Pixel P&L: Is Esports Really on the Path to Sustainability?

As esports emerges from its "winter," optimism surrounds new tournaments and support for games like Dota 2 and Overwatch in 2024. However, the industry's reliance on developers and outside investments raises questions. In today’s feature, we explore whether true sustainability is being achieved or if it's just more of the same.

We also report on SuperGaming’s whooping INR 2.5 Crore esports tournament for the newly launched Indus, Turkey and Russia’s ban on Discord, and more.

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As the chill of esports winter supposedly fades, optimism spreads across the industry. Commentators are talking about sustainability and growth, with tournaments lined up for games like Dota 2 and Counter-Strike, and surprising support for games like Overwatch and StarCraft in 2024. It all signals that perhaps, after years of instability and layoffs, esports is on the path to real change.

But does this “build back better” narrative reflect reality? Many of the same players and structures from the turbulent years remain. Despite the push for sustainability, much of the industry still leans heavily on developer support and outside investments.

In our feature story, we explore whether esports is truly moving toward a sustainable future or if it's just the same old game with a new face. Are we really seeing lasting change, or is the industry still caught in a cycle of dependence on outside funding and familiar business models?

SuperGaming has announced its largest esports prize pool yet, offering ₹2.5 crore for the Indus International Tournament. The Pune-based game developer, known for its focus on Indian gaming, revealed that the tournament will run from October 2024 to February 2025, with teams from both India and abroad competing in multiple phases.

This tournament follows the upcoming launch of Indus, a battle royale game with an Indo-futuristic setting. SuperGaming is banking on the game’s success to drive interest in the esports competition, positioning the tournament as the biggest event for battle royale in India.

Despite the excitement surrounding the prize pool, questions remain about the company’s ability to deliver a sustainable esports ecosystem in a market where the scene is still developing. The tournament’s phases will range from grassroots competitions to international matches, culminating in a finale where top teams will compete for a substantial portion of the prize money. Registration for the tournament is now open.

“We aim to create a game and ecosystem that Indian gamers can truly call their own,” said Roby John, CEO of SuperGaming in a release. "This tournament marks a new chapter for Indian esports, and we’re eager to elevate local talent to the global stage." 

The 2nd Edition of the Indian Gaming Convention (IGC 2024) will take place on October 14-15 at the Taj Palace, New Delhi, featuring speakers from Meta, Google, Lumikai, Nodwin Gaming, JioGames, and a Secretary from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting amongst other prominent stakeholders. The event will include a Main Stage Arena with curated content, live masterclasses, an exhibition arena, networking opportunities, and the launch of a gaming report with industry statistics.

Interested in attending? We are giving away a limited number of Silver Passes—reply to this email to secure yours.

Global Esports Halts BGMI Team Operations Amid Industry Instability

Global Esports has announced the suspension of its BGMI esports team operations, citing an "immature and unstable ecosystem" within the Indian scene. Despite the team's strong performance in various tournaments, the organization pointed to limited international opportunities and structural challenges in the local competitive environment as reasons for its withdrawal. However, Global Esports is not leaving the scene entirely; it plans to focus on grassroots initiatives aimed at developing a stronger foundation for esports in India. 

Turkey and Russia Ban Discord

Turkey and Russia have both banned access to Discord, citing the platform's refusal to comply with local authorities. In Turkey, the ban follows Discord's refusal to share user data related to alleged crimes of "child sexual abuse and obscenity," while in Russia, authorities blocked the platform after it failed to remove over 1,000 items deemed illegal. The bans have significantly impacted game developers in both countries, disrupting communication and collaboration.

Konami and FIFA Sign Esports Deal After EA Split

Konami and FIFA have signed their first deal since EA Sports dropped the FIFA license, selecting eFootball as the platform for this year’s FIFAe World Cup, a notable shift in the soccer gaming landscape. The agreement is limited to esports and does not involve Konami taking over the full FIFA gaming series. This move follows EA's rebranding of its popular soccer franchise as EA Sports FC in 2023 after ending its long-standing partnership with FIFA. The deal highlights the evolving dynamics in virtual soccer, with EA and other potential competitors closely watching the developments.

Sega Delays Football Manager 25 Until March 2025

Sega has announced a delay for Football Manager 25, pushing its release to March 2025, just ahead of the European Champions League Final. Developer Sports Interactive cited the need for more time to meet high expectations for what they call the "biggest technical and visual advancement" in the series’ history. Originally set for November 2024, the delay has disappointed fans, with the studio offering refunds to those who pre-ordered. Early access will be available before the new launch, and a full gameplay reveal is expected in January. The developers expressed regret but emphasized the importance of maintaining quality.

Tetris Syndrome (aka the Tetris Effect), named after the iconic puzzle game Tetris, occurs when people play a game for so long that it begins to invade their thoughts, dreams, and even waking visual perceptions. First described in the early 1990s, this phenomenon is more common than you might think, especially for games with repetitive, immersive gameplay like Tetris, Minecraft, or Candy Crush.

Players experiencing Tetris Syndrome often report seeing the game’s elements—like falling blocks—in their peripheral vision or closed-eye imagery. They may also find themselves mentally organizing real-world objects into patterns, much like in the game. This can extend into dreams, where players relive the gameplay, sometimes leading to restless sleep.

While the name originates from Tetris, it’s not limited to just this game. The syndrome has been noted in people playing games that require problem-solving, pattern recognition, or intense focus for long periods of time. Gamers might experience brief hallucinations of in-game elements or find themselves thinking about the game’s mechanics throughout their daily life, even when they’re not playing.

However, gamers need not worry if they start seeing Tetris blocks in their dreams since Tetris Syndrome isn't harmful and generally fades once gaming time decreases.