Pixel P&L: Tesla Sponsors India's Most Viewed Mobile Gaming Tournament in Esports Push

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:

• Tesla enters India's esports scene through NODWIN Gaming partnership, targeting youth with signature Light Show spectacle.

• Demon Slayer anime film surprises with Rs 13 crore opening weekend in India, proving anime's growing theatrical appeal.

• Three major esports orgs including Team Liquid and G2 Esports implement layoffs amid industry restructuring.

• Nintendo unveils "The Super Mario Galaxy Movie" for 2026, anchoring Mario's 40th anniversary celebrations.

• Saudi studio Steer Studios secures Tom and Jerry mobile game rights from Warner Bros, expanding the kingdom's gaming ambitions. 

Let's get into it.

Tesla Enters India's Esports Arena Through NODWIN Gaming Partnership

Tesla made its first foray into Indian esports last week, partnering with NODWIN Gaming for the Battlegrounds Mobile India Masters Series Season 4 Grand Finals that concluded Sunday.

The electric vehicle manufacturer showcased its redesigned Model Y at the three-day tournament and opened the event with its signature Light Show spectacle. The collaboration marked Tesla's historic entry into India's esports scene, targeting the country's youth demographic through a competition that featured the top 16 mobile gaming teams.

"Their association reflects how esports in India has grown into a mainstream cultural and commercial platform," said Akshat Rathee, NODWIN Gaming's co-founder and managing director.

The partnership came as Tesla expands its Indian presence with experience centers in Mumbai and Delhi. According to industry data, brands investing in Indian esports are expected to grow from 68 to 75 companies this year, driven by deeper youth engagement.

The tournament was broadcast live on Star Sports Khel and JioHotstar during prime-time slots, alongside sponsors including OnePlus, Android, and TVS Motor Company.

'Demon Slayer' Anime Film Scores Rs 13 Crore Opening in India

"Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle" surprised industry watchers by earning over INR 13 crore during its Indian opening weekend, according to tracking site Sacnilk.com.

The anime film maintained steady momentum across three days, opening at Rs 13 crore Friday, holding at INR 13 crore Saturday, and climbing to Rs 14.25 crore Sunday. Japanese-language versions dominated with INR 7.5 crore daily, while English and Hindi dubs contributed INR 2.4-2.7 crore and INR 2.5-2.75 crore respectively.

The sequel to the fourth season of the popular anime series drew packed audiences, with Kochi registering 64% occupancy, followed by Chennai at 57% and Hyderabad at 48%.

Globally, the film has crossed $279 million according to Box Office Mojo, with U.S. weekend projections reaching $45 million. The movie, released on September 12 in India two months after its Japanese premiere, continues the manga adaptation by Koyoharu Gotouge.

The strong performance underscores anime's growing commercial appeal in Indian theaters, challenging traditional box office expectations.

⚡️Quick Bytes

Three Major Esports Organizations Cut Staff

Three major esports organizations implemented layoffs in recent weeks, according to The Esports Advocate. Team Liquid cut approximately 6% of its 300-plus global workforce, primarily targeting brand, marketing, and content departments as part of a restructuring to improve operational efficiency. Germany-based G2 Esports and Los Angeles-headquartered 100 Thieves also conducted undisclosed staff reductions. 

Nintendo Unveils 'Super Mario Galaxy Movie' for 2026

Nintendo and Universal revealed the title and first teaser for their Mario sequel: "The Super Mario Galaxy Movie," set for April 3, 2026 release. The space-themed film will anchor Mario's 40th anniversary celebrations, with Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy and other original voice cast returning. The announcement follows the first film's record $1.36 billion box office performance as the highest-grossing video game adaptation ever.

Saudi Studio to Develop Tom and Jerry Mobile Game

Riyadh-based Steer Studios, part of Savvy Games Group, secured licensing rights from Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment to develop a mobile game featuring the classic Tom and Jerry characters. The project represents the second global release for the studio since its 2022 founding. Steer Studios combines Saudi talent with international expertise as part of the kingdom's broader gaming sector development initiatives.

⚔️Side Quest

📺 Watch: “Veteran Joystick” examines Nintendo's recent patent strategy and its potential impact on gaming innovation. It covers how Nintendo secured patents on common game mechanics following Palworld's success, then pursued legal action against the indie developers. The analysis explores the broader implications for game development, where studios increasingly weigh litigation risks against creative experimentation when designing new mechanics.

🎮 Play: Shape of Dreams delivers exceptional variety in its roguelite formula through incredible build customization and character synergies. While it doesn't revolutionize the genre like Hades, it excels at throwing countless abilities and combinations at you, creating highly replayable runs. Each character offers unique mechanics and multiple starting abilities, making experimentation rewarding. A solid choice for roguelite fans seeking creative freedom.

📚 Read: GameDeveloper.com’s deep dive challenges the assumption that generative AI can speed up game development by examining what actually slows games down. Through developer interviews, it reveals the real culprits: rising quality expectations, photorealism obsession, and complex team dynamics: problems that faster asset generation can't solve. Essential reading for understanding modern game development challenges.

💡Did You Know

Carlo Acutis, who died of leukemia in 2006 at age 15, became the Catholic Church's first "gamer saint" when canonized in 2024. The Italian teenager played Halo, Mario, and Pokemon, though he limited himself to one hour weekly to avoid addiction. Known as "God's influencer" for documenting miracles online, Acutis volunteered extensively with the homeless and at his local church.

📜 Quote of the Day

Was this forwarded to you? Sign up for free here. 

We read every email! Share your feedback by hitting reply.