Pune: Nextwave Multimedia, a Nazara Technologies company and the studio behind the iconic World Cricket Championship (WCC) franchise, has announced a landmark licensing agreement with Winners Alliance, the commercial partner of the World Cricketers’ Association (WCA).
Through this partnership, over 500 professional cricketers from around the globe will have their names, likenesses, and images featured across WCC titles.
The integration of real-life players into the WCC universe begins with WCC3 and will expand significantly with the upcoming release of WCC4 later this year.
Notable stars such as Joe Root, Jos Buttler, Kagiso Rabada, Heinrich Klaasen, Devon Conway, Tim Southee, Rashid Khan, Nicholas Pooran, and Sunil Narine will be part of the roster. Players from countries like Australia, Ireland, Zimbabwe, the United States, and Canada are also being added to the mix, enhancing the authenticity of the mobile cricket simulation experience.
The collaboration enables WCA-affiliated players to unlock new revenue streams through group licensing while expanding their reach among cricket fans worldwide.
According to Tom Moffat, CEO of WCA, “This partnership modernizes how cricketers engage with digital platforms, creating scalable value and visibility.”
Eric Winston, President of Winners Alliance, emphasized the long-term vision behind the move, noting, “Our agreement with Nextwave Multimedia sets the tone for athlete-focused innovation. It empowers players to capitalize on their collective value while giving fans a richer, more realistic gameplay experience.”
Nitish Mittersain, Founder and CEO of Nazara Technologies, added, “This is a milestone moment. By integrating over 500 pro cricketers, we’re blurring the lines between real-world cricket and gaming. The WCC franchise becomes not just a simulation but a true celebration of global cricketing talent.”
Since its launch in 2011, the World Cricket Championship series has grown to become one of the most downloaded cricket games globally, offering immersive gameplay to hundreds of millions of users.
Nextwave Multimedia Acquisition
Its developer, Nextwave Multimedia, was fully acquired by Nazara Technologies, India’s leading publicly listed gaming company, in 2024.
The game remains an officially licensed player product via Winners Alliance, but it is not endorsed by the ICC or any of its members unless otherwise stated.
