Pixel P&L: How to Sell Real Motorcycles With Fake Motorcycles
When a young gamer walks into a Mumbai Hero dealership next month to test-drive the new Xtreme 160R, the bike's custom BGMI decals won't just be eye-catching graphics, they'll represent a breakthrough in marketing strategy. Hero MotoCorp has cracked the code on converting virtual vehicle preferences into actual motorcycle purchases, pioneering the first 'phygital' bridge from BGMI to automotive showroom floors. Who knew that mastering headshots in battle royale could lead to actual horsepower purchases?
In today's email:
How Hero MotoCorp is turning virtual rides into in real life revenue
Yves Guillemot puts son in charge of revitalizing game development standards
Sony opens India's dev floodgates while HBO's zombies lose steam
Hero MotoCorp Partners With Gaming Giant Krafton in India Cross-Platform Deal
Hero MotoCorp Ltd., India's largest motorcycle manufacturer, has entered a "phygital" partnership with South Korean gaming company Krafton India, marking the first collaboration of its scale between India's two-wheeler and mobile gaming sectors.
Beginning May 25, players of Battlegrounds Mobile India will be able to ride digital versions of Hero's Xtreme 160R 4V and Xtreme 125R motorcycles within the popular battle royale game. The partnership extends beyond virtual integration, offering themed in-game gear including custom outfits, helmets and backpacks.
The strategic collaboration creates a unique revenue stream by enabling players to purchase BGMI-branded Hero motorcycles in real life featuring special decals and themed designs, effectively bridging digital engagement with physical ownership.
"We're turning virtual mobility into real-world expression—translating in-game aspiration into tangible ownership," said Siddharth Merrotra, head of business development at Krafton India.
Ubisoft Forms Crisis Committee as Stock Struggles Despite Game Sales
French video game publisher Ubisoft Entertainment SA has established a "Transformation Committee" to address declining quality across its portfolio, as the company faces mounting financial pressure despite recent sales success.
The gaming giant, founded nearly four decades ago, continues to see stock values decline even as its latest release, Assassin's Creed Shadows, posted respectable sales figures. Chief Executive Yves Guillemot has appointed his son to co-lead the emergency committee, tasked with revitalizing game development standards.
The ambitious 100-day initiative targets €100 million ($104 million) in additional cost savings, signaling potential layoffs and studio closures ahead. Recent high-profile titles including Star Wars: Outlaws and Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora have underperformed critically, contributing to growing investor concerns about the company's creative direction.
Despite securing backing from Chinese technology giant Tencent Holdings Ltd., Ubisoft's financial outlook remains uncertain as the newly formed committee works to restore investor confidence in the Assassin's Creed franchise and the company's broader game portfolio amid industry-wide challenges.
⚡Quick Bytes
Sony Opens Year-Round Submissions for India Game Developer Program
Sony Interactive Entertainment opened its India Hero Project to year-round submissions, eliminating previous deadlines for Indian game developers seeking funding and mentorship. The program shift aims to provide more flexible support across India's gaming industry. Sony recently signed narrative adventure game Mukti and previously announced indie titles Bloody Boots and Lokko 3D through the incubator initiative.
Niantic Lays Off Five More Employees in Ongoing Restructuring
Niantic laid off five additional employees as it continues reorganizing following the $3.5 billion sale of its gaming business, including Pokemon Go, to Saudi-owned Scopely. The cuts affect workers at newly formed Niantic Spatial, which focuses on geospatial AI. The company previously eliminated 68 positions, bringing total layoffs to 73 workers.
The Last of Us Season Two Finale Draws 3.7 Million Viewers
The Last of Us season two finale attracted 3.7 million cross-platform viewers, down from the season premiere's 5.3 million, Deadline reported. HBO Max attributed the decline to Memorial Day weekend viewing patterns and expects audience growth. The post-apocalyptic drama now boasts over 90 million global viewers across both seasons.
⚔️Side Quest
📺 Listen: Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney discusses Fortnite's billion-dollar success, the strategic battle against Apple's 30% fees, metaverse monetization models, and why creator economies will reshape gaming. Essential insights on platform competition, cross-platform strategies, and emerging revenue streams in the gaming industry.
🎮 Play: Vampire Survivors is a must-buy at 20% off during Steam's Zombies vs. Vampires sale! It is the perfect podcast game: engaging enough to keep hands busy but doesn't demand focus.
📚 Read: How Tripledot Studios went from relative obscurity to becoming a top-5 mobile gaming publisher overnight through an $800M acquisition of AppLovin's game portfolio.
💡Did You Know
Did you know that Valve boss Gabe Newell is also the cofounder of a neuroscience company called Starfish? Launched quietly in 2019, the company is developing brain interface technology with a unique approach compared to competitors like Neuralink. While most brain interfaces focus on single regions, Starfish is creating "distributed neural interfaces" that can simultaneously read and write to multiple connected brain areas to treat circuit-level neurological disorders. Their first chips are expected in late 2025. The company is also developing cancer treatment devices and magnetic stimulation therapies. Newell's interest in brain-computer interfaces dates back to at least 2010, long before gaming applications became mainstream discussion topics.
📜 Quote of the Day
"The thing about happiness is that you only know you had it when it's gone. I mean, you may think to yourself that you're happy. But you don't really believe it. You focus on the petty bullshit, or the next job, or whatever. It's only looking back by comparison with what comes after that you really understand, that's what happiness felt like."
- Kellogg, Fallout 4
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