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In conversation with Anurag Khurana, CEO and Founder, Penta Esports

In conversation with Anurag Khurana, CEO and Founder, Penta Esports

Founded in 2021, Penta Esports, an esports arm of Newgen Gaming, recently kick-started a one-of-its-kind league, Penta Amateur League. The league, launched with an aim to encourage players at the grassroots level to demonstrate their talent and skills in gaming, saw participation from not only tier 1 and metro cities but also from Tier – 2,3 cities. To understand what inspired Peta Esports to brainchild a league like Penta Amateur League, what approach did the platform leveraged to captivate the attention of players and how is the platform planning to scale its growth in tier – 2,3, The Gaming Reporter reached out to Anurag Khurana, CEO and Founder, Penta Esports.

The Gaming Reporter – Penta Esports launched last year with an aim to lead and develop grassroots esports through amateur leagues. What are your expectations from the Indian gaming ecosystem and what has been the response from the gaming community? 

Anurag Khurana – Indeed, Penta Esports is focused on grassroots esports. We want to provide launchpads to aspiring esports athletes to kick-start their careers. Furthermore, we want to facilitate the journeys of esports athletes.
The response to the first season of the Penta Amateur League has been promising to say the least! We’ve had more than 4,600 players and 800 teams across 10 esports titles and the community’s feedback has been very encouraging!

The Gaming Reporter – Penta Amateur League amassed more than 7.6 lakh viewership and 34 lakh watch minutes. What intrigued Penta esports to launch Penta Amateur League?

Anurag Khurana – At Penta Esports, we believe in providing opportunities to esports athletes at the grassroots level. Just like other sports in India, we want to encourage talented, hardworking and skilled players to showcase their potential, providing an impetus to facilitate more potential esports athletes, in turn boosting the overall ecosystem.

The Gaming Reporter – Apart from Tier 1 and metro cities, Penta Amateur League observed remarkable responses from Tier 2 and 3 cities. Please shed light on the consumption pattern of online games by the audience in tier1 and tier2, 3 cities. 

Anurag Khurana – Mobile is the leading platform across the country when it comes to gaming, irrespective of geographies. In terms of viewership as well, vernacular language broadcasts are preferred in tier 2 and 3 cities. Most of our participants for the Penta Amateur League came from tier 2 and 3 cities.

The Gaming Reporter – The league had 76 match days and 24 days of broadcast. With leagues of such stature, it becomes important to keep the excitement among players at its peak. What approach did you take into account to captivate their attention and for a higher engagement? 

Anurag Khurana – We believe this league is much more than just matches. Just like other events, we try to embellish it with multiple differentiators which ensures a rich viewing experience. Apart from music performances by various artists preceding the finals every month, we made sure to diversify the esports titles each month, so multiple audiences and communities are served. Production elements such as a virtual stage, talks shows with shout casters were other aspects which kept the players enthused.  

The Gaming Reporter – The first edition of Penta Amateur League saw participation from more than 4,600 players and 800 teams. When is Penta planning to launch the second edition of PAL and what are your expectations from players in terms of participation? 

Anurag Khurana – The response to the first season of the Penta Amateur League has been absolutely encouraging and we’re already in the advanced stages of planning to announce the second season. This time, we’re looking at increased participation, deeper penetration in terms of reach and more esports titles as well. There’s a lot in store!

The Gaming Reporter – How are you planning to scale your growth in Tier-2,3 cities?

Anurag KhuranaWe have existing partnerships in place with facilitators who have considerable reach at the grassroots. Apart from that, we will also be utilising several marketing and communication channels along with KOL programs to drive awareness about the Penta Amateur League.

Read Also : IN CONVERSATION WITH SALONE SEHGAL, FOUNDING GENERAL PARTNER, LUMIKAI

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