Rannvijay Singha, 8bit Thug, and Payal Gaming join iQOO as Jury panel for their Chief Gaming Officer 2025 selection
India, April 1, 2025: iQOO, the high-performance smartphone brand, has officially announced the jury panel for its highly anticipated second Chief Gaming Officer (CGO) role* selection. This esteemed panel features a dynamic mix of industry pioneers and gaming influencers: Roadies fame Rannvijay Singha, alongside influential gaming personalities Animesh Agarwal aka 8Bit Thug, and Payal Dhare aka Payal Gaming. As jury members, they will evaluate and select the next CGO, who will lead iQOO’s gaming vision and contribute to shaping the future of mobile gaming in India. To ensure more aspiring gamers get the chance to compete for this prestigious role*, iQOO has extended the application deadline to April 10th. The chosen candidate will also have the exciting opportunity to earn* INR 10 Lakh.
The position is highly competitive, with thousands of applications pouring in from across India in its inaugural edition. The jury will assess candidates based on their gaming expertise, industry knowledge, and their role in growing the iQOO community through gaming. The selection process for the iQOO Chief Gaming Officer will involve five elimination rounds: Registration Form, Detailed Entry Submission, Gaming Round, Group Discussion, and Final Audition with the jury conducted by the esteemed jury panel and iQOO's leadership team to identify the most deserving candidate.
This initiative highlights iQOO's dedication to supporting the gaming community and nurturing new talent in the eSports industry. Rannvijay Singha - Rannvijay Singha, a renowned Indian actor, reality TV personality, and VJ, is a well-established name in the entertainment industry. He rose to fame by winning the inaugural season of MTV Roadies in 2003 and has since become a defining figure in Indian reality television. Admired for his style, fitness, and contemporary appeal, Rannvijay remains a youth icon across the country. Beyond entertainment, he shares iQOO’s passion for gaming and has been an active force in the gaming community, engaging in multiple gaming events and tournaments. Expressing his excitement on rejoining the jury for iQOO's Chief Gaming Officer Hunt, Rannvijay Singha said, "Returning as a jury member for iQOO's CGO Hunt is like stepping into yet another thrilling gaming adventure with GenZ gamers.
Having witnessed their passion, dedication, and competitive spirit last time, I’m excited to see them raise the bar even higher. As a gaming enthusiast myself, I look forward to experiencing firsthand the energy, talent, and innovation that define India’s ever-evolving gaming community." Animesh ‘8Bit Thug’ Agarwal – A pivotal figure in India’s booming gaming industry, Animesh Agarwal is the co-founder of 8Bit Creatives and a driving force behind the country’s gaming content revolution. From being a competitive gamer to mentoring the next generation of gaming talent, he has played a crucial role in shaping the industry.
Through his organization, he has nurtured gaming influencers and professional players, helping eSports grow into a mainstream phenomenon in India. Sharing his excitement as a jury member, Animesh said "India’s gaming scene is evolving rapidly, and iQOO’s Chief Gaming Officer program is a game changing opportunity for aspiring gamers. This initiative is about more than just skill—it’s about leadership, creativity, and a deep understanding of the gaming community. I’m looking forward to seeing the passion and talent that these gamers bring and helping select the next big voice of mobile gaming in India." Payal Gaming (Payal Dhare) – One of India’s most influential female gamers and streamers, Payal Gaming has redefined the gaming landscape with her engaging live streams and competitive gameplay. Honored as the Best Gaming and eSports Influencer at the Impact Digital Influencer Awards 2025, she continues to break barriers and inspire a new generation of gamers. Payal has been instrumental in driving inclusivity in gaming, proving that talent and dedication transcend gender.
Speaking about her role as a jury member, Payal shared: "Gaming has transformed my life, and I know how much the right opportunity can mean to an aspiring gamer. iQOO’s CGO 2.0 is giving gamers a platform to turn their passion into a career. I’m thrilled to be part of this journey and can’t wait to see the next gaming leader rise to the challenge." Nipun Marya, CEO of iQOO India, said: "At iQOO, we recognize gaming as a dynamic and transformative industry that offers immense career potential. Through the Chief Gaming Officer role*, we aim to provide passionate gamers with a platform to showcase their skills and turn their passion into a profession.
With esteemed industry leaders like Rannvijay Singha, Animesh '8Bit Thug' Agarwal, and Payal Gaming on our jury, we're committed to selecting an individual who embodies innovation, performance, and community engagement. To ensure that more young gaming enthusiasts get the opportunity to be part of this exciting journey, we have extended the application deadline to April 10th, allowing more talent to compete for the coveted CGO title and the chance to earn* INR 10 Lakh." Last week, iQOO announced the quest for its second Chief Gaming Officer (CGO), a one-of-a-kind role* to empower young gaming enthusiasts and shape the future of mobile gaming in India.
The selected CGO will work closely with iQOO’s leadership team and top gaming influencers, playing a crucial role in shaping the brand’s gaming initiatives. With a grand incentive of INR 10 Lakhs, the position offers aspiring gamers the chance to collaborate with iQOO’s leadership team and India’s Top Gamers like Mortal, Scout, GamerFleet, and others. Interested users can register via this link: iqoo.com/in/activity/cgo. Entries are open until April 10th, 2025.
