ICC's ambitious mobile cricket game plan sparks interest from global gaming giants
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The International Cricket Council 's (ICC) global call for expressions of interest (EOI) to develop a flagship mobile cricket game has attracted significant attention from prominent gaming companies , according to people familiar with the development.Several firms are understood to have shown interest, including Krafton—the South Korean publisher of Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) and a major investor in India's gaming sector; LightFury Games, a domestic studio backed by Blume Ventures and Krafton; EA Sports , known for franchises such as FIFA, F1, and Madden NFL; Dream11 , India's leading fantasy sports platform with a strong cricket-focused user base; and Nazara Technologies , which has a broad portfolio in mobile gaming and esports with a focus on sports content.Other potential participants include JetSynthesys, also backed by Krafton , Mobile Premier League (MPL), and several consulting firms.The EOI process is understood to be ongoing, with a shortlist potentially in the works. These selected parties will be invited to participate in the next stage: a detailed Invitation to Tender (ITT). Shortlisted entities will be expected to submit commercial terms during the ITT phase.The EOI was published on 16 June.The ICC and the gaming companies did not respond to ET's queries. Nazara Technologies , which owns the World Cricket Championship (WCC) game, said it continues to explore potential opportunities for its flagship title.Industry observers see this initiative as a key step in the digital transformation of cricket . Although cricket video games have been available for years, licencing rights have typically been split among multiple stakeholders.The ICC's direct involvement seeks to consolidate these rights and introduce an officially sanctioned global title for cricket fans.Beyond traditional areas like media rights and sponsorship, gaming rights are becoming an important focus for sports bodies. They offer new avenues for engagement, revenue, and brand presence among younger, digital-first audiences.The project is being managed by ICC Business Corporation FZ LLC (IBC), the ICC's commercial subsidiary based in Dubai. IBC, in collaboration with its 12 Full Member Nations, is exploring the possibility of licencing certain intellectual property (IP) rights on a collective basis to a qualified entity for the development and publishing of a new, world-class mobile cricket game.This initiative forms part of a broader push to connect with the sport's large base of digitally native followers. With cricket's global fan base estimated at more than a billion, the ICC is looking to channel that interest into a high-quality mobile gaming experience.A key element of the project involves licensing a comprehensive set of ICC intellectual property, including tournament branding, trophies, team uniforms, and player likenesses.While final consolidation of these rights is still in progress, IBC has indicated the potential for granting exclusive global rights for mobile platforms.Applicants may also propose additional versions for PC, console, or browser platforms if such expansions support the project's commercial viability.The ICC is not offering upfront funding. Instead, the commercial framework is expected to rely on minimum guarantees combined with revenue sharing, aligning incentives between the ICC and the selected developer.Only companies with demonstrated technical expertise, financial stability, and a successful track record in mobile and sports gaming will be considered.The EOI outlines specific eligibility requirements, including experience in genres such as casual, arcade, simulation, or fantasy/strategy games, along with capabilities in live operations, user acquisition, and community engagement.Developers were required to submit an eight-page response covering their company overview, financial performance over the last three years, leadership team, and relevant project experience.Submissions also needed to include a vision for the game, addressing gameplay design, target audiences, monetisation plans, and creative direction.
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