Gaming
Pokémon GO wins the ‘Best Ongoing Game’ award
Mumbai: Pokémon GO, one of the leading augmented reality mobile games by Niantic has been recognised with Google Play’s ‘Best Ongoing Game’ award in India in 2023. This recognition is a testament to Pokémon GO’s continuous efforts towards engaging players for seven years since the launch and the game’s evident success in delivering captivating, augmented reality experiences, innovative blend of technology, and community interaction which resonates with millions of trainers across India and the world.
Since the launch of Pokémon GO in 2016, Niantic has demonstrated unwavering dedication towards engaging Pokémon fans around the globe and persuading them to explore their neighbourhoods. With the introduction of exciting features, events, in-game rewards, and innovative updates to the game and underlying technology at regular intervals, the company has always prioritized the enrichment of Pokémon GO adventure and successfully created an ever-evolving and immersive experience for the trainers. Niantic recently added Hindi language support to the game to allow a wider audience in India to make themselves a part of the Pokémon GO universe.
Niantic VP for emerging markets Omar Tellez, on the announcement, said, “The acknowledgment of Pokémon GO as the Best Ongoing Game on Google Play in India is a celebration of the collaborative spirit that defines Niantic and our incredible community. This recognition reflects our Trainers’ and communities’ uninterrupted love which has been only growing with each passing year since we introduced the game to this world in 2016. We are grateful to each of our Indian Trainers for contributing to our commitment towards expanding the community and delighted to see new Trainers embarking on their Pokémon adventures.”
This award is a celebration of shared passion that unites Pokémon GO’s global community making the game a timeless adventure transcending beyond boundaries and welcoming all to immerse into augmented reality experiences.
Please be aware of your surroundings and follow guidelines from local health authorities when playing Pokémon GO.
Gaming
IICT signs three MoUs to boost AVGC-XR and esports
Partnerships with Zenfluencers, Yologram and Eruditio at Chennai Gaming Show 2026 strengthen education, XR innovation and nationwide talent outreach.
MUMBAI: IICT has just levelled up the game in a big way. The Indian Institute of Creative Technologies signed three strategic Memorandums of Understanding on 17 April 2026 at the CII Summit FX – India Gaming Show in Chennai, forging alliances with The Zenfluencers, Yologram Style Pvt. Ltd. and Eruditio Consultants to accelerate India’s AVGC-XR ecosystem.
The tie-ups combine IICT’s strengths in education, skilling and research with specialist expertise across esports, immersive technologies and large-scale outreach.
- With The Zenfluencers, IICT will roll out globally benchmarked esports programmes, including joint certification courses, industry workshops, tournaments and masterclasses, creating clear career pathways across the full esports value chain.
- The partnership with Yologram Style Pvt. Ltd. focuses on gaming, immersive storytelling and extended reality (XR), delivering industry-aligned curriculum, faculty mentorship, student showcases and collaborative research in immersive AI and virtual production.
- Collaboration with Eruditio Consultants targets awareness, accessibility and career alignment, with nationwide counsellor training, institutional engagement and structured guidance frameworks to reach students beyond Tier-1 cities.
IICT CEO Vishwas Deoskar said, “As the AVGC-XR sector evolves at a rapid pace, strong collaborations between industry and academia are essential. These partnerships will create meaningful impact across education, innovation and outreach.”
Yologram Style Pvt. Ltd. founder Aditya Mani added, “AI-driven creator worlds are transforming games into engines of culture, commerce and careers. Together we aim to empower a generation to build immersive futures.”
Eruditio Consultants founder Indrajit Ghosh noted, “This is not just about awareness, it is about building a structured ecosystem that connects aspiration with opportunity.”
The Zenfluencers CEO Atharva Gupta said, “This MoU is a big unlock moment for the esports ecosystem in India. We’re building a structured pipeline for talent across the full stack.”
By bringing together academia, industry leaders and ecosystem players, IICT is creating scalable models that blend cutting-edge skills with real-world relevance. In a sector racing toward the future, these three partnerships ensure India’s next generation of creative technologists won’t just keep up, they’ll set the pace.
