Pixel P&L: Techno Gamerz’s Historic Nomination, Nazara’s Big Bet

In today’s coverage, we spotlight content creator Ujjwal "Techno Gamerz" Chaurasia becoming the first Indian nominated for Content Creator of the Year at The Game Awards,

We also examine Nazara Technologies and WTFund’s INR 2 crore investment in gaming startups, the launch of Naruto-themed perfumes by The Souled Store, and the record-breaking viewership of the VCT Game Changers Championship 2024. More updates inside.

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Ujjwal "Techno Gamerz" Chaurasia has become the first Indian content creator nominated for the Content Creator of the Year award at The Game Awards, marking a significant milestone for India’s gaming community. Previous winners of the award include prominent figures such as Ludwig Ahgren, Tyler “Ninja” Blevins, and Michael “Shroud” Grzesiek.

The 2024 Game Awards, set to air on December 12 from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, will celebrate achievements across 96 nominees, including games, studios, and individuals. Leading the nominations with seven each are ASTRO BOT by Team Asobi and Final Fantasy VII Rebirth by Square Enix, both competing for Game of the Year alongside Balatro by LocalThunk, Black Myth: Wukong by Game Science, Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree by FromSoftware, and Metaphor: ReFantazio by Studio Zero.

The event will feature game announcements, performances by The Game Awards Orchestra, and will stream for free on over 30 platforms, including Twitch, YouTube, and TikTok Live.

Nazara Technologies and Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath’s WTFund have pledged INR 2 crore to two gaming startups, Norian Games and Xigma Games. The companies aim to use the investment to expand their operations, according to a joint statement released Friday.

The move highlights increasing interest in India’s burgeoning gaming sector, which has seen steady growth amid rising demand for locally developed titles. Norian Games, founded in 2019 by Jake Koshy, focuses on PC and console games, including its flagship title Aldian of Ancients. Xigma Games, established in 2015 by Himanshu Manwani and Govardhan Gosavi, has created popular games like The Bonfire and Rubek.

“This fund is about supporting innovative gaming ventures,” Kamath said in the statement. Nazara CEO Nitish Mittersain emphasized the need for strengthening India's gaming talent to compete globally.

The investment comes as WTFund, launched earlier this year, works to provide grants and resources for entrepreneurs under 25. With a total corpus of INR 8 crore, the fund offers INR 20 lakh in non-dilutive capital to each selected founder, alongside mentorship and market-entry support.

The Souled Store, an Indian brand specializing in licensed merchandise, has introduced a fragrance line inspired by Masashi Kishimoto's Naruto manga. Launched in November, the collection features two men’s fragrances—Naruto: Hokage and Naruto: Akatsuki. As of now, only the Hokage variant is available for purchase online.

The move follows The Souled Store’s expansion into anime-themed apparel, starting with its Naruto clothing line in January 2023. The growing popularity of anime merchandise in India has drawn attention from other brands as well; French clothing label Celio launched its Naruto collaboration in the country in October 2022.

The Naruto franchise remains a mainstay in Indian streaming and broadcast services. Netflix, which began streaming all nine seasons of the original anime in 2022, also offers the sequel Naruto Shippūden. The series is now available on multiple platforms, including Amazon Prime Video and Sony Yay!, with Airtel Digital TV listing Naruto as a launch title for its Anime Booth channel earlier this year.

VCT Game Changers Championship 2024 Sets New Viewership Record

The 2024 VCT Game Changers Championship in Berlin set a new viewership record for the series, drawing over 460,000 peak viewers and 123,000 average viewers, according to Esports Charts. Featuring 10 teams and focusing on women and marginalized genders, the event became the second most popular women’s esports tournament globally, surpassed only by the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Women’s Tournament at the 2023 SEA Games, which peaked at 1.3 million viewers.

Merak Capital Launches $80 Million Gaming Fund and Accelerator for MENA

Merak Capital has launched an $80 million fund and accelerator, Exel by Merak, to support 15-20 game industry startups across Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa (MENA). Targeting game development, publishing platforms, and gaming technologies, the program offers equity investment, mentorship, legal assistance, and resources to help startups develop 15 commercially viable games. The initiative aligns with Saudi Arabia’s ambition to establish itself as a global gaming hub, with Merak CEO Abdullah Altamami highlighting its focus on fostering innovation and driving growth in the region’s gaming ecosystem.

The original Super Mario Bros. development team, composed of Shigeru Miyamoto, Takashi Tezuka, Koji Kondo, Katsuya Eguchi, and Toshihiko Nakago, have been involved in the development of every core Mario game for the last (nearly) 40 years. These five pioneers, who collaborated on the 1985 classic that revolutionized gaming, have remained central to the franchise’s evolution, ensuring its enduring legacy.

Shigeru Miyamoto, the legendary creator of Mario, has guided the series as producer and creative advisor, preserving its charm and innovative spirit. Takashi Tezuka, a key designer and director of the original, has played a crucial role in shaping subsequent titles as a producer and senior executive. Koji Kondo, the composer of the iconic Super Mario Bros. theme, continues to influence the franchise's soundtracks, creating music that resonates with players worldwide.

Katsuya Eguchi, a programmer on the original, later became a driving force behind the expansive and imaginative Mario worlds. Toshihiko Nakago, through his leadership at SRD Co., has ensured the series’ technical precision and gameplay excellence.