Gaming
KFC surprises BGMI fans with a ‘Winner Winner Chicken lunch’
Mumbai: It’s ‘Winner Winner Chicken Lunch’ for all BATTLEGROUNDS MOBILE INDIA (BGMI) players this summer, as KFC India collaborates with KRAFTON India, makers of India’s most-loved battle royale game for a crispy, crunchy, finger clickin’ good partnership!
As a part of this limited-time collaboration, KFC and BGMI have a crunchy surprise for chicken lovers and gamers. With the purchase of the KFC Zinger Box, fans have a chance to get their hands on exciting in-game BGMI rewards.
The strategic partnership brings together two of Gen-Z’s top passion points, food and gaming. It comes at a time when gaming is increasingly gaining popularity amongst young Indians, with the audience base expected to grow to 750 million users by 2025.
With the KFC Zinger Box, consumers can enjoy finger lickin’ good crispy chicken, and exclusive in-game rewards. Available for Rs 299/- on dine in or takeaway, the box includes KFC favourites like the Classic Zinger Burger, and two-piece Hot Wings, along with fries and a refreshing beverage.
The KFC Zinger Box comes with a unique code, which can be unlocked on the BGMI website. The exclusive code gives fans a chance to collect exciting rewards such as parachutes, bags, hats, jackets, and more to enhance gameplay with friends.
Speaking about the collaboration, KFC India CMO Aparna Bhawal said, “KFC is a brand with culture at its core. We’re always exploring distinctive, cutting-edge and culturally relevant partnerships. The idea for a collaboration with BGMI was born when we introduced KFC’s Lunch Specials recently. We thought gamers often celebrate a win with a ‘Winner, Winner Chicken Dinner,’ so why not give it a KFC twist, and do it over lunch? It’s an epic partnership, and we’re confident that our Gen-Z consumers are going to find it finger-clickin’ good!”
KRAFTON India head of business development Seddharth Merrotra added “As gaming continues to captivate a growing audience in India, our collaboration with KFC brings an exciting opportunity for BGMI players to enjoy their favorite game alongside a delicious KFC meal. This partnership not only enhances the gaming experience but also underscores our commitment to creating unique, immersive experiences for our players. With BGMI and KFC being standout brands in their respective fields, uniting them goes beyond a mere partnership; it’s a memorable journey where every bite and every gaming moment come together to redefine how fans indulge in their favorite pastimes.”
To claim the exclusive in-game KFC rewards, consumers can scan the QR code which comes with the purchase of the KFC Zinger Box OR visit www.battlegroundsmobileindia.com/redeem.The KFC Zinger Box with BGMI rewards is available in restaurants across Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai, New Delhi and Pune till 30 August 2024 only.
So, what are you waiting for? Rush to the nearest KFC restaurant, or order online through the KFC app or website (www.online.kfc.in) while the offer lasts.
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.
