Nikhil Kamath, co-founder of the Indian financial powerhouse Zerodha, is throwing down the controller and picking up the megaphone – to advocate for gaming as a legitimate career path. In a recent LinkedIn post, Kamath urged a paradigm shift, arguing that gaming has transcended its “hobby” status and now offers lucrative career opportunities that deserve recognition from both parents and educational institutions.

“This isn’t just a hobby anymore.”

Kamath’s message wasn’t just a casual tweet. He shared a clip from his gaming podcast, highlighting the booming Indian gaming industry. “This isn’t just a hobby anymore,” he declared, “but a serious career option that deserves validation. However, from parents and institutions alike.” His words resonated with the growing popularity of interactive entertainment. Furthermore, which he believes will be a dominant force in the years to come.

The podcast clip delves into specific examples, with Kamath discussing popular titles like PUBG Mobile and Ludo King. He doesn’t shy away from mentioning the success stories of Indian gamers. Besides, who’ve carved their niche in the competitive world of e-sports. This resonated with his audience, with comments from enthusiastic gamers echoing Kamath’s sentiment.

Users chimed in, highlighting the vast career opportunities within the industry. Moreover, the need for broader support for this rapidly growing sector.

“The podcast perfectly captures all the nooks and corners of the gaming industry. We need more shows like this to educate people about gaming.”

This isn’t Kamath’s first foray into the world of gaming advocacy. Nikhil Kamath previously acknowledged the “crazy” growth rate of gaming among younger demographics. However, predicting a much faster rise for gaming and e-sports compared to traditional forms of entertainment. His latest statement adds weight to this prediction.

Watch the full podcast on gaming here:

The episode featured prominent figures in gaming like the CEO of 8bit creatives Animesh Agarwal, CEO of Krafton India Sean Hyunil Sohn, CEO of Nazara Technology Nitish Mittersain and CEO of Lila Games Joseph Kim.

Kamath’s stance aligns perfectly with the current trajectory of the Indian gaming industry. With millennials driving the surge in interest and participation, the industry is poised for a meteoric rise. This rise signifies a potential shift in the landscape of entertainment, with careers within gaming likely becoming increasingly sought-after. Besides, Kamath’s advocacy serves as a catalyst, encouraging a re-evaluation of how we view gaming. It’s not just as a leisure activity, but a legitimate path to a successful and fulfilling career.

LinkedIn, the go-to platform for professional networking, is making a surprising move – entering the gaming world! They’ve launched three new “thinking-oriented” games designed to boost user engagement and keep you coming back for more.

Why Games?

The digital media landscape is constantly evolving, and platforms like TikTok and Instagram are grabbing the attention of younger generations. LinkedIn recognizes the need to adapt and is taking a cue from the success of word and logic puzzles like those found in newspapers (think crosswords and Sudoku).

The New York Times’ iconic puzzles are a prime example of how these brain teasers can expand an audience and convert casual players into loyal readers. The viral sensation Wordle, acquired by the Times in 2022, further demonstrates the power of engaging word games. Just like Wordle, each of LinkedIn’s new offerings can be played once a day.

Meet the New LinkedIn Games

• Pinpoint: Test your word association skills by guessing the category that five gradually revealed words belong to. The faster you guess, the higher your score!
• Crossclimb: This one combines trivia with a bit of wordplay. Starting with a clue, you’ll build a “ladder” of words, each one differing from the last by just one letter. Arrange them correctly to reveal the answer and win the game.
• Queens: Calling all Sudoku fans! This classic logic puzzle takes center stage, but ditch the numbers and use queens instead. Your goal is to strategically place them on a grid so no queens can attack each other, with one queen per row and column.

More Than Just Fun and Games

LinkedIn’s foray into gaming goes beyond pure entertainment. It’s a strategic move to address the shrinking ad revenue landscape and the ever-increasing dominance of Google over online content. These new games provide a unique way to attract new users and keep existing ones engaged, potentially leading to monetization opportunities further down the line.

The success of The New York Times’ games platform – with over 8 billion plays last year – is a prime example. Their subscription model offers access to games alone or bundled with other content, demonstrating the power of games in driving user retention. Publications and media giants like Hearst and Netflix are following suit, understanding the value of interactive experiences.

Building Connections Through Play

While monetization isn’t the immediate focus for LinkedIn’s games, they offer a valuable tool for fostering connections within your professional network. You can see your high score, daily streak, and who among your connections is also playing. School and company leaderboards add a touch of friendly competition, making networking a little more fun.

As LinkedIn’s product director, Lakshman Somasundaram, stated, “It’s time we turn over a new leaf in how we deepen and reignite relationships at work, and put fun at the heart of it.” So, get ready to level up your connections and test your brainpower with LinkedIn’s exciting new gaming features!

The curtains have closed on another exciting season of Playground, Amazon miniTV’s gaming reality show. After seven weeks of intense competition, Chirag Nangru, better known by his gamer tag P1ngu, has emerged victorious, claiming the coveted title of Ultimate Gamer!

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A Show Designed for Gamers, By Gamers

Playground Season 3, produced by Rusk Media, was a one-of-a-kind experience for both viewers and participants. 16 micro-influencers, hailing from various corners of India, were thrust into the spotlight, battling it out in a series of thrilling gaming challenges that were livestreamed for the world to see.

Mentored by Gaming Greats

The show’s unique aspect was the presence of well-known personalities from the gaming and entertainment industry. Carry Minati, Ujjwal Chaurasia (Techno Gamerz), Naman Mathur (Mortal), Abhishek Malhan (Fukra Insaan), and Elvish Yadav served as mentors, providing invaluable guidance and support to the contestants throughout their journey.

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Chirag Nangru’s journey wasn’t a straightforward one. Initially, he was part of the OP Unicorns team, led by the formidable Mortal. However, the show introduced a “transfer card” mechanic, allowing players to switch teams. Pingu strategically utilized this option, ultimately landing on the KO Krakens, mentored by Elvish Yadav.

This strategic move, coupled with Pingu’s exceptional gaming skills, proved to be a winning formula. He battled his way through the competition, eventually facing off against Himanshu, Chill Gamer, and Abhinav in the nail-biting finale.

Chirag Nangru’s triumph wasn’t just about bragging rights. He walked away with a hefty prize package, including a cash prize of Rs 10 lakh, a stylish Hero Xtreme 125R bike, and a powerful Techno Pova 6 PRO 5G smartphone.

Playground Season 3 proved to be a massive success, captivating audiences with its electrifying gameplay, strategic twists, and the camaraderie between the contestants and mentors. It has cemented its position as a premier destination for gaming enthusiasts and casual viewers alike, offering a glimpse into the exciting world of competitive gaming and the rising stars who are shaping its future.