Page 3 - Online Games

Betting on outcomes of games won't be allowed; rules likely in Feb: MoS IT

Online gaming companies will not be allowed to engage in betting on the outcome of games under the principle laid in draft rules, Minister of State for Electronics and IT Rajeev Chandrasekhar said on Monday. The minister said that as of now, all permissible online gaming will need to be registered with a self-regulatory organisation that will be accountable to the online gaming rules. "As per the principles laid under the rule, wagering on the outcome of game will not be allowed. All online gaming companies will have to register with the self-regulatory body that will decide on the action required to be taken as per the rules," Chandrasekhar said. The Ministry of Electronics and IT has published draft rules for online gaming companies and has invited comments on the same by January 17. The objective of the rule is to grow the online gaming sector and encourage innovation, he added. The minister said that he expects the online gaming rules to be ready in early February.

State governments to oversee law for online games in their jurisdictions

The states will also be asked to appoint grievance redressal executives and nodal contract executives

IT ministry appointed as nodal ministry for online gaming in India

The Department of Sports under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has been notified as the nodal agency for e-sports

Centre appoints MeitY as the nodal ministry for gaming, to set rules soon

The industry came under scrutiny after the proliferation of games like cards, casinos, and fantasy sports among young people led to addiction and financial losses, with some reported cases of suicide

Bethesda softworks' three future games will be Xbox-exclusive: Microsoft

For years, the company has made it very obvious that it is acquiring studios to support Xbox (and Game Pass) exclusives

Nintendo releases new update for Mario Kart 7 game after 10 years

Nintendo said that the partnership will "strengthen the digitalisation" of its business which has already been incredibly successful for the company

Netflix launches new mobile games 'Kentucky Route Zero', 'Twelve Minutes'

The streaming giant said that the players will find old-school gameplay improved with new fighting mechanics and will discover adventures with a new story mode

Apple Arcade launches 'JellyCar Worlds' game, updates 'Sneaky Sasquatch'

In the arcade game 'Fruit Ninja Classic+', players can earn the new Christmas Tree Blade in its Christmas event, running December 9 through December 27

Amazon reveals anime massively multiplayer online game 'Blue Protocol'

The game is described as a multiplayer action role-playing game (RPG), which allows players to choose different roles and enjoy either the story or multiplayer mode

Epic Games not planning to build battle royale game Fortnite in VR

Sweeney told The Verge that the idea to bring Fortnite to VR will not work well

Nintendo cancels 'Smash World Tour' tournament without any warning

The championship tournament was scheduled to take place between December 9-11

Indian gamers keen in turning professional, see career growth: Report

Jobs seen as influencers, software developers, animators as industry grows in country

How is game of skill different from game of chance?

A debate around the game of skill, where people with experience have a better chance of winning and making money than the rookies and game of chance has been raging for a while now. Here's more

GST law panel working with experts to define games of skill, chance

Centre and state GST officers are working with online gaming sector experts to define 'games of skill' and 'games of chance' with a view to design different taxation structures for them, sources said. The vexed issue of levying Goods and Services Tax (GST) on online games has been hanging fire for over a year now with many states pitching for a lower tax rate on those online games which require skill. They are of the opinion that games of skill should not be treated at par with games of chance. The absence of a clear definition often leads to tax notices being sent to online game portals and subsequent litigations. According to sources, the GST Council's Law Committee, which met in Bengaluru on Saturday, discussed the issues concerning definition for 'games of skill' and 'games of chance' with technical domain experts. As all states are not part of the law committee, the draft report on definition would be shared with all states for their views. Sources further said the GoM (Group

Define game of chance, game of skill to decide on taxation: GST law panel

The law panel has informed the group of Ministers (GoM) that a clear definition will clear confusion and reduce scope for multiple litigations

Games24x7 launches Rs 400 cr fund for interactive entertainment start-ups

Will largely focus on entrepreneurs aspiring to build disruptive ventures in online gaming, digital marketing, digital content, sports tech, eSports, blockchain tech and analytics

Netflix acquires game developer 'Spry Fox' to expand in-house games studio

Spry Fox has joined the streaming platform to become its sixth in-house games studio, Netflix said in a blogpost

Smartphone storage space is the new turf war for mobile game makers

The most common workaround from game studios is to put only a basic installer in app stores, which then downloads further game assets once the player starts

Google launches Play Points rewards programme for users in India

Users earn points when they make purchases with Google Play, including in-app items, apps, games, and subscriptions

No cheat-code for online gaming industry as ministry, I-T turn up the heat

The income tax (I-T) department recently issued show-cause notices to seven online game companies, as part of an investigation into possible tax evasion by such institutions.