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
Dream Sports sees 100 plus exits after gaming ban forces overhaul
Company splits into eight units as real money gaming law hits revenue.
MUMBAI: For a company built on fantasy leagues, reality has suddenly rewritten the rulebook. More than 100 employees have exited Dream Sports, the parent of Dream11, after the company reorganised its operations following India’s ban on real money online gaming. The shake up came after the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025 came into force in August 2025, prohibiting games where users deposit money expecting winnings. The regulation struck at the heart of the fantasy gaming industry and dramatically affected Dream Sports’ core business, wiping out about 95 percent of its revenue and all of its profits.
In response, the Mumbai based company shifted into what chief executive officer Harsh Jain described as “startup mode”, splitting its operations into eight independent business units in December.
Around 700 employees were reassigned across these newly formed ventures based on their experience and interests. However, roughly 15 percent opted to leave the company.
A spokesperson for Dream Sports said many of those who exited were experienced professionals accustomed to running scaled businesses rather than early stage ventures.
“Since some of these employees were experienced with running high scale businesses and not startups, around 15 percent chose to leave and join other scaled companies or start ventures of their own,” the spokesperson said.
Despite the departures, the company noted that the attrition rate is only slightly higher than its earlier level of around 10 percent before the ban. Dream Sports now has close to 950 employees and is not currently hiring, choosing instead to focus on stabilising its existing workforce.
The restructuring has transformed Dream Sports from a fantasy gaming company into a broader sports entertainment platform. The eight units now operate independently, each focusing on different segments of the sports and technology ecosystem.
These include Dream11, sports streaming platform Fancode, sports travel service DreamSetGo, mobile game Dream Cricket and artificial intelligence initiative Dream Sports AI, which includes sports analytics platform Dream Play.
Other ventures include fintech product Dream Money, open source initiative Dream Horizon and the philanthropic arm Dream Sports Foundation.
As part of cost saving efforts, Dream Sports also relocated its headquarters from Bandra Kurla Complex to Worli earlier this year. The new office, called Dream Sports Stadium, brings teams from its various brands together under one roof to improve collaboration and operational efficiency.
Jain had earlier said the company removed bonus lock in timelines for employees hired in recent years, allowing those who wished to leave to exit with pro rata payouts.
“We want people who are fully into the startup mode and willing to work for it, and we will share that reward if it comes,” he said.
Founded in 2008 by Harsh Jain and Bhavit Sheth, Dream Sports was last valued at 8 billion dollars after raising 840 million dollars in 2021 from investors including Falcon Edge Capital, DST Global, D1 Capital Partners, RedBird Capital Partners, Tiger Global Management, TPG and Footpath Ventures.
The new gaming law has forced several companies in the fantasy gaming sector to either shut down or pivot their business models, signalling a significant reset for one of India’s fastest growing digital entertainment industries.
