Pixel P&L: The Beverage Choices of Indian Gamers

Good Morning. It’s Tuesday, July 16. In today's feature story, we delve into the beverage consumption habits of Indian gamers. We also cover the announcement of the M6 World Championships, Godrej's strategic investment plans in Indian gaming and esports, and more.

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The clink of coffee cups and the hiss of energy drink cans are as familiar as the sound of clicking keyboards and game controllers for Indian gamers. They have become the latest torchbearers of a longstanding tradition: a deep-seated affection for caffeinated beverages. This trend is vividly illustrated by the thriving scene of gaming cafés and the staggering $1.2 billion in sales of Logan Paul and KSI’s Prime Energy Drink.

Our recent survey underscores a burgeoning opportunity within India’s gaming market for energy and hydration drinks crafted specifically for gamers and esports athletes. These beverages are more than mere refreshments; they are essential fuel, consumed daily to sustain focus and stamina during grueling gaming marathons.

The survey highlights a consistent and robust pattern of consumption. Gamers favor a diverse array of caffeinated beverages to endure the long hours of gameplay. Whether seeking the soothing warmth of freshly brewed coffee or the quick jolt from an icy cola, these drinks have become indispensable to the gaming lifestyle.

As the demand for specialized energy and hydration drinks continues to grow, a new market opportunity is emerging in India. Sadakshi delves into this rapidly evolving sector in our latest feature, uncovering the trends and insights propelling this market forward. Discover the potential and challenges within the dynamic world of gaming beverages, where the thirst for victory is quenched by the perfect sip.

The M6 World Championship, a key event in the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) esports calendar, will return to Malaysia in late 2024. This global competition, which draws top MLBB teams from around the world to compete for a significant prize pool and the title of the best team, will be hosted in Malaysia for the second time since its beginning in 2019.

The tournament's semifinals and grand finals will be held at the Axiata Stadium in Kuala Lumpur, the same venue that hosted the inaugural M1 World Championship in 2019, where Indonesia’s EVOS Legends emerged as champions. With a seating capacity of 16,000, including 13,000 permanent seats and 3,000 retractable seats, Axiata Stadium is well-suited for large-scale esports events.

The M6 World Championship is scheduled for November 2024. With the previous M5 World Championship drawing in over 5 Million peak concurrent viewers, expectations are high for this year’s championship as well.

Indonesian government to Ban Game Payment and Top-up Services at Convenience Stores

The Indonesian government plans to ban game payment and top-up services at convenience stores due to alleged connections with online gambling. Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Hadi Tjahjanto, who also chairs the Online Gambling Eradication Task Force, announced the decision. The task force claims to have identified games associated with online gambling activities. It aims to dismantle the infrastructure supporting online gambling by targeting these payment services.

AMD Ryzen 9000 Series Set to Launch on July 31

Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) has announced the official launch of its Ryzen 9000 series desktop processors, slated for July 31. The lineup includes the Ryzen 9 9950X, Ryzen 9 9900X, Ryzen 7 9700X, and Ryzen 5 9600X. While AMD has yet to disclose pricing, leaks suggest these models may be more affordable than their Ryzen 7000 predecessors.

Godrej Consumer Products to Invest in Gaming and Esports

Godrej Consumer Products Limited (GCPL) is preparing to enter the gaming and esports sectors. During the launch of India's first indigenous mosquito repellent molecule, Renofluthrin-based GoodKnight Vaporizer, Ashwin Moorthy, Chief Marketing Officer of GCPL, revealed the company's plans to Storyboard18. Moorthy emphasized that GCPL serves a diverse consumer base and is open to new media opportunities. "We believe gaming can become a cost-effective way to reach young consumers, and you will soon find us advertising there," he said. Moorthy noted that GCPL would incorporate gaming and esports into their marketing strategy when it becomes a cheaper method to engage consumers.

China Media Group and VSPO Form Strategic Esports Alliance With ESWC

China Media Group (CMG), the Esports World Cup Foundation, and tournament organizer VSPO have forged a strategic alliance. Announced in Beijing, CMG inaugurated the National Institute for Esports Development, which immediately partnered with the two entities to co-organize future esports events. This initiative aims to enhance China's esports industry, foster international collaboration, and explore new cultural promotion methods. Key government figures, including CMG President Shen Haixiong and CPC Secretary Sun Shuo, attended the launch. VSPO and the Foundation, both backed by Saudi investments, previously collaborated on the Esports World Cup in Riyadh. This announcement coincides with the IOC's partnership with Saudi Arabia for the 2025 Olympic Esports Games.

Baldur's Gate 3 won so many awards that it began to "affect development," prompting Larian Studios to send "rotating teams" of developers to ceremonies.

CEO and game director Swen Vincke disclosed that the sheer volume of accolades began to impact the game's development. "It affects development—there's a lot of them. This has been a real problem," Vincke told Edge magazine. To manage, Larian started sending rotating teams to various award ceremonies.

The continuous recognition, while appreciated, created logistical headaches and emotional strain for the team. "It's great to celebrate, but we still have award shows we're going to. They're important, and we appreciate it," Vincke noted. However, he mentioned the ongoing nature of these events has prevented the team from achieving closure on the project.

Vincke expressed a desire for a more streamlined approach to award ceremonies, suggesting simultaneous events to reduce the burden since the developer is eager to shift focus to new projects, with two other RPGs already in the pipeline.