Gaming
Pokémon GO to host its first city safari in Mumbai
Mumbai: In the heart of Mumbai, where the vibrant streets pulse with life, Pokémon GO fans are gearing up for an unprecedented adventure. The anticipated Pokémon GO City Safari will take place on Saturday, 29 March and Sunday, 30 March 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. IST. This two-day event promises an immersive exploration of the city, combining its rich culture with the excitement of Pokémon GO.
Players from around the world will gather to experience the thrill of catching Pokémon at Mumbai’s iconic landmarks and local favourites. The event will feature gameplay, unique in-game bonuses, and opportunities to connect with fellow trainers in the ever-growing Pokémon GO community.
“At Niantic, we are committed to enhancing the Pokémon GO experience with new features and adventures. Trainers in India have been looking forward to great Pokémon GO events, and we have been working towards providing them with the best experience to immerse themselves in the world of Pokémon through our in-game events and local meetups. Through the Pokémon GO City Safari in Mumbai, we’re excited to bring a special opportunity for the Trainers and communities in India who constitute a key share of our Pokémon GO world,” said Niantic Inc. vice president for emerging markets Omar Tellez.
Notably, Mudbray, the Donkey Pokémon, will make its debut at the City Safari events, offering Trainers a chance to catch it along with other rare Pokémon like Alolan Meowth, Mr. Mime, Corsola, and even Shiny variants for the lucky ones. Additionally, Trainers can explore the city with an Eevee wearing an explorer hat, which can be caught during the City Safari Special Research and evolved into any of its known forms.
Tickets for Pokémon GO City Safari: Mumbai are now available for Rs 499 for a one-day ticket, valid for either March 29 or March 30, 2025. Optional add-ons include the raid lover add-on (Rs 299) for additional raid benefits, the Egg-thusiast add-on (Rs 299) for egg-hatching bonuses, and the extra day add-on (Rs 399) for those seeking a two-day adventure. Tickets can be purchased through the Pokémon GO app under the Events section or on the Pokémon GO City Safari website, with availability on a first-come, first-served basis.
As anticipation builds for Pokémon GO City Safari: Mumbai, more surprises are set to unfold. Trainers should stay connected through Pokémon GO’s official social media channels and in-app updates for the latest announcements. Please remember to be aware of your surroundings and follow local health guidelines while playing Pokémon GO. Upcoming events are subject to change, so be sure to opt in for notifications and updates to stay informed.
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.
