By Sagar V. Mankar Acer, a well-known global computer brand, has partnered with Lets Game Now (LGN), a Bengaluru-based esports platform, to bring its ambitious RUDRA Program to life in India.
Launched in August 2024, the RUDRA program is dedicated to bridging the gap between college students and the professional gaming industry.
By hosting numerous online and offline events, the program aims to prepare students for careers in the rapidly growing gaming sector.
Acer has been a key participant in these efforts, joining other notable brands like Lenovo and Colorful. Together, they have sponsored events like a four-day gaming festival at IIT Chennai that involved more than 60 colleges.
By working with LGN on a range of events, intellectual property (IP) collaborations, and gaming contests, Acer provides students with hands-on experiences that showcase its products in the growing gaming community.
This collaboration also allows Acer to engage more deeply with young gamers, offering them career insights and creating a vibrant, community-centered gaming environment.
The program, which initially focused on metro and Tier 1 cities, has now gained popularity in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, including places like Bhopal, Patna, Mysore, Udupi, and Jaipur.
RUDRA also organizes esports leagues in popular games such as Valorant and BGMI, along with offline tournaments featuring titles like FIFA and Tekken, providing students with a rich gaming environment.
Sooraj Balakrishnan, Associate Director of Marketing at Acer, emphasized the importance of the collaboration, stating:
“The Rudra ambassadors have been invaluable in amplifying Acer’s presence within the collegiate ecosystem. By serving as on-ground influencers and advocates, they’ve significantly boosted our campaigns across campuses, bringing Acer’s products closer to students. Their active participation in our tournaments has driven engagement, built excitement, and fostered healthy competition among young gamers. More than just ambassadors, they’ve become an essential part of our community, ensuring that we stay connected and relevant to the collegiate audience. As we look to the future, the Rudras are key partners in our growth journey, and we are excited to deepen this collaboration through upcoming initiatives.”
Chandrahas Panigrahi, Co-founder and CEO of Lets Game Now, praised RUDRA’s unique approach, stating,
“The RUDRA program stands out due to its community-first approach. We aim to give students hands-on experience and insights into gaming careers, from game design to esports management. Success is measured not just by how many students we reach, but by the depth of their engagement.”
Looking ahead, the RUDRA program plans to expand to 650 colleges by early next year, with even more brand partnerships and gaming leagues in development.