DreamHack India, the nation’s biggest gaming festival, is set to bring the best of gaming, esports, tech, and cosplay experiences to Hyderabad. Celebrating its fifth anniversary in India, this three-day event will also showcases the best of pop culture, as it will be held for the first time alongside Hyderabad Comic Con- India’s largest pop culture festival from November 15 to 17.
Since its inception, DreamHack India has firmly established itself as a cornerstone event in India’s gaming and esports calendar. A major draw of the event is the opportunity to meet and interact with the top gamers and gaming creators, who will be participating in meet-and-greet sessions, tournaments, and a host of other exciting activities.
Gaming creators have seen a meteoric rise in popularity, not just in India, but globally, becoming cultural icons and inspiring millions of fans across the country. This year, NODWIN Gaming, a leader in new-age youth entertainment, gaming, and esports, has partnered with 8Bit Creatives, India’s leading esports consulting and talent management agency, to bring the country’s most influential gaming creators to DreamHack India.
Here’s a glimpse of the top five gaming personalities you won’t want to miss:
1. Naman Mathur (Mortal): A trailblazer in Indian esports, Mortal is the Co-founder of S8UL and is widely recognized as the face of Indian gaming. With six nominations at the prestigious global Esports Awards, Mortal is one of India’s most decorated eSports personalities. Another feather in the cap for Naman, is that he’s one of eight game influencers who met Prime Minister Modi who discussed the industry’s emerging prominence.
As an athlete, he has secured major titles like BMPS Season 1 and the PUBG Mobile India Series. As a content creator, the 27-year-old has amassed millions of followers across YouTube and Instagram, inspiring a generation of gamers through his engaging content and exceptional gameplay.
2. Payal Dhare (Payal Gaming): Hailing from Chhindwara, Madhya Pradesh, Payal Dhare, better known as Payal Gaming, broke societal gender perceptions to emerge as one of India’s leading gaming creators. What began as casual gaming with her cousins soon turned into a passionate journey that has made her one of the biggest gamers in the Indian gaming scene.
Payal is celebrated for her focus on fun, inclusivity, and positive gaming culture, making her a fan favourite. She is the first female gamer in India to garner millions of followers and her inspiring story of perseverance and following her passion has motivated countless aspiring female gamers across India. She too is one of eight influencers along with Naman who met with Prime Minister Modi earlier this year. Now, she is ready to bring her lively and infectious energy to DreamHack India.
3. Raj Varma (Snax Gaming): As a Hyderabad native, Raj Varma, popularly known as Snax, adds a unique local flavour to DreamHack India, particularly for his large fan following in his hometown. The 24-year-old’s journey from an esports athlete to a content creator has earned him a devoted fan base not just in the city but across the nation.
Snax's Esports journey reached new heights when he represented India at the prestigious “PUBG Mobile World League 2020: East,” showcasing his exceptional skills on a global stage. However, it was his innate flair for entertaining and engaging with audiences that set the stage for his transition into a gaming creator. Beyond gaming, Snax is dedicated to promoting a healthy lifestyle with his “Fit Gamers” initiative, breaking the stereotype of sedentary gaming.
4. Kaashvi Hiranandani (KaashPlays): Kaashvi Hiranandani, also known as KaashPlays, has emerged as a leading figure for female gamers in India, breaking stereotypes and establishing an empowering presence in the gaming world. After leaving a secure finance job during the COVID-19 lockdown to pursue her passion full-time, she quickly gained popularity, joining 8Bit Creatives.
With more than 2 million Instagram followers and 1.59 million YouTube subscribers, Kaashvi is a strong advocate for female representation in gaming and inspires others to chase their dreams in esports.
5. Salman Ahmad (8Bit Mamba): 8Bit Mamba, whose real name is Salman Ahmad, started his gaming journey with PC games before finding his true calling in mobile gaming with Clash of Clans during his college days. Though his family initially had reservations, they fully supported his career once they saw the success it brought.
Today, Mamba is one of the top gaming creators in India, streaming popular titles like BGMI and GTA V. Beyond gaming, Mamba has a passion for football, both as a player and as a fan.
With these top creators bringing their gaming expertise, stories, and invaluable insights to the stage, attendees from across India are in for an unforgettable experience.