Pixel P&L: Unveiling Analytics Dashboard for Esports and Gaming in India

It’s Monday, July 15. Today we unveil our newest offering for our annual premium subscribers, we also explore Saudi Arabia’s new 12-year deal with the International Olympic Committee, and more.

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We are excited to announce the beta launch of AFK Gaming Insights, an analytics dashboard designed to provide insights into the Indian esports industry. Available exclusively to annual premium subscribers, this powerful tool offers real-time data and analytics to help users make informed decisions and stay ahead in the competitive esports landscape.

AFK Gaming Insights features three core analytics modules:

• Tournaments Analytics: Access detailed information on prize pools, sponsors, players, teams, and more. This module provides a comprehensive view of the financial and competitive aspects of esports tournaments, enabling users to strategize effectively.

• User Analytics: Discover valuable insights into demographics, occupations, interests, income ranges, spending habits, and more. This data helps users understand the diverse backgrounds and behaviors of the Indian gaming community, facilitating targeted marketing and engagement efforts.

• Social Analytics: Track key metrics such as Instagram followers, YouTube subscribers, and top livestreamers in the country. 

For example, the tool reveals that Total Gaming is currently the most viewed Indian gaming YouTuber, with an average of 4.25 million views per video over the last month. Additionally, the dashboard uncovers significant trends, such as the fact that more Indian gamers spend money on a daily basis rather than not spending at all.

By leveraging such data, subscribers can optimize their strategies and gain a competitive edge in the Indian esports industry.

Give it a try.

Saudi Arabia and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) have entered a 12-year agreement to host the newly established Esports Olympics, starting in 2025. The announcement, made on Friday, reveals a commitment to holding "Olympic Esports Games regularly," marking a significant milestone in both the kingdom's and the IOC's efforts to engage with younger audiences through competitive gaming.

Prince Abdulaziz, head of the Saudi National Olympic Committee, described the initiative as a "natural next step for our young athletes, our country, and the global esports community." The financial details of Saudi Arabia's investment in the event remain undisclosed.

The IOC, aiming to attract and retain younger fans, emphasized the adherence to Olympic values, including gender equality and youth engagement, in their announcement of the deal. This partnership aligns with the broader Vision 2030 program led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, which seeks to diversify the Saudi economy away from oil and modernize its society through sports and entertainment.

The announcement coincides with the ongoing Esports World Cup in Riyadh and follows Saudi Arabia's recent spree of high-profile sports events, including the 2034 World Cup in men's football and the 2029 Asian Winter Games.

Critics have accused Saudi Arabia of using sports to improve its international reputation, a practice often termed "sportswashing." Nonetheless, the deal, pending approval at the IOC membership meeting in Paris later this month, represents a pivotal move in the kingdom's ambition to become a global esports hub.

India's Video Games Market Hits $830 Million in 2023, Eyes $1 Billion Milestone by 2025

India's video games market generated $830 million in 2023, reflecting a 15.9% growth, as reported by Niko Partners. This marks a slight decline from the 19% increase seen in 2022. Despite only 3% of gamers spending on video games, the market is poised for continued expansion, with projections estimating a 13.6% rise to $943 million in 2024 and surpassing $1 billion in 2025. By 2028, revenues are forecasted to reach $1.4 billion. 

Singapore Weighs Deepfake Regulations Ahead of Election

Singapore is exploring ways to regulate AI-generated deepfake content, including a potential temporary ban, to safeguard the integrity of its upcoming election. Minister for Digital Development and Information Josephine Teo highlighted the issue during the Reuters Next Apac conference on July 9, emphasizing the global challenge of combating deepfakes. Teo referenced South Korea's 90-day ban on political AI content before its April election, but noted Singapore's shorter election period complicates similar measures. The city-state's election is due by November 2025, with no date set. Teo underscored the need for tailored solutions to address AI-driven misinformation effectively.

Gamescom Asia Set to Shine in Singapore

Gamescom Asia will take place in Singapore from October 17-20, featuring a business and public exhibition, industry conference, and various public programs. The event anticipates over 150 exhibitors and more than 40,000 visitors. Capcom, the first major publisher to confirm participation, will showcase demos and host the official Street Fighter 6 tournament, Capcom Pro Tour 2024 Super Premier Singapore. The GCL group will exhibit titles like JDM: Japanese Drift Master and S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2. Former PlayStation executive Shawn Layden will headline the business conference with a fireside chat. "Gaming in the region is on a promising path," said Daria La Valle, Project Director at Koelnmesse.

Game Developer Slams Intel’s 13th and 14th Gen CPUs as "Defective"

Australian indie games developer Alderon Games has criticized Intel's 13th and 14th-generation Core microprocessors, labeling them "defective" due to ongoing stability issues. In a detailed write-up, founder Matthew Cassells highlighted persistent problems with crashes, instability, and memory corruption on Intel’s latest chips, despite various updates. Cassells cited thousands of crash reports from players of their multiplayer game, Path of Titans, and significant instability on their own Raptor Lake-powered PCs. Consequently, Alderon Games plans to switch all servers to AMD processors, which reportedly experience far fewer crashes.

Did you know that the BioShock series was almost canceled before it even got off the ground? 

Director Ken Levine, in an interview with Edge Magazine, recounted the tumultuous early days of BioShock's development. The original team at Irrational Games, inspired by the immersive sim classic System Shock 2, aimed to create a spiritual successor. However, Levine initially vetoed the idea, citing financial concerns and poor sales projections for the genre.

Despite developing a prototype, publishers showed little interest, leading the team to pivot their strategy. They pitched BioShock to journalists, generating unexpected buzz and interest from publishers. This attention led Take-Two to acquire the project, albeit with a modest budget.

The development process was fraught with challenges, including budget overruns and delays, which nearly led to the game's cancellation. Controversial gameplay elements, such as the option to kill 'Little Sisters' for resources, added to the tension. Nonetheless, the project persevered.

BioShock's eventual release in 2007 marked a significant success, spawning sequels and selling over 41 million copies. The franchise's impact continues with a Netflix adaptation in the works and a fourth installment under development, ensuring its legacy endures even as Levine pursues new ventures.