Gaming
ASUS unveils ROG Academy Season 10 to empower esports stars in CS:2
Mumbai: ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) has announced the launch of the highly anticipated Season 10 of the ROG Academy to nurture India’s top talents in Counter Strike 2 (CS2) and offer them a platform to excel.
ROG Academy is the longest-running esports incubator program designed to help aspiring esports professionals succeed by providing the resources, infrastructure, and expertise needed to turn their passion into a career. The program features a detailed curriculum created by industry experts that covers essential areas like communication, individual skills, and teamwork.
Registration for Season 10 has begun. After this, shortlisted candidates will undergo tryouts, which include in-game assessments, expert interviews, and psychometric tests. Six chosen players will join the program, where they will sign contracts with the ROG Team and receive a monthly stipend, compensation for internet bills, and high-end ROG gear for remote practice.
Players will receive intensive training from a dedicated coach, focusing on game mechanics, teamwork, and competitive play. Upon successful completion, they will be awarded a Certificate of Completion and an ex-gratia payment of Rs 1 lakh.
The ROG Academy also hosts guest sessions on an array of topics. Some of these have been sports psychology, PR, and esports management during the previous seasons. Additionally, players will gain competitive experience through tournament participation, enhancing their exposure and opportunities in the gaming community.
Expressing his excitement ahead of the new season, ASUS India vice president, consumer and gaming pc, system business group Arnold Su said, “ASUS ROG Academy has consistently been at the forefront of nurturing esports talent in India. Our extensive training program, combined with industry expertise and competitive opportunities, has effectively prepared participants for successful careers in esports over nine consecutive seasons across various titles. We are delighted to continue this tradition with Season 10, providing a robust platform for aspiring gamers to refine their skills in Counter Strike 2. As esports continues to grow in India and make its way into the Olympics, we eagerly anticipate witnessing the next generation of esports professionals emerge from this initiative in the future.”
Since its launch, ASUS ROG Academy has garnered over 15,000 registrations and trained 54 players across nine seasons. Over 15 of these players have secured positions with top-tier organisations. Last season, the academy’s players competed in 21 tournaments, including the Dust2 India – 1xBet Cup Open Qualifier, Sky Championship India Qualifier, and ESL Challenger Jonkoping – Asia Qualifier, achieving quarterfinal and semifinal placements in several events.
Additionally, talents like Gourav “Rayzer” Panwar and Anirudh “ChAmP” Aurange secured placements in the prominent team Victores Sumus (formerly 2EZ Gaming). The season also included insightful guest sessions from Dr Michelle Pain, a sports psychologist with Global Esports, and Peter “casle” Ardenskjold, coach of Gaimin Gladiators, who shared valuable expertise on mental fitness, gameplay enhancement, and communication.
As ASUS ROG Academy continues to pave the way for the future of esports in India, aspiring gamers are encouraged to register for Season 10 and take the first step towards a professional esports career.
Interested candidates can register at: https://asus.in/ROG-academy/
Gaming
Konami concludes successful eFootball India campaign
Campaign featuring Rinku Singh, Varun Chakravarthy and other stars boosts engagement ahead of FIFA World Cup 2026.
MUMBAI: When cricket meets football in the virtual world, even the biggest fans can’t help but score and Konami’s latest eFootball campaign in India has clearly hit the back of the net. Konami Digital Entertainment has successfully wrapped up its India campaign for eFootball, which brought together cricketers Rinku Singh and Varun Chakravarthy, actors Naslen Gafoor and Chandu Salim Kumar, and footballers Sahal Abdul Samad and Shubhasish Bose. The multi-star campaign generated strong excitement across gaming, football, and creator communities through social content, fan participation, and in-game engagement.
Building on the initial launch that featured a limited-time Lionel Messi card, the campaign united fan communities, lifestyle creators, football creators, and competitive eFootball influencers. It significantly expanded the game’s visibility and deepened engagement with fans across the country.
The campaign also saw thousands of entries submitted as part of its social media engagement challenge, reflecting high levels of community enthusiasm and active creator involvement.
Looking ahead, Konami plans to build on this momentum with more eFootball experiences for Indian fans as the FIFA World Cup 2026 approaches. With global attention on the tournament set to rise, India will remain a key market for deepening community engagement and bringing fans closer to the action.
In a country that lives and breathes sport, Konami has shown that mixing real-world stars with virtual thrills is a winning formula leaving fans eagerly waiting for the next goal.
