By Sagar V. Mankar Gladiators Esports has acquired Bengaluru-based gaming company Gods Reign, including its renowned Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) roster, for an undisclosed amount. The deal is said to be one of the largest acquisitions in the sector and is expected to reshape the landscape of Indian competitive gaming.
Gods Reign, established in 2018, has built a strong reputation in the esports community by competing in popular games such as Counter-Strike 2, Pokémon UNITE, and BGMI.
The company also collaborates with prominent gaming creators, including Thor Gaming, Red Parasite, AJ Jeffy, and Miss Senorita, who collectively have over six million followers on YouTube and one million on Instagram. Gladiators Esports aims to leverage this influence to foster deeper engagement with the gaming community and expand its reach.
“This strategic partnership will open new doors for our athletes, elevate community engagement, and place Indian esports on the global stage,” said Rohith KR, CEO of Gods Reign in a press release.
Gods Reign’s BGMI roster boasts exceptional talent, including Ammar Khan (Destro), Justin Nadar (Justin), Parth Garg (DeltaPG), and Shubham Ranjan Sahoo (NinjaJOD). These players have consistently delivered outstanding performances, clinching titles like the BGMI Series 2023 and BGMI Master Series 2023. Robin Singh (Robin), a former BGMI athlete, has been appointed as the team’s coach, bringing his leadership experience to guide the lineup.
As per the Money Control report, in the financial year 2022-23, Gods Reign earned INR 2.5 crore ($276,703) in prize money, further solidifying its dominance. The acquisition comes as the global esports market continues to thrive, projected to grow from $1.44 billion in 2022 to $5.48 billion by 2031 at a 21% CAGR.
This landmark deal underscores the growing potential of esports as a thriving business sector in India and beyond.
Sources: [Gods Reign Press Release], [Esports Market Report 2023].