Sistema Shyam TeleServices Ltd (SSTL), which provides telecom services under MTS brand, has tied up with Nodwin Gaming to launch an online, multiplayer, video gaming platform — Gamegod.
eCommerce major Flipkart will be handle the pan-Indian distribution of Gamegod.
“Gamegod is India’s first online, multiplayer, video gaming platform. The launch also coincides with the roll out of two globally successful games — Counter Strike Global Offensive (CS: GO) and DOTA 2,” MTS said in a statement.
Powered by MTS in partnership with Nodwin Gaming, Gamegod will enable multiplayer online video gaming on ranked servers in India, it added.
In a bid to popularise the product as well as celebrate its launch, the firm is also organising an online multiplayer gaming championship with a cash prize of Rs 20 lakh. MTS has launched the gaming bundle in two variants.
With a price starting at Rs 1,299, the first kit includes Single Unified License (SUL) of CS:GO along with the key to play the game and a Gamegod premium membership card with a 30 day validity and steam wallet vouchers.
For fully loaded Gamegod kit, customers need to pay Rs 4,499 to get an MBlaze Ultra datacard.
MTS’ entry into the video gaming segment is not only to expand its product portfolio but also to cash in on the growing demand for video games in the Indian market.
The gaming Industry globally is valued at about $72 billion, of which video Gaming is pegged at around $22 billion. India is all set to follow the same global trend when it comes to online video gaming.
A FICCI-KPMG Indian Media and Entertainment Industry Report 2013 said video games industry grew at a record 16 per cent over 2012, the net worth of which rose to Rs 1,500 crore (about $277 million).
The report projected the industry would grow at a 22 per cent CAGR to surpass Rs 4,000 crore (about $776 million) by 2017.
“Being a data centric company, MTS is always looking at creating newer drivers for data consumption in the country...
This latest initiative has been designed to strengthen the brand connect with our target audience.” MTS India Chief Marketing and Brand Officer Leonid Musatov said.