Gaming is not timepass: “From Borrowed Phones to BGIS Champions, Gaming Changed iQOO S8UL teams life”
From struggling with basic devices to becoming BGIS 2026 champions, Team iQOO S8UL’s journey is not just about winning tournaments, it’s about changing mindsets. In a recent episode of the iQOO Quest Talk podcast with Nipun Marya, the squad opened up about their early struggles, family resistance, and why gaming deserves to be seen as more than just “timepass” in Indian households. At the same time, the players also highlighted how the support of family members and close friends played a crucial role in helping them continue their journey during the toughest phases.
Recalling his early days, Goblin shared how gaming became more than just a hobby during a difficult phase at home. “I started by earning as little as ₹200 at a time through small BGMI competitions, and eventually reached a point where I got signed to the Insane e-sports team and started earning a salary of ₹15,000, which was equal to my mother’s salary. That’s when my family began to believe that this could be a real career,” he said.
For many players, access to a proper device itself was a challenge. Nakul spoke about playing on his sister’s phone for just two hours a day. “I didn’t have my own phone. I could only play from 10 PM to midnight, because it was my sister’s device,” he recalled, highlighting the limitations they worked through to pursue their passion.
The conversation also touched upon the constant perception battle young gamers face at home. “Parents often think their children are just wasting time, but until results come in, no one really believes in it. It’s only when you start earning that the validation follows,” the team noted.
Coach Ayogi added a grounded perspective, emphasizing that while gaming is a serious pursuit, it requires structure and discipline. “If you want to enter this field, your intent needs to be clear. This is not just about playing games, it’s about routine, discipline, and consistency,” he said.
The team unanimously agreed that the biggest shift needed is in mindset. “If you give your 100% to anything even when no one is there to clap for you, results will follow. Gaming can be as serious a career as any other, you just need to treat it that way,” they shared.
Through their journey, from borrowed devices and family doubts to lifting one of India’s biggest esports trophy- Battlegrounds Mobile India Series (BGIS) 2026, Team iQOO S8UL is not just playing the game, but redefining it for an entire generation.
