Today’s Pixel P&L highlights NODWIN Gaming’s latest fundraising efforts to drive expansion, CookieRun’s strategy to capture diverse Indian demographics, the Esports World Cup’s addition of its first MOBA title, PUBG Mobile’s collaboration with Qiddiya Gaming, and other key developments.
Leading Indian gaming and esports company NODWIN Gaming announced plans to raise private financing to strengthen its foothold in emerging markets. The company’s parent, Nazara Technologies, has committed INR 64 crore as part of the round, which has been structured as convertible preferred stock.
Valued at $410 million as of November, NODWIN Gaming has been focused on scaling its operations through a mix of organic growth and acquisitions. The company reported a 91% quarter-on-quarter revenue increase in Q2 FY24, alongside a 111% rise year-on-year. Recent initiatives include scaling Comicon India and acquiring Trinity Gaming to diversify its portfolio.
The funds raised will be allocated to expanding its intellectual property assets and building capabilities to cater to a growing audience in emerging markets.
Krafton India and Devsisters outlined plans to position CookieRun as a game for all during its India launch. Drawing on its South Korean success, where 40% of the population—20 million people—downloaded the game over 11 years, the developers expressed confidence in its appeal to diverse demographics in India, spanning age and gender.
Building on their experience with games like BGMI, the developers plan to leverage India’s expansive social media networks, and digital marketing to reach a wide audience. They emphasized the game’s accessibility, designed to attract both seasoned gamers and casual players.
The developers highlighted India’s rapidly growing mobile gaming market as fertile ground for CookieRun. “This is not just for serious gamers; but also for all the casual gamers, including the female audience and the young generation and old generation,” they said, aiming to establish a strong foothold in the country.
Dota 2 Confirmed for Esports World Cup 2025
The prize pool for the Dota 2 tournament remains under wraps, with organizers hinting at a “life-changing” sum for participants. Dota 2 joins Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, Call of Duty: Warzone, Honor of Kings, Free Fire, and Street Fighter 6 as the fifth title confirmed for next summer’s event.
PUBG Mobile Partners with Saudi Arabia’s Qiddiya Gaming
This with the esports division of Saudi Arabia’s Qiddiya megaproject aims to enhance the game’s esports circuit and gaming experiences. The collaboration debuts at the PUBG Mobile Global Championship in London from Dec. 6-8, with Qiddiya playing a key role. Alongside PUBG Mobile, Qiddiya also supports Mobile Legends: Bang Bang’s esports circuit as part of its growing involvement in global gaming initiatives.
Ubisoft to Shut Down XDefiant in June 2025
Executive Producer Mark Rubin , adding that new players will no longer be able to play the game. Existing players will retain access until June 3, 2025, with refunds issued for in-game purchases made within the last 30 days. Rubin attributed the closure to challenges in sustaining the game in an increasingly competitive free-to-play market, despite surpassing 15 million players.
On Halloween 2008, Doritos ventured into horror gaming with , a chilling online experience available only between 6 PM and 6 AM. The game upped the scare factor by integrating real-world elements, including eerie phone calls to players in the middle of the night, creating a uniquely immersive—and terrifying—experience. Hotel 626 became a cult favorite, blending gaming and marketing in a way rarely seen before.
