Pixel P&L: Nodwin’s New Chapter, GTA 6 Poised for History, Epic Sues Cheaters

Welcome to another Pixel P&L edition. This issue takes 4 minutes to read. If you only have one, here are the 5 most important things:

• Nodwin Gaming’s fresh funding round to reduce parent company Nazara's stake below 50%.

• Grand Theft Auto 6 could shatter records with a projected $7.6 billion in just 60 days.

• Epic Games takes legal action against two Fortnite players for cheating and cyberattacks.

• Ubisoft names co-CEOs for its new Tencent-backed subsidiary handling Assassin's Creed and Far Cry franchises.

• Esports World Cup secures major Saudi partnerships as the kingdom pushes its Vision 2030 gaming agenda.

Let's get into it.

Nodwin Gaming Secures New Funding Round

Esports and events company Nodwin Gaming is set to raise fresh capital from existing investors in a funding round that will reduce parent company Nazara Technologies' stake below 50%.

The capital infusion will grant Nodwin greater operational autonomy and strategic flexibility as it pursues expansion plans in the growing esports market. Nazara announced Wednesday it won't participate in the funding round, allowing its controlling stake to be diluted while remaining Nodwin's largest shareholder.

Under the restructuring, Nodwin will transition from subsidiary to associate company status. Nazara will relinquish certain controlling and restrictive rights, enabling Nodwin to make faster decisions on fundraising and business operations.

The esports company has been under Nazara's majority control since January 2018, when the gaming firm acquired a 55% stake. Most recently, Nazara invested ₹64 crore in Nodwin in December 2024.

The spin-off comes as Nodwin seeks to capitalize on India's expanding esports ecosystem. The company operates gaming tournaments, manages esports leagues, and provides event management services across multiple gaming titles.

Grand Theft Auto 6 Could Generate Record $7.6 Billion in First Two Months

Rockstar Games' highly anticipated Grand Theft Auto 6 is projected to generate $7.6 billion in revenue within 60 days of its release, according to gaming venture capital firm Konvoy, potentially making it the most successful video game launch in history.

Josh Chapman, managing partner at Konvoy, shared the company's forecast on LinkedIn earlier this week. The ambitious projection assumes sales of 85 million copies at an expected $80 price point (a $20 increase from Grand Theft Auto 5's launch price) plus revenue from the company's GTA+ subscription service. Chapman described the upcoming release as the "greatest video game release of all time."

With estimated development costs of $2 billion, parent company Take-Two Interactive could break even within 30 days, highlighting the franchise's extraordinary commercial power. The projection incorporates enhanced multiplayer capabilities supporting up to 200 players, significantly expanding the online experience.

The game is scheduled for release on May 26, 2026, following a delay announced earlier this year. Previous estimates suggested $1 billion in pre-orders and $3 billion in first-year revenue, figures that now appear conservative.

⚡️Quick Bytes

Epic Games Takes Legal Action Against Two Fortnite Players

Epic Games said it took legal action against two Fortnite players for rule violations, including cheating and cyberattacks. One player sold cheats and used them in tournaments, while the other conducted denial-of-service attacks against livestreaming content creators. Both players have been permanently banned and publicly apologized in videos shared by Epic on social media.

Ubisoft Names Co-CEOs for Tencent-Backed Subsidiary

Ubisoft Entertainment appointed Christophe Derennes and Charlie Guillemot as co-CEOs of its new subsidiary focused on major franchises including Assassin's Creed and Far Cry. The unit was created following a $1.25 billion minority investment from China's Tencent Holdings Ltd. in March. Guillemot is the son of Ubisoft co-founder Yves Guillemot.

Esports World Cup Secures Major Saudi Partnerships

The Esports World Cup Foundation announced partnerships with Saudi Arabia-based Cenomi Centers, airline Saudia, hotel chain Hilton, and the Saudi Tourism Authority for its 2025 tournament in Riyadh. The deals support Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 agenda to become a global gaming hub.

⚔️Side Quest

📺 Watch: This video challenges misconceptions about India's gaming future, revealing how the industry could generate billions in revenue and millions of jobs, surpassing Bollywood. Explore the financial scale rivaling GTA 6's massive budget, breakthrough successes like "Raj," and the evolving relationship between developers, creators, and government regulations shaping India's path to global gaming dominance.

🎮 Play: Stronghold Crusader: Definitive Edition brings back the beloved castle-building and medieval warfare that made the original special. The nostalgic gameplay still shines with engaging siege mechanics, resource management, and strategic combat. Fans of the series will appreciate revisiting this classic RTS experience. The core medieval strategy elements remain compelling for both veterans and newcomers seeking tactical castle-building action.

📚 Read: This breakdown of Kabuto Park's development reveals how a solo developer created a profitable $5 bug collection game selling 35k copies in month one. Packed with practical insights on playtesting, marketing through social media, managing scope, and the benefits of making small games. Perfect for aspiring indie developers seeking real-world guidance and honest lessons learned.

💡Did You Know

Anime isn't a modern phenomenon; it's over 100 years old! The oldest known Japanese animation is "Katsudō Shashin" (motion picture), discovered in Kyoto in 2005. This mysterious three-second filmstrip from 1907-1912 shows a boy writing characters, removing his hat, and bowing. Created by an unknown artist using stencils and magic lantern slide techniques, it may even predate Western animated films shown in Japan. From these humble beginnings to later works like 1917's "Namakura Gatana," anime has evolved while maintaining its roots in traditional Japanese storytelling and artistic expression, becoming a global cultural force.

📜 Quote of the Day

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