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John Wright Joins Kwalee As VP of Mobile Publishing: Trades Unity For The Billion Download Studio

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Wright’s leadership will reinforce Kwalee as the publisher of choice for top mobile game developers, drawing from his legacy at Luna Labs and ironSource.

Kwalee, a UK and global mobile, PC and console games developer and publisher, is thrilled to announce the appointment of John Wright as the new VP of Mobile Publishing. John joins the Kwalee team on the 2nd of October and will revamp the studio’s strategy to sign, launch and scale the games of external studios.

A passionate gamer and 15 year mobile industry veteran, Wright’s mobile journey saw him swiftly climb the ranks at app monetisation and distribution platform ironSource, relocating from London to the HQ in Israel during a pivotal phase in his professional growth. After returning to the UK, Wright re-entered the startup ecosystem by joining mobile app marketing outfit Luna Labs as their VP of Operations. With his leadership, Luna Labs witnessed significant and rapid growth. When ironSource acquired Luna Labs, Wright came full circle back to his former company, this time as the Head of Operations for Luna. Following ironSource’s merger with Unity, Wright transitioned to become the Head of Client Success for the Luna division within the wider Unity organisation.

Kwalee’s mobile publishing team is a proven hitmaker, backed up by a large in-house studio, helping developers scale games successfully with marketing, monetisation and game design expertise. John Wright joins after Kwalee achieved the milestone of 1 billion downloads in 2023 and has won Best Publisher (TIGA and Mobile Game Awards, 2022).

His strategic priorities as he starts the new role are to deepen the support offered by the publisher to developers, improve its efficiency to best serve the global community of mobile gamemakers, as well as emphasise Kwalee as the number one choice for developers close to home in the UK.

During his tenure at ironSource, John was a director in the newly formed and industry renowned “unified team” during the advent of the Hyper Casual boom, collaborating with industry players such as Ketchapp, Rollic and Homa. He helped them achieve exponential growth as an early innovator, seeing the value in combining the strategies of monetisation, mediation and user acquisition activities. John Wright has an enviable record of launching over 100 mobile games globally and managing over $1 billion in client spend.

His vast experience includes joining early-stage startups in pivotal business roles, growing them quickly, and leading large, multi-disciplinary and remote teams. Known for his ability to inject vitality into businesses, John will use his partner-side expertise to drive growth at Kwalee as he moves developer-side.

David Darling, founder and CEO of Kwalee, remarked, “John and I have a strong relationship already, working closely together, having first met a decade ago when we launched TENS!. Seeing his trajectory and achievements since, especially with Luna Labs and ironSource, it’s clear why he’s the best fit for us. We’re eager to tap into his vast experience, enhancing our developer relationships and publishing capabilities.”

John Wright shared his enthusiasm about the new role, stating, “Having worked with Kwalee as a partner and admired their innovation over the years, I’m thrilled to move across the table. We know it’s a challenging landscape post-IDFA, so small to medium-sized studios need a heavyweight publishing ally to help them achieve the highest level of multi-million dollar success. At Kwalee, I will champion developers. Our relationship will be symbiotic, understanding their needs as partners and clients.”

Embracing the rich British mobile developer community while setting sights on global expansion, John is poised to steer Kwalee’s Mobile Publishing into its most profitable and successful era yet.

Amusnet

Amusnet Adds Wet and Wild Fun to Crash Gaming with Hippo Splash

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Amusnet is poised to elevate the thrill in the crash game segment with the imminent launch of Hippo Splash – a lively, quick-paced game that merges fun narratives with exhilarating gameplay and a verifiably fair algorithm.

At the core of Hippo Splash is a memorable image: a playful hippo gingerly balancing on a log in the center of a lake. Every action heightens the suspense, every moment raises the stakes… until a single mistake causes the hippo to plunge into the water. That’s the moment players anticipate – and the secret to transforming clever timing into substantial victories.

Created with player enthusiasm as a priority, Hippo Splash allows gamers complete control over their tactics. They have the option to cash out early at 50% for a more secure strategy or remain in the game longer to pursue higher multipliers before the eventual drop. Each round is fast, easy to grasp, and filled with tension, allowing for immediate participation while maintaining high adrenaline.

With its colorful theme, engaging mechanics, and modern crash gameplay, Hippo Splash is poised to appeal to both seasoned crash game fans and newcomers looking for something fun, fast, and rewarding.

Get ready to watch the log, track the multiplier, and decide the perfect moment to cash out – because in Hippo Splash, every step counts, and every splash could send winnings soaring.

Gamble
Play the game and multiply your winnings through the Gambling feature!

Multipliers
The game starts with a multiplier set at 1x and rises gradually and can go up to a max coefficient of 1,000,000.
Multiplier can potentially crash at 1x, ending the game round.

50% Cash Out
Players can cash out 50% of their bet during the game round and continue playing with the remaining 50%.

Jackpot Cards
The Jackpot Cards bonus game is triggered at random during the gameplay to allow players to win impressive jackpots.

The post Amusnet Adds Wet and Wild Fun to Crash Gaming with Hippo Splash appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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155.io

155.io Breaks the Mold Again, Introducing the CCTV Game Genre via Rush Hour

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155.io, the live content studio transforming real-world games, has launched CCTV.Game, an innovative genre created entirely from live CCTV footage collected worldwide. The category debuts with its inaugural title, Rush Hour. The live game operates around the clock to convert real-life traffic into immediate viewing and wagering entertainment.

The CCTV Game signifies a new path for 155.io, broadening its chaos-oriented philosophy into completely live, real-world settings. Created using numerous live CCTV feeds from around the globe, the game transforms everyday activities into quick, engaging, and immediately bettable entertainment.

Running nonstop, Rush Hour enables players to wager on straightforward, distinct results during rounds lasting under a minute – such as the number of cars that cross a junction or the quantity that turns left or right within a specified timeframe. Each round is dynamic, spontaneous, and influenced by the organic rhythms of the world, instead of standard RNG methods.

Rush Hour’s live recordings feature diverse locations such as Sydney, Swindon, Arizona, and Taipei, as well as landmarks like Patong Beach in Thailand and Abbey Road in London. From everyday crossroads to landmark locations, the entire world transforms into the game board. Crafted for mobile devices, Rush Hour is immediately comprehensible and genuinely engaging, providing a much-needed option to conventional casino formats. CCTV Game embodies 155.io’s fundamental philosophy: chaotic reality, straightforward games, and entertainment designed primarily for mobile.

The launch enhances 155.io’s attraction to the upcoming player generation, merging live-stream culture with instant betting features.

CCTV Game and Rush Hour can now be accessed via Hub88 or through direct integration.

Sam Jones, Founder & CEO of 155.io, commented: “Rush Hour is the first expression of our CCTV Game genre – think Big Brother blended with Polymarket. It’s completely live, and the world is now our studio. CCTV.game takes real-world chaos and turns it into something instantly playable and genuinely entertaining – this is content the next generation will queue up to try.”

He added: “Once you realise the entire world can be a live game feed, there are no boundaries. Live traffic content is just the start – from live wildlife to iconic sporting locations – we’re only just setting off on our journey of what real-world chaos entertainment can be.”

The post 155.io Breaks the Mold Again, Introducing the CCTV Game Genre via Rush Hour appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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Chicken X & Friends

Million Games Launches Chicken X & Friends Today Following Strong ICE Reception

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Million Games announces today the official launch of Chicken X & Friends, its real-time multiplayer crash game and the highly anticipated sequel to the award-nominated hit Chicken X.

Following a successful showcase at ICE 2026, where the game attracted strong interest and positive feedback from operators, partners, and industry professionals, Chicken X & Friends is now live and available to play.

Set across a chaotic multi-lane highway, Chicken X & Friends brings Jack Chicken back into action—this time in a shared, unlimited multiplayer environment. Unlike traditional crash games, gameplay never pauses. There are no waiting rounds or session start times. Players can jump in instantly and start playing at any moment.

Multiplayer Crash Gameplay, Evolved

Chicken X & Friends introduces unlimited, real-time multiplayer gameplay to the crash genre. Players are visible live on screen as they navigate traffic lanes, build multipliers, and decide when to cash out before the crash.

“This launch marks an important step for us,” said Thomas Nimstad, CEO of Million Games. “Chicken X & Friends builds on everything players loved about the original, but adds a social layer that fundamentally changes how crash games feel. Seeing other players make decisions in real time adds tension, strategy, and excitement—and that was very clear from the feedback we received at ICE.”

Player Choice, Progression, and Personalisation

Gameplay takes place across multiple traffic lanes, each offering a distinct risk-and-reward profile. Slower lanes provide steadier multiplier growth with lighter traffic, while faster lanes increase volatility with denser traffic and quicker multiplier escalation.

Players actively choose how and where to play—staying safe, pushing into danger, or switching lanes as conditions change. Safe zones offer a brief pause from traffic, but staying too long triggers an automatic cash-out, ensuring the pace remains high and the pressure stays on.

As players progress, they unlock levels and cosmetic customisations, including different skins and hats for Jack Chicken. These visual rewards allow players to stand out on the road and showcase their experience and performance without affecting gameplay balance.

Movement is fast and intuitive, controlled through taps or directional inputs, allowing players to react instantly as traffic patterns evolve.

Social, Competitive, and Always On

In public playgrounds, up to ten players appear live on screen. Each player is represented by Jack Chicken, while competitors appear as pigeons, creating instant visual awareness of who is still in the race. The leading player is highlighted with a unique “king” skin and a visible live multiplier.

Live leaderboards track top performances over the past hour and 24 hours, encouraging repeat play and competition. Players can also choose to play solo or create private rooms with friends, offering flexibility without compromising the core gameplay experience.

Now Live and Available

Chicken X & Friends is launching today and can be played now on the Million Games website. Operators and partners interested in integrating the game or learning more about distribution opportunities are encouraged to get in touch with the Million Games team.

“This game represents something genuinely new for our industry,” added Thomas Nimstad. “We’re pushing beyond familiar formats to create experiences that players haven’t seen before. Unlimited gameplay, visible multiplayer tension, and shared decision-making open up a new direction for crash games—and that’s exactly the kind of innovation we want Million Games to be known for.”

The post Million Games Launches Chicken X & Friends Today Following Strong ICE Reception appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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