Gaming
S8ul powers up with Team Elite’s Free Fire Max squad as S8ul Elite
MUMBAI: It’s game on and S8ul has just levelled up. The Indian esports powerhouse has announced the acquisition of Team Elite’s Free Fire Max roster, marking the launch of its newest competitive squad, S8ul Elite. The move not only expands S8UL’s footprint across multiple esports titles but also cements its growing dominance in India’s fast-evolving gaming scene.
Led by Lokesh “Pahadi” Karakoti, one of India’s most celebrated Free Fire players with over 1.63 million Youtube subscribers, S8ul Elite features an explosive lineup Jayesh “Mr. Jay” Yadav, Hasan “Hasan” Haider, Adeeb Ansari, and Syed Arman Ali. Each player brings a distinct playstyle, strategic depth, and championship pedigree to the team.
For Pahadi, this move feels like destiny respawning. A key player in Team Elite’s 2021 Free Fire India Championship Fall victory which came with a prize pool of Rs 41.3 lakh, the 22-year-old sniper has been a force to reckon with. He was even crowned best sniper of the year by game publisher Garena earlier this year. His teammate Mr. Jay, known for his lightning-fast entries and tactical aggression, bagged the Rusher of the Year award at the same event. Together, they’re bringing experience, flair, and a championship mindset to S8UL’s roster.
“Joining S8ul is a dream come true,” said Pahadi, the team’s in-game leader. “It’s home to India’s biggest gaming icons and has completely redefined what it means to be a professional gamer in this country. With S8ul’s backing, we’re ready to compete and win at the highest level.”
S8ul Esports co-founder Naman “Mortal” Mathur echoed that excitement: “We’re thrilled to welcome these incredible players into the S8ul family. Each of them brings something special to the table skill, strategy, and the hunger to win. S8ul Elite represents our ongoing commitment to excellence across every game we enter.”
It’s been a milestone year for S8ul Esports, which earlier made headlines by representing India at the Esports World Cup in Riyadh, an event boasting a record-breaking Rs 600 crore prize pool. On the content side, the organisation continues to dominate, earning four nominations at the Esports Awards 2025, with recognition for S8ul Esports, co-founder Animesh Agarwal, and creators Payal Dhare and Raj Varma.
With S8UL Elite, the organisation now sets its sights on the Free Fire Max circuit, one of India’s most passionate gaming communities. The team’s formation not only signals S8UL’s ambition to lead across multiple titles but also underscores its larger mission: to empower Indian gamers, elevate esports as a profession, and bring the country’s digital athletes onto the global leaderboard.
From championships to content, S8ul isn’t just playing the game, it’s changing it. And with S8ul Elite entering the arena, the competition just got a whole lot hotter.
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.
