Indian cricketers to drive new GoodGamer DFS and esports app

GoodGamer Corp has signed Indian cricketers Kuldeep Yadav and Umesh Yadav as brand influencers for its new GoodGamer Fantasy Gaming App.

Billed as India’s first daily fantasy sports (DFS) and true esports gaming platform, its launch coincides with the return of the Indian Premier League (IPL). 

On the DFS side, it is the first to offer several other features including prop fantasy contests, player injury reports, player injury alerts, an AI-based lineup optimiser and private contests where the administrators can earn a commission for creating and managing the contests.

The esports component, meanwhile, will start with CS:GO before adding more options including Football (Soccer), Valorant, Dota 2, Indian Rummy and a quiz game before 2021.

Kuldeep and Umesh Yadav are both Indian internationals across all three of cricket’s main formats – test, one day international (ODI) and Twenty20 (T20). Kuldeep is newer to the international stage, but has already racked up 59 ODI appearances, while Umesh (pictured) was his country’s leading wicket taker at the 2015 Cricket World Cup.

In addition to the official launch and financing, GoodGamer has signed an advertising agreement with Disney+ Hotstar, the official live streaming platform for all premium sports in India, including cricket. GoodGamer will be present as an advertiser for IPL matches starting this month in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). 

“India and Cricket represent an incredible opportunity for GoodGamer,” said GoodGamer CEO Charles Creighton. “With a cricket fan base reaching 900 million users, the return of franchise cricket on Disney + Hotstar is the perfect place and time for launching our app. 

“Our app is also primed to gain access to India’s 350 million mobile gamers with the launch of CS:GO and PubG mobile in the fall. The demographics in India couldn’t be better aligned with the unique sports and Esports focus of our Daily Fantasy app. 

“We have planned to launch in the region for some time, but doing so just in time for this tournament is the icing on the cake for us. With all eyes on cricket through to the Final Match in November, our unique features will bring an attractive alternative to Indian DFS fans – fans we can keep engaged throughout the year with our year-round calendar of esports & traditional sports contests, quiz games, and more.”

GoodGamer’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Good Gamer India Private Limited is located in Bangalore, India where operations, marketing and customer services are led by former Vancouverite Ravi Nagarajachar as Vice President of Operations.

“Having lived in Vancouver, Canada, and now back in my native Bangalore, it’s exciting for me to be working with the team at GoodGamer to bring this app to Indian sports and Esports fans,” said Nagarajachar. “We’ve developed a fantastic relationship with leading Esports tournament organizers and marketing groups such as Skyesports of Chennai, one of the top esports tournament organizers and casters in India. 

“Skyesports will be leveraging their million+ followers, influencer contacts, and its 50 million users reach on Youtube to give us that rocket fuel for our launch here. So many cricket fans also love Esports, this is a perfect fit that makes sense.”