Gaming
Goldon Studios launches their AAA shooter game ‘Rage Effect: Mobile’
Mumbai: Rage Effect: Mobile, the AAA shooter game of India, developed by Goldon Studios, has officially been launched on both Android and iOS platforms. The adrenaline-pumping shooter, which crossed 120,000 pre-registrations in open beta, promises to bring a unique blend of high-octane gameplay, Indian-inspired content, and cutting-edge technology.
Developed by a team of gaming veterans with experience from Assassin’s Creed, Sims, Anno, Google Play, and Activision, and known for publishing top 100 iOS games globally, Rage Effect: Mobile stands out with its innovative features. Players can not only customise weapons and maps, but also create their own communities through Rage Guilds. With seamless cross-play across Android, iOS, and PC, user-generated maps, and community-driven development that incorporates player feedback, Rage Effect encourages creativity and engagement in every aspect of gameplay.
One of the standout elements of Rage Effect: Mobile is also its infusion of Indian culture into the gameplay. The game features Indian-inspired maps based on iconic locations, providing a unique twist to traditional shooter gameplay. Additionally, it boasts culturally-relevant, India-based content, with character skins, weapon designs, in-game events, and Easter eggs that celebrate India’s rich heritage, diversity, and festivals.
Goldon Studios, founder and CEO Karn Saxena said, “We are delighted to unveil India’s very first AAA shooter game. At Goldon Studios, our passion lies in delivering unforgettable experiences. In the next two years, we envision that Rage Effect will become a household name and the go-to game for all platforms in India, whether it’s mobile, PC, or console. With over 600 million gamers and more than a billion internet users, the market is primed for culturally relevant content. As India’s only studio developing premium games for both PC and mobile, we are committed to reinvesting our revenue into development and marketing to keep raising the bar.”
Goldon Studios is dedicated to nurturing the esports ecosystem in India by forming partnerships with major esports events and collaborating with elite athletes. To support and promote local talent, the studio will be working closely with Team Liquid, one of the world’s most distinguished eports organisations, to create a vibrant competitive scene for Rage Effect: Mobile in India.
“We aim to establish Rage Effect: Mobile as a premier esports title. We are optimising the game for both mobile and PC platforms, with a focus on competitive balance and engaging spectator experiences. Our team, which includes a former esports athlete from India’s top 10 CS:GO and Valorant teams, is actively developing in-game esports features and planning creative gaming events. We are also proud to have the support of Liquid Esports, who have playtested the game and provided valuable feedback,” further added Karn Saxena.
According to the ‘India Games Market Report 2023’ by Niko Partners, India is predominantly a mobile-first market, with 96.8 per cent of gamers using smartphones or tablets. The total number of gamers across all platforms is projected to reach 641.2 million by 2027.
Trinity Gaming, one of India’s leading gaming content and marketing companies, will play a pivotal role in shaping the marketing strategy and driving user acquisition for Rage Effect: Mobile. Acting as the marketing arm for the game publisher, Trinity will leverage its expertise and vast operational network to build a robust social media presence and engage deeply with the gaming community. Their hands-on approach will ensure a comprehensive and effective campaign, further strengthening the game’s position in the Indian market.
Rage Effect: Mobile is currently available on the Google Play Store and App Store in select regions, including India, Brazil, Indonesia, the Philippines, Iraq, the United States, and China, and has the potential to be a game-changer for India’s burgeoning mobile gaming market.
Gaming
MTG gaming chief Benninghoff joins NODWIN board as esports firm primes for IPO
The Gurugram-based esports firm is pursuing a public listing, has returned to profitability and is growing revenues by 42 per cent
GURUGRAM: NODWIN Gaming is moving fast. The Gurugram-based gaming and esports company has launched a pre-IPO fundraising round, appointed UBS as lead adviser for both the round and a subsequent public listing, and landed a heavyweight board director, all in one go.
The new board member is Arnd Benninghoff, executive vice president of gaming at Stockholm-listed Modern Times Group (MTG), who has overseen the group’s strategic investments and portfolio growth since 2014. He is no stranger to building things: Benninghoff has founded and built fifteen companies, served as chief digital officer at ProSiebenSat.1 Media AG, managing director of SevenVentures, and chief executive of Holtzbrinck eLAB. He began his career as a journalist at Deutsche Presse Agentur and various TV networks, holds a Diplom-Kaufmann in business and administration from the University of Münster, and previously sat on the board of Edgeware AB.
The numbers back the ambition
NODWIN is not pitching a story without substance. The company has returned to EBITDA profitability and posted a 42 per cent year-on-year revenue surge, reaching $58.5m in the first nine months of FY2026. The pre-IPO round will combine a primary issuance to fund global expansion through organic growth and acquisitions, alongside a secondary sale to give existing shareholders some liquidity.
Akshat Rathee, co-founder and managing director of NODWIN Gaming, said Benninghoff understands “the entire lifecycle of the gaming and media ecosystem, from the boots-on-the-ground reality of building startups to the strategic complexity of managing multi-billion dollar global portfolios.”
Benninghoff, for his part, said the company “sits at the intersection of sports, entertainment, and technology, making it one of the most exciting players in the global gaming landscape today.”
A portfolio built for the global south
Founded in 2014 by Rathee and Gautam Virk, NODWIN has quietly assembled one of the more compelling esports portfolios outside the Western hemisphere. Its properties include DreamHack India and Comic Con India, and it recently acquired StarLadder, the Ukraine-based tournament organiser behind premier events in CS:GO and Dota 2. The company also serves as a long-term strategic marketing partner for the Evolution Championship Series (EVO), the world’s most prominent fighting game tournament, helping push it into new geographies.
Its geographic focus spans South Asia, Central Asia, Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Africa. Backers include Nazara Technologies, KRAFTON, Sony Group Corporation, JetSynthesys, and the founders’ investment vehicle Good Game Investments.
What comes next
With UBS running the books, a board freshly reinforced with European media and gaming expertise, and revenue heading in the right direction, NODWIN is laying the groundwork deliberately. The esports industry has burned investors before with big promises and thin margins. NODWIN’s return to profitability, combined with a real portfolio of owned intellectual properties across gaming, music and youth culture, gives it a more credible runway than most. The IPO clock is now ticking.
