highly unbalanced and frustrating CWL weeks. By adding four new leagues at the very top of the ladder, Supercell is giving the most elite clans room to push higher. This will naturally balance out the lower Champion and Master leagues, making CWL much more enjoyable for the average player.

The Bottom Line

Supercell turning a leaked video into an official announcement on X was a great move, and it has given the community plenty to strategize around. Between the extra housing space from the Army Camps and the ability to finally practice with sleeping heroes, the skill ceiling in the game is about to get much higher.

Make sure your Dark Elixir storages are full so you can start those hero upgrades immediately on update day without sacrificing your ability to FC your clanmates!

Stay tuned to TalkEsport’s Clash of Clans hub for more leaks and quick updates.

Pokémon Champions Mega Evolutions Revealed: New Abilities for Meganium, Emboar, and Feraligatr

Hoax
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Pokémon Champions Mega Evolutions Revealed: New Abilities for Meganium, Emboar, and Feraligatr

With the highly anticipated release of Pokémon Champions dropping on April 8, 2026, the competitive meta is already starting to take shape. We finally have official confirmation on how the Pokémon Legends: Z-A starters will perform in the new battle simulator.

If you are planning your day-one competitive team, pay close attention to the newest Pokémon Champions Mega Evolutions. Mega Meganium, Mega Emboar, and Mega Feraligatr are officially joining the roster via Pokémon HOME, and they are bringing some incredibly powerful, meta-defining abilities with them.

Here is exactly what you need to know about their new mechanics.

Mega Meganium Shines with “Mega Sol”

Grass-type fans, rejoice. Mega Meganium is receiving a brand-new ability called Mega Sol.

Instead of setting up weather for the entire field like Drought, Mega Sol allows Meganium to use its moves as if harsh sunlight is active. This means Meganium can fire off instantaneous Solar Beams and heal for maximum HP using Synthesis. Even if it is actively raining or snowing on the battlefield. This self-contained weather buff makes Mega Meganium incredibly splashable on teams that don’t want to commit to a dedicated Sun archetype.

Mega Meganium Shines with Mega Sol

Mega Emboar Smashes Defenses with “Mold Breaker”

Mega Emboar is doubling down on sheer offensive pressure with the Mold Breaker ability.

While it might not be a brand-new ability like the other two, handing Mold Breaker to a heavy-hitting Fire/Fighting type is a massive deal. Mold Breaker allows Mega Emboar to completely ignore the defensive abilities of its targets. Say goodbye to abilities like Sturdy, Flash Fire, or Levitate getting in your way. Mega Emboar will punch right through them, guaranteeing your attacks land exactly as intended.

Mega Emboar Smashes Defenses with Mold Breaker

Mega Feraligatr Dominates with “Dragonize”

Perhaps the most exciting reveal of the batch is Mega Feraligatr’s new signature ability: Dragonize.

Functioning similarly to abilities like Pixilate or Aerilate, Dragonize turns all of Mega Feraligatr’s Normal-type moves into Dragon-type moves. Furthermore, it grants those converted moves a massive 20% power boost. This instantly gives Mega Feraligatr access to hard-hitting, reliable physical Dragon STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus) without having to rely on moves that lock you in, like Outrage.

Mega Meganium Shines with Mega Sol

Also read: Pokemon Go players helped build a 30 billion image dataset for AI, and most had no idea

Preparing for the Pokémon Champions Meta

These Pokémon Champions Mega Evolutions are clearly designed to shake up traditional strategies. Whether you want the weather-defying bulk of Meganium, the unstoppable wall-breaking of Emboar, or the sweeping potential of Feraligatr, these starters are built to dominate Ranked Battles from day one.

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