Battleground Mobile India, or BGMI for short, can be seen as the go-to game in India. The Battlegrounds Mobile India Series 2023 (BGIS 2023), a BGMI tournament in India, kicked off in August with a staggering total prize pool exceeding 300 million won. As many as 2048 teams advanced to the first round, underlining the tournament’s immense scale and popularity. The journey culminated in the thrilling three-day finals held in Mumbai, India on the 12th, 13th, and 15th of October. The energy and enthusiasm from the fans were palpable. We had the privilege of meeting ardent supporters and listening to their stories. Are you ready to delve into their insights on BGMI and their takeaways from this tournament?
Before delving into their stories, let’s start with some pictures to give you a glimpse of the BGIS finals. Can you feel their enthusiasm for BGMI?
Our first encounter was with Nakul, a 17-year-old student. He said that his friends were already avid BGMI players, which sparked his interest in the game. Nakul primarily plays in Ranked Mode, and he is part of an amateur team. He frequently participates in high-level scrims and is determined to build a team capable of making it to the grand finals at BGIS. He recalled a thrilling moment when he took out four players in a one-on-four fight. In his final comment, he expressed his goal of becoming a skilled player, driven by the growing esports scene alongside the increasing popularity of BGMI in India.
Next up was Siddhant, an 18-year-old freelance cinematographer studying PR. He is an ardent fan of Scout from Team X Spark. He vividly remembers his first experience with BGMI.
“I think it was 2018. I was introduced to the game by friends, and was awestruck by the open-world concept and the freedom it offered. I was incredibly hooked.”
Siddhant still dedicates four to five hours a day to BGMI and cherishes the unforgettable moment when he emerged victorious in a one-on-four showdown. When asked for his last comments, he said, “I am quite optimistic about BGMI’s growing popularity. Also, tournaments like BGIS play such a pivotal role in elevating the game’s status. I hope that underdog teams will show a strong performance.”
Nanda, a 19-year-old medical student and a die-hard BGMI enthusiast, was our third encounter. His favorite player is Manya from BLIND eSports. He spends two or three hours playing daily. His most memorable moment was when he triumphed over Jonathan, a renowned player and influencer in India, in Classic Mode.
“Of course, I am disappointed that my favorite team did not make it to the grand finals. On the flip side, this is exactly why BGMI is so huge in India. Any underdog team can win as long as they are good. I have no doubt that BGMI will continue its popularity in India. “
We then met Sachin, a 20-year-old computer engineering major. He cheers for Gladiator Esports, known for their tough gameplay. Sachin dedicates six hours each day to BGMI and rates his performance as a solid five out of five.
“As you can see from all these people, the game’s popularity is just phenomenal. But I believe it’s just the beginning. I am sure it will become much more popular in two or three years. More teams will join, and more people will embrace BGMI.”
Our final encounter was with Raj, an 18-year-old video editor. Introduced to BGMI by his friend, Raj aspires to become a nationally recognized esports player representing India. He spends over six hours a day honing his BGMI skills. He fondly recalls a game where he secured 15 kills.
“It’s a bummer that my team failed to advance to the grand finals. But I am sure the time will come. I believe that BGMI will gain more prominence in India. Now, BGMI is the most talked-about esports in India. I will keep on practicing, because that is the only way to secure victory.”
These dedicated fans, despite their favorite team not making it to the finals, attended the BGIS championship out of their love for BGMI, sharing their stories with us. We will be back with on-site stories and player interviews, so stay tuned!