Indian mobile games publisher Nazara Technologies has acquired a 55 percent ownership share in Nodwin Gaming, a homegrown esports company working to establish competitive gaming as a mainstream pursuit in India.
Based in Mumbai, Nazara is laying the groundwork for a comprehensive esports framework across the country, one that encompasses both digital and in-person competition, homegrown tournament circuits, locally developed titles, and internationally sanctioned events.
Nodwin was founded back in 2014 by Akshat Rathee and Gautam Virk, with Jetsynthesys acting as a co-founding partner. The outfit counts prominent global gaming names including ESL, Turtle Entertainment, and Valve among its roster of publishing and platform collaborators.
According to Nazara, the transaction is expected to accelerate the rise of elite esports competitors and professional players cultivated within the Indian gaming ecosystem.
Manish Agarwal, who serves as CEO of Nazara, remarked in an official communication, "This acquisition is geared toward delivering Indian esports fans a thorough, player- and community-centered competitive gaming environment where competitors can flourish, sharpen their abilities, and rise to world-class status."
Rathee, CEO of Nodwin Gaming, added in a separate statement, "As a discipline, esports ranks among the most rapidly expanding sports across the globe. Nazara's move to acquire Nodwin lends greater legitimacy to our brand and unlocks a broad spectrum of prospects for Indian players looking to forge professional paths both at home and abroad. It also enhances our capacity to deliver richer experiences and expanded opportunities to the stakeholders who matter most to our community."
Beyond the Nodwin deal, Nazara maintains a portfolio of investments spanning other mobile gaming ventures, including Next Wave Multi Media, Mastermind Sports, Moong Labs, and Hala Play.
Both organizations noted that India's esports fan base remains in its infancy, with industry analysts Frost & Sullivan and Newzoo estimating roughly 2 million dedicated followers and another 2 million casual watchers, a figure projected to multiply more than five times by 2021.
Nodwin holds the exclusive, long-term rights to represent ESL within the Indian market. The company organizes and operates several marquee gaming competitions, among them the ESL India Premiership, The Dew Arena by ESL, KO Fight Nights, The North East Championship, Intel Extreme Masters India qualifiers, and the ESWC (Electronic Sports World Cup) India Qualifiers.
