The Road to Global Supremacy

Date: June 30, 2010Location: Global HQ, Salt Lake, Kolkata – Command Center

The giant WarFall: Dominion Regional Finals Masterboard illuminated the command center, glowing like a nerve center of a global battlefield. Each region flickered with data — team standings, match highlights, kill leaderboards, and viewership spikes flowing in real-time from the tournament servers.

Aritra stood at the edge of the room, hands loosely in his pockets, eyes locked onto the shifting data. This wasn't just statistics. It was the first layer of control — not over a company, not over a product — but over a global cultural moment. His empire wasn't built through declarations, but through subtle dominance, pixel by pixel, stream by stream, until no one could remember a world without him in it.

Ishita stood beside him, tablet in hand, her usual sharp professionalism intact despite the weight of the numbers. "All regions have concluded their LAN finals," she began. "The official list of Global Finalists is confirmed."

"Start with North America," Aritra said, his voice calm, almost indifferent — but Ishita knew the slight tension in his shoulders meant he cared far more than he let on.

She swiped her tablet, and the masterboard zoomed into North America, lighting up key cities where the battles had unfolded. The Staples Center in Los Angeles had hosted the North American Regional Final, with its 19,000 seats filled days before the first match. Outside, nearly 30,000 fans had crowded into fan zones, giant screens broadcasting every gunfight and spell cast under the California sun.

"North America saw a peak concurrent viewership of 84.6 million," Ishita announced, her voice steady. "The highest ever recorded for an esports event in the region."

Aritra's fingers tapped once against his leg, the only outward sign of satisfaction.

"Northern Lights secured the top spot," Ishita continued. "Their captain, FoxHound, ended with 189 kills across all 12 maps, topping the frag leaderboard. They'll be joined at the Global Finals by Liberty Commandos, Hellfire Division, and Los Lobos."

Aritra's expression didn't shift, but the names imprinted themselves in his mind. Players, now legends, would unknowingly become the faces of a world under his design.

"Europe," Aritra said softly.

The map shifted, and the spotlight moved east. O2 Arena, London — the European Regional Final venue — had become the epicenter of Western esports for the past week. Despite the 20,000-seat capacity, over 60,000 fans gathered around outdoor watch zones, braving the unpredictable London weather for a glimpse of history.

"Total viewership for Europe peaked at 91.2 million," Ishita said, her voice betraying the slightest hint of awe. "Imperium's Fangs took first place — Valken, their captain, secured the MVP title with 172 kills. Joining them are Iron Vultures, Royal Blackthorn, and StormCrest Battalion."

Aritra's brow lifted slightly at the Royal Blackthorn name — Nathaniel's subtle involvement, even here, weaving through his shadow empire.

"India," Aritra prompted next.

"India's peak concurrent viewership hit 103 million, breaking every esports record in the country's history," Ishita read. "Ashura Syndicate, the handpicked squad, took the crown — with PhantomRift crowned MVP after 210 kills across the regional maps."

Aritra's lips curved in the faintest smile. The squad he had bought — silently installed, groomed by Katherine, but never once exposed — had fulfilled exactly what he needed. India's pride rested on their shoulders, and every second of that pride belonged to him.

"Joining them in the Global Finals are Varuna's Wrath, Garuda Legion, and Shaurya Clan."

Aritra gave a small nod. "South Korea."

The map snapped to South Korea, centered on the legendary Jamsil Indoor Stadium, Seoul — already known as the birthplace of modern esports. Even for a city accustomed to gaming spectacles, WarFall had pushed boundaries. The stadium, usually capped at 13,000 seats, had been retrofitted to fit 17,000, with street broadcasts lining Gangnam for another estimated 40,000 viewers.

"South Korea's viewership maxed out at 121 million," Ishita reported, her own voice unable to mask some level of disbelief. "Crimson Dragoons swept the competition, with their captain RyuHan earning MVP honors with 234 kills. They'll be joined by Seoul Revenants, FrostLynx, and Shadow Horizon."

Aritra's gaze flickered slightly — South Korea was not just a market, it was the esports proving ground. Dominating here meant global credibility.

"Japan," Aritra said next.

The map shifted again, highlighting Saitama Super Arena. Japan's traditional reluctance toward mobile gaming had melted in the face of WarFall's insane visuals and complexity. The arena had hosted 20,000 fans, with 32 million more watching from home.

"Japan's peak concurrent viewership: 79 million," Ishita said. "Tengu's Wrath took the crown, led by their captain Shirokaze, with 186 kills. Kamikaze Vanguard, Obsidian Blossoms, and Raijin's Sons round out Japan's representatives."

Aritra's mind ticked forward — Japan was a perfectionist's market, and pleasing it meant securing absolute legitimacy across Asia.

"South America," Aritra prompted.

The map shifted to São Paulo, highlighting the Ginásio do Ibirapuera, a 10,000-seat arena filled to bursting with an electrified Brazilian crowd. The South American audience was ferocious, their passion amplifying every clutch play into stadium-shaking roars.

"South America's peak concurrent viewership: 88 million," Ishita read. "La Tormenta Negra took first, with El Relámpago earning MVP with 198 kills. Joining them are Andean Warlords, Amazonian Ghosts, and Rio Titans."

Aritra tapped his thumb against his wrist, each number and name feeding into the larger picture in his mind — the global web tightening around his creation.

"Global region?" Aritra asked, referring to the mix of Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Australia — all bundled into a single "other" category due to smaller player bases.

"The Global Region Finals were held in Kuala Lumpur, at the Axiata Arena," Ishita replied. "The combined peak viewership hit 64 million, with Desert Vultures from the UAE winning. MVP went to ZayedFalcon, with 175 kills. Also qualifying are Aussie Annihilators, Thai Shadows, and Indo Valkyries."

Aritra let the silence settle, the weight of 40 teams, each a symbol for millions of fans, pressing down like a coronation crown.

"And China?"

Ishita glanced down. "Unofficial streams from China drew approximately 18 million viewers, even though they couldn't participate."