Pixel P&L: Krafton Ups BGMI Stakes Following Free Fire’s Return to Indian Esports

Krafton waited two days. That's how long the company held back after Garena announced Free Fire's comeback tournament before revealing they were doubling their own prize pool from INR 2 crore to INR 4 crore. Coincidence? Maybe. But in a market where both companies have spent years rebuilding trust after regulatory setbacks, KRAFTON's move sends a clear message: they're willing to spend whatever it takes to maintain their position as India's leading esports title in the post-ban era.

In today's email: 

🎮 KRAFTON vs Garena's prize pool war heats up in India 

🎤 How Enrique Iglesias proved India's concert hunger is real 

💰 Epic's expensive lesson in player trust 

🇨🇳 Trump's mystery buyers and China's approval dance

Krafton Doubles BGMI Prize Pool as Free Fire Reignites Esports Rivalry

KRAFTON India has doubled the prize money for its flagship Indian mobile gaming tournament, Battlegrounds Mobile India Pro Series 2025, to INR 4 crore (~$480,000), as competition intensifies in the country's lucrative esports market.

BMPS 2025 will see 16 teams compete for the expanded prize pool during finals scheduled for July 4-6 in New Delhi. KRAFTON's battle royale title has registered 200 million downloads since its launch in India, though the company previously faced setbacks when its original PUBG Mobile was banned by Indian authorities in 2020 over data security concerns.

The prize increase follows rival Garena's recent announcement of Free Fire's return to India's esports scene with an INR 1 crore (~$240,000) tournament, ending a three-year absence after regulatory restrictions. KRAFTON's doubled prize pool appears aimed at maintaining BGMI's competitive advantage as international gaming companies compete for market share in India.

Concert Promoter Adds Second Iglesias Show After Mumbai Sellout

EVA Live said it will stage a second Enrique Iglesias concert in Mumbai on October 29 after tickets for the singer's October 30 show sold out within hours of going on sale.

The rapid sellout of the initial concert at MMRDA Grounds reflects growing demand for Western pop acts in India's entertainment market. Iglesias last performed in the country in 2012, marking a 13-year gap that has heightened fan interest.

The promoter expects the two shows to draw approximately 50,000 attendees combined, generating significant revenue for the live entertainment sector. India's concert market has rebounded strongly since pandemic restrictions were lifted (paywalled story), with international artists increasingly viewing the subcontinent as a lucrative touring destination.

Tickets will be distributed through District App, with Mastercard providing exclusive presale access starting Sunday at noon before general sales begin at 5 p.m. The financial services company's sponsorship reflects the growing commercial value of live entertainment partnerships in emerging markets.

⚡Quick Bytes

Fortnite Players to Receive More Than $126 Million in Refunds, FTC Extends Deadline

The Federal Trade Commission is distributing more than $126 million in refunds to Fortnite players charged for unwanted in-game purchases. The deadline to file claims has been extended to July 9. This follows a December 2024 distribution of $72 million. Epic Games previously agreed to pay $520 million in settlements over alleged deceptive practices and privacy violations.

Trump Says TikTok Buyers Found, Awaits China's Approval

President Trump announced his administration has identified buyers for TikTok's U.S. operations, describing them as "very wealthy people" whose identities will be revealed within two weeks. The deal requires approval from China, which Trump expects President Xi Jinping will provide despite ongoing trade tensions. Potential buyers include YouTube influencer MrBeast, Perplexity AI, Oracle Corp, and AppLovin, which seeks to merge with TikTok's international operations. ByteDance faces a September 17th deadline to sell TikTok's U.S. operations or face a ban, and the company has already transferred U.S. operations of other properties, including Mobile Legends, to local publishers.

Crunchyroll Taps India's Growing Anime Market with Early 'Gachiakuta' Screening

Crunchyroll is staging advance screenings of its upcoming anime "Gachiakuta" in India ahead of the July 6 global premiere, targeting the country's expanding anime fanbase. The streaming service will show the manga adaptation in Mumbai on July 4, part of promotional events across 15 countries. The series launches with Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu dubs.

⚔️Side Quest

📺 Watch: Capcom's developer video reveals strategic insights into franchise management and market positioning. The team's decision to introduce a vulnerable protagonist over fan-favorite Leon demonstrates calculated risk-taking in established IP. Their "addictive fear" concept and meticulous production standards, including hiring wig specialists for character modeling, underscore how premium execution drives differentiation in the competitive gaming market.

🎮 Play: The First Berserker: Khazan delivers where it counts with exceptional boss battles and refined soulslike combat that borrows smartly from Nioh and God of War. While the story hits familiar revenge beats and missions can feel repetitive, the visceral anime-styled action and strategic dual-wielding mechanics make this Korean standout worth your time

📚 Read: Ever wondered how a small team of lawyers accidentally built one of gaming's most influential platforms? This Metacritic founder interview reveals brilliant business lessons: protecting your users from external pressure (even when it costs money), the power of maintaining editorial integrity, and how manual curation still beats algorithms.

💡Did You Know

Did you know that Nintendo's Gateway System, launched in 1993, was one of the first in-seat airline entertainment services ever created? This groundbreaking networked system allowed passengers to play Super NES games during flights, with games downloaded from central servers to individual seat units. The system was installed in over 40,000 airline seats and 955,000 hotel rooms worldwide, serving airlines like Singapore Airlines and Virgin Atlantic. Games cost $4 per hour and could take several minutes to load. Nintendo even created exclusive titles like "Noughts & Crosses" specifically for the platform, making air travel more entertaining long before modern seatback screens.

📜 Quote of the Day

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