Gaming
META11 Fantasy launches world’s first free-to-play fantasy cricket tournament with AI athletes
Mumbai: Behaviol Pty Ltd, the visionary gaming company behind META11 Fantasy, proudly introduces the world’s inaugural fantasy cricket tournament featuring AI-powered athletes. This groundbreaking event, scheduled to commence on 26 September at 12 PM for 24 hours only, is set to captivate cricket enthusiasts and fantasy sports devotees. Those wanting to play can register and play for free at www.meta11.com.
META11 Fantasy represents a pioneering fusion of advanced technology with the beloved sport of cricket, offering a glimpse into the future of sports entertainment. And you can play for free.
Co-founder and CEO Krishan Deegalla articulated the company’s mission, stating, “For far too long, sports fans have had to pay to be able to participate in and get closer to their favourite sports, including cricket. When we established our campany, our vision was to leverage emerging technologies to create a gaming experience that rewards fans for their passion. With META11 Fantasy, for the first time ever, sports enthusiasts can employ their cricket knowledge to win without any financial commitment.”
META11 Fantasy is not just another entrant in the fantasy sports arena; it’s a transformative solution to the challenges that have long plagued the industry. Recognising the limitations of traditional fantasy games, META11 has engineered a platform that prioritises player well-being and enjoyment. By adopting a free-to-play model and introducing pioneering immersive A.I athletes that adapt and learn dynamically as they play, META11 bridges the gap between reality and the digital world. It accurately predicts game outcomes and crafts intricate narratives for the characters and their virtual realm.
Co-founder Kumar Sangakkara emphasised the inclusivity of META11 Fantasy, stating, “Cricket is evolving, and with META11, we’re creating new opportunities for fans to get intimately involved with the sport. We aim to weave untold fan stories into the very fabric of our platform as fans have been central to our vision since day one.”
On the day of the event, users will be introduced to five AI athletes along with QBOT, the META11 resident quiz master powered by the OmniMind Network. QBOT will actively guide users through the game by posing real-time questions during the matches, delivering an unparalleled live fantasy gaming experience. Players can accumulate points, climb the leaderboard, and stand a chance to win cash prizes from a $100,000 prize pool. Additionally, the points collected on 26 September and beyond will be exchangeable in the future for in-game assets, including your very own AI athlete. META11 is dedicated to ensuring that the free-to-play game is immensely rewarding for all participants.
Ravi Shastri, a prominent supporter of META11, shared his excitement, affirming, “META11’s vision offers fans the unique opportunity to step into the roles of managers and coaches for their favourite AI players. Imagine the game being played by the critics, who must make all the strategic calls. If they falter, they will truly understand the pressure.”
Gaming
Nodwin Gaming partners with Runestone for esports data and integrity solutions
South Asian esports leader joins forces with Czech tech firm to enhance tournament operations.
MUMBAI: Nodwin Gaming has just levelled up its game by bringing in a specialist to keep the scoreboard honest and the fans fully engaged. The leading South Asian esports and gaming company has announced a strategic partnership with Runestone, a Prague-headquartered esports technology firm specialising in real-time data and engagement solutions for tournament organisers and publishers.
The collaboration aims to strengthen competitive integrity, improve operational oversight, and deliver more interactive viewing experiences across Nodwin’s properties. It will initially focus on the Nodwin Clutch Series for Counter-Strike 2, a Tier 2 tournament that provides emerging teams with consistent competitive opportunities and helps build the talent pipeline.
The latest edition of the series recently concluded with Big defeating ECSTATIC 2–1 in the grand final of the $50,000 online event.
Nodwin Gaming chief business officer at MENA and global head of data monetization Teemu Koski said, “Integrity and transparency are fundamental to sustainable esports ecosystems, especially in Tier 2 competition where the next generation of talent emerges. Runestone’s expertise complements our experience in building scalable esports IPs.”
Runestone head of partnerships Michael Schwartz added, “Nodwin Gaming has built one of the most dynamic esports ecosystems across emerging markets. We’re thrilled to collaborate on supporting tournaments with greater transparency, deeper fan interaction, and scalable tools.”
Both companies are exploring opportunities to extend the partnership across additional titles, including mobile-first competitive ecosystems, and to develop new products for publishers, tournament operators, and event promoters.
In the rapidly growing world of esports, where fair play and fan excitement are equally crucial, Nodwin Gaming and Runestone are teaming up to ensure every match is not only competitive but also transparent and engaging. This alliance could well become a game-changer for Tier 2 tournaments across South Asia and beyond.
