The Esports Foundation (EF) today announced that the 2026 edition of the Esports World Cup (EWC), the world’s largest esports and gaming event, will be hosted in Paris, France, from July 6 through August 23.The Esports Foundation is guided by a long-term vision of growing its international tournaments and competitions through collaboration with audiences, partners and host markets around the world over time. Following an extended evaluation process, and in light of the current regional situation, the Esports Foundation decided to accelerate that international rotation ambition for the 2026 edition, offering clarity and stability for players, Clubs, publishers, partners, and fans worldwide, while preserving the tournament’s scale, structure and competitive integrity.Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/manuel-neuer-earns-surprise-call-up-to-germany-26-man-fifa-world-cup-squad-1779368174561">Manuel Neuer earns surprise call up to Germany’s 26-man FIFA World Cup squad</a>“Riyadh helped turn the Esports World Cup into a global phenomenon,” said Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports Foundation. “Riyadh is the home of EWC and one of the world’s leading hubs for esports, powered by an incredible community of fans and long-term ambition for the future of the sport. This year, we’re excited to bring EWC to Paris for its first edition outside Saudi Arabia. Paris has hosted some of the world’s biggest sporting events and is one of the great global capitals of sport, culture and entertainment. Together with the passion of French fans and the strong support we’ve received locally, we’re excited to bring the global esports community there for the next chapter of EWC. Paris now becomes the first international chapter in EWC history.”The announcement builds on the continued growth of the Esports World Cup and its global audience following successive editions hosted in Riyadh.In 2025, EWC reached more than 750 million viewers worldwide and generated over 350 million hours watched, with peak concurrent viewership nearing 8 million. The event was delivered across 28 platforms through 97 broadcast partners and over 800 channels in 35 languages, reaching fans in 140 countries.This edition of the EWC will once again welcome more than 2,000 players and 200 Clubs from over 100 countries, who will compete in 24 games across 25 tournaments for a share of the record-breaking $75 million+ prize pool.Details on the new venue for EWC 2026 in Paris will be announced in the coming weeks. Clubs, teams, players and fans with tickets to the event will be contacted directly. More information and Frequently Asked Questions can be found on the EWC 2026 Website.

In 2025, EWC reached more than 750 million viewers worldwide and generated over 350 million hours watched, with peak concurrent viewership nearing 8 million. 

The Esports Foundation (EF) today announced that the 2026 edition of the Esports World Cup (EWC), the world’s largest esports and gaming event, will be hosted in Paris, France, from July 6 through August 23. The Esports Foundation is guided by a long-term vision of growing its international tournaments and competitions through collaboration with audiences, partners and host markets around the world over time. Following an extended evaluation process, and in light of the current regional situation, the Esports Foundation decided to accelerate that international rotation ambition for the 2026 edition, offering clarity and stability for players, Clubs, publishers, partners, and fans worldwide, while preserving the tournament’s scale, structure and competitive integrity. Also Read - Manuel Neuer earns surprise call up to Germany’s 26-man FIFA World Cup squad “Riyadh helped turn the Esports World Cup into a global phenomenon,” said Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports Foundation. “Riyadh is the home of EWC and one of the world’s leading hubs for esports, powered by an incredible community of fans and long-term ambition for the future of the sport. This year, we’re excited to bring EWC to Paris for its first edition outside Saudi Arabia. Paris has hosted some of the world’s biggest sporting events and is one of the great global capitals of sport, culture and entertainment. Together with the passion of French fans and the strong support we’ve received locally, we’re excited to bring the global esports community there for the next chapter of EWC. Paris now becomes the first international chapter in EWC history.” The announcement builds on the continued growth of the Esports World Cup and its global audience following successive editions hosted in Riyadh. In 2025, EWC reached more than 750 million viewers worldwide and generated over 350 million hours watched, with peak concurrent viewership nearing 8 million. The event was delivered across 28 platforms through 97 broadcast partners and over 800 channels in 35 languages, reaching fans in 140 countries. This edition of the EWC will once again welcome more than 2,000 players and 200 Clubs from over 100 countries, who will compete in 24 games across 25 tournaments for a share of the record-breaking $75 million+ prize pool. Details on the new venue for EWC 2026 in Paris will be announced in the coming weeks. Clubs, teams, players and fans with tickets to the event will be contacted directly. More information and Frequently Asked Questions can be found on the EWC 2026 Website.

In 2025, EWC reached more than 750 million viewers worldwide and generated over 350 million hours watched, with peak concurrent viewership nearing 8 million.&nbsp;

Esports World Cup set to be held in Paris from July 6

The trend of esports has taken the global market by storm as the action has switched from on-field to off-field sports. With the emergence of high-quality mobile phones and advanced processors in recent years gaming has become more than a hobby as the esports market has now become a major player in the commerce industry. Reflecting on the same was Head of Marketing, Ampverse DMI Sumedha Mahajan as she exclusively spoke to WION on how the industry has grown over the years on the global stage.
Currently the esports market is one of the biggest in the world and the revenue worldwide is projected to reach US$4.8bn in 2025. With the scale it has been growing, India is one of the biggest players and contributors with a population of 1.4 billion people.
<h2 class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Question: So how do you see the esports market's growth in the last decade or so?<o:p></o:p></h2>
The Esports industry has experienced exponential growth globally, with increasing prize pools, viewership, and mainstream recognition. In India, this growth has been fueled by mobile gaming, affordable data access, and a young, digital-first audience. The last few years saw the rise of dedicated Esports tournaments, professional teams, and significant investments from global organizations.
<h2 class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">How are brands leveraging the esports boom in India with rapid growth in recent times?<o:p></o:p></h2>
Brands are capitalising on Esports through sponsorships, in-game advertising, influencer collaborations, and product integrations. FMCG, fintech, and tech brands are leading this charge, using esports as a gateway to connect with Gen Z audiences. The rise of gaming-related content on platforms like YouTube has also allowed non-endemic brands to enter the space through partnerships with esports creators.
ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/jasprit-bumrah-injury-update-latest-news-blow-for-mumbai-indians-as-pacer-ruled-out-of-first-few-ipl-2025-games-8852847" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">Jasprit Bumrah injury update: Blow for Mumbai Indians as pacer ruled out of first few IPL 2025 games</a>
<h2 class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">What is the role of strategic marketing in shaping gaming IPs?<o:p></o:p></h2>
Strategic marketing plays a crucial role in building and sustaining gaming IPs by driving fan engagement through storytelling, community-building, and experiential activations. Esports IPs like College Rivals thrive on a mix of digital content, influencer marketing, and brand partnerships that keep audiences invested beyond just tournament days.
<h2 class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">How is your organisation helping to create a unique approach for an esports talent pipeline?<o:p></o:p></h2>
Esports in India isn&rsquo;t just growing at the top level&mdash;it&rsquo;s evolving from the grassroots up. At Ampverse DMI India, we&rsquo;re building a structured esports talent pipeline by hosting college-level tournaments &ndash; Platforms like College Rivals give young players a stage to showcase their skills.

Sports: The emergence of high-quality mobile phones and advanced processors in recent years has seen gaming become more than a hobby leading to the esports revolution.

The trend of esports has taken the global market by storm as the action has switched from on-field to off-field sports. With the emergence of high-quality mobile phones and advanced processors in recent years gaming has become more than a hobby as the esports market has now become a major player in the commerce industry. Reflecting on the same was Head of Marketing, Ampverse DMI Sumedha Mahajan as she exclusively spoke to WION on how the industry has grown over the years on the global stage. Currently the esports market is one of the biggest in the world and the revenue worldwide is projected to reach US$4.8bn in 2025. With the scale it has been growing, India is one of the biggest players and contributors with a population of 1.4 billion people. Question: So how do you see the esports market's growth in the last decade or so? The Esports industry has experienced exponential growth globally, with increasing prize pools, viewership, and mainstream recognition. In India, this growth has been fueled by mobile gaming, affordable data access, and a young, digital-first audience. The last few years saw the rise of dedicated Esports tournaments, professional teams, and significant investments from global organizations. How are brands leveraging the esports boom in India with rapid growth in recent times? Brands are capitalising on Esports through sponsorships, in-game advertising, influencer collaborations, and product integrations. FMCG, fintech, and tech brands are leading this charge, using esports as a gateway to connect with Gen Z audiences. The rise of gaming-related content on platforms like YouTube has also allowed non-endemic brands to enter the space through partnerships with esports creators. ALSO READ | Jasprit Bumrah injury update: Blow for Mumbai Indians as pacer ruled out of first few IPL 2025 games What is the role of strategic marketing in shaping gaming IPs? Strategic marketing plays a crucial role in building and sustaining gaming IPs by driving fan engagement through storytelling, community-building, and experiential activations. Esports IPs like College Rivals thrive on a mix of digital content, influencer marketing, and brand partnerships that keep audiences invested beyond just tournament days. How is your organisation helping to create a unique approach for an esports talent pipeline? Esports in India isn’t just growing at the top level—it’s evolving from the grassroots up. At Ampverse DMI India, we’re building a structured esports talent pipeline by hosting college-level tournaments – Platforms like College Rivals give young players a stage to showcase their skills.

Exclusive: Esports industry has experienced exponential growth globally

The Karnataka High Court&nbsp;on Thursday overturned the imposition of Goods and Services Tax (GST) worth Rs 21,000 crore&nbsp;on Gameskraft Technologies Pvt. Ltd. (GTPL).&nbsp;

The Karnataka High Court's ruling is expected to bring much-need clarity on the tax liabilities&nbsp;of online gaming platforms and establish&nbsp;a precedent that could influence similar cases in the future.

In his&nbsp;judgment, Justice S.R. Krishna Kumar established a distinction between 'games of skill' and 'games of chance', adding that the former was outside the purview of 'betting and gambling', and therefore exempt from GST.&nbsp;

In November 2021, officials from the Directorate General of Goods and Services Tax Intelligence&nbsp;had conducted a search and seizure operation at GTPL's premises. Consequently, GST authorities froze GTPL's bank accounts, alleging that the gaming company had suppressed taxable value by claiming discounts.

The authorities had also argued that the amounts staked by participating players on the GTPL platforms constituted taxable "betting and gambling".&nbsp;

Gameskraft Technologies challenged the order before the Karnataka High Court, which allowed the company to operate its bank accounts for specific purposes.&nbsp;

While the hearing concluded in September 2022 and the judgment was reserved, GST authorities issued an Intimation Notice demanding a staggering Rs 21,000 crore.&nbsp;

They claimed that GTPL had misclassified its supply as services and engaged in the supply of 'actionable claims', which&nbsp;required GST payment under the Central Goods and Services Tax Rules. The company promptly challenged the Intimation Notice in the Karnataka High Court, which stayed its operation.

Interestingly,&nbsp;the All India Gaming Federation and E-Gaming Federation decided to&nbsp;intervene&nbsp;in support of Gameskraft Technologies in the Karnataka High Court, after recognising the significant impact this case could have on the online gaming industry.&nbsp;

The Karnataka High Court on Thursday overturned the imposition of Goods and Services Tax (GST) worth Rs 21,000 crore on Gameskraft Technologies Pvt. Ltd. (GTPL).

The Karnataka High Court on Thursday overturned the imposition of Goods and Services Tax (GST) worth Rs 21,000 crore on Gameskraft Technologies Pvt. Ltd. (GTPL). The Karnataka High Court's ruling is expected to bring much-need clarity on the tax liabilities of online gaming platforms and establish a precedent that could influence similar cases in the future. In his judgment, Justice S.R. Krishna Kumar established a distinction between 'games of skill' and 'games of chance', adding that the former was outside the purview of 'betting and gambling', and therefore exempt from GST. In November 2021, officials from the Directorate General of Goods and Services Tax Intelligence had conducted a search and seizure operation at GTPL's premises. Consequently, GST authorities froze GTPL's bank accounts, alleging that the gaming company had suppressed taxable value by claiming discounts. The authorities had also argued that the amounts staked by participating players on the GTPL platforms constituted taxable "betting and gambling". Gameskraft Technologies challenged the order before the Karnataka High Court, which allowed the company to operate its bank accounts for specific purposes. While the hearing concluded in September 2022 and the judgment was reserved, GST authorities issued an Intimation Notice demanding a staggering Rs 21,000 crore. They claimed that GTPL had misclassified its supply as services and engaged in the supply of 'actionable claims', which required GST payment under the Central Goods and Services Tax Rules. The company promptly challenged the Intimation Notice in the Karnataka High Court, which stayed its operation. Interestingly, the All India Gaming Federation and E-Gaming Federation decided to intervene in support of Gameskraft Technologies in the Karnataka High Court, after recognising the significant impact this case could have on the online gaming industry.

Karnataka High Court quashes Rs 21,000 crore GST on Gameskraft Technologies

As more tournaments around the world opt for electronic line calling systems instead of human line judges, seven-times Grand Slam champion Mats Wilander says&nbsp;tennis&nbsp;is losing its intrigue and personality and is in danger of becoming an e-sport.

The Australian Open replaced on-court officials with the electronic system at the year's first Grand Slam and U.S. Open organizers&nbsp;said they would use the technology on all courts during the final major in 2021.

"I like line umpires and I liked the challenge system where we had three challenges," Wilander told Reuters.

"I thought that added something in&nbsp;tennis&nbsp;that we have lost.

"We have so many unbelievable rallies among the best players in the world at times.

"Alexander Zverev and Matteo&nbsp;Berrettini in Madrid - I mean the points that they played sometimes were just insane. But probably more than 50% of the points were not more than two shots."

Line calls are being delivered in real-time through remote-tracking cameras, removing the challenge system that allowed players to contest calls made by the judges.

"I think it was some kind of intrigue where the player had to choose," said Wilander, who helped design the NeuroTennis&nbsp;smart wristband which helps players track statistics and also provides coaching instructions.

"'Okay, is this a big enough point where I need to challenge?' I thought that was an interesting twist. It made the player think even more. Now we have no line calls. I think it just takes away some of the personality that's on the court."

The French Open remains the only major that does not use the ball-tracking system, instead of leaving the umpires to make final decisions based on marks left by the ball on the red clay.

Wilander said he thought the worst officiating in any sport was soccer but that was one of the reasons the game was so popular.

"I think it's because of the outright passion of people, human element, and human error that causes certain losses and intrigues fans," he added.

"There's an intrigue in soccer because they're not perfect, life is not perfect and soccer is not perfect.

"I think we're making&nbsp;tennis&nbsp;esports. We're not esports, we're a sport where you move around and you have human contact."

As more tournaments around the world opt for electronic line calling systems instead of human line judges, seven-times Grand Slam champion Mats Wilander says tennis is losing its intrigue and personality and is in danger of becoming an e-sport.

As more tournaments around the world opt for electronic line calling systems instead of human line judges, seven-times Grand Slam champion Mats Wilander says tennis is losing its intrigue and personality and is in danger of becoming an e-sport. The Australian Open replaced on-court officials with the electronic system at the year's first Grand Slam and U.S. Open organizers said they would use the technology on all courts during the final major in 2021. "I like line umpires and I liked the challenge system where we had three challenges," Wilander told Reuters. "I thought that added something in tennis that we have lost. "We have so many unbelievable rallies among the best players in the world at times. "Alexander Zverev and Matteo Berrettini in Madrid - I mean the points that they played sometimes were just insane. But probably more than 50% of the points were not more than two shots." Line calls are being delivered in real-time through remote-tracking cameras, removing the challenge system that allowed players to contest calls made by the judges. "I think it was some kind of intrigue where the player had to choose," said Wilander, who helped design the NeuroTennis smart wristband which helps players track statistics and also provides coaching instructions. "'Okay, is this a big enough point where I need to challenge?' I thought that was an interesting twist. It made the player think even more. Now we have no line calls. I think it just takes away some of the personality that's on the court." The French Open remains the only major that does not use the ball-tracking system, instead of leaving the umpires to make final decisions based on marks left by the ball on the red clay. Wilander said he thought the worst officiating in any sport was soccer but that was one of the reasons the game was so popular. "I think it's because of the outright passion of people, human element, and human error that causes certain losses and intrigues fans," he added. "There's an intrigue in soccer because they're not perfect, life is not perfect and soccer is not perfect. "I think we're making tennis esports. We're not esports, we're a sport where you move around and you have human contact."

Reducing human element is turning tennis into eSport: Mats Wilander

The global gaming industry grew 12% to almost $140 billion in 2020. From a brand news facility in Dubai, young gamers are hosting virtual regional esports competition sponsored by global brands.

Global gaming industry grew 12% to $139.9 billion in 2020

Video gamers can significantly improve their esport skills by training for just 10 minutes a day, a new study revealed.&nbsp;

The study also found that novice gamers benefited most when they wore a custom headset delivering transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) for 20 minutes before training sessions.&nbsp;

"Our study found that novice gamers who received tDCS over their motor cortex before training improved their performance on the specific task over five days, significantly more than novices who trained following no such stimulus," said researcher Mark Campbell, director of Lero's Esports Science Research Lab (ESRL).&nbsp;

For the study, published in the journal Computers in Human Behavior, the participants wore a custom headset designed to deliver transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS).&nbsp;

However, some received no stimulation, others just a 'sham' treatment, while the remainder received a 20-minute exposure.&nbsp;

"One of the original and most prominent esports over the past 20 years has been the first-person shooter (FPS) game, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO)," the researcher said.&nbsp;

"We asked participants to shoot and eliminate enemy targets as quickly and accurately as possible during their training sessions in the study," they added.&nbsp;

According to the researchers, when they examined the effect of tDCS on training compared to non-stimulated groups, they observed a significant effect of tDCS on training for left and right targets, but not centre targets.&nbsp;

The researchers said that in light of the team's findings, tDCS may be especially beneficial during the initial stages of task learning.&nbsp;

"Stroke patients, for example, could benefit from tDCS at the start of their rehabilitation process when re-learning complex movements that were once automatic," Campbell said.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Video gamers can significantly improve their esport skills by training for just 10 minutes a day, a new study revealed. The study also found that novice gamers benefited most when they wore a custom headset delivering transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) for 20 minutes before training sessions.

Video gamers can significantly improve their esport skills by training for just 10 minutes a day, a new study revealed. The study also found that novice gamers benefited most when they wore a custom headset delivering transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) for 20 minutes before training sessions. "Our study found that novice gamers who received tDCS over their motor cortex before training improved their performance on the specific task over five days, significantly more than novices who trained following no such stimulus," said researcher Mark Campbell, director of Lero's Esports Science Research Lab (ESRL). For the study, published in the journal Computers in Human Behavior, the participants wore a custom headset designed to deliver transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS). However, some received no stimulation, others just a 'sham' treatment, while the remainder received a 20-minute exposure. "One of the original and most prominent esports over the past 20 years has been the first-person shooter (FPS) game, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO)," the researcher said. "We asked participants to shoot and eliminate enemy targets as quickly and accurately as possible during their training sessions in the study," they added. According to the researchers, when they examined the effect of tDCS on training compared to non-stimulated groups, they observed a significant effect of tDCS on training for left and right targets, but not centre targets. The researchers said that in light of the team's findings, tDCS may be especially beneficial during the initial stages of task learning. "Stroke patients, for example, could benefit from tDCS at the start of their rehabilitation process when re-learning complex movements that were once automatic," Campbell said. (With inputs from agencies)

10 minutes of video gaming every day may enhance esport skills 

Technology has been a boon during the time of COVID-19 pandemic. Adapting to the ever-evolving scenario, the world has used the world of technology to optimize the survival instinct while keeping up with the day-to-day demands of lives. Be it entertainment, online shopping or even gaming, Augmented and Virtual Reality (AR/VR) has come out as one of the advanced technologies amid the pandemic that has helped not only the gamers but also the daily consumers to make use of the technology.

The world of gaming has witnessed a massive surge in the number of users and the number of hours spends by gamers in front of their console or gaming system. While traditional games have shone in the times of lockdown and unlock, XR (AR and VR) games are breaking into the scene much rapidly than ever before.

“A major challenge for XR has been the dependency on devices. The COVID-19 pandemic has been pretty great for the gaming industry due to the huge surge of users, engagement and so much more. In terms of VR, I feel this is the time we will see users adapting to technology. Games like Oculus Quest 2 was preordered five times as much as the original, which has also helped developers. I feel the greatest challenge has definitely been the supply-demand in the case of VR since it was severely impacted by the COVID-19 lockdown. I feel India is a more AR friendly market than a VR. Simple factors such as device dependency and network connectivity contribute to the cause,” Shrey Mishra, Co-Founder at XR Central told WION.

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The biggest challenge for XR gaming sector would be to keep this anticipation among the gamers high as it was during the lockdown. Introduction of cheaper VR sets and creation of addictive games have made the mark already but the way social media is catering to AR-enabled platforms such as Facebook and Snapchat will only increase the curiosity among the young gaming generation.

<h2>"AR/VR in gaming sector bound to grow"</h2>

“It is simple to see that the sector is bound to grow. New cheaper headsets will be introduced in the market with a higher level of flexibility. Virtual reality (VR) in the gaming market was valued at USD 7.7 billion in 2019 and is projected to reach USD 42.50 billion by 2025. A huge spike will be through AR-enabled messengers like Facebook and Snapchat messenger which are driving a huge wave of users to augmented reality,” Shrey added.

With 2021 set to bring new hopes and trends in the entire world with the gaming sector no exception, AR/VR trend is likely to witness a boost. Not only in the world of gaming but AR is also expected to boost the online shopping zone/&nbsp;

“Device dependency on AR and VR will steadily fall off. Web-based AR and VR solutions are the future. AR and VR will be included in corporate strategies. Digital Marketers will continue to experiment with AR/VR, if not already, will create something called experiential marketing. AR will become mainstream for online shopping.&nbsp;

IN PICS:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/battle-of-goats-legendary-bout-between-mike-tyson-and-jones-jr-ends-in-draw-346248" hreflang="en">Battle of GOATS: Legendary bout between Mike Tyson and Jones Jr. ends in draw</a>

“Virtual events will continue to be in bolster the Events and Entertainment industry. Even after the travel resumes, companies will look at hybrid event execution models (the combination of online and offline activations). Educational institutes will shift to AR and VR for experiential and immersive training and will no longer be restricted to PPTs and Excels,” Shrey concluded.

XRC are one of the market innovators with specialization in: Virtual spaces, 3D web and VR content, Web AR and Web VR, and AI-powered voice, among others.

Technology has been a boon during the time of COVID-19 pandemic. Adapting to the ever-evolving scenario, the world has used the world of technology to optimize the survival instinct while keeping up with the day-to-day demands of lives.

Technology has been a boon during the time of COVID-19 pandemic. Adapting to the ever-evolving scenario, the world has used the world of technology to optimize the survival instinct while keeping up with the day-to-day demands of lives. Be it entertainment, online shopping or even gaming, Augmented and Virtual Reality (AR/VR) has come out as one of the advanced technologies amid the pandemic that has helped not only the gamers but also the daily consumers to make use of the technology. The world of gaming has witnessed a massive surge in the number of users and the number of hours spends by gamers in front of their console or gaming system. While traditional games have shone in the times of lockdown and unlock, XR (AR and VR) games are breaking into the scene much rapidly than ever before. “A major challenge for XR has been the dependency on devices. The COVID-19 pandemic has been pretty great for the gaming industry due to the huge surge of users, engagement and so much more. In terms of VR, I feel this is the time we will see users adapting to technology. Games like Oculus Quest 2 was preordered five times as much as the original, which has also helped developers. I feel the greatest challenge has definitely been the supply-demand in the case of VR since it was severely impacted by the COVID-19 lockdown. I feel India is a more AR friendly market than a VR. Simple factors such as device dependency and network connectivity contribute to the cause,” Shrey Mishra, Co-Founder at XR Central told WION. TRENDING | Romain Grosjean's fireball crash: Haas' fiery F1 accident in pictures The biggest challenge for XR gaming sector would be to keep this anticipation among the gamers high as it was during the lockdown. Introduction of cheaper VR sets and creation of addictive games have made the mark already but the way social media is catering to AR-enabled platforms such as Facebook and Snapchat will only increase the curiosity among the young gaming generation. "AR/VR in gaming sector bound to grow" “It is simple to see that the sector is bound to grow. New cheaper headsets will be introduced in the market with a higher level of flexibility. Virtual reality (VR) in the gaming market was valued at USD 7.7 billion in 2019 and is projected to reach USD 42.50 billion by 2025. A huge spike will be through AR-enabled messengers like Facebook and Snapchat messenger which are driving a huge wave of users to augmented reality,” Shrey added. With 2021 set to bring new hopes and trends in the entire world with the gaming sector no exception, AR/VR trend is likely to witness a boost. Not only in the world of gaming but AR is also expected to boost the online shopping zone/ “Device dependency on AR and VR will steadily fall off. Web-based AR and VR solutions are the future. AR and VR will be included in corporate strategies. Digital Marketers will continue to experiment with AR/VR, if not already, will create something called experiential marketing. AR will become mainstream for online shopping. IN PICS: Battle of GOATS: Legendary bout between Mike Tyson and Jones Jr. ends in draw “Virtual events will continue to be in bolster the Events and Entertainment industry. Even after the travel resumes, companies will look at hybrid event execution models (the combination of online and offline activations). Educational institutes will shift to AR and VR for experiential and immersive training and will no longer be restricted to PPTs and Excels,” Shrey concluded. XRC are one of the market innovators with specialization in: Virtual spaces, 3D web and VR content, Web AR and Web VR, and AI-powered voice, among others.

Evolution of esports, gaming sectors with AR/VR trends

ESports star Myint was on the cusp of victory when the screens went dark in the Yangon cafe where he competes, costing him thousands of dollars in missed prize-money and denting his reputation.&nbsp;

Myanmar's gaming scene is mushrooming, but frequent power cuts are holding players back in the emerging democracy.&nbsp;

"Every time a black-out happens, we curse out the electricity corporation -- and it happens often," he told AFP.

More than 60 per cent of people in Myanmar still live without reliable electricity after a political transition in 2010 that sought to pull in foreign investment after decades of junta rule.

That includes getting in on the global explosion in eSports, a billion-dollar industry that will be a medal event in the Southeast Asian Games in November for the first time.

But Myanmar is at risk of missing out with power cuts, few personal computers and a dearth of resources to support travel and competition abroad holding homegrown champions back.

Myint Myat Zaw, a 21-year-old player also known as "Insane", said he has lost about 40 matches due to blackouts, making it difficult to earn a slot abroad where cash prizes are now in the tens of millions of dollars.&nbsp;

He plays Dota 2, which in Shanghai hosted its equivalent of the champions league this weekend, boasting a record $34.3 million prize pool.

But Dota 2 tournaments are rare in Myanmar, he said, making it difficult for him to earn a living from the game.&nbsp;

"The last three years was the hardest period of my career...I lived in a game shop and was also short on food," he told AFP.

Anywhere, anytime

For gamers, a dingy internet cafe has long been the typical venue to battle it out with players from other countries.

But that has started to change as cheap SIM cards hit the markets and smartphone use soars.

Mobile penetration stood at just seven per cent in 2012, but demand has skyrocketed and the figure now sits at more than 80 per cent.

Players competing on mobiles can stay logged on when local grids go dark.

"We can play anywhere, anytime," said Myint Myat Aung, a mobile gamer who competes on PlayerUnknown's Battleground (PUBG) for Singapore-based eSports team Impunity. &nbsp;

It is also cheaper.

"We only have phone bills which don't cost very much," he told AFP.

Last month, Impunity, with more than 400 other teams, took part in a PUBG tournament hosted by Samsung Galaxy at a Yangon mall.

Staring into smartphones, players took down their opponents with sniper rifles, the action projected onto a large screen as spectators cheered.&nbsp;

The prize pool for the tournament was around $7,000, an immense sum in a country where the average income is less than $1,300 a year.

Impunity's country manager Brian Min Sett said the increasing value of winnings was a sign of growth as "our country doesn't have many high-prize tournaments."

Myanmar, like other developing countries, is at "a serious disadvantage" compared to its neighbours, said Jeremy Jackson, market analyst for eSports research firm NewZoo.&nbsp;

"Access to stable electricity and internet are crucial when it comes to competitive gaming," Jackson told AFP.&nbsp;

"Undoubtedly, greater smartphone penetration will allow more people access to the mobile competitive gaming landscape."

Myanmar legends?

In a country that has produced few international athletic stars, eSports offers players away into a global community and a chance to make a steady salary, especially for those competing in ultra-popular mobile games.

"They can make their own living just by competing in tournaments," said Kaung Myat San, co-founder of the HOG e-sports centre in Yangon.&nbsp;

Myanmar's sporting authorities lack funding, so HOG plans to send 16 athletes to represent Myanmar in the Southeast Asia games -- including Myint Myat Zaw, who was scooped up as a salaried player earlier this year.&nbsp;

Both Dota 2 and Mobile Legend - a fantasy battle game designed for smartphones with more than 3 million users in Myanmar - will be part of the competition.

After years of struggling to eke out a living playing for people wishing to boost their scores, Myint Myat Zaw said he was "proud" to now be representing Myanmar.&nbsp;

"Although there is more pressure, it makes me keen to do better," he said.

ESports star Myint was on the cusp of victory when the screens went dark in the Yangon cafe where he competes, costing him thousands of dollars in missed prize-money and denting his reputation.

ESports star Myint was on the cusp of victory when the screens went dark in the Yangon cafe where he competes, costing him thousands of dollars in missed prize-money and denting his reputation. Myanmar's gaming scene is mushrooming, but frequent power cuts are holding players back in the emerging democracy. "Every time a black-out happens, we curse out the electricity corporation -- and it happens often," he told AFP. More than 60 per cent of people in Myanmar still live without reliable electricity after a political transition in 2010 that sought to pull in foreign investment after decades of junta rule. That includes getting in on the global explosion in eSports, a billion-dollar industry that will be a medal event in the Southeast Asian Games in November for the first time. But Myanmar is at risk of missing out with power cuts, few personal computers and a dearth of resources to support travel and competition abroad holding homegrown champions back. Myint Myat Zaw, a 21-year-old player also known as "Insane", said he has lost about 40 matches due to blackouts, making it difficult to earn a slot abroad where cash prizes are now in the tens of millions of dollars. He plays Dota 2, which in Shanghai hosted its equivalent of the champions league this weekend, boasting a record $34.3 million prize pool. But Dota 2 tournaments are rare in Myanmar, he said, making it difficult for him to earn a living from the game. "The last three years was the hardest period of my career...I lived in a game shop and was also short on food," he told AFP. Anywhere, anytime For gamers, a dingy internet cafe has long been the typical venue to battle it out with players from other countries. But that has started to change as cheap SIM cards hit the markets and smartphone use soars. Mobile penetration stood at just seven per cent in 2012, but demand has skyrocketed and the figure now sits at more than 80 per cent. Players competing on mobiles can stay logged on when local grids go dark. "We can play anywhere, anytime," said Myint Myat Aung, a mobile gamer who competes on PlayerUnknown's Battleground (PUBG) for Singapore-based eSports team Impunity. It is also cheaper. "We only have phone bills which don't cost very much," he told AFP. Last month, Impunity, with more than 400 other teams, took part in a PUBG tournament hosted by Samsung Galaxy at a Yangon mall. Staring into smartphones, players took down their opponents with sniper rifles, the action projected onto a large screen as spectators cheered. The prize pool for the tournament was around $7,000, an immense sum in a country where the average income is less than $1,300 a year. Impunity's country manager Brian Min Sett said the increasing value of winnings was a sign of growth as "our country doesn't have many high-prize tournaments." Myanmar, like other developing countries, is at "a serious disadvantage" compared to its neighbours, said Jeremy Jackson, market analyst for eSports research firm NewZoo. "Access to stable electricity and internet are crucial when it comes to competitive gaming," Jackson told AFP. "Undoubtedly, greater smartphone penetration will allow more people access to the mobile competitive gaming landscape." Myanmar legends? In a country that has produced few international athletic stars, eSports offers players away into a global community and a chance to make a steady salary, especially for those competing in ultra-popular mobile games. "They can make their own living just by competing in tournaments," said Kaung Myat San, co-founder of the HOG e-sports centre in Yangon. Myanmar's sporting authorities lack funding, so HOG plans to send 16 athletes to represent Myanmar in the Southeast Asia games -- including Myint Myat Zaw, who was scooped up as a salaried player earlier this year. Both Dota 2 and Mobile Legend - a fantasy battle game designed for smartphones with more than 3 million users in Myanmar - will be part of the competition. After years of struggling to eke out a living playing for people wishing to boost their scores, Myint Myat Zaw said he was "proud" to now be representing Myanmar. "Although there is more pressure, it makes me keen to do better," he said.

Armed with smartphones, Myanmar e-sports players battle power outages

Grand Prix teams could be racing each other in the virtual world as well as the real one next season, and fighting to sign up the hottest gamer talent, as Formula One wakes to the power of eSports.

Darren Cox, the man behind McLaren`s &quot;World`s Fastest Gamer&quot; competition who also saw one of his drivers win Formula One`s first eSports series in Abu Dhabi last month, feels a tipping point has been reached this year.

The former Nissan motorsport boss, who runs the eSPORTS+CARS virtual team, can also see the day dawning -- in maybe three to five years` time -- when top gamers are earning more than the lowest paid drivers on the real F1 starting grid.

In a wide-ranging interview at a simulator centre where his drivers train near London`s Gatwick airport, Cox told Reuters that he expected Formula One teams to become involved in next year`s eSports series.

&quot;If you look at what the NBA (basketball) has done...they engaged the teams right at the beginning. So 17 of the NBA teams have got franchises for the virtual side of the sport and there&rsquo;s a&nbsp;draft like in the real world.

&quot;So expect something like that to come out of (Formula One owners) Liberty,&quot; added Cox. &quot;It&rsquo;s happening now. Those conversations are being had.

&quot;This absolutely will be a big priority for them (Liberty) and I believe they have made it clear to the teams that they will be involved, in some way.&nbsp;

&quot;And then I guess it&rsquo;s down to the teams about how involved they want to be.&quot;

Formula One`s first eSports series was won by Brendon Leigh, an 18-year-old kitchen porter who had never previously been out of Britain.

Leigh, who drives for Cox`s team and emerged triumphant from 63,000 initial hopefuls, is likely to go professional.

Some gamers in other arenas are already earning more than $1 million a year and Cox said the rewards in motorsport were growing all the time.

&quot;If you go back 18 months, these guys were winning an X-box and a free subscription, not any cash. The cash has suddenly come and I think that will ramp up,&quot; said the man who has been dubbed the `Godfather of virtual racing`. 
He expected all the big F1 teams to end up partnering with outfits like his.

&quot;Depending on how well marketed it is by Liberty, there will be a new revenue stream,&quot; he said.&nbsp;

&quot;The teams...will want to have the best drivers and therefore there will be a fight for the best drivers if one is head and shoulders above the others.&quot;

Spain`s two times world champion Fernando Alonso recently launched his own virtual team while McLaren appointed Dutch gamer Rudy van Buren to the position of simulator driver after the 25-year-old won the &quot;World`s Fastest Gamer&quot; competition.

&quot;A great phrase I heard was &lsquo;nothing changes until everything changes at once&rsquo;,&quot; said Cox.

&quot;Suddenly everything&rsquo;s happening at the same time and it is a massive benefit to our sport,&quot; added the Briton, who was responsible at Nissan for a successful programme that transformed gamers into real racers.

He expected a new wave of technology companies to be attracted to the sport while existing sponsors, particularly those brands targeting a younger demographic, would get more involved.

&quot;This side of things has brought in Logitech to McLaren. They are involved because of World&rsquo;s Fastest Gamer. And they&rsquo;ve set a precedent. This is now something that will happen,&quot; declared Cox. Sales of the Formula One game were also likely to accelerate, with knock-on benefits for merchandising.

Cox, meanwhile, dismissed as irrelevant the debate about whether eSport should be considered sport.

&quot;It&rsquo;s here, it&rsquo;s got millions of viewers, it&rsquo;s got a commercial backbone that is strong. It doesn&rsquo;t matter if someone in sport thinks it&rsquo;s a sport or not,&quot; he said.&nbsp;

&quot;eSports don&rsquo;t care. And they shouldn&rsquo;t care and it shouldn&rsquo;t be a debate.

&quot;I think the only problem we&rsquo;ve got is people&rsquo;s attitude within the sport, because they are so blinkered. And I think those blinkers are now coming off.&quot;

Formula One`s first eSports series was won by Brendon Leigh, an 18-year-old kitchen porter, who had never previously been out of Britain.

Grand Prix teams could be racing each other in the virtual world as well as the real one next season, and fighting to sign up the hottest gamer talent, as Formula One wakes to the power of eSports. Darren Cox, the man behind McLaren`s "World`s Fastest Gamer" competition who also saw one of his drivers win Formula One`s first eSports series in Abu Dhabi last month, feels a tipping point has been reached this year. The former Nissan motorsport boss, who runs the eSPORTS+CARS virtual team, can also see the day dawning -- in maybe three to five years` time -- when top gamers are earning more than the lowest paid drivers on the real F1 starting grid. In a wide-ranging interview at a simulator centre where his drivers train near London`s Gatwick airport, Cox told Reuters that he expected Formula One teams to become involved in next year`s eSports series. "If you look at what the NBA (basketball) has done...they engaged the teams right at the beginning. So 17 of the NBA teams have got franchises for the virtual side of the sport and there’s a draft like in the real world. "So expect something like that to come out of (Formula One owners) Liberty," added Cox. "It’s happening now. Those conversations are being had. "This absolutely will be a big priority for them (Liberty) and I believe they have made it clear to the teams that they will be involved, in some way. "And then I guess it’s down to the teams about how involved they want to be." Formula One`s first eSports series was won by Brendon Leigh, an 18-year-old kitchen porter who had never previously been out of Britain. Leigh, who drives for Cox`s team and emerged triumphant from 63,000 initial hopefuls, is likely to go professional. Some gamers in other arenas are already earning more than $1 million a year and Cox said the rewards in motorsport were growing all the time. "If you go back 18 months, these guys were winning an X-box and a free subscription, not any cash. The cash has suddenly come and I think that will ramp up," said the man who has been dubbed the `Godfather of virtual racing`. He expected all the big F1 teams to end up partnering with outfits like his. "Depending on how well marketed it is by Liberty, there will be a new revenue stream," he said. "The teams...will want to have the best drivers and therefore there will be a fight for the best drivers if one is head and shoulders above the others." Spain`s two times world champion Fernando Alonso recently launched his own virtual team while McLaren appointed Dutch gamer Rudy van Buren to the position of simulator driver after the 25-year-old won the "World`s Fastest Gamer" competition. "A great phrase I heard was ‘nothing changes until everything changes at once’," said Cox. "Suddenly everything’s happening at the same time and it is a massive benefit to our sport," added the Briton, who was responsible at Nissan for a successful programme that transformed gamers into real racers. He expected a new wave of technology companies to be attracted to the sport while existing sponsors, particularly those brands targeting a younger demographic, would get more involved. "This side of things has brought in Logitech to McLaren. They are involved because of World’s Fastest Gamer. And they’ve set a precedent. This is now something that will happen," declared Cox. Sales of the Formula One game were also likely to accelerate, with knock-on benefits for merchandising. Cox, meanwhile, dismissed as irrelevant the debate about whether eSport should be considered sport. "It’s here, it’s got millions of viewers, it’s got a commercial backbone that is strong. It doesn’t matter if someone in sport thinks it’s a sport or not," he said. "eSports don’t care. And they shouldn’t care and it shouldn’t be a debate. "I think the only problem we’ve got is people’s attitude within the sport, because they are so blinkered. And I think those blinkers are now coming off."

Game on for Formula One teams in virtual future

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