Gaming
GameRefinery unveils the finalists for its annual Mobile GameDev Awards, celebrating the best in mobile game design
The 2022 Mobile GameDev Awards finalists announced in seven categories covering different aspects of mobile game innovation and feature design, in USA, Japan and China.
Today, mobile game analytics specialist GameRefinery, a Liftoff company, is excited to announce that its jury has decided on the finalists for its second annual Mobile GameDev Awards. The awards recognise and celebrate innovation in mobile game design amongst developers in the USA, China and Japan.
The seven categories are:
Innovation and Excellence in Core Gameplay, (all regions)
Most Promising Soft Launch Game, (all regions) Biggest Evolver individually in USA, Japan, China Best Newcomer individually in USA, Japan, China
Best Feature Innovation, Best Event individually in USA, Japan, China and
Best Use of IP in Collaboration Events (all regions).
GameRefinery will announce the winners on the 24th of May 2022.
The 2022 Mobile GameDev Awards finalists have been selected by a panel of GameRefinery analysts, drawing on their extensive experience and expertise in games analysis.
GameRefinery’s platform tracks over 100,000 mobile games for market research, competitor intelligence, and player insights while providing more than 2,500+ in-depth game feature deconstructions and analyses.
Mobile GameDev Awards 2022 Finalists
Innovation & Excellence in Core Gameplay
The most innovative and well-executed core gameplay seen in 2021:
- 无尽的拉格朗日 (Infnite Lagrange, China)
- Gold and Goblins: Idle Merge
- 哈利波特：魔法觉醒 (Harry Potter Magic Awakened, China)
- Kingdom Guard: Tower Defence
- ウマ娘 プリティーダービー (Umamusume Pretty Derby, Japan)
- The Ants: Underground Kingdom
- League of Legends: Wild Rift
Most Promising Soft Launch Game
The 2021 soft launch game most likely to be a breakout launch success based on gameplay:
- Apex Legends
- Clash Mini
- Star Blast
- Tower of Fantasy
- Diablo Immortal
- Honkai: Star Rail
- Star Wars: Hunters
Biggest Evolver
The game that has developed the most during 2021 in terms of gameplay:
USA Finalists:
- Merge Dragons!
- Clash Royale
- Garena Free Fire
- Lords Mobile: Tower Defense
- Rise of Kingdoms
- Yahtzee® with Buddies
- Cookie Run: Kingdom
Japan Finalists:
- ステート・オブ・サバイバル (State of Survival)
- Shin Sangokushi
- ドラゴンクエストタクト (Dragon Quest Tact)
- パズル＆ドラゴンズ (Puzzle & Dragons)
- プロ野球スピリッツＡ (Pro Yakyuu Spirits A)
China Finalists:
- 植物大战僵尸2 (Plants vs. Zombies 2)
- 天谕 (Revelation)
- 原神 (Genshin Impact)
- 跑跑卡丁车官方竞速版 (PopKart Mobile)
- 魂斗罗:归来-特战集结 (Contra Returns)
Best Newcomer
The best new entry into the market during 2021:
USA Finalists:
- Beatstar
- The Ants: Underground Kingdom
- Royal Match
- Kingdom Guard: Tower Defence
- Family Farm Adventure
- Zen Match – Relaxing Puzzle
- The Lord of the Rings: Rise to War
- No Limit Drag Racing 2
- Idle Lumber Empire
- League of Legends: Wild Rift
Japan Finalists:
- ウマ娘 プリティーダービー (Umamusume Pretty Derby)
- 二ノ国：Cross Worlds (Ni No Kuni: Cross Worlds)
- ガーディアンテイルズ (Guardian Tales)
- グランサガ(Gran Saga)
- Nier Re[in]carnation
China Finalists:
- 哈利波特：魔法觉醒 (Harry Potter: Magic Awakened)
- 王牌竞速 (Ace Racer)
- 幻塔 （Tower of Fantasy）
- 无尽的拉格朗日 (Infnite Lagrange)
- 英雄联盟手游 （League of Legends: Wild Rift）
- 重返帝国
- 金铲铲之战 (Battle of the Golden Spatula)
Best Feature Innovation
The most innovative new feature introduced in a game during 2021
- 松松总动员 (Song-song Zong-dong-yuan, China) – Login calendar meets IAP offers
- 松松总动员 (Song-song Zong-dong-yuan, China) – Innovative limited-time gacha event
- Garena Free Fire – Special PvP modes
- Cooking Diary – Social hangout areas
- Yahtzee® with Buddies – Kingdom feature
- Rise of Kingdoms – MOBA mode
- Puzzle & Dragons (Japan) – Synchronous PvP mode
- PUBG MOBILE – RP Activity Packs in Battle Pass
- Highrise – NFT cosmetics
- XFLAG’s Kotodaman and Monster Strike (Japan) – New gacha type with a social twist
- Ensemble Stars!! Music (Japan) – Music co-op newcomer tasks
Best Event
The best in-game event held during 2021:
USA Finalists:
- Yahtzee® with Buddies – Derby event
- POP! Slots™ Vegas Casino Games – Win Zone event
- Gardenscapes – Klondike Expedition event
- Genshin Impact – Midsummer Island Adventure
- Call of Duty®: Mobile – Anniversary event
- Garena Free Fire – Pet Mania event
- Mobile Legends: Bang Bang – Aspirants Unite event
- State of Survival – 2nd Anniversary Airship Building event
Japan Finalists:
- プロジェクトセカイ カラフルステージ！ 初音ミク (Project Sekai Colorful Stage feat. Hatsune Miku) – New Year’s event
- ドラゴンボール レジェンズ (Dragon Ball Legends) – Legends Festival
- 妖怪ウォッチ ぷにぷに (Youkai Watch Punipuni) – Collaboration event with Neon Genesis Evangelion
- 二ノ国：Cross Worlds (Ni No Kuni: Cross Worlds) – General events
- NieR Re[in]carnation – Collaborations events with the earlier titles in the series (NieR Automata (launch), NieR Replicant and Drakengard 3)
China Finalists:
- 明日之后 (LifeAfter) – Romantic event July 2021
- 松松总动员 (Song-song Zong-dong-yuan) – June 2021 Gacha event
- 御龙在天 (Legend of Yulong) – Fight the Landlord-card game event (doudizhu) in Jan
- 神武4 (Shén wǔ 4) – Event with a real-life map to beat monsters and get points
- 阴阳师 (Onmyoji) – recurring event with event-only customizable character
- 富豪麻将 (Fuhao Majiang) – collaboration event with China Mahjong Masters Tournament
Best Use of IP in a Collaboration Event
Finalists:
- 跑跑卡丁车官方竞速版 (PopKart Mobile) & Ali the Fox (China)
- 香肠派对 (Sausage Man) & Pizza Hut (China)
- Top War: Battle Game & Transformers
- 江南百景图 (Canal Towns) & Kentucky Fried Chicken (China)
- Mobile Legends: Bang Bang & Hello Kitty (Sanrio Characters)
- Roblox & 24kGoldn Concert Experience
- PUBG MOBILE & Arcane (League of Legends)
- 獅子の如く～戦国覇王戦記～ (Shishi no Gotoku – Sengoku Haousenki) & Rurouni Kenshin (Japan)
- State of Survival & The Walking Dead (US)
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ExpressVPN, the global leader in consumer privacy and security, has announced a new partnership with video game developer, publisher and esports tournament organiser, Riot Games.
As a Summer Split Partner, ExpressVPN will sponsor the championship series taking place from August – September, culminating in this year’s League of Legends EMEA Championship (LEC) taking place at the Caja Mágica in Madrid. From September 26 to 28, the last standing and best teams from the Summer Split will battle in front of over 10,000 in-person spectators for the Summer Split Champion title and a chance to qualify for the 2025 World Championships – one of the most iconic esports competitions in the world.
Riot Games players will have access to a free 14-day trial of ExpressVPN, empowering gamers with advanced digital privacy and security. League of Legends players will also unlock Hextech Chests when they subscribe to ExpressVPN.
ExpressVPN works with all major gaming consoles, enabling gamers to protect their digital privacy and giving them access to a global network of server locations. ExpressVPN’s custom-built Lightway protocol is built with speed and performance in mind—ensuring protection against DDoS attacks and ISP throttling while allowing gamers to enjoy a fast and secure connection that helps them stay competitive.
Riot Games is one of the world’s leading video game developers and publishers, with its flagship game, League of Legends. The company also organises major esports Championships such as the League of Legends EMEA Championship (LEC) and World Championship.
Zac Eller, GM of Global Partnerships & Business Development at ExpressVPN, said: “For today’s gamers, privacy and performance go hand-in-hand. Whether it’s protecting against DDoS attacks, reducing ping, or unlocking global content, we’re here to help players compete at their best. Riot Games has built a world-class esports ecosystem, and we’re proud to work with them to ensure gamers have the tools they need to stay safe and secure online while supporting the League of Legends community.”
Charlie Allen, EMEA Director of Commercial Partnerships & Biz Dev at Riot Games, said: We’re always looking to collaborate with partners who understand our community and what matters to them. ExpressVPN gets that League of Legends and the LEC aren’t just about gameplay and high stakes, they’re about trust, stability, and showing up in the right way. This partnership isn’t just a logo on a screen; it’s about adding that final layer to elevate the fan experience, connecting two worlds in a way that feels natural and earned – it directly supports our community by helping protect their internet connection and security. Whether you’re grinding ranked, co-streaming the LEC, or traveling to a live event like the Summer Finals in Madrid, digital security matters. It’s a collaboration built not just around shared audiences, but shared values.”
The post ExpressVPN Announces New Partnership with Riot Games appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Clinton Sparks
Global Gaming League Launches New Era of Competitive Video Gaming with T-Pain vs. NE-YO Showdown and More
The Global Gaming League (GGL) announced its first season of year-around competitions titled SZN Zero. Backed by entertainment visionary Clinton Sparks and Grammy-winning artist and streaming icon T-Pain, the GGL is the first-of-its-kind, multi-title, live-action gaming entertainment league, where professional gamers, influencers, and casual players compete side-by-side in front of live audiences in Las Vegas and available globally on major platforms. Teams compete in popular game titles ranging from Call of Duty and Rocket League to Tetris and Street-Fighter.
Each event will feature two celebrity owned teams made up of four players each – high profile influencers, actors, athletes, artists, and both professional and casual gamers – facing off in four round matches covering four different genres. Superstar hosts and half time shows from major artists will turn up the entertainment factor. SZN Zero events will take place in Las Vegas, building up to a championship match in November live from the iconic Palms resort and casino, and the Global Gaming League will continue with SZN One in 2026.
SZN Zero’s first competition on August 23rd will feature T-Pain’s team Nappy Boy Grizzlies against three-time, Grammy award-winning hitmaker NE-YO and his Gentleman’s Gaming Team – finally facing off after months of social media trash talk and rivalry about who’s better at Tekken. The event will stream live on the GGL’s YouTube channel and other major platforms.
T-Pain, who is GGL’s Director of Strategy, was the league’s first team owner. NE-YO joins previously announced owners Flavor Flav and Bryce Hall along with Gillie Da Kid & Wallo.
“We wanted to build something that brought gamers from different backgrounds and cultures together in a unique way that was equally fun and competitive. With SZN Zero, we will introduce an authentic and relatable form of entertaining competition that will converge music, fashion, celebrity, and culture bringing the biggest form of entertainment in the world – video gaming – to the masses,” said Clinton Sparks, Founder and CEO of the Global Gaming League.
“Gaming is just as important as music or any other sport, to me. NE-YO had some words for me on socials, I heard enough of what he had to say and felt it was time to show him that I actually do this. But honestly I’m just ready to have some fun with my friend, because bottom line, that’s what gaming is all about. Now folks will just have to see what happens on August 23rd when we face off in Las Vegas at the GGL SZN Zero launch,” said T-Pain.
NE-YO responded: “Honestly, I was trying to connect with T-Pain to maybe be part of his team but when he kept blowing me off and then I saw that video of him talking about my lips, I decided the only way to get his attention would be to call him out. Now, we’ll see just how good he really is – or isn’t – when we go head to head.”
World-class Publishers such as Activision Blizzard, Bandai Namco, Capcom, EA, Tetris, and Ubisoft have all agreed to allow GGL to use some of the most popular and challenging games during SZN Zero, attracting a new audience and offering viewers a unique and compelling gaming experience. In addition to YouTube, the Global Gaming League SZN Zero will be available on other major streaming platforms in partnership with Dooya Media Group.
The post Global Gaming League Launches New Era of Competitive Video Gaming with T-Pain vs. NE-YO Showdown and More appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
The world’s number one crash game gets even more thrilling with the addition of Missions, Races and Tournaments
SPRIBE, the award-winning developer behind the original crash game, Aviator, has added another tool to the box with the launch of Challenges, bringing even more excitement, entertainment and competition to the experience.
Aviator Challenges allows operators to launch Missions, Races and Tournaments, forging an additional competitive layer and even more social interaction, while providing a fresh way for players to engage with the game, which is now played by more than 60 million people per month.
Missions see players complete a task before a set deadline, while Races are similar but with a limited prize pool up for grabs, creating a strong sense of FOMO while helping operators control promo budgets. Tournaments then take the classic and well-loved format.
SPRIBE gives operators full control over creating and running Aviator Challenges, and they can choose the type, timing, prize, names, descriptions, colours, and tasks for deep personalisation and granular localisation.
Aviator Challenges has debuted with operators in Africa and will be rolled out globally over the coming weeks and months. This will be followed by the launch of regional tournaments, which again will debut in Africa before being made available internationally.
The launch of Challenges will drive even greater engagement with Aviator, which currently sees players place more than 400,000 bets per minute across 5,500+ online casinos and sportsbooks worldwide.
Giorgi Tsutskiridze, CCO at SPRIBE, said: “Challenges take the Aviator experience to a whole other level for both players and operators.
“Those that have already embraced Challenges have seen an immediate, positive impact on player behaviour across core KPIs such as retention and bet numbers per player.
“To get the most out of Challenges, operators do need to be creative, especially when it comes to marketing support, segmentation, prize zones, rewards and tasks.
“But we have ensured Challenges have the flexibility to do this and a whole lot more.
“Aviator is already the number one crash game in the world with more than 60 million players a month, but with Challenges, we expect that number to climb ever higher.”
The post SPRIBE Drops Aviator Challenges appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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