(Commonwealth_India) Reliance Industries’ wholly owned subsidiary, RISE Worldwide, has entered into a strategic partnership with BLAST Esports to form a joint venture aimed at expanding the esports business in India. According to a joint statement, the collaboration is set to focus on developing market-leading Intellectual Properties (IPs) in India while also introducing BLAST’s globally recognized esports properties to the Indian market. This partnership will offer esports fans, players, and brands in India access to world-class events and content.
BLAST, a major player in the esports industry and a wholly owned subsidiary of Denmark-based BLAST ApS, has established itself as one of the biggest tournament organizers worldwide. It partners with leading global game publishers such as Epic Games, Valve, Riot Games, KRAFTON, and Ubisoft to create and manage some of the most prominent esports tournaments and properties. With its extensive experience, BLAST brings unparalleled expertise in esports media production, tournament organization, and global marketing to the table.
The joint venture between Reliance and BLAST aims to attract top-tier game titles and create new events that will resonate with India’s rapidly growing esports community. India is currently the fastest-growing gaming market in the world, boasting a massive gamer base of more than 600 million people, which accounts for 18% of the total global gaming population. Despite its immense potential, India’s esports market is still in its early stages but is anticipated to experience substantial growth in the coming years.
The Indian government has also played a role in the sector’s development by officially recognizing esports as part of the “multi-sports event” category, further legitimizing the industry. The strategic partnership between Reliance and BLAST is expected to accelerate this growth by leveraging BLAST’s globally recognized esports properties and combining them with Reliance’s local market knowledge, distribution power, and technological expertise. The two companies will co-create new tournament IPs specifically designed to cater to the needs of the fast-evolving gaming market in India.
The newly formed joint venture will tap into BLAST’s deep media production expertise, vast portfolio of popular IPs, and strong relationships with global publishers. On the other hand, Reliance will contribute its technological capabilities, extensive distribution reach, and local market connections, particularly through Jio, its telecom arm. JioGames, the digital platform, will play a pivotal role in hosting these events, enabling the joint venture to drive sustainable growth and foster innovation in the esports industry.
The growth prospects for this partnership are significant. BLAST’s events are projected to generate a staggering 2 billion views by 2025, reaching audiences across more than 150 countries and broadcasting in over 30 languages. This immense reach will be complemented by Reliance’s ability to tap into the vast Indian market, where the esports ecosystem is primed for expansion.
Robbie Douek, the CEO of BLAST, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, emphasizing that the partnership with Reliance presents a unique opportunity to elevate the local esports scene. He noted that Reliance’s market leadership and extensive reach in India provide a solid foundation for taking esports in the country to new heights. Devang Bhimjyani, Head of Reliance Sports, also highlighted the significance of this joint venture in extending Reliance’s interest in sports to include esports. He pointed out that the partnership would leverage RISE Worldwide’s marketing and promotional expertise in sporting events while also benefiting from Jio’s distribution and technology prowess.
Reliance Industries, led by billionaire Mukesh Ambani, is India’s largest private-sector company, with a consolidated revenue of USD 119.9 billion. Its diversified operations span various industries, including hydrocarbon exploration and production, petroleum refining and marketing, petrochemicals, advanced materials and composites, renewables, retail, and digital services. With its entry into esports, Reliance is poised to further enhance its position in the rapidly evolving digital and entertainment sectors, leveraging its vast resources and expertise to shape the future of esports in India.
