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- Pixel P&L: Indian Game Studio Layoffs, Dream11 Moves Back, & Monsters in Cinemas
Pixel P&L: Indian Game Studio Layoffs, Dream11 Moves Back, & Monsters in Cinemas
AFK Gaming Editorial
April 01, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 7 minutes
SuperGaming, the developer of Indus Battle Royale, has laid off nearly a third of its staff amid rising financial strain, with its entire QA team among those impacted. We examine the factors behind the cuts, including steep marketing costs and intern pay. Also in this edition of Pixel P&L: Dream11’s return to Indian app stores, an anime feature hits theaters, and more industry updates.
📊 Gaming Stocks Today
| Market/Asset Name | Current Value | Change (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ▼ | Ubisoft Entertainment SA (UBI.PA) | EUR 11.15 | -12.06% |
| ▼ | Com2uS Corporation (078340.KQ) | KRW 41850.00 | -8.92% |
| ▼ | GDEV Inc. (GDEV) | USD 11.49 | -7.71% |
| ▼ | KRAFTON, Inc. (259960.KS) | KRW 334500.00 | -6.82% |
| ▼ | Nintendo Co., Ltd. (7974.T) | JPY 10110.00 | -6.69% |
SuperGaming Undergoes Layoffs Amid Indus Battle Royale Challenges
SuperGaming, the Pune-based studio behind Indus Battle Royale, has laid off nearly a third of its 150-member workforce since December, according to a report by Let’s Grow Esports. Around 45 employees, including the entire QA team and some senior staff, were impacted as part of an ongoing restructuring effort.
Sources cited by Let’s Grow Esports pointed to financial pressures stemming from high operational costs, the underperformance of titles like Indus Battle Royale, aggressive marketing spend (including an alleged ₹25 lakh for a 10-reel Instagram campaign) and elevated intern salaries as possible factors behind the decision.
SuperGaming co-founder Roby John addressed the layoffs in a social media post, describing them as a “tough call” made to align with the company’s strategic goals. He emphasized that impacted employees were provided with severance and support.
The company now operates with a 130+ team and continues to hire for key roles as it prepares for a global rollout of Indus in FY26. SuperGaming has also announced plans to expand its development team in 2025 to support upcoming projects and partnerships.
Dream11 Moves to Re-Domicile in India as IPL 2025 Kicks Off
Fantasy gaming company Dream11 has initiated the process of shifting its domicile back to India, with its board approving a merger of its U.S.-based entity, Dream Sports Inc., into its Indian arm, Sporta Technologies Pvt. Ltd. The board resolution, passed on January 6, triggers a fast-track mechanism under Section 233 of the Companies Act, 2013, which allows certain mergers without National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) approval. The actual re-domiciling process is still underway.
A Ministry of Corporate Affairs filing states that the proposed move aims to streamline operations, cut compliance costs, and offer U.S.-based shareholders direct exposure to the Indian business, where the bulk of Dream11’s operations are based.
While several Indian startups have reversed their domicile in preparation for IPOs, Dream11 has not indicated any near-term listing plans. The move comes as the IPL 2025 season gets underway—typically a peak period for fantasy sports platforms like Dream11.
Dream11 continues to face regulatory pressure, including a ₹28,000 crore GST notice issued in late 2023. Despite the tax overhang, the company says it will remain focused on the Indian market, citing its large user base and market potential.
⚡️Quick Bytes
Crunchyroll to Release Kaiju No. 8 Compilation Film in Indian Theaters
The limited-run screenings will be in Japanese with English subtitles and feature a new original episode.
Amazon Luna Inks EA Deal, Expands to More Countries
Amazon Luna signed a multi-year deal with Electronic Arts to bring major titles like Star Wars Jedi: Survivor and Dead Space to its cloud platform. The service has also expanded to Sweden, Portugal, Belgium, and Luxembourg, marking a broader push into global markets.
Fnatic Taps IMG to Drive Global Sponsorship Growth
Esports organization Fnatic has appointed sports and marketing agency IMG as its exclusive commercial partner. The deal includes sponsorship opportunities across jerseys, digital assets, and branded content featuring Fnatic’s creators and pro players, aiming to expand the brand’s global commercial footprint.
⚔️Side Quest
📺 Watch: Why a game’s art style matters more than its graphics. 🎮 Play: Nordhold, a rich strategy game with deep mechanics and rewarding gameplay. Build, battle, and manage resources where every decision counts. 📖 Read: If you've ever wondered what happens when a best-selling author tries to code a video game in four hours using AI, Andrew Shanahan’s latest post is the beautifully unhinged answer. 🛒 Relearn: How to Iron a dress shirt. |
💡Did You Know
 | 3 Records, 2 Players, 1 BlockbusterSplit Fiction, the part-fantasy, part-sci-fi co-op adventure from Hazelight, has shattered three Guinness World Records within days of launch. It became the most played local co-op game on Steam, the fastest-selling local co-op title within 48 hours, and the highest-selling within one week, moving over 2 million copies in just seven days. |
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