Indian Gaming Creator XYAA Joins Capcom’s Dragon’s Dogma 2

Indian gaming creator Shagufta “XYAA” Iqbal will appear as a recruitable Official Pawn in Capcom’s Dragon’s Dogma 2: Dark Arisen, launching globally on Oct 9, 2026. The collaboration brings the Revenant XSpark creator into the gameplay of an international franchise.

Players worldwide can recruit her character in-game, extending her involvement beyond promotional content.

How Does XYAA’s Official Pawn Feature in Dragon’s Dogma 2: Dark Arisen?

XYAA’s character is available through the game’s Rift system in four versions, at levels 8, 20, 30, and 50. She remains an Archer in each version, with her abilities, equipment, and appearance progressing to a more heavily armored design at Level 50.

Pawns are AI-controlled companions who assist players in combat and accompany them during their adventures. Capcom’s Official Pawn program also includes Indian creator BeastBoyShub as a mage and international personalities.

The expansion adds a storyline set in Norgan, a snow-covered northern region. It also introduces new enemies, 12 additional dungeon challenges, and expanded character customization.

The game launches on PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.

XYAA’s Career and Revenant XSpark’s Expansion Reach a Global Stage

XYAA began playing Counter-Strike 1.6 in 2011 and went on to compete in titles including Valorant, representing India internationally in esports. She secured a top-four finish for India at the 2023 World Esports Championship and became the only woman from esports nominated for the National Creators Award.

“Seeing a version of myself actually become part of a game from Capcom feels surreal,” XYAA stated. She also added that she hopes her representation encourages more women and Indian creators to pursue gaming careers.

Likewise, Revenant XSpark CEO, Rohit Jagasia, pointed out that the partnership allows international players to engage directly with Indian talent. Founded in 2021, the Mumbai-based organization operates across competitive esports, creator and talent management, content, entertainment, and more.

Its competitive achievements include BGIS 2024, BMPS 2024, and VALORANT Challengers South Asia titles, as well as a top-five finish at the Brawl Stars World Finals 2025.

The organization was formed through a collaboration between Revenant Esports and Team XSpark. Gaming personality Tanmay “ScoutOP” Singh leads Team XSpark and serves as the venture’s brand ambassador.

What New Features Come With Dark Arisen?

Capcom, the Japanese publisher behind Street Fighter, Monster Hunter, Resident Evil, Devil May Cry, and Mega Man, launched the Dragon’s Dogma franchise in 2012. The series had surpassed 14M units in cumulative global sales by March 31, 2026.

The expansion follows sustained player demand for additional content.

According to an exclusive interview with TheGamer at Tokyo Game Show, Capcom producer Naoto Oyama and director Kento Kinoshita said the team aimed to deliver substantial new content without making players wait too long for the expansion. The Norgan storyline is expected to take 15 to 20 hours to complete. The 12 Lost Rites dungeons add another 6 to 12 hours, bringing the estimated total playtime to more than 25 hours.

New relic drops use randomized rewards, with systems designed to favor players’ chosen vocations and let them bias rewards toward specific equipment types. Combat additionally gains two additional skill slots, while the Relic system is intended to maintain challenge for powerful builds.

Capcom has also worked on performance improvements.

The developers reported targeting 60 frames per second (FPS) in performance mode on PS5 and Xbox Series X after updates to the base game. On Nintendo Switch 2, they reported performance approaching 60 FPS with frame generation, trading some visual fidelity for smoother gameplay.

A separate free hard mode changes enemy behavior, statistics, and placement, including for players starting a new save.

Ultimately, XYAA’s inclusion marks a shift in how Indian gaming creators can participate in global gaming franchises, moving beyond esports tournaments and promotional partnerships. By making her character available for players to recruit, Capcom’s collaboration offers a model for Indian talent to gain international visibility through the games themselves.