88 Games, the game development division of Emmy award-nominated studio 88 Pictures, has officially unveiled Kapih, its debut game that reimagines eternal Indian tales through a thrilling action platformer. With its mesmerizing visuals, a story steeped in rich folklore, and fast-paced gameplay, Kapih delivers an immersive adventure that brings India’s timeless storytelling traditions to life like never before.

Kapih delivers a fast-paced, action-packed journey filled with platforming challenges and dynamic combat. Players will traverse a variety of hand-crafted stages, each offering unique gameplay twists. While run-n-gun action drives the experience, Kapih also introduces additional modes like horizontal shoot-em-up sequences and vehicle-based sections. As players progress, they’ll discover new weapons and power-ups to enhance their playstyle, leading to epic boss battles that push their reflexes and strategy to the limit. The game also introduces a local co-op mode, allowing players to team up as Vaanar and his loyal friend Bindu, working together to overcome formidable obstacles, unlock new motivations, and unravel the mysteries woven into their epic adventure.

Adding to its authenticity and cultural depth, the game uses Sanskrit as its audio language. 88 Games collaborated with eminent Sanskrit scholars to ensure the accuracy and richness of the language, offering players a truly immersive experience steeped in the grandeur of ancient India.

Marking a major milestone for the studio, Kapih is set to launch on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox ensuring players across platforms can experience its unique blend of culture and action. Adding to the excitement, the game’s official trailer was showcased on Sony PlayStation’s channels, introducing players worldwide to the enchanting world of Kapih.

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Set against the backdrop of one of India’s greatest epics, Ramayana, Kapih follows the journey of a young Vaanar living in a serene village in ancient India. Far from the traditional tales of kings and warriors, this story shines a spotlight on the unsung heroes—the commoners whose lives are woven into history’s grand narrative. When Vaanar’s village is destroyed by enemy forces, he embarks on an odyssey that entwines him with legendary events, heroes, and a larger destiny.

Every moment is crafted to evoke nostalgia while delivering a fresh, visually spectacular experience. The game’s signature art style, dubbed “Kapih Style”, is a heartfelt homage to India’s artistic heritage, drawing inspiration from Kalamkari, Thanjavur, Warli, and Madhubani art forms. From intricate hand-drawn villages to vibrant mandala-infused landscapes, every detail is meticulously crafted to bring India’s cultural vibrancy to life.

Speaking on the launch of the trailer, Milind D. Shinde, Founder & CEO of 88 Games, said: “Kapih is more than just a game; it’s a celebration of our culture, our stories, and the extraordinary in the ordinary. Through Kapih, we wanted to create an experience that feels deeply personal yet universally relatable—a journey that not only entertains but also sparks a sense of pride in our heritage. For us at 88 Games, this is a defining step toward our vision of bringing Indian narratives to the forefront of global gaming. We’re honoured to share this heartfelt adventure with the world and hope it resonates with players in meaningful ways.”

The announcement of Kapih comes at a pivotal moment as Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged Indian game developers to embrace the country’s rich cultural heritage and establish a strong global presence. As an original Indian game designed for worldwide audiences, Kapih embodies this vision. In India’s predominantly mobile-driven gaming landscape, Kapih aims to propel console and PC gaming further into the mainstream. According to the ‘Levelling Up: State of India Interactive Media & Gaming Research FY’24 report’ by Lumikai, India is a key producer of global animation and VFX services, with the industry valued at $1.6 billion in FY 24. The report also states that India’s gaming market added 23 million new gamers, bringing the total to 590 million in FY 24, and is projected to surpass $9.2 billion by FY 29, growing at a 20% five-year CAGR.

88 Pictures, with its deep expertise in animation and VFX, is a shining example of India’s expanding influence in the global AVGC-XR (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, and Extended Reality) sector. The studio envisions a future where Indian cultural narratives take center stage in the global gaming industry. By blending storytelling, artistry, and technical expertise, the studio aims to redefine gaming as a medium for preserving and sharing India’s timelessly rich cultural heritage. Kapih exemplifies this vision, offering players a profound and entertaining connection to India’s rich history.

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The trailer for Kapih is now live, offering a glimpse into this captivating world of adventure and artistry. Experience the journey of an unsung hero and witness the fusion of ancient tradition with cutting-edge gaming innovation.

Partnership to drive EWC’s expansion in China, leveraging Tencent E-sports’ networks and expertise to connect Chinese esports with EWC’s  global ecosystem

The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) announced a partnership with Tencent, making Tencent E-sports the EWCF’s strategic partner in China to drive the expansion of the Esports World Cup’s presence in the region. This partnership marks a significant milestone in the EWCF’s purpose to unite global esports fans under one competitive umbrella and underscores its commitment to integrating the world’s most important and rapidly growing esports market into the Esports World Cup platform. The agreement was formalized at the Empower Esports Worldwide Series – The Esports Operation and Technology Session in Shenzhen, China.

The collaboration will establish a dedicated Development Team to enhance EWC’s visibility, engagement, and industry collaboration in China, while leveraging EWC’s and Tencent E-sports’ networks and expertise to connect Chinese esports with EWC’s global ecosystem. Tencent E-sports will provide marketing expertise, strategic consulting, and operational support to deliver diverse content and experiences.

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“The Esports World Cup has created a global stage for competitive gaming, demonstrating its influence not only in China but across the world,” said Mars Hou, Vice President of Tencent Games and General Manager of Tencent E-sports. “Through this partnership, we are committed to elevating EWC’s presence in China and integrating our esports industry with the world’s largest competitive gaming event. We look forward to deepening our collaboration with EWCF to push esports forward on a global scale.”

“The Esports World Cup’s purpose is to create a global platform for esports and gaming fans worldwide, and investing in key growth markets for esports is a core pillar of our mission,” said Thamer Al Shuaibi, Chief of Staff at the Esports World Cup Foundation. “China plays a critical role in this vision, and Tencent’s leadership in gaming and esports positions it as an essential partner. By combining our expertise, we will continue to strengthen esports as an industry, providing new opportunities for Chinese players and Clubs, and bringing the best of the Esports World Cup to Chinese fans.”

Esports World Cup 2025 will once again unite gaming and esports communities in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for a global competition that will crown the next Esports World Cup Champion. The tournament’s unique cross-game format will reward Clubs and players competing for a life-changing prize pool in a mix of platforms and genres, bringing together esports’ best players, Clubs and games under one banner in the largest-ever celebration of esports.

Rakesh Sharma, a math teacher by profession, is proving that passion knows no age bar. At 54, the mathematics teacher-turned-gamer has gone viral with an impressive number of over 173K subscribers on his YouTube channel “Beta Aisa Hai”. A following built within just six months of it going live, challenging the notion that gaming is only for the younger age group.

Known as Rakesh Sir to his students, he also has a strong Instagram following of 524K, who enjoy his witty sarcasm. Once dreamed of joining the Indian Army, his destiny led him to a fulfilling career in teaching instead, where he continues to mentor his students. From a mathematics professor at a government college, his journey into content creation began unexpectedly when he started watching his son play games on his mobile.

Sharma, managed by OP Gaming, a vertical of influencer marketing agency Opraahfx, expressed,“I come from the city of Bulandshahr and with so many new things coming into trend, I never imagined I would start taking an interest in gaming. It was my son’s idea to upload my gameplay videos and the response was surprisingly positive and overwhelming,”

Sharma’s growing popularity has already caught the attention of major brands and he has already collaborated with reputed brands like Blinkit, Swiggy, Myntra, Prime Video, and more, validating that his influence extends far beyond gaming.

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“I guess people liked the idea that the community is becoming more diverse and the stigma that gaming is just limited to younger age groups can be shattered. I hope more people can join in and make their name, creating a broader perception,“ he further added.

India’s gaming industry is on a rapid rise. According to Lumikai’s State of India Interactive Media and Gaming Report, the country recorded 15.2 billion mobile gaming app downloads in 2024, making it the second-largest gaming market globally. The sector is projected to grow to $9.2 billion by 2029, highlighting immense opportunities for new creators like Sharma.

His journey is a testament to the fact that gaming transcends age, background, and profession, bringing people together through shared passion and entertainment.