MAM
Indiagames and EA to launch key mobile games
MUMBAI: Indiagames has signed an exclusive licensing agreement with Electronic Arts, a leading interactive entertainment company, that will bring EA’s roster of mobile games to consumers across multiple mobile carriers in India.
China’s wireless internet company Tom Online owns 62 per cent of Indiagames. Its key investors also include Macromedia Inc. and Cisco Systems Inc.
Kicking off with the release of EA Sports FIFA 06 this calendar year, the line-up of EA games available in India is unmatched. EA mobile accommodates players who have either a few minutes to spare or those looking for a deeper, more immersive experience.
Designed to be easy-to-use, all of the titles offer intuitive controls with gameplay that is fun for either five minutes or five hours. Capturing the essence of the hit franchises that inspired them, the mobile games are characterised by exhilarating gameplay, deep real-world sports rosters and advanced graphics.
The games initially released through Indiagames will include Need for Speed Underground 2, Need for Speed Most Wanted, NBA LIVE 06, Tiger Woods PGA Tour 06, EA Sports FIFA 06, FIFA Street 2, Madden NFL 06, SimCity and The Sims 2. Whether gamers are playing street-style soccer against top professionals in FIFA Street 2, building unique cityscapes in SimCity or looking for an adrenaline rush in Need for Speed Underground 2 and Need for Speed Most Wanted, EA’s wide breadth of titles offers something for everyone.
“We are thrilled to bring such legendary and popular games to Indian audiences. We are convinced that thousands of Indian fans will enjoy the opportunity to experience these games on their mobile phones,” said Indiagames CEO Vishal Gondal.
“Indiagames is a key partner for us as we expand our business from packaged goods to mobile content in the burgeoning Indian marketplace. They have a strong technological infrastructure and share our passion for delivering top quality entertainment. Indian consumers are quickly adopting a mobile lifestyle and we believe that this partnership will give people the opportunity to experience the fun and excitement of playing great games on their mobile phone,” said EA Asia Publishing president and managing director Jon Niermann.
Brands
Hocco crosses Rs 530cr revenue in two years
Sauce.vc-led Rs 100cr raise values ice cream brand at Rs 2,500cr pre-money as quick commerce hits 20 per cent of sales.
MUMBAI: Hocco has just scooped a seriously sweet milestone crossing the Rs 530 crore revenue mark in just two full years of operations. The fast-growing Indian ice cream and indulgence brand announced it has raised Rs 100 crore in fresh capital led by Sauce.vc. The round values the company at Rs 2,500 crore pre-money and underscores investor confidence in its rapid scale and distinctive India-first approach.
Founder Ankit Chona said the brand’s success stems from solving real Indian challenges extreme summer heat, fragmented cold chains and culturally rooted tastes. “In India, product development doesn’t end in the lab. It only ends when it survives the street,” he noted. This philosophy has produced viral hits such as Aamchi mango ice cream, BIX cake-sponge sandwiches, the Oh cone and culturally relevant collaborations like Haldiram’s Barfi and festive Modak specials.
Hocco currently operates manufacturing facilities in Ahmedabad and Panipat with a production capacity of approximately 3 lakh litres per day, running near full capacity in peak season. The fresh capital will help expand this to around 4.5 lakh litres per day.
Quick commerce has emerged as a major growth engine, now contributing ~20 per cent of overall business and growing nearly 2x year-on-year. The channel has boosted product discovery, increased consumption frequency and helped extend ice cream beyond its traditional seasonal limits.
Sauce.vc founder Manu Chandra said, “At Sauce, we believe that when you chance upon an outlier business, you double down with stronger conviction. We see Hocco as just that.”
With a strong innovation pipeline, deeper distribution and continued focus on cultural relevance, Hocco is entering its third year aiming to capture even more mind space and market share. In a category long dominated by legacy players, this young brand is proving that the coolest way to win is to build for India’s realities, one scoop, one street and one satisfied craving at a time.
