Pixel P&L: Karnataka’s Big Play for Esports & AVGC Leadership
Today’s Pixel P&L covers Karnataka’s push to become an esports and AVGC hub, Konami’s partnership with Johnathan Gaming and Indian football captain Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, the conclusion of College Rivals Season 2, Marvel Rivals first Western esports tournament, and more.
Karnataka Aims to Lead India’s Esports and AVGC Sector
Karnataka’s IT-BT Minister Priyank Kharge has set an ambitious vision to establish the state as a premier hub for esports and AVGC (animation, visual effects, gaming, and extended reality). Speaking at Bengaluru GAFX 2025 on Feb. 27, Kharge revealed plans to host a National Esports Festival, with aspirations to make it Asia’s biggest. “My intention is to hold the nation’s and perhaps Asia’s biggest esports festival for our gaming community,” he said, though further details remain undisclosed.
The three-day GAFX conference, organized by Karnataka’s IT-BT Department and nonprofit ABAI, is expected to draw over 20,000 attendees. A key highlight is an investor-connect initiative that brings together 25 leading investors and 50 AVGC-XR startups, facilitating funding and mentorship opportunities. With states like Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Maharashtra, and Kerala also making strides in the sector, Karnataka is intensifying efforts to maintain its leadership position.
Under its 2024-2029 AVGC-XR policy, Karnataka allocated ₹150 crore to drive industry growth, and is targeting 50,000 jobs over the next three to four years. Plans include a Gaming Center of Excellence and an AVGC-XR Park to support production, incubation, and research. The state, currently home to 300 AVGC studios, also aims to generate 80% of sector revenues from exports.
Konami’s eFootball Partners with Indian Football Captain and Esports Star for Holi Campaign
Konami Digital Entertainment is launching a Holi-themed eFootball campaign in India, featuring national football captain Gurpreet Singh Sandhu and esports star Jonathan Gaming. Running from March 1 to March 26, the campaign aims to expand eFootball’s footprint in India’s gaming and football communities.
The initiative includes the "Goal Ke Rang" tournament, offering a €1,000 prize pool (INR 91,122) and exclusive in-game events. Konami has also enlisted top gaming influencers such as Gamerfleet, Sharkshe, RK Reddy, Snax, and Eagle Gaming to engage fans. Sandhu is set to make a special announcement during the campaign, further drawing attention to the title.
"Football and gaming both demand skill, strategy, and passion—values that unite players on and off the pitch," Sandhu said in a statement. Konami’s eFootball™ General Producer Makoto Igarashi emphasized India’s growing eFootball™ market, stating the campaign aims to bridge traditional football with esports.
The campaign is part of Konami’s push into India’s digital sports market. Players can register for tournaments and campaign activities via eFootball™’s official Discord server.
Quick Bytes
College Rivals Season 2 Attracts 11 Lakh Students
According to a release, the second season of College Rivals took place in 55 colleges across 22 cities, with 11 lakh students participating. Featuring BGMI, Valorant, and more, the tournament offered a ₹50 lakh prize pool. Attendees engaged with top gaming creators like JokerKiHaveli, Regaltos, and Payal Gaming, while live performances from Seedhe Maut and Pho added to the spectacle.
Marvel Rivals Launches $100,000 Esports Invitational in Europe
NetEase is expanding its Marvel Rivals esports push with its first major Western tournament. The Marvel Rivals Invitational EMEA, running Feb. 28 to March 9, features eight teams and a $100,000 prize pool, marking NetEase’s growing esports ambitions.
FIFAe Seeks Esports Tech Firms for Biometric Broadcast Innovations
FIFA’s esports arm FIFAe is seeking companies to develop biometric tracking technologies for football esports broadcasts. The initiative aims to enhance viewer engagement by displaying real-time player data—such as heart rate, eye movement, and reaction time—through live graphics. Previously, FIFAe partnered with Mix Effect Media to showcase players’ heartbeats during the 2023 FIFAe finals. Now, its "innovation challenge" looks to expand these capabilities, with interested firms required to submit self-funded proposals via Inside FIFA’s website.
💡Did You Know
After the devastating 2019 fire at Notre Dame Cathedral, Ubisoft offered its highly detailed 3D model of the monument, created for Assassin’s Creed: Unity, to aid in reconstruction efforts. The model, the result of nearly 5,000 hours of meticulous research, captured the cathedral’s architecture with remarkable precision. While not officially used, Ubisoft’s contribution highlighted how video game technology can preserve history in unexpected ways. To further support restoration, Ubisoft also donated €500,000 and made Assassin’s Creed: Unity free for a limited time, allowing players to explore a digital version of the iconic landmark.
📜Quote of the Day
“Better to be content in this life, than aspire to it in the next”
Ezio Auditore, Assassin's Creed II
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