PVR, NODWIN Launch ‘In-Cinema’ Esports Tournaments in India

by  EVENTFAQS Bureau Industry Watch | October 5, 2021 | News

PVR Cinemas NODWIN Gaming

Cinema exhibition company PVR has partnered NODWIN Gaming to launch what they are billing as ‘India’s first In-Cinema Esports live tournaments’.

The pilot will commence with the ‘Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI)’ game and going forward would include other games from different genres. Gamers and gaming enthusiasts across the country will be able to participate in Online Esports Cups and In-Cinema tournaments with separate prize pools for each city.

The initiative aims to fast track esports entertainment’s growth trajectory in India by combining the appeal of esports gaming with the big screen experience.

Akshat Rathee, MD and Co-Founder, NODWIN Gaming, said, “NODWIN Gaming has always emphasised on the importance of reinforcing grassroot development that can be a strong and reliable foundation for esports, and this property is a step in that direction. City-level penetration of professional esports leads to solid exposure for the grassroot ecosystem and as seen in the past, the more exposed the grassroots is, the better it gets at the higher tiers. This in turn paves the way for collective growth of all tiers of professional players. Our association with PVR Cinemas opens a corridor towards mainstreaming esports and placing it right in the middle of the entertainment industry. Esports as an upcoming medium of interactive entertainment has had its fair share of visibility in the jam-packed arenas but it’s about time that we bring action to the silver screen. NODWIN, along with building grassroots, will also give its audience a premium watching experience with this partnership.”

Sanjeev Kumar Bijli, Joint Managing Director, PVR, said, ““At PVR, we strive to continually evolve as an entertainment destination, offering our customers the opportunity to have an entertaining escape into more than just big films. Our immersive environment lends itself particularly well to the gaming community, putting players in the universes in which they are competing. We are excited to bring big games to the big screen in collaboration with NODWIN Gaming.”

Kamal Gianchandani, Chief of Strategy, PVR, added, “Our purpose at PVR is to gather, grow and entertain communities. With us becoming a part of the Indian esports ecosystem, we have the opportunity to serve our purpose by giving PVR communities another entertaining way to gather on our esports platform. NODWIN team has a relentless passion for gaming, we are delighted to be partnering with them on this initiative.”

The quarter finals, semi finals and finals of the cups, in each participating city, will be screened in select PVR cinemas, besides being live streamed on digital platforms including NODWIN Facebook page.