With esports making its debut at Asiad, gaming geek Charanjot eyes medal in FIFA Online 4

He is an avid gamer and passionate Chelsea football club fan. On X (previously known as Twitter), he goes by the username @chelseaCJ12. Let’s meet Charanjot Singh, India’s finest FIFAe player, who will be representing his country in the FIFA Online 4 category at the Hangzhou Asian Games. This event will mark the debut of esports as a medal sport in the Asian Games.

Esports made a notable appearance as a demonstration event at the Jakarta Asiad in 2018. However, the medals won during that event were not officially counted. In contrast, this time around, gold, silver, and bronze medals will be awarded in each competition. A total of 21 medals will be up for grabs for the esports participants.

Charanjot expressed his hope that people will start viewing esports more seriously as a competitive sport rather than just a recreational activity. He believes that the Asian Games will help change this perspective and elevate professional gamers to a higher level of recognition.

At the Hangzhou Asian Games, competitors will take part in seven different events: Arena of Valor Asian Games Version, Dota 2, Dream Three Kingdoms 2, FIFA Online 4, League of Legends, PUBG Mobile Asian Games Version, Street Fighter, and Champion Edition. However, India will only be represented in four of these events: Dota 2, FIFA Online 4, League of Legends, and Street Fighter V: Champion Edition. It’s worth noting that Arena of Valor and PUBG Mobile Asian Games Version are prohibited in India, and Dream Three Kingdoms 2 is inaccessible

Parliament passes GST amendment bills to levy 28% tax on online gaming

Parliament, on Friday, passed amendments to the Central and Integrated GST laws, which will impose a 28 per cent tax on the entire bet amount in online gaming, casinos, and horse race clubs. The Rajya Sabha returned the proposed legislations to the Lok Sabha without any discussion through a voice vote. Earlier in the day, the Lok Sabha approved both money bills – The Central Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2023, and The Integrated Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2023. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman introduced these bills in both houses of Parliament. This development took place on the last day of the Monsoon session.

The amendments focus on including a provision in the Schedule III of the CGST Act, 2017, to provide clarity on the taxation of supplies in casinos, horse racing, and online gaming. In addition, the amendment in the IGST Act aims to impose GST liability on online money gaming offered by offshore entities, requiring them to register for GST in India.

Moreover, the amendments will enable the blocking of access to online gaming platforms situated abroad if they fail to comply with registration and tax payment requirements. The GST Council had previously approved the amendments to the Central GST (CGST) and Integrated GST (IGST) laws. They had agreed to levy a 28 per cent GST on the total face value of entry level bets in online gaming, casinos, and horse racing.

Online gaming dispute turns violent in Hapur

A friendly game of PUBG took a sinister turn as a small disagreement between some young people escalated into a violent clash between two groups in the Garh Mukhteshwar area of Hapur, according to the police on Friday.

The incident, which took place on Thursday, resulted in the throwing of stones and physical altercations, causing injuries to multiple individuals, officials stated. The police reported that a group of youngsters were deeply engrossed in playing PUBG near Subhash Gate in the city. During their gaming session, the players began exchanging insults with their online opponents.

Unfortunately, some bystanders misconstrued this verbal exchange as a personal attack directed at them, which sparked an argument. The verbal confrontation quickly turned physical, with both groups resorting to stone pelting and attacking one another with sticks. “As a result of the incident, six individuals were charged under the CrPC section 151 (breach of peace), and three individuals have been arrested,” stated Somveer Singh, the station house officer (SHO) of Garh Mukhteshwar.

Rethink 28% GST on online gaming: Atishi

The finance minister of Delhi, Atishi, expressed her opposition to the imposition of a 28% goods and services tax (GST) on online gaming platforms by the Centre. The Delhi government issued a statement stating that Atishi had raised this concern during the 51st GST Council meeting, emphasizing the need to reconsider this decision in order to support and encourage startups in the country.

According to Atishi, the online gaming industry is the fastest-growing sector in the country, attracting significant investments from both domestic and international investors, amounting to millions and billions of dollars. She argued that imposing heavy taxes on this rapidly expanding industry would only burden it and discourage investments in Indian startups, ultimately having a negative impact on the startup ecosystem.

Atishi further argued that instead of burdening the online gaming sector with excessive taxes, the central government should focus on promoting and supporting it. However, she expressed disappointment in the fact that Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman was not willing to reconsider this decision despite repeated requests.

The government highlighted that Atishi pointed out that more than 400 million people of all ages across the country participate in online gaming activities. Besides being a significant market and attracting multi-million-dollar investments, the sector also generates employment opportunities for thousands of individuals.

Atishi warned that if a 28% GST is imposed on the online gaming industry, it may lead to its collapse, resulting in the ruin of more than 80% of startups associated with it. This, in turn, could lead to a loss of over 50,000 jobs.

Jetpack Joyride 2 review: Familiar, but still a lot of fun

I first encountered Jetpack Joyride in 2012, a year following its iOS debut, while enjoying the acclaimed title on my Playstation Vita. Just last week, during my journey to Wayanad, I revisited the original Jetpack Joyride on my iPhone. Remarkably, even after many years, the game’s allure remains strong. A decade later, the Australian studio unveils the sequel to Jetpack Joyride, now an exclusive title on Apple Arcade. Barry Steakfries, the unwavering hero of Halfbrick Studios, resumes his adventures in this installment.

As a devoted side-scrolling shooter enthusiast, I am easily captivated by 2D platformers with simple yet profoundly engaging mechanics. I hold deep appreciation for the work of Halfbrick Studios, the developer behind casual yet addictive games like Fruit Ninja. Having immersed myself in Jetpack Joyride 2 for what feels like an eternity, I find it thoroughly delightful. In this review, I will delve into the game’s story, gameplay, graphics, and whether Jetpack Joyride 2 merits your time.

**The Story:**
Jetpack Joyride 2, akin to its predecessor, follows the escapades of Barry Steakfries, a door-to-door gramophone salesman burdened by life’s failures. His journey takes an unexpected turn when he stumbles upon scientists developing an experimental jetpack. Motivated by the possibilities, Barry breaks into the laboratory, dons the jetpack, and attempts a stealthy escape. Negotiating a labyrinth of lasers, traps, and missiles, he hurtles into a perpetual side-scrolling environment with the core mission of thwarting a scientist’s nefarious experiment.

Amidst the airborne escapades, Barry faces challenges, dodges missiles, and collects coins. Unlike a mindless side-scroller, the sequel incorporates a robust narrative, an upgraded system, multiple levels, and character dialogues. Barry’s control remains familiar, but now he automatically shoots while flying. The addition of guns and special weapons enhances the gameplay, and notably, Jetpack Joyride 2 transcends the endless runner format with a proper conclusion.

**Gameplay:**
Jetpack Joyride 2 adheres to the original game’s gameplay mechanics. A single control—tapping anywhere on the touchscreen—activates Barry’s jetpack, propelling him to greater heights with each passing moment. Collecting coins during flight unlocks items and upgrades. While the gameplay simplicity endures, the diverse levels, set in different labs, captivate players with brief durations and introduce new enemies and boss fights.

The game incorporates upgraded systems, allowing coin utilization for health enhancements and firepower improvements. A novel addition is the ‘factory,’ producing in-game currencies. Jetpack Joyride avoids traditional monetization routes, and although a loot box system exists, it lacks microtransactions—a strategic move by Halfbrick Studios within the Apple Arcade ecosystem.

The game’s effort to elevate gameplay is evident, transitioning from retro pixelation to contemporary cartoon art without compromising its appeal to genre enthusiasts and the speedrunning community. Classic gameplay is preserved, infused with modern touches and innovative ideas that build upon existing concepts.

**Final Thoughts:**
Jetpack Joyride 2 stands out as a brilliantly executed casual game, accommodating players for both short and extended sessions. Its replay value is evident, although a desire for a slightly longer gameplay experience lingers. Despite this, the game provides excellent value and proves to be a noteworthy addition to Apple’s Arcade game subscription service. As I anticipate potential additions of new levels in the future, Jetpack Joyride 2, while possibly brief for some, remains a fantastic and compelling gaming option.

For history buffs, we return with our 77th Independence Day crossword

On the 77th anniversary of India’s Independence Day, we reintroduce our timeless crossword puzzle, centered around India’s struggle for freedom. Concealed within are 29 clues inspired by that pivotal era in history—some straightforward, others requiring a bit of head-scratching. Challenge your recall and deductive skills by taking on the puzzle below. Completing it in under 8 minutes is a commendable feat!

If you’re new to crossword solving, our top advice is to tackle the easy clues first. This approach aids in swiftly populating letters across the grid. Trust your instincts, as the simplest solutions are often the correct ones!

As a game that celebrates our rich diversity, you may encounter clues that present new and unfamiliar concepts. This deliberate choice aims to spotlight significant yet often overlooked moments from our historical narrative. Should you find yourself grappling with challenging words (such as the potential stumbling block of 1-Across), don’t hesitate to consult Google for trivia assistance and uncover the answers.

MaskGun, a made-in-India shooter game, has crossed 50 million players

Battlegrounds Mobile India is facing competition, and this time it’s from a locally developed contender that has been around since 2019. MaskGun, a first-person shooter (FPS) game hailing from India, has successfully surpassed 50 million users. This noteworthy accomplishment is particularly significant for an Indian game, especially one that hasn’t garnered the same level of attention as titles like FAU:G.

SuperGaming, based in Pune, India, is the brains behind the MaskGun title. To commemorate this milestone, MaskGun plans to offer 50 hours of double XP and gold in-game this weekend—a first-time event.

Roby John, CEO, and co-founder of SuperGaming expressed gratitude in a press statement, saying, “When we launched MaskGun, we never expected to have the impact it did, and the outpouring of love from the MaskGun family has inspired us to be better.”

The multiplayer shooter is accessible on both Android and iOS devices, boasting a player base of over 56 million users. Despite not enjoying the same hype as some competitors, MaskGun has managed to cultivate a strong global and Indian audience. Following the PUBG Mobile ban in 2020, the game witnessed a surge in its Indian audience, reaching nearly 40-45 percent, according to Roby John in an earlier interview.

Launched in January 2019 and developed entirely by the Pune-based team, MaskGun operates on the June Engine. According to official statements, players have fired over 46.7 billion bullets, resulting in more than 4.6 billion kills, with 542 million of those being headshots. The game boasts a vocal community of over 1.3 million clans, accumulating a grand total of 23 million in-game hours. MaskGun’s success reflects not only its gaming prowess but also the community it has fostered throughout its journey.

Battlefield Mobile: Here’s everything we know so far

Electronic Arts (EA) officially unveiled the mobile version of its popular shooting game, Battlefield, back in April this year, and a comprehensive reveal was anticipated shortly thereafter. EA DICE has now shared additional details about the upcoming game, including insights into the game’s inaugural playable betas.

According to a Google Play Store listing, Android users are poised to take the lead in experiencing Battlefield Mobile. Beta releases will be introduced gradually on a region-to-region basis, indicating that not all users will have simultaneous access to the game.

In a recent Q&A session, DICE disclosed that the game will make its debut in Indonesia and the Philippines, initially featuring the Grand Bazaar map from Battlefield 3.

Battlefield Mobile is anticipated to adopt a free-to-play model, with in-app purchases available for cosmetic items, unlockable upgrades, and the game’s proprietary Battle Pass system.

The upcoming title is set to introduce diverse gameplay modes. Although the graphics may not match the standards of PC titles, DICE assures players of an experience that captures the trademark chaotic scenarios and explosive spectacles synonymous with the Battlefield franchise.

Among the gameplay modes are Tactical mode, emphasizing on-foot agility; Destroy mode, allowing players to commandeer ATVs for speed; Stealth mode, focusing on stealth tactics; and War Tanks mode, involving fully armored tanks.

Squad-based gameplay will feature familiar maps for Battlefield enthusiasts, complemented by a class system enabling players to assume roles such as Assault, Support, Medic, and Recon. The game offers player customization options and backstories for its War Heroes.

As the launch date is still a considerable distance away, with a full release expected next year, additional details about Battlefield Mobile are likely to surface as the launch date approaches.