Vi partners with Gamerji to launch Esports platform on Vi App

Indian telecom operator Vodafone Idea (Vi) has partnered with Esports start-up Gamerji to expand its mobile gaming catalogue, launching an Esports platform on the Vi App. Vi Games, along with Gamerji, will host popular Esports games such as Battle Royale, Racing, Cricket, and Action Role Playing games. Vi’s Esports platform will have popular titles such as Free Fire, Call of Duty Mobile, World Cricket Championship 3, Asphalt 9, and Clash Royale, with more to come in the future. 

India’s Esports industry is booming, with the number of Esports players doubling from three lahks in 2020 to six lakh in 2021, according to the FICCI-EY Media and Entertainment Report 2022. The country’s Esports industry is expected to reach INR 11bn ($147m) by 2025, while the gaming segment is forecast to generate INR 100bn between now and FY2025.

Avneesh Khosla, CMO, Vi, said that mobile gaming has been a major focus area of growth for Vi’s content strategy in the digital era. Adding esports to their gaming catalogue was a natural progression towards making Vi App the preferred destination for all gaming enthusiasts. He further added that they are confident that their offering will strike the right chord with the gaming lovers, and particularly the youth.

Soham Thacker, founder & CEO Gamerji, said that Gamerji has always strived to give the best online tournament experience to aspiring gamers in India and help them showcase their skills. Their association with Vi will enable them to provide the experience to the larger gaming community via the Vi App and help establish esports as one of the primary competitive sports in the country.

Vi’s Esports offering will be available to users at no extra cost, and they can use their virtual coins to win prizes. Vi’s move to expand its gaming catalogue comes after the successful launch of Vi Games, which offers more than 1,200 mobile games, multiplayer and competitive gaming on the Vi App. The Vi App is available to download from the Google Play store or iOS store. The partnership with Gamerji is expected to target the youth market, which is forecast to boost Vi’s growth in the gaming segment.