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The studio has secured two key award nominations

ELA Games is proud to announce that it has been shortlisted for two major categories at the upcoming iGA Awards 2026: Games Studio of the Year & Unique Gaming Company of the Year.

These nominations recognise the studio’s ambition to balance creativity and technical innovation, becoming a leader in the industry that has reshaped modern gaming with its products that provide unforgettable gaming experiences and value for partners.

A Year of Growth and Momentum

2025 was a landmark year for ELA Games as it expanded its portfolio to include standout games that have performed exceptionally well. Piñatas Festival and Buffalo Force are two products that have exceeded expectations, providing operators with impressive growth metrics and players with next-level entertainment.

The studio has expanded its global presence through strategic market entries, including new operations in Sweden, Denmark, Serbia, Greece, and more. This growth has introduced ELA Games’ innovative mechanics, such as the Winpot series or the instant-shooter title Shoot Happens, visually rich design, and engaging gameplay to new audiences.

Increased Industry Recognition

For ELA Games, this industry recognition represents more than accolades — it demonstrates that the studio has made meaningful contributions and has had a significant impact to stand out in an increasingly competitive industry.

Marharyta Yerina, ELA Games’ Managing Director, commented on the nomination, “Our core philosophy is that great games come from teams that are passionate, uncompromisingly creative, and ambitious. Being nominated for the ‘Games Studio of the Year’ and ‘Unique Gaming Company of the Year’ awards reflects our team’s culture and commitment to delivering amazing experiences that are alive and full of character. Being recognised by the iGA Awards is an honour, and the team and I look forward to seeing everyone at the ceremony.”

The post ELA Games Continues to Shine With Two Major Nominations at iGA Awards 2026 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Vibrant visuals and engaging mechanics are key growth drivers for the studio’s new release

Piñatas Festival, a recent ELA Games release, has outperformed studio averages across all key performance metrics. The game’s strong results reinforce ELA Games’ sustainable growth trajectory and its ability to produce titles that captivate players and drive record performance for operators.

Inside Piñatas Festival Breakout Success

In the first month following its release, Piñatas Festival recorded the following results:

• Actives: +13%
• Turnover: +280%
• GGR Total: +465%
• Round Count: +276%

These results highlight the game’s instant mass appeal, player retention, and strong value for partners. The game’s visually rich design sets the player in a vibrant world of music, colour, and energy, combined with its engaging mechanics, such as Hold & Win, Collector Symbol, and generous bonuses, which keep players returning and operators growing.

Consistent Growth Through Creativity

Piñatas Festival builds on ELA Games’ signature development approach of data-backed creativity and visually rich design. The game’s success mirrors the studio’s track record of building positive momentum on each release. Buffalo Force, another recent title, also experienced significant results, including +62% GGR total growth, and much more. Both games have been strong additions to the studio’s portfolio, with Piñatas Festival’s continuation of its predecessor’s success delivering increased value to operators.

Marharyta Yerina, ELA Games’ Managing Director, commented, “Piñatas Festival is another strong addition to our portfolio, with its success proving that our titles can deliver consistent business value. The game’s strong GGR growth is a direct result of how our signature visually rich design, engaging mechanics, and creative approach support our partners’ growth. Maintaining this high-quality output will ensure our trajectory positions ELA Games as a top content developer with a diverse portfolio for all types of players to enjoy.”

ELA Games remains committed to a steady content release schedule, consisting of diverse titles that blend innovation and engaging mechanics that keep players engaged. Piñatas Festival is a key milestone for the studio’s portfolio as it aims to achieve its goals.

The post The ELA Games Fiesta: Piñatas Festival Outperforms Studio Benchmarks With Instant Success appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Stunning visuals and strong performance make Buffalo Force a standout success

ELA Games’ Buffalo Force has quickly risen to the top of performance charts, just three weeks after its release, showing strong player engagement metrics and turnover growth.

The Wild West-themed brand-new title blends visually rich artwork, dynamic gameplay, and immersive atmospheres to create engaging experiences for players and value for operators. The game showcases ELA Games’ rapid rise to become a leading game development studio, capable of pushing the boundaries of the gaming industry with its innovative solutions.

Inside the Data: How ELA’s Buffalo Force Instantly Soared

This month, Buffalo Force exceeded all plans and surpassed expectations across key performance metrics. The audience immediately embraced the product, with operators reporting positive responses from player bases. With the game’s momentum still building, even stronger results may be on the horizon.

Growth metrics during the first 3 weeks after release highlight Buffalo Force as one of the studio’s strongest titles to date. It showcases the game’s powerful retention appeal and the ability to deliver games that perform consistently across regions, captivating new audiences:

• Actives growth +26%
• Turnover +38%
• GGR total growth +62%
• Rounds count +29%

These results reflect a rise in overall player activity, indicating higher session frequency and more wagers placed. This shows that Buffalo Force has high replay value and is a game that encourages engagement.

[Video https://youtu.be/pBHPyi2vHlY]

Marharyta Yerina, ELA Games’ Managing Director, commented, “Buffalo Force represents the progress our studio has made in understanding what players love and what operators need. What we see with the game’s instant success is a sign that our approach is working and that each new release will set the bar higher in terms of engagement, performance, and enjoyment.”

ELA Games’ Portfolio Continues to Expand

Buffalo Force’s success reflects ELA Games’ development approach, where each release enriches the studio’s portfolio, adding creative innovation, visually rich design, and operator value. Other recent additions, such as Shoot Happens or Rabbit Winpot Deluxe, reinforce this trend, creating a balanced catalogue with plenty of variety.

Joker Winpot is another standout title for ELA Games that has received widespread acclaim. It received key nominations by various institutions for its creativity and innovation, underscoring how ELA Games’ developments are recognised by peers and press alike. Buffalo Force positions itself as a key game for the studio that will contend for similar commercial success and industry recognition.

The post ELA Games’ Buffalo Force Charges to Outstanding Results: 62% GGR Growth in Just 3 Weeks appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.