Sign In
By signing in or creating an account, you agree with Associated Broadcasting Company's Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.
By signing in or creating an account, you agree with Associated Broadcasting Company's Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.
New Delhi: The Evolution Championship Series, better known as Evo, is entering a new chapter. The world’s biggest and longest-running fighting game festival has seen a major change in ownership and partnerships, setting up its roadmap through 2028.
Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE), which co-owned Evo since 2021, has now sold its stake to India’s NODWIN Gaming. At the same time, Sony will remain onboard as a global sponsor until 2028, while continuing to back the fighting game community through PlayStation Tournaments. The announcement was made alongside fresh agreements with Qiddiya and RTS, co-owners and operators of Evo, pointing towards a wider international push for the tournament.
NODWIN Gaming, a major player in South Asia’s esports and gaming industry, is now a co-owner of Evo. Akshat Rathee, the company’s co-founder, described the takeover as an opportunity to carry forward the authenticity and passion that Evo has been known for. He added that NODWIN aims to preserve Evo’s legacy while opening the stage for new audiences and a younger generation of fighting game fans.
For NODWIN, which has built its name across esports properties in India and beyond, Evo adds a global fighting game legacy event to its portfolio. It also signals India’s growing relevance in global gaming business decisions.
Sony may have exited ownership, but it is not stepping away completely. Phil Rosenberg, senior vice president at SIE, said the company’s initial acquisition in 2021 was about spotlighting fighting game talent on a global scale. With Evo now expanding into Europe and Asia, he said Sony remains committed as a sponsor, pointing out that the momentum around Evo has never been stronger.
Qiddiya, which became a global partner of Evo in 2024, will deepen its involvement by investing in RTS. Stuart Saw, CEO of RTS, said the partnership will strengthen Evo’s ability to transform the fighting game scene with more opportunities and stronger connections worldwide.
Evo’s general manager, Rick Thiher, noted that recent years have already seen record-breaking events in Las Vegas and Tokyo, with the upcoming French debut already breaking European records. He added that the latest partnerships will accelerate Evo’s role not just as a tournament but as a central hub for fighting game culture globally.
