Pixel P&L: Taarak Mehta Game Hits 10M Downloads

When Neela Mediatech decided to turn a fictional electronics shop from a 16-year-old Indian sitcom into a mobile game, industry experts were skeptical. 'Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah' had been running since 2008, but could nostalgia really drive downloads? Ten million downloads later, international publishers may be on the horizon.

In today's email:

🎬 How a sitcom's fake shop became one of India's hottest mobile games

🎯 Jio and BLAST start building their Indian gaming empire

🎮 Nintendo Switch 2's success isn't lifting all boats

🌐 Tencent denials, acquisition sprees, and startup funding wins

Indian Sitcom-Based Mobile Game Hits 10 Million Downloads

Neela Mediatech's mobile game based on popular Indian sitcom "Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah" has reached 10 million downloads across Google Play and Apple's App Store, the company reportedly said.

The business simulation game, called "Gada Electronics," lets players manage a fictional electronics shop featured in the long-running television series. Neela Mediatech claims it's the first independent Indian gaming studio to achieve such download figures in 2025.

Chief Executive Harjeet Chhabra said the company is seeing interest from international publishers and expects the game to reach a ₹200 crore valuation within two years. The studio is developing additional games based on other characters from the sitcom.

Jio-BLAST Partnership Begins Executive Recruitment in India

Reliance Jio and esports tournament organizer BLAST have started hiring for senior management positions as their partnership enters the implementation phase, according to recent job postings.

The Indian telecom giant and Denmark-based company are recruiting for six roles, including vice presidents for intellectual property development and live production, plus directors overseeing sponsorship sales and marketing communications. The positions indicate the companies are moving beyond their initial partnership announcement made several months ago.

BLAST, best known for organizing Counter-Strike tournaments, formed the alliance with Jio to expand esports operations in India. The collaboration comes as international gaming companies increasingly target India's large youth demographic and growing internet penetration.

⚡Quick Bytes

Tencent Denies Reports of Nexon Acquisition Interest

Chinese tech giant Tencent denied reports that it approached the family of Nexon's late founder about acquiring the Korean gaming company, Reuters reported. Bloomberg had previously cited sources saying Tencent contacted Kim Jung-ju's family to discuss a potential purchase. Korean gaming industry groups had opposed any deal, citing national security concerns.

Sensor Tower Acquires Mobile Gaming Data Provider Playliner

App analytics company Sensor Tower acquired Playliner, which tracks live operations data for mobile games, for an undisclosed amount. The deal expands Sensor Tower's gaming analytics capabilities, adding insights on player engagement and monetization. This marks Sensor Tower's second gaming-focused acquisition this year after purchasing Video Game Insights.

Third-Party Games Struggle on Nintendo Switch 2 Despite Console Success

Third-party games are struggling on Nintendo's Switch 2 despite strong console sales, according to a report from The Game Business. One publisher called sales numbers "below our lowest estimates," the report said. First-party titles accounted for 62% of U.S. physical game sales during launch week, while the console sold 3.5 million units globally.

Social Platform Root Raises $9 Million Seed Round

Social platform Root raised $9 million in seed funding led by Headline Ventures and Konvoy Ventures as it prepares for closed beta testing. The company, founded by Jesse Dietrichson in 2023, aims to compete with Discord by focusing on community organization tools rather than casual chat features.

⚔️Side Quest

📺 Watch: This TEDx talk offers rare insider perspective on gaming addiction from someone who lived it. Zhang's breakdown of how studios deliberately engineer addictive mechanics is eye-opening for industry professionals. His regulatory predictions and proposed solutions signal where the business landscape might be heading.

🎮 Play: Give Rematch a shot if you're craving arcade sports fun. This 5v5 soccer game captures that classic FIFA Street energy with fast-paced action where you control just one player. Yes, it's rough around the edges with some connection issues and balance problems, but the core gameplay is genuinely exciting, especially with friends. Think Rocket League vibes but on foot.

📚 Read: This interview with Rainbow Six Siege’s creative director Alex Karpazisoffers valuable insights into live-service business models, balancing player retention with acquisition through strategic pivots to free-to-play, while maintaining lucrative esports partnerships and revenue-sharing programs that ensure ecosystem sustainability.

💡Did You Know

Video games can help delay Alzheimer's and dementia onset through cognitive stimulation, according to recent research on neurological health. The trend has gained traction among older Americans, with 38% of people over 50 now playing video games regularly. Notable examples include 88-year-old Audrey Buchanan, who has logged over 3,500 hours in Animal Crossing, and 83-year-old Shirley Curry, whose Skyrim gameplay videos have attracted more than 700,000 YouTube subscribers. 

📜 Quote of the Day

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