Gaming
ShemarooVerse launches futuristic immersive AI gaming experience in partnership with GMetri
Mumbai: Shemaroo Entertainment, a pioneer in the Indian entertainment industry, is excited to announce a groundbreaking partnership with GMetri, a leader in AI-powered immersive learning and game development. This collaboration signifies the expansion of ShemarooVerse- Shemaroo’s metaverse platform, into the realm of immersive AI gaming, bringing IP-based gaming to the Web3 platform.
As part of this innovative venture, ShemarooVerse has introduced IP-based games which leverage the power of Artificial Intelligence and allow fans to experience immersive games in the metaverse. The launch features games based on popular Bollywood films owned by Shemaroo Entertainment, such as Jab We Met, Golmaal, Disco Dancer, Amar Akbar Anthony and more, offering fans a new, interactive way to connect with their favourite movies and characters. As metaverse adoption continues to see traction, more films will be incorporated into this interactive gaming realm.
Shemaroo Entertainment Ltd. COO Arghya Chakravarty highlighted the significance of this collaboration, stating, “At Shemaroo, we have always led the way in innovation, and ShemarooVerse, our metaverse platform, exemplifies our dedication to creating future-forward entertainment. By incorporating AI-based gaming, we aim to deliver an even more captivating experience for our consumers. Our collaboration with GMetri represents a pivotal advancement in transforming audience interaction with our popular movies, and we are excited to be developing groundbreaking innovations in the immersive entertainment and gaming space in India.”
GMetri CEO Utsav Mathir commented on the partnership: “We’re thrilled to bring our FruitSalad.ai technology to ShemarooVerse, showcasing the power of our immersive learning and gaming platform. This collaboration allows us to demonstrate how our AI-driven solution can transform entertainment IP into engaging, interactive experiences. By leveraging our expertise in creating gamified, immersive 3D worlds, we are not only enhancing fan engagement but also showcasing the versatility of our technology across various sectors, from corporate learning to entertainment. This partnership with Shemaroo is a testament to the adaptability and effectiveness of our platform in creating compelling, personalized experiences at scale.”
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.
