Nazara Technologies, the Mumbai-based mobile gaming and esports firm, has officially entered the metaverse space with the launch of Pokerverse VR, a virtual reality poker game available on Meta Quest and Apple Vision Pro platforms. The game, developed by Hyderabad-based studio YesGnome, is Nazara’s first foray into immersive gaming experiences under its publishing division.
Pokerverse VR is a free-to-play, real-time multiplayer poker game that leverages natural VR controls and offers a mix of virtual and augmented reality gameplay. According to the company, players can interact using intuitive hand gestures to perform actions such as checking, calling, or peeking at their cards. The game also allows solo practice against AI opponents and features a level-based system where users can earn XP to unlock new capabilities.
“With Pokerverse VR, we’re taking our first step into immersive gaming experiences at Nazara Publishing,” Nitish Mittersain, Joint MD & CEO of Nazara Technologies, said. “As platforms like Apple Vision Pro and Meta Quest gain traction, we see exciting possibilities in this space. We are actively exploring future titles with developers who want to build for the next era of gaming.”
Sridhar Muppidi, Founder of YesGnome, added, “We wanted to reimagine poker as an immersive, social experience that felt tactile, intuitive, and global from day one. It’s been an exciting journey building Pokerverse VR, and we’re thrilled to partner with Nazara Publishing to bring this vision to players across platforms.”
Nazara has been actively investing in next-gen gaming. Its ad spend surged to Rs 151 crore in Q4 FY25, reflecting its intent to boost visibility and innovation across platforms. The company also recently received NCLT approval for its Rs 126 crore resolution plan to acquire Smaaash Entertainment, a move expected to further strengthen its gaming and entertainment portfolio. Following the Pokerverse VR announcement, Nazara’s shares were up 0.43%, trading at Rs 1,333.60 on Monday at 12:30 PM.
Meanwhile, in a notable market development last week, ace investor Rekha Jhunjhunwala exited her stake in Nazara Technologies, offloading more than 3% of the company’s shares through bulk deals. Jhunjhunwala, executor of the estate of her late husband, renowned investor Rakesh Jhunjhunwala, sold 13 lakh shares on the BSE at an average price of Rs 1,225.19 per share, and 14 lakh shares on the NSE at Rs 1,225.63 a piece. The total transaction value stood at approximately Rs 334 crore.
