Pixel P&L: The Flop of Esports Collectibles

Vignesh Raghuram
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<div class="paragraphs"><p>Pixel P&amp;L</p></div>
Pixel P&amp;L

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In today’s feature, we delve into the unique challenges that have come to plague the esports collectibles market, examining the factors behind its struggles and what the future may hold for this niche sector. Additionally, we highlight Nazara Technologies' recent accolade as one of the top acquirers in the latest Drake Star Partners report. Stay tuned for more insights and notable events shaping the industry.

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Why Esports Collectibles Fail to Score: Exploring the Struggles and Future of the Market

Late last year, a Babe Ruth baseball card sold for $7.2 million, shattering records and underscoring the billion-dollar sports memorabilia industry. But why is esports memorabilia still languishing in the bargain bin? While traditional sports collectibles fetch millions, player shirts, signed cards, and defunct team merchandise in esports often sell for less than their original price. Only a few items, like signed photos of Faker and Dota 2 Mini Aegis trophies, hold any real value.

Why hasn't the esports memorabilia market matured? Are these items too disposable, or is esports simply too young for its relics to gain historical significance? Michael’s latest feature dives deep into these questions, uncovering why esports collectibles struggle to hold value and what the future holds for this fledgling market.

He explores how digital collectibles, like in-game skins, dominate over physical items and the challenges posed by poor cataloging of esports history. Can esports memorabilia overcome these hurdles and carve out a significant niche in the broader collectibles market? 

Nazara Technologies Ranks 8th Globally in Gaming Acquisitions

Indian gaming and esports company Nazara Technologies has secured the 8th position on the global list of gaming acquirers, with a disclosed deal value of $42.6 million, according to Drake Star Partners’ Global Gaming Report for Q2 2024. This ranking places Nazara ahead of well-known companies such as MTG and Atari, which finished in the ninth and tenth spots, respectively.

In a release, CEO and Founder of Nazara Technologies Nitish Mittersain remarked, "This recognition on the global stage is a significant achievement for both Nazara and the Indian gaming community. It highlights the changing dynamics of the global gaming landscape, where Indian companies are emerging as influential players."

The report’s findings underscore a broader trend of increasing international acquisitions by Indian gaming companies. Nazara, which allocated $100 million for mergers and acquisitions earlier this year, has been actively seeking opportunities in gaming, esports, and adtech, particularly in areas such as web3, Virtual Reality, and AI. Nazara’s recent acquisitions include Freaks4U and ComicCon India, and the company holds the Animal Jam and Kiddopia IPs, as well as the World Cricket Championship (WCC) game titles.


Quick Bytes

Global Kartel Partners with Ampverse DMI for College Rivals Season Two

Leading Indian marketing and advertising agency Global Kartel has partnered with Ampverse DMI for the second season of College Rivals, a prominent esports and entertainment college talent hunt in India. College Rivals blends esports with music, pop culture, and comedy to attract the youth demographic. The partnership brings Global Kartel's marketing expertise, including its youth-focused arm BoomPanda, to enhance participation and audience engagement. In a release, Global Kartel CBO and Co-Founder Adesh Kolhe expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration, aiming to bring new excitement to the event

Netflix to Stream Sailor Moon Cosmos Films and Terminator Zero Anime in India

Netflix is set to expand its anime offerings in India with the addition of the Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Cosmos films and the Terminator Zero anime series. The two-part Sailor Moon Cosmos, adapting the final "Shadow Galactica" arc of Naoko Takeuchi's manga, will be available from August 22. These films debuted in Japan in June 2023. 

Global Head of League of Legends Esports, to Depart Riot Games After 12 Years

Riot Games’ Global Head of League of Legends Esports Naz Aletaha has announced her departure after over 12 years with the company. Aletaha, currently on a sabbatical since February 2024, stated she will remain for a few more months to ensure a smooth transition. During her absence, Chris Greeley, Riot Games’ Global Head of Strategy for League of Legends Esports, has led the division and will continue in this role. Aletaha expressed pride in her tenure and the team’s achievements, calling her time at Riot Games an "honor of a lifetime" as she looks forward to exploring new opportunities.

East Asia Games Market Hits $30.1 Billion in 2023, Driven by Multi-Platform Gaming

The East Asia games market generated $30.1 billion in 2023, according to Niko Partners' latest research. The report highlights significant behavioral shifts, with over 70% of Japanese mobile gamers and 90% of South Korean PC gamers now engaging across multiple platforms. This trend, driven by increased console availability in Japan and multi-platform game development, reflects a broader move towards cross-platform gaming. Niko Partners' July 2024 East Asia Gamers Behavior and Market Insights Report details these dynamics, noting a slight revenue decline but a rise in gamer numbers. CEO Lisa Hanson emphasized that cross-platform games lead to higher engagement in the region.


Did You Know

Did you know that in 2024, Indian Steam users collectively consumed a staggering 6.9 petabytes (PB) of data, with an average download rate of 50.4 Mbps. Despite this substantial data usage, India's contribution to global Steam traffic stands at just 0.7%.

A closer look at the performance by Internet Service Providers (ISPs) reveals significant variations in download speeds. Excitel leads the pack with an impressive average download rate of 90.6 Mbps, followed by ACT Fibernet at 79.5 Mbps. Tata Play Fiber and Hathway also perform admirably, offering speeds of 78.5 Mbps and 70.9 Mbps, respectively.

In contrast, Jio, one of the country's largest ISPs, delivers an average download rate of 43.8 Mbps, lagging behind its competitors. Airtel Broadband provides a speed of 61.9 Mbps, while Airtel mobile users experience slightly lower speeds at 50.3 Mbps. BSNL, another major player, offers a similar download rate of 50.6 Mbps.

Quote of the Day

If fate is a millstone, then we are the grist. There is nothing we can do. So I wish for strength. If I cannot protect them from the wheel, then give me a strong blade, and enough strength... to shatter fate."
- Ichigo Kurosaki, Bleach

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Vignesh has been covering the esports industry for nearly 5 years starting with the early days of the DPC. His industry expertise includes experience in Dota 2, CS:GO and Mobile Esports coverage.