Friendship Day: Friends-Turned-Entrepreneurs Transform Gaming

Gaming has long been recognized as one of the best mediums for forming friendships and connecting with people from all walks of life. Whether it is teaming up in a multiplayer title, strategizing, or simply chatting in a virtual lobby, the connections made through gaming often transcend the screen.

A report by the Entertainment Software Association (ESA), which included a survey of 13,000 players across 12 countries, found that 42% of gamers met a good friend, spouse, or significant other through video games. In some inspiring cases, these gaming friends can also turn their shared passion into successful entrepreneurial ventures, proving that the bonds formed in the virtual world can indeed create powerful and lasting impacts in the real world.

One such example is NODWIN Gaming, the leading South Asian gaming and esports company. While the company has played a crucial role in making esports a mainstream phenomenon in India, its inception is a testament to the power of online friendships as co-founders Akshat Rathee and Gautam Virk first met while playing StarCraft 2.

After moving from Canada, Gautam posted on a forum seeking Indian players to play Starcraft 2 with. He received replies from eight people, including Akshat. Thus began their online gaming sessions, with Akshat playing as Protoss and Gautam as Zerg, sparking a friendship that has lasted over 12 years.

Soon, their shared passion for video gaming inspired them to turn their friendship into a business venture. In 2014, Akshat and Gautam founded NODWIN Gaming to address a significant gap in India’s gaming and esports infrastructure.

Today, NODWIN Gaming has established a strong presence in India and expanded globally, organizing esports events as far afield as Brazil. The company is valued at $349 million as of 2023.

Sharing his thoughts on why starting a venture with a friend can be so beneficial, Gautam Virk, Co-founder and CEO of NODWIN Gaming said, “Teaming up with a friend has many advantages. For one, there is an innate level of trust and understanding that helps us navigate the ups and downs of entrepreneurship. Friends often bring complementary skills and perspectives to the table, which can lead to disagreements but consequently better decision-making. Plus, the shared history and camaraderie make the journey more enjoyable and less stressful. For me and Akshat, our friendship has offered strong support and a shared vision which has been key not just for the foundation of NODWIN Gaming, but also for its success.”

SuperGaming, a Series-A funded game developer leading India’s gaming revolution, has a similar origin story rooted in friendship. Known for popular titles like MaskGun, Battle Stars, and the upcoming Indus Battle Royale, the company was founded by five people, including close friends Roby John and Navneet Waraich.

Their friendship began in 2002 when Roby invited Navneet to join one of his early startups. The duo bonded over late-night sessions of 8-ball pool after everyone else in the office had left for the day. Their connection deepened during an overseas assignment running a travel website, and during Diwali in 2004, they watched ‘Band of Brothers’ together, an experience that further solidified their friendship.

In 2004, they launched a venture called “O2 Software” from Roby’s spare bedroom, which they had converted into an office. Operating from home for a year, they eventually moved on to work with AmberPoint and then BMC Software. Their journey came full circle when they co-founded SuperGaming. Today, they’ve been friends for 22 years.

“Entrepreneurship is an emotional roller coaster and knowing that you have at least one person with you for the ride makes all the difference. There are many unknowns in every venture, and having someone who understands where you come from and what your intent is always helps. When you’re tired, that person can carry you and keep you moving forward.” says Roby John, Co-founder and CEO of SuperGaming.

Another such example is Max Level, a holistic marketing and PR agency founded by gamers Nishant Patel, Rakesh Ramchandran, and Siddharth Nayyar.

In early 2013, Nishant, who was running a DOTA 2 forum, reconnected with his old friend Rakesh during a live stream while casting a match. Working a full-time job at the time, Rakesh developed a keen interest and belief in Nishant’s forum. He invested in it and made weekly trips from Pune to Mumbai to work together and help it grow.

Later, they met Siddharth at a tournament in Bangalore who, at the time, was working at an MNC during the day and freelancing as an esports team manager. He joined as a co-founder a month later.