Gaming
Riot Games successfully concludes Convergence 2023
Mumbai: Riot Games today announced the successful conclusion of Lenovo and Intel-sponsored Convergence, its first-ever international VALORANT esports tournament held in India in partnership with The Esports Club. Hosted at the Manpho Convention Centre in Bangalore, Convergence showcased the pinnacle of competitive VALORANT gameplay, celebrating skill, strategy, and sportsmanship. The tournament, which spanned over four days, saw over 10,000 attendees visit on-ground to support six of the finest VALORANT teams from across the globe.
The championship match, held in front of an enthusiastic live audience and streamed to millions of viewers globally, showcased intense showdowns and breathtaking plays. After a nail-biting finale match, FUT Esports emerged triumphant, solidifying their place in history as the first ever champions of Convergence. Their exemplary teamwork, precision, and unwavering determination set a new standard for excellence in VALORANT esports.
Convergence successfully met all of Riot Games’ set objectives concerning viewership, production quality, competitive standards, and fan engagement, including achieving the remarkable feat of organically trending as the #1 topic on Twitter in India for two consecutive days. The event also featured various engaging activities for attendees, including fan meet-and-greets, exclusive merchandise stalls, and community-driven initiatives, creating a memorable experience for gaming enthusiasts.
“We are thankful to the players, teams, sponsors, partners, and especially our Indian fans for making Convergence 2023 an unparalleled success,” said Riot Games esports lead, India and South Asia Sukamal Pegu. “The passion displayed by our fans is our driving force and serves as a constant source of inspiration. Congratulations to FUT Esports for their exceptional performance and to all participating teams for their dedication and sportsmanship. Convergence will be back with a bigger and more exciting edition in 2024.”
Riot Games country manager, India and South Asia Arun Rajappa said, “Convergence was the perfect finale to a year of exciting initiatives in India and South Asia, from celebrating VALORANT’s anniversary with fans at gaming cafes, to cheering on teams at the VCSA, to giving back to the community at Harbor’s anniversary event. We were also thrilled to bring amazing influencers together at Radiant Retreat. It’s been a fantastic journey, and we can’t wait to bring even more games and experiences to our players in the region in 2024.”
Riot Games has been actively engaged in fostering community engagement through multiple initiatives over the past year. Earlier this year, Riot Games celebrated the one-year anniversary of VALORANT’s first-ever Indian agent Harbor by conducting a beach clean-up with the Indian gaming community, and also commemorated the third anniversary of VALORANT in India with BHARAT VALORANT celebrations.
Gaming
Skyesports, GodLike Esports sign MoU with Maharashtra Cyber
Partnership promotes esports growth and cyber hygiene across the state.
MUMBAI: Skyesports and Godlike Esports just teamed up with Maharashtra Cyber because when you’re levelling up gaming in India, even the police want to join the squad. Skyesports, India’s leading esports and gaming IP builder, and premier organisation Godlike Esports have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Maharashtra Cyber, the state’s nodal cyber security office, to foster esports development while embedding cyber hygiene and online safety practices across Maharashtra.
The agreement, formalised during a closed-door meeting in Mumbai, aligns with the state’s push to grow the orange economy and positions Maharashtra as a rising hub for digital gaming and esports. It emphasises responsible participation, cyber awareness and safe digital conduct among gamers and youth.
Under the MoU, Skyesports will organise and promote tournaments and community initiatives infused with cyber hygiene messaging. GodLike Esports will contribute through professional player mentorship, community engagement and awareness programmes encouraging positive behaviour. Maharashtra Cyber will support safety campaigns and promote responsible online practices within the ecosystem.
Skyesports founder and CEO Shiva Nandy said, “The growth of esports requires strong collaboration between the industry and government stakeholders. This MoU with Maharashtra Cyber represents an important step toward strengthening Maharashtra’s esports ecosystem through responsible gaming initiatives and grassroots engagement.”
Maharashtra Cyber additional director general of police Yashasvi Yadav added, “As esports continues to grow rapidly among young audiences, it is equally important to promote safe and responsible digital practices within the gaming ecosystem.”
Godlike Esports, founder Chetan “Kronten” Chandgude noted, “The true growth of esports in India lies in strengthening its roots at the grassroots level. This collaboration will support the state’s vision of building a strong and sustainable esports ecosystem.”
Eyrie Entertainment will cover and amplify Maharashtra Cyber’s cyber awareness activities across events and campaigns.
The partnership reflects a forward-looking effort to nurture Maharashtra’s esports talent pipeline while ensuring rapid growth is matched by strong digital safety guardrails. Further initiatives, tournaments and outreach programmes are expected to be announced soon.
In a state where gaming is levelling up faster than broadband speeds, this MoU isn’t just paperwork, it’s a power-up that turns players into safer, smarter pros, one secure headshot at a time.
