CHENNAI: A student of computer science at SRM University, Badri Mohan (20) loves to play CS: GO and Assasin Creed for fun, and professionally, he plays CS: GO, a first shooter game. But he doesn’t want to spend all his life being a gamer. He wants to pursue higher studies in game development, and is willing to do whatever his takes to pursue his dream.
Badri’s gaming name is Gumba and his favourite character is Altair from Assassin’s Creed. “I like him for his dominance and power,” he says.
Badri was raised in Muscat, Oman, and had limited opportunities and exposure to any computer or online games. “I stated gaming when I was in Class 11. And that was because of my friend. There was a gaming tournament that was held and he challenged me into a game which I had not played till then,” he recalls.
Badri always watched his seniors and friends play at college and school, and always wondered if he could play like them.
His interest in gaming peaked when he won Razer Arena Tournament, an online tournament, in Sri Lanka that was held for a month-and-a-half. He won `20,000 and a lot of goodies. But his parents were not supportive; they wanted him to have an education, job and earn a salary. “Though I stood third in an international tournament, my parents were not supportive of my passion,” he says.
Badri knew that the only way to convince his parents was to get good grades. He began preparing for the board exams and every time he was anxious about the exam paper, playing games calmed him down. “Though they were not keen, my parents let me play Counter Strike to help me,” he adds. Badri makes sure he spends a lot of time with his family and friends though he plays games for 5-6 hours a day.
Badri has so far won tourments like SRM University’s Aarush (2016), Aurganon (2016), Razer Arena Beta
SEA Tournament (2014), Chettinad Vidyashram’s Maitri (2014), IGL CSGO Chennai Minors (runner–up, 2017), IIT Madras’ Saarang (runner–up, 2017), and Sri Lankan Cyber Games (3rd, 2014).
Even after taking part in several tournaments, Badri feels the scope for gaming is negligible in India. “People take part in tournaments only for prize money and few goodies. There is no real future for gaming in India,” he says.
Badri adds that there is not enough software developed for gaming. And that’s precisely why he wants to become a game developer. “I want to contribute more towards the gaming scenario in Chennai by developing software but before that, I want to take part and win several international tournaments,” he smiles.