Gaming
Explore the mythic origins of made-in-India Indus Battle Royale’s avatars
Mumbai: Indian games are now increasingly getting more recognition for seamlessly blending mythology and tradition, which offers players a culturally rich experience. These games weave together ancient narratives and art with modern gameplay, resonating deeply with players and elevating India’s standing in global game development.
One standout example is the highly anticipated Indus Battle Royale by Pune-based SuperGaming, which has garnered over 11 million pre-registrations on Google Play. The Indo-futuristic game is set in the distant future on the island of ‘Virlok’, which was once home to an ancient race of intergalactic explorers, ‘the Yaksha’. Players assume the role of Mythwalkers in search of the rare resource ‘Cosmium’.
For any battle royale, avatars are integral to providing immersive gameplay as they allow players to choose their unique styles and skills. In Indus, avatars are inspired by Indian history, mythology, and culture, each with its own captivating backstory. Despite their standardized functions, they come in diverse forms, enabling Mythwalkers to select models that best fit their preferences. Here is a glimpse into the fascinating legends behind the avatars of Indus:
1. Adi and Adya Series: Challenger
Background: Adi and Adya are the inaugural standard-issue Avatars, crafted after billions of credits and countless hours of research and development. Designed to embody and cater to the competitive spirit of Mythwalkers, they represent the cutting-edge technology that defines the Indus Battle Royale experience. These avatars are chosen by those looking to balance efficiency with style.
2. Null and Void Series: Explorer
Background: Null and Void are the initial prototype models that successfully landed on Virlok. Their utilitarian design reflects their age. Despite the creation of more sophisticated models, their charm and reliability make them a common choice for Mythwalkers. They symbolize the call of the infinite void, daring Mythwalkers to venture into the deepest secrets of the Cosmos.
3. Diya
Series: Yaksha Vintage
Background: Diya represents a connection to the happier times on Indus. This vintage icon has been revived with the hope of rekindling the past’s joy and celebration. Her design serves as a tribute to the rich cultural heritage of the ancient Yaksha race.
4. Neo Yash
Series: Yaksha Culture
Background: Neo Yash showcases the cultural values and aesthetics that were integral to Yaksha life. This Avatar embodies the fashion and artistic expression native to Indus, providing a glimpse into the cultural richness of the Yaksha civilization.
5. Rana and Arya Series: Yaksha Glamour
Background: Known as a celebrated entertainer and dancer, Rana was the headline act of a traveling dance troupe. However, classified documents reveal that his glamorous public persona masked his true role as an elite agent working covertly for the Yaksha Council.
Similarly, Arya was renowned as a performer and master thief who used her performances as a cover for infamous heists. Despite appearing to reform, her continued collaboration with Rana hints at ongoing involvement in clandestine activities.
6. Heena
Series: Indus Icon
Background: Modeled after India’s well-renowned Olympic shooter, Heena is the greatest living bounty hunter in the Indus universe. Frequently summoned by COVEN, an intragalactic syndicate, the sharpshooter is called upon when Mythwalkers need exceptional skill or more often than not, a miracle.
7. Mor-ni
Series: Yaksha Heroes
Background: A legend in exile of the Champions Conclave, Morni is the rare female representative of the Immortal Peacock. Her indomitable will, tenacity, and deadly grace in combat have made her one of the most formidable warriors in Indus.
8. Mech Balika Series: Indus Automata
Background: Originally a marionette in a theater run by automatons, Mech Balika’s design is inspired by the Rajasthani “Kathputli” string puppet. It remains unclear how or why she became a renowned combat unit, considering the Yaksha’s reluctance to weaponize their robotic creations, viewing it as a loss of innocence.
9. Pokhran
Series: Indus Automata
Background: Developed by the famous Indian scientist Homi J. Bhabha, Pokhran units were rescued by the Yaksha and widely deployed across Virlok. They powered the planet’s most remote corners and facilitated progress. Eventually, their resilience caught the attention of a Mythwalker who captured an intact unit, leading to the creation of this Avatar.
10. Sir-taj
Series: Indus Automata
Background: Sir-Taj is a technological marvel, representing the Yaksha’s deep reverence for their heritage. Universally adored on Indus, he has regained celebrity status among Mythwalkers due to his antics and viral videos on the internet.
Gaming
Dream Sports sees 100 plus exits after gaming ban forces overhaul
Company splits into eight units as real money gaming law hits revenue.
MUMBAI: For a company built on fantasy leagues, reality has suddenly rewritten the rulebook. More than 100 employees have exited Dream Sports, the parent of Dream11, after the company reorganised its operations following India’s ban on real money online gaming. The shake up came after the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025 came into force in August 2025, prohibiting games where users deposit money expecting winnings. The regulation struck at the heart of the fantasy gaming industry and dramatically affected Dream Sports’ core business, wiping out about 95 percent of its revenue and all of its profits.
In response, the Mumbai based company shifted into what chief executive officer Harsh Jain described as “startup mode”, splitting its operations into eight independent business units in December.
Around 700 employees were reassigned across these newly formed ventures based on their experience and interests. However, roughly 15 percent opted to leave the company.
A spokesperson for Dream Sports said many of those who exited were experienced professionals accustomed to running scaled businesses rather than early stage ventures.
“Since some of these employees were experienced with running high scale businesses and not startups, around 15 percent chose to leave and join other scaled companies or start ventures of their own,” the spokesperson said.
Despite the departures, the company noted that the attrition rate is only slightly higher than its earlier level of around 10 percent before the ban. Dream Sports now has close to 950 employees and is not currently hiring, choosing instead to focus on stabilising its existing workforce.
The restructuring has transformed Dream Sports from a fantasy gaming company into a broader sports entertainment platform. The eight units now operate independently, each focusing on different segments of the sports and technology ecosystem.
These include Dream11, sports streaming platform Fancode, sports travel service DreamSetGo, mobile game Dream Cricket and artificial intelligence initiative Dream Sports AI, which includes sports analytics platform Dream Play.
Other ventures include fintech product Dream Money, open source initiative Dream Horizon and the philanthropic arm Dream Sports Foundation.
As part of cost saving efforts, Dream Sports also relocated its headquarters from Bandra Kurla Complex to Worli earlier this year. The new office, called Dream Sports Stadium, brings teams from its various brands together under one roof to improve collaboration and operational efficiency.
Jain had earlier said the company removed bonus lock in timelines for employees hired in recent years, allowing those who wished to leave to exit with pro rata payouts.
“We want people who are fully into the startup mode and willing to work for it, and we will share that reward if it comes,” he said.
Founded in 2008 by Harsh Jain and Bhavit Sheth, Dream Sports was last valued at 8 billion dollars after raising 840 million dollars in 2021 from investors including Falcon Edge Capital, DST Global, D1 Capital Partners, RedBird Capital Partners, Tiger Global Management, TPG and Footpath Ventures.
The new gaming law has forced several companies in the fantasy gaming sector to either shut down or pivot their business models, signalling a significant reset for one of India’s fastest growing digital entertainment industries.
