Pixel P&L: India's First AAA Cricket Game?

In this edition of Pixel P&L, we cover LightFury Games' unveiling of E-Cricket, a new AAA cricket title showcased at GDC 2025 in San Francisco. Also featured: Ubisoft's new anti-harassment measures to protect its devs, the IESF's expansion to 151 members, Roblox's latest AI-driven tool for improved user-generated content, and more.

/ LightFury Games Unveils ‘E-Cricket’ at GDC 2025

LightFury Games, an Indian AAA-focused game-tech studio, revealed its upcoming title E-Cricket at the Game Developers Conference (GDC) 2025 in San Francisco. The game is developed in collaboration with Amazon Web Services (AWS) and utilizes Amazon GameLift Streams, a newly introduced cloud-based technology designed to deliver high-fidelity gaming experiences directly through web browsers, bypassing the need for dedicated hardware.

Built on Unreal Engine 5, E-Cricket is designed to offer a competitive multiplayer experience, combining realistic visuals with advanced gameplay mechanics. The game will feature live tournaments and interactive modes to attract both esports players and cricket fans. LightFury Games has set a global launch target for early 2026.

The announcement signals a significant moment for India’s gaming industry, marking one of the country’s first AAA projects to be showcased on a global platform like GDC. LightFury CEO Karan Shroff described the game as part of the studio’s ambition to position India as a serious contender in the international gaming landscape.

Ubisoft Implements Anti-Harassment Measures Ahead of Assassin's Creed Shadows Launch

Ubisoft has reportedly implemented an anti-harassment plan for developers ahead of Assassin's Creed Shadows' upcoming release. The move follows persistent backlash over the game's inclusion of Yasuke, a Black samurai, which has fueled controversy alongside earlier marketing missteps.

Ubisoft has advised employees to avoid publicly identifying themselves as company staff on social media to prevent targeted harassment, according to French outlet BFMTV. Additionally, the company has sought guidance from Canada's Communications Security Establishment, the country's cryptologic agency, to bolster security efforts.

Despite the turbulence, Ubisoft says preorders for Assassin's Creed Shadows are "tracking solidly." The game's success remains crucial for the publisher as it navigates mounting pressure from critics and fans alike.

⚡Quick Bytes

IESF Expands to 151 Members with Five New Federations

The International Esports Federation added five new national federations, bringing its total membership to 151. New members include federations from Botswana, Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and Tanzania. These nations will participate in the IESF 2025 season, which features titles like Counter-Strike 2, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, PUBG Mobile, and eFootball.

Roblox Unveils 'Cube' 3D Model for AI-Driven Creation

At GDC 2025, Roblox introduced its AI-powered 3D model tool, "Cube," allowing creators to generate 3D objects from text prompts. Cube's open-source version invites developers beyond the platform to build on it. Roblox also announced upcoming AI tools for text generation, text-to-speech, and speech-to-text, with plans for advanced scene generation.

Sensor Tower Acquires Video Game Insights, Expands Coverage

Sensor Tower has acquired gaming intelligence platform Video Game Insights, expanding its analytics reach into PC and console gaming. The acquisition bolsters Sensor Tower’s insights across mobile, Steam, Xbox, and PlayStation.

💡 Did You Know?

Plants vs. Zombies originally featured a zombie inspired by Michael Jackson's iconic Thriller look. The design was intended as a tribute when the game launched in May 2009. However, Jackson unexpectedly passed away just a few months later. Following his death, Jackson’s estate objected to the likeness, prompting PopCap to replace the character with a disco dancer in subsequent updates.

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