In a landmark move for the Indian gaming and esports industry, NODWIN Gaming, a leader in youth entertainment, gaming, and esports, has announced the acquisition of AFK Gaming Pvt. Ltd., a prominent gaming and esports media company. This acquisition, subject to closing formalities, will make AFK Gaming a fully owned subsidiary of NODWIN Gaming, further solidifying NODWIN’s position as a one-stop solution for esports content, marketing, and PR services.
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NODWIN Gaming Acquires AFK Gaming: A Game-Changing Move in Esports Media
What This Acquisition Means for NODWIN Gaming
The acquisition of 93% of AFK Gaming’s share capital (valued at INR 7.6 Crores through a combination of cash and stock swap) is a strategic move to enhance NODWIN Gaming’s capabilities in content production, distribution, and marketing services. NODWIN already owned the remaining 7% of AFK Gaming, making this deal a natural progression of their long-standing partnership.
This acquisition strengthens NODWIN’s ability to offer comprehensive esports marketing solutions to brands and publishers, increasing its share of marketing budgets in the gaming and esports ecosystem. With AFK Gaming’s expertise in media, marketing, and PR, NODWIN is poised to deliver even greater value to its clients.
A Decade of AFK Gaming: From Hobby to Industry Leader
Founded in 2012 by Nishant Patel, Rakesh Ramchandran, and Siddharth Nayyar, AFK Gaming has been a pioneer in the Indian gaming and esports media space. Over the years, the company has built a reputation for delivering high-quality content, industry insights, and bespoke marketing services.
AFK Gaming operates across two key verticals:
- Max Level: A marketing agency offering services like campaign management, content production, influencer programs, social media marketing, and public relations.
- Pixel P&L: A curated B2B newsletter providing insights into the gaming and esports business landscape.
Their impressive client portfolio includes ASUS ROG, KRAFTON, Saudi Esports Federation, Jio Games, and more. AFK Gaming has also worked closely with NODWIN Gaming on several projects, making this acquisition a seamless integration of their shared vision.
What’s Next for AFK Gaming’s Founders?
Post-acquisition, the founders of AFK Gaming will join NODWIN Gaming’s leadership team and take on strategic roles within the company:
- Nishant Patel: Will join the Founders’ Office to work on strategic initiatives across the NODWIN Group while scaling Pixel P&L as a media product.
- Rakesh Ramchandran: Will focus on building tech-led products to enhance NODWIN’s offerings.
- Siddharth Nayyar: Will continue to lead Max Level, ensuring high-quality, cost-efficient marketing and PR services.
This integration ensures that AFK Gaming’s expertise and vision remain at the forefront while contributing to NODWIN’s growth.
A Visionary Partnership: Words from the Leaders
Akshat Rathee, Co-Founder of NODWIN Gaming, shared his excitement about the acquisition:
“I have known Nishant, Sid, and Rakesh since the inception of AFK Gaming. We started out at the same time, during the early days of esports in India. Over the years, we’ve built mutual respect through collaboration, competition, and shared challenges. This acquisition feels like a natural progression of our relationship. I welcome them as shareholders and leaders in the NODWIN family, and I look forward to the incredible missions we’ll embark on together.”
The founders of AFK Gaming—Nishant Patel, Rakesh Ramchandran, and Siddharth Nayyar—echoed similar sentiments:
“Joining the NODWIN group feels like a homecoming for us. Akshat has been a friend, mentor, and investor since the early days of AFK Gaming. Now that the industry has matured, our synergies with NODWIN allow us to hit the ground running. We’re confident in our ability to unlock the next level of growth for the group!”
Why This Acquisition Matters
This acquisition is a significant milestone for both NODWIN Gaming and the Indian esports ecosystem. By bringing AFK Gaming into its fold, NODWIN gains access to:
- Enhanced content production and distribution capabilities.
- Bespoke marketing and PR services through Max Level.
- Industry insights and thought leadership via Pixel P&L.
For AFK Gaming, this partnership provides the resources and scale needed to expand its offerings and reach new heights in the global esports market.
NODWIN Gaming’s Growing Global Footprint
The acquisition of AFK Gaming is part of NODWIN Gaming’s broader strategy to expand its presence in India and emerging markets worldwide. In recent years, NODWIN has made several strategic acquisitions, including:
- Trinity Gaming India
- Comic Con India
- Freaks 4U Gaming (Germany)
- Publishme (West Asia and Turkey)
- Branded (Singapore-based live events firm)
- Ninja Global (Turkey)
These moves highlight NODWIN’s commitment to becoming a global leader in gaming and esports entertainment.
