gamesforum-announces-expert-led-advisory-boards

Gamesforum announces expert-led Advisory Boards

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Gamesforum, the global and highly renowned platform and event series is levelling up in 2024, introducing two Advisory Boards to aid in content curation ahead of the full suite of globe-spanning events. With one focussed each board focussed on User Acquisition and another on Ad Monetisation.

The newly established Advisory Boards are composed of esteemed industry leaders and experts in their fields. Carefully selected to provide invaluable insights and guidance to Gamesforum and its diverse, knowledge-driven community, the focus of these boards will be to gain a deeper insight into the evolving challenges and opportunities in Ad Monetisation and User Acquisition. The Board will be advising the suite of content curated and presented across the world at Gamesforum’s upcoming series of events.

User Acquisition Advisory Board

UA is one of the key pillars of the Gamesforum platform that brings insightful and thought-provoking content fuelled by the dialogue of debate from professionals in the space. With the introduction of the User Acquisition Advisory Board, Gamesforum will further cement itself at the heart of the issues that really matter in the evolution of UA in the games industry, allowing for more impactful and valuable interactions and learning through its event content.

With a focus on offering insights to attracting and retaining users, this board will delve into the latest trends, data analytics and marketing methodologies to empower the attendees at Gamesforum events throughout 2024.

The User Acquisition Advisory Board consists of leading figures in the mobile games industry:

Gus Viegas, VP of Marketing, Cosmic Lounge

Claudia Trujillo, ASO Expert, Gameloft

Alex Kozachenko, CEO, Hyperbeard

David Philippson, CEO & Co-founder, Dataseat (now a part of Verve Group)

Gus Viegas, VP of Marketing at Cosmic Lounge said of joining the Advisory Board: “Gamesforum seems to attract some of the brightest minds that are hungry to learn and share. I don’t think there is a better place to get your deep UA or Admon questions answered.”

Alex Kozachenko, CEO at Hyperbeard added: “When I was asked to join the Gameforum Advisory Board, it was a no brainer! The way they have brought together the tracks of organic & paid UA, monetization and retention in such a seamless manner is amazing. Furthermore, they do a great job of balancing “what’s working now” with “future trends” to provide a functional roadmap of things to work on for any mobile game developer. I look forward to providing my insights and experience with, especially, organic UA to push the conference track even further.“

Ad Monetization Advisory Board

Ad Monetization is constantly evolving in the mobile games industry, and a constant topic for debate for many publishers and developers operating in the space. Gamesforum has put together an elite team of Ad Monetization professionals to advise on the upcoming events throughout the next 12 months.

With Ad Monetization as a critical issue for a vast proportion of the games industry Gamesforum recognises the importance of guidance from those intrinsically involved in the sector. As well as this, Gamesforum recognises this guidance as a catalyst to improve the events series going forward.

The Ad Monetization Advisory Board consists of:

Otto Simola, Head of Game Economy at Fingersoft

Felix Braberg, Ad Monetization Consultant

Andy Ulery, Director of Publisher Sales at Moloco

Raymong Stauffer, Founder at PlayValve

Otto Simola, Head of Game Economy at Fingersoft said: “I’m really looking forward to joining the talented people in the Gamesforum Advisory Board. The work that we do is quite unique in my opinion and it’s not always easy to find people to have peer discussions and support. This is a great opportunity for me to learn and share my knowledge on ad monetisation.

I’ve enjoyed the Gamesforum events a lot in the past couple of years. The event is relatively compact in size but when focusing on topics around ad mon and UA, it does not matter who you meet at the event, we always get into meaningful and interesting discussions.”

Recognising the power and potential of the thriving mobile games market, Gamesforum is renowned for its quality-first approach to event content, for experts and built by experts.

John Speakman, CEO at Gamesforum said: “We want 2024 to be our best year yet at Gamesforum, and by bringing on board our fantastic new Advisory Boards – we believe it will be just that.

Having a strong team is crucial to bringing a series of events like this to life. Offering talks and panel discussions that those involved in these sectors will gain something of true value from is incredibly important to us.

With the Advisory Boards standing by to share insights and guidance on what content they believe is going to be relevant in 2024, we can’t wait to get started for what is shaping up to be a big year for the mobile games industry.”

Gamesforum’s globe-spanning events series kicks off in Barcelona from the 7th-8th of February 2024.

ultraplay’s-2023-review:-a-year-of-triumphs-and-innovation

UltraPlay’s 2023 Review: A Year of Triumphs and Innovation

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As the year comes to a close, it’s time to reflect on the incredible journey UltraPlay has had in
2023. From industry recognitions to groundbreaking partnerships and notable awards, it has
undeniably been a year of triumphs and innovation for us.

January: A Strong Start at ICE London

We kicked off the year with a powerful presence at ICE London, making waves as we were
recognized as eSports innovators at the prestigious IGA event. Our commitment to pushing the
boundaries of eSports was acknowledged, setting the tone for a year filled with
accomplishments.

Nominations and Shortlists

Throughout the months that followed, UltraPlay’s excellence was consistently acknowledged.
Nominations and shortlists poured in from various esteemed events such as the BSG Awards,
EGR B2B Awards, SiGMA Awards, Affpapa iGaming Awards, and more. This recognition
underscores our dedication to delivering top-notch solutions in the iGaming industry.

Strategic Partnerships and Big Deals

In 2023, UltraPlay solidified its position in the industry by finalizing significant deals with key
partners, including ELITBET Solisbet, Betador and Revoada. These partnerships not only
expand our global reach but also signify the trust our partners place in our innovative solutions.

Global Presence: Exhibiting Across Continents

Our commitment to a global presence was evident as we exhibited at major events across the
world. From SiGMA Americas in Brazil and SiGMA Asia in Manila to SBC Barcelona in
September and concluding with SiGMA Europe in Malta in November, we made our mark on the
international stage.

Awards Galore

The accolades continued to pour in for UltraPlay. We were honored with the title of “eSports
Product of the Year” at the SiGMA Americas Awards night, further cementing our position as
leaders in the eSports sector. Additionally, we proudly took home the title of “eSports Solution of
the Year” at the prestigious BEGE Awards.

Beyond Business: Corporate Responsibility

At UltraPlay, success goes beyond business achievements. Throughout the year, we engaged
in team-building activities, participated in charity events, and fostered employee growth. Our
QOOL UP campaign showcased the values that make UltraPlay not just a company but a great
community.
As we look back on the events of 2023, UltraPlay is not just a witness to the industry’s evolution
but an active driver of positive change. The year has been a testament to our commitment to
innovation, excellence, and corporate responsibility. We eagerly look forward to what the future
holds as we continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible in the dynamic world of
iGaming.

Here’s to a successful 2023 and the exciting journey that lies ahead!

betby-to-showcase-innovative-sportsbook-tools-in-london

Betby to Showcase Innovative Sportsbook Tools in London

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10th January, 2024. Betby, the innovative sportsbook supplier is poised to make a significant impact at the upcoming ICE London as it will be unveiling a portfolio of AI-based tools allowing for a more efficient and effective management of sportsbooks.

At a high-tech exhibition booth in the sports betting section which features an increased footprint from last year, Betby will also be showcasing its premium sports betting technology and services which allow its partners in four continents to differentiate and out-grow their competition in a more effective and efficient management of their operations.

Betby’s new AI-based tool developments focus on:

● Churn and LTV prediction

● Risk Management Automation

● Sportsbook Personalisation, and

● Prompt-based Business Intelligence Reporting

Betby’s commitment to excellence has been recognized with the prestigious SiGMA Europe Award for Best Mobile Sportsbook Provider. This accolade underscores Betby’s achievements in delivering a mobile sportsbook experience that stands out in the industry.

Eva Berkova, Betby’s Chief Operating Officer, said: “We’re delighted to be attending and showcasing our ground-breaking technology in what is the industry’s most anticipated expo. Last year, we unveiled the automated and more powerful risk management segmentation tools and the successful Tournament Widget. Now we look forward to launch our latest tools which together with our sportsbook solution will empower even further sportsbook operators with top-level management capabilities whilst providing users with a seamless and more immersive betting experience.”

Don’t miss the opportunity to explore Betby’s data-driven solutions. For more information one can write on [email protected]. Betby also invites operators to visit its booth at S1-130 to engage with its team, experience live demonstrations, and discover how the company is shaping the future of the sportsbook industry.

onair-entertainment-powers-rootz-with-live-casino-content

OnAir Entertainment Powers Rootz with Live Casino Content

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Games Global, a leading supplier of online gaming content is expanding its global brand portfolio through a strategic alliance with online casino operator Rootz.

This collaboration aims to elevate the operator’s offering with an exciting live casino experience from OnAir Entertainment™, the select studio of live casino and game shows, marking a significant step in their ongoing growth and expansion efforts.

Players at Rootz will soon be able to enjoy a wide array of content from OnAir Entertainment™ including classics such as Roulette and Blackjack, as well as immersive titles including Casino Hold’em™, Nexus Roulette™ and Card Matchup.

Games Global’s partnership with Rootz marks the dawn of a new era in live gaming entertainment geared towards advancing the landscape of online gaming, jointly creating an exceptional gaming management platform.

This collaboration further underscores Rootz’s commitment to offering its players radical gaming experiences that redefine the live iGaming landscape.

Julie Allison, Chief Revenue Officer at Games Global, said: “As we embark on a collaborative journey with Rootz, our focus is on fostering partnership and support to enhance the live gaming experience. By combining their dynamic vision with our technological prowess, we aim to create an extraordinary player journey that reflects the strength of our united efforts.”

Sam Brow, CEO at Rootz, said: “We are eager to embark on this partnership with Games Global and OnAir Entertainment, welcoming a suite of acclaimed games to our portfolio. This marks a pivotal moment as we continue to expand our offerings and deliver exceptional gaming experiences to our players. We are confident that these additions will further enhance our diverse player base and engage players.”

low6-and-whoscored.com-partner-up-on-next-level-fantasy-sports-game

Low6 and WhoScored.com partner up on next level fantasy sports game

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Low6, the leading gamification innovator, has announced a partnership with WhoScored .com, a leading football statistics website and Oddschecker Global Media brand, to supercharge UltimateFan in the UK as the leading free-2-play fantasy football game.

WhoScored .com will leverage supplier Low6’s innovative game mechanic as an engaging way to add value to its existing user base, while delivering an additional commercial opportunity through the games’ in-app purchases.

The Low6-powered UltimateFan app revolutionises the standard fantasy game by combining digital player cards, collectibles and pack openings with fantasy points scoring. Users open digital football player and team cards to create line-ups, compete in weekly contests throughout the season and have a chance to win an array of prizes including signed merchandise and gift cards.

There are also a number of mini-games within the app to benefit daily active usership, while WhoScored .com will also provide its users with deeper content by integrating UltimateFan stats into its varied product offering.

Stuart Simms, CEO of Oddschecker Global Media, said: “We are thrilled to embark on this partnership with Low6 and integrate UltimateFan into our offering. WhoScored .com has always been committed to delivering engaging content to our dedicated user base and UltimateFan adds yet another string to our bow.

“By joining forces with Low6, we see a tremendous opportunity to further elevate the football fan experience. We believe this collaboration will not only enhance user engagement but also open up new avenues for revenue generation through in-app purchases. We look forward to adding UltimateFan to WhoScored’s portfolio and offering an immersive experience to football enthusiasts globally.”

Jamie Mitchell, CEO of Low6, said: “We are excited to partner with WhoScored .com who have built a mass following amongst sports fans and are the perfect fit to engage with our game.

“Brands are seeing the benefit of Low6 free-2-play games to not just acquire and retain users but also to open up a new revenue stream through in-app purchases”.

UltimateFan has already proved to be a huge hit for Low6 with approximately half a million installs worldwide. The white label game has been leveraged by the likes of Flutter’s Sportsbet, Rivalry and Superbet, as well as the NFL’s Los Angeles Chargers and Cincinnati Bengals.

It has scooped “Fantasy Product” and “Innovation of the Year” at the EGR Awards, while Low6 has also been recognised as “Acquisition and Retention Partner of the Year” at SBC North America Awards in the last 12 months.

nordcurrent-launches-first-ugc-fashion-designing-platform-for-pocket-styler

NORDCURRENT LAUNCHES FIRST UGC FASHION DESIGNING PLATFORM FOR POCKET STYLER

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Nordcurrent, the award-winning games developer and publisher, is reshaping the future of fashion gaming with the launch of its new UGC platform Pocket Styler Studio – the first platform where users can design entire clothing collections down to the last detail and then sell them in-game.

The online studio allows players to live their fashion-designer dreams, creating garments and entire fashion collections, including shoes and accessories, to their desired specifications. The studio currently has over 310 trillion possible outfit combinations!

Players can promote their completed designs under their own ‘designer label’ and sell them in the Pocket Styler game to millions of players globally, earning in-game currency, which has never been feasible in a mobile fashion game before. In-game earning potential is extremely high, with eight percent of global consumers already buying digital fashion, almost 50% of players buying skins with in-game currency and around 40% buying skins with real money.

 

How do you create your first design?

Powered by browser-based tools similar to those found in Photoshop, Pocket Styler Studio is an easy-to-use platform, whether you are designing coats and dresses, or sunglasses, gloves or hosiery.

Simply start by choosing a colour palette or partnered ‘fabric’ and then go to work! Choose from thousands of design details, such as the neckline style, sleeve design, skirt length silhouette and fit, and visual details like buttons or visible stitching.

No outfit is complete without bespoke accessories, so why not uniquely customise shoe styles, patterns, colours and heel heights too? Once the garment or accessory is completed, the platform renders it to fit on Pocket Styler avatars perfectly.

Sell sell sell!

The final collections are saved in the designer’s profile until they are ready to be marketed in the Pocket Styler app game. Designers can track their brands’ success by ‘Publishing’ items and assessing how many sell. Players can fully brand their designer label, even create their logo, and earn ‘Gems’, the in-game currency, for every item sold to other players.

Victoria Trofimova, CEO of Nordcurrent, comments: “Pocket Styler Studio gives anyone anywhere in the world a chance to become a fashion designer and build their own virtual fashion brand.

“The only limit to what you can create is your imagination. By designing their garments, players are transformed into designers, shaping the gaming universe – and potentially the real world of fashion.”

Fashion industry insiders say the launch of Pocket Styler Studio will revolutionise fashion forecasting, providing instant real-time data on the best-selling new styles. It will also allow fashion houses and designer labels to spot up-and-coming new creatives. Several big-name fashion brands have already expressed an interest in the new feature and the potential for designers to craft and showcase their items within the game. With 70 percent of users aged over 25 and 85 percent female, Pocket Styler Studio is expected to provide a hothouse of new talent for the global fashion industry.

Launched in May 2021, Pocket Styler is already a global gaming phenomenon, with over 21 million downloads and 100,000 fashion lovers spending 10,000 hours on the app daily.

leading-labour-party-politician-carolyn-harris-mp-to-speak-at-ice-vox

Leading Labour Party politician Carolyn Harris MP to speak at ICE VOX

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Carolyn Harris, Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Gambling Related Harms and the Labour Party MP for Swansea East is the latest high profile thought leader to confirm their participation in February’s ICE VOX programme (5th – 8th February, ExCeL London). 

Ms Harris, one of Parliament’s most influential contributors to the safer gambling debate will be providing her perspective on the UK Government’s White Paper on gambling reform as part of the ICE VOX World Regulatory Briefing (WrB) taking place on Tuesday 6th February, the opening day of the ICE exhibition.

The panel session entitled What’s Next for the White Paper? will also feature C-level industry figures Brigid Simmonds, Chair, Betting and Gaming Council, Norma Campbell, Betfred’s Head of Regulatory Compliance, and Matt Zarb-Cousin, Co-Founder of Gamban.

Previewing the high profile panel, Clarion Gaming’s Sadie Walters who has led the team responsible for curating the acclaimed ICE VOX programme said: “We are delighted to be able to confirm Carolyn Harris, Brigid Simmonds and Norma Campbell as panellists at WrB. The White Paper on gambling reform was introduced to the House of Commons on 28th April and since then the gambling industry has been involved in a detailed consultation process ahead of proposals being enacted by the government.

“With the UK in a general election year and many political analysts predicting a change in government it’s vital that the industry can hear the views of a leading parliamentarian who previously served as Private Secretary to the leader of the Labour Party Sir Keir Starmer.

“In terms of specifics the panel will explore the issue of affordability checks and the optimal system for data sharing, the role of the proposed Gambling Ombudsman and the operation and administration of a statutory levy to fund gambling research, education and treatment (RET).

“New regulations arising from the White Paper will apply to every operator with a UK Gambling Commission Licence and I believe this session will be one of the most eagerly anticipated amongst what is being described as the most content rich edition of WrB on record.”

The international cast of thought leaders participating in ICE VOX includes MGM Resorts CEO and President Bill Hornbuckle,  Simon Thomas, Executive Chair of London’s Hippodrome Casino, Isabelle Falque Pierrotin, Chair of both the French Gambling Authority and GREF, South Africa’s Caroline Kongwa, the Vice President of IAGR, the UK Gambling Commission’s Tim Miller, the UK’s former Attorney General and Culture Secretary, Sir Jeremy Wright, Stéphan Vojetta, a Member of France’s National Assembly,  Rachel Gundy, Head of Product at Betr, Ivan Rudyi, Head of the Ukrainian Commission for Regulation on Gambling and Lotteries, Viktoriya Zakrevskaya, Deputy Chairman of the Ukrainian Gambling Council, Corey Plummer, CEO of Olympic Entertainment and Olybet, René Jansen, the Chairman of the Dutch regulator, David Leslie, Director of Ethics and Responsible Innovation Research at The Alan Turing Institute, Alec Esteban Thomson, Executive Director of the Arizona Lottery and Olabimpe Akingba, Executive Secretary Association of the Nigerian Bookmakers.

opera-gx-and-msi-collaborate-to-bring-gamers-a-special gx-msi-edition-of-the-browser

Opera GX and MSI Collaborate to Bring Gamers a Special GX MSI Edition of the Browser

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MSI and Opera GX have created an immersive co-branded browser experience and fully customisable MSI Mod with a playable live wallpaper game featuring brand mascot Lucky the Dragon

Opera GX, the browser for gamers, has partnered with the world’s leading gaming hardware company, MSI, to create the Opera GX MSI Edition, a special co-branded version of the Opera GX gaming browser including exclusive MSI-themed interactive backgrounds, music, sounds and content.

“The Opera GX MSI Edition and new MSI Mod ensures that users stay connected with the MSI brand and its products and services in a fun and engaging way while browsing the Internet with the best browser for gamers,” the General Manager of the Computing and Display Business Unit at MSI, Ted Hung, said.

The Opera GX MSI Edition browser also features an animated version of MSI’s brand mascot, Lucky the Dragon, in his lair. Created using Live Wallpapers, which is a feature that morphs your browser into an interactive game, users can help Lucky the Dragon grow from just an egg into a fully developed dragon. Using Game Strips, a feature which allows you to play games within Live Wallpaper or standalone, users must nurture Lucky the Dragon to ‘level up’ and unlock new stages of the Live Wallpaper. Once users have completed the Lucky the Dragon game, they can choose from a host of different MSI-branded wallpapers or keep the mascot in their browser.

“Partnership with MSI is only the beginning of a series of upcoming activities between the brands. Both MSI and Opera GX users can look forward to more collaborations and special projects in the near future,” the Gaming Business Development Vice-President for Opera GX, Mattijs de Valk, said.

Break up with your current boring browser and download the Opera GX MSI Edition today by visiting this site. As for the existing Opera GX, users who want to try out a new special themed version of the browser can upgrade by installing the official MSI Mod from the Opera GX Store site.

gaming-innovation-group-expands-tier-one-european-portfolio-with-betway-launch-in-portugal

Gaming Innovation Group Expands Tier-One European Portfolio with Betway Launch in Portugal

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Gaming Innovation Group (GiG) has announced the Portuguese launch of leading online sports operator Betway, powered by its award-winning iGaming platform and sportsbook, in a release that expands on GiG’s growing list of tier-one partners in complex regulated markets.

Betway is GiG’s second B2B partner brand now live in Portugal and the first under the new stewardship of former SBTech and DraftKings executives, Chief Executive Officer Richard Carter and Chief Business Officer Andrew Cochrane. The arrival of both strengthens GiG’s underlying top-tier credentials with their extensive experience at delivering commercial growth expected to continue to expand on GiG’s growing list of high-profile partnerships across its sportsbook, next-generation platform and artificial intelligence (AI) solutions.

Already crowned EGR’s Full Service Platform and Multi-Channel Supplier of the Year for 2023 at one of the industry’s most prestigious awards, GiG has crafted a full suite of solutions that are ideally positioned to take advantage of tightening global legislation, driving growth and revenue within the most complex and highly regulated markets.

Portugal itself provides one of the most robust regulatory online gaming frameworks in Europe alongside a resolute taxation structure that facilitates the need for highly configurable solutions to help navigate opportunities for growth in the market. GiG’s innovative solutions place a concerted focus on driving acquisition and retention, leveraging market leading features that offer enhanced opportunities for leading operators around the world.

The online gaming market in Portugal offers considerable opportunity for growth. Revenue rose to a record €658.6 million in 2022, an increase of over 30% year-on-year across the 28 license holders, twelve for sports betting and 16 for iGaming, according to data supplied by the regulator, Servico de Regulacao e inspecao de Jogos (SRIJ).

“I’m proud of the close partnership we’ve developed with Betway and the product that we’ve helped build with the team for the Portuguese regulated market,” the Chief Business Officer for GiG, Andrew Cochrane, said. “Betway is a leading tier-one operator and this launch helps affirm our growing position as a market leader in the business-to-business (B2B) industry. This is a very exciting time to be a part of GiG as we continue to invest in our product and technology capabilities to underpin further tier-one client wins and provide existing clients with ever more compelling product features.”

“As part of our ambitious growth strategy for Portugal in 2024, this GiG platform will help play a role in expediting our objectives to elevate the sports betting experience for existing Betway customers in Portugal and appealing to new ones,” the Chief Executive Officer for Betway, Anthony Werkman, said. “This agreement will also allow our teams to work in synergy to reach our shared goals and aspirations within the country.”

playson-seals-major-content-deal-with-global-tier-one-operator-pokerstars

Playson seals major content deal with global tier-one operator PokerStars

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Award-winning supplier set to launch slots for MGA and UKGC markets

Playson, the fast-growing digital entertainment supplier, has secured a landmark partnership with global operator giant PokerStars to provide its top performing games across multiple markets.

The significant deal with the Flutter Entertainment brand will see Playson initially deliver its popular game Solar King via Relax Gaming, with further launches planned to include the company’s biggest releases such as 3 Pots Riches: Hold and Win, Coin Strike: Hold and Win and Royal Coins 2: Hold and Win.

A global leader in real money online poker and casino, PokerStars will first host Playson’s games in the UK and markets where it’s licensed by the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA), with a view to rolling out the provider’s content in Spain and Ontario in the near future.

This latest tier-one partnership kicks off Playson’s ambitious growth plans for 2024 and establishes its games as a vital addition to online casino operators worldwide.

Blanka Homor, Sales Director at Playson, said: “We’re delighted to have forged this major deal with PokerStars, an undisputed leader in the global betting and gaming industry.

“This partnership reinforces Playson as a truly distinctive, expert creative studio, with our games portfolio a must-have for the biggest brands within the digital casino space.”