Tesseract Esports is a standout organization in Southeast Asia that has been quietly making waves since its founding in 2017. Hosting major events in countries like India and Indonesia, such as the BGMI India Series 2024 and the Pro Series (BMPS), Tesseract Esports has been a key player in the region’s esports scene. On a recent visit to the Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) Series 2024, I had the opportunity to meet with some core members of the Tesseract Esports team.
In an exclusive interview, I sat down with Gowtham Chelikam, the founder and CEO; Praveen Anne, co-founder and design director; and Mahendra Raja Gopal, director of finance and operations. We delved into various topics covering different aspects of the Esports Industry.
Image Credits: Tesseract Esports
How did Tesseract Esports originate in 2017?
Gowtham Chelikam explained that the foundation of Tesseract Esports is rooted in gaming. The three founders met while playing Vainglory in 2015 and recognized the potential of the esports market in South and Southeast Asia. Starting with small community tournaments, the organization quickly gained popularity and support from game developers. Their innovative approach led to the creation of their own league, the Tesseract League, which integrated with international tournaments. They began with just five employees in Hyderabad and have since grown significantly.
What are the long-term goals for Tesseract Esports in the esports industry?
Gowtham Chelikam detailed the organization’s ambition to become a global leader in esports production, with a focus on making India a hub for global esports events. They are also expanding their reach to regions like the Americas and the Middle-East through remote production capabilities. Mahendra Raja Gopal added that Tesseract Esports is venturing into sports production as well, aiming to service the entire live entertainment sector with an emphasis on sports projects.
How does Tesseract Esports plan to maintain its leadership position in the South Asian esports market?
Gowtham Chelikam highlighted the importance of creating engaging content and delivering memorable experiences for their audience. By focusing on storytelling that resonates with fans and offering unique experiences, Tesseract Esports aims to provide maximum value to its community.
Are there specific regions Tesseract Esports is targeting for future expansion?
Gowtham Chelikam mentioned that after establishing a presence in Southeast Asia, the organization is now eyeing expansion into North America within the next two quarters. By diversifying their operations across different regions, Tesseract Esports aims to broaden its global footprint.
What are the challenges Tesseract Esports faces in expanding to Southeast Asia?
Gowtham Chelikam emphasized the importance of understanding the gaming and cultural preferences of each region when expanding. Tailoring their approach to accommodate diverse audiences and gaming titles is crucial in Southeast Asia, where different genres like MOBAs and Battle Royale games dominate in various countries. Building partnerships with developers, publishers, and brands also poses a challenge that requires time and effort.
Praveen Anne added that the relationships forged through gaming have been instrumental in Tesseract Esports’ successful expansion into Southeast Asia, enabling them to connect with the local gaming community effectively.
How does the esports landscape in Southeast Asia differ from South Asia, and how will Tesseract Esports adapt?
Gowtham Chelikam highlighted the varying levels of complexity in esports production across different game genres. However, the organization’s approach to adapting to new games remains consistent, leveraging their team’s diverse gaming expertise to enhance production quality. Praveen Anne emphasized the importance of having a passionate team that continually pushes boundaries to deliver exceptional experiences for the audience.
How does Tesseract Esports stay ahead in esports production technology and innovation?
Gowtham Chelikam discussed their commitment to embracing new technologies and constantly experimenting to enhance their production capabilities. By introducing innovative features and technologies in their events, such as real-time data integration in BGIS 2024, Tesseract Esports strives to offer cutting-edge experiences to their audience.
What role will mobile esports play in Tesseract Esports’ future?
Gowtham Chelikam acknowledged the significance of mobile esports in South and Southeast Asia but emphasized that Tesseract Esports is open to producing non-mobile titles as well. With a growing presence of PC and console-based esports in Southeast Asia, the organization aims to diversify its platform offerings to cater to the region’s diverse gaming community.
How does Tesseract Esports plan to contribute to the growth of the esports ecosystem in Southeast Asia beyond event production?
Gowtham Chelikam highlighted Tesseract Esports’ focus on talent development and providing opportunities for aspiring individuals in the gaming industry. By fostering a world-class workforce and offering career growth opportunities, the organization aims to contribute to the overall growth of the esports ecosystem and dispel misconceptions about career opportunities in the industry.
Mahendra Raja Gopal mentioned the low attrition rate at Tesseract Esports as a testament to the value they provide to their team members, which has enabled the organization to maintain a strong core team driving innovation and excellence in their productions.
What was Tesseract Esports’ vision for the Battlegrounds Mobile India Series (BGIS) and BMPS in collaboration with Krafton India?
Gowtham Chelikam described the partnership with Krafton India for BGIS as a platform to nurture champions across India and provide grassroots opportunities for aspiring gamers. By focusing on creating compelling narratives around players, Tesseract Esports aims to support Krafton’s vision of promoting grassroots esports talent in the region.
Praveen Anne highlighted initiatives like the “Beyond the Battlegrounds” series, which aims to inspire and motivate young gamers to pursue professional esports careers by providing them with exposure and opportunities for advancement.
What factors contributed to the success of BGIS and BMPS as collaborative projects with Krafton India?
Gowtham Chelikam emphasized the trust and shared values between Tesseract Esports and Krafton India as key factors in the success of their collaborative projects. Over the years, the organizations have built a strong partnership based on mutual trust, innovative vision, and a commitment to delivering high-quality productions that resonate with players and audiences alike.
Mahendra Raja Gopal added that both organizations align closely in their goals to provide exceptional experiences for players and fans, utilizing innovative technologies and storytelling to elevate the esports experience.
What lessons have you learned from building Tesseract Esports and working with gaming publishers worldwide?
Praveen Anne shared insights on the importance of preparedness and attention to detail when producing large-scale events like BGIS 2024. Anticipating potential failures and having multiple backups in place were essential lessons learned from their experiences. Ensuring a robust networking infrastructure and stable WiFi connectivity were also crucial elements for successful event production.
