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Microgravity Gaming League – Call of Duty: Mobile tournament wraps up with a nail – biting finish

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The e-sports event powered by HP India sweeps the gamers away with popularity and social media with a huge buzz

A fiery game fever and an unprecedented adrenaline rush was at its peak amongst mobile gamers in the country when the Tournament Showdown of MGL’s ‘Call of Duty: Mobile’ kicked off at 1:00 PM IST on 20th December 2020. Microgravity Gaming League awarded the top 3 winners with cash prizes and the latest gaming accessories sponsored by HP.  The first position was won by Team IND along with the title of MGL’s ‘Call of Duty: Mobile’ champion. The second and the third place were bagged by teams who call themselves Fenrir x Alpha and Shots respectively. The co-sponsors of MGL, HP India also awarded the Man of the Match title which includes an HP Reverb VR Headset to team IND’s player – Sly^.

MGL’s ‘Call of Duty: Mobile’ was a nation-wide tournament. The league unfolded in three stages – the Qualifying Round, the Battle Phase, and the Grand Finale. After the outstanding success of the first edition of the Microgravity Gaming League – Free Fire tournament held between August and September 2020, Microgravity Ventures has now successfully hosted and completed this bigger, better, and bolder Microgravity Gaming League – ‘Call of Duty: Mobile’ tournament.

The battle arena got heated with 256 teams entering into competition with each other. The excitement and fun kept building through the tournament as the games reached the finale. The final match was fought between team IND and Fenrir x Alpha whereas team Shots and Indian risers fought for the third place. The final match was played in the best of three formats. The first match-up was won by Team IND; the second match-up saw Fenrir x Alpha make a great comeback; and the third match-up was a truly nail-biting one, eventually won by Team IND. The Man of the Match title was awarded to team IND’s Sly^ after an outstanding performance of a total of 29 kills in the match.

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Excited with their roaring success, Team IND said, “The whole tourney was great, the management was really good. Many underdog teams got a chance to compete and showcase their skills. The matches didn’t take much of our time as they were best of one’s. Competing in such a great event really brings out the adrenaline in you. It was a very well-organized event and that too completing these many matches in only one day.

Congratulating the winners of the “MGL – Call of Duty: Mobile” tournament, Mr. Wilton Suresh Pangoria, HP India, says, “We are very happy to enter into this relationship with Microgravity Ventures, who aim to propagate e-sports and promote world-class gaming with state-of-the-art technologies like virtual reality and augmented reality in India. We would love to be associated with the Microgravity Gaming League in the future for their upcoming tournaments & intend to make e-sports bigger and better along with Microgravity Ventures.”

Thanking all the gamers who registered and participated in the “MGL – Call of Duty: Mobile” tournament, Mr. Devendra Singh, Head of Operations at Microgravity Ventures, says, “Microgravity Gaming League came back and as promised it was more aggressive, competitive, and more fun than before. Undoubtedly, it is a fete to achieve – one day, three phases, and 256 teams. I congratulate all the winners and thank all the participating teams, while extending my gratitude to HP India for powering MGL’s ‘Call of Duty: Mobile’ tournament. We aim to continue promoting e-sports in a big way through the Microgravity Gaming League.”

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India Investigates Google Over Policies for Real-money Games

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India’s competition oversight body has ordered a probe into Google over its policies for real-money games on its platform

The investigation comes after a complaint by online gaming group WinZO that called Google’s policies restrictive.

WinZO contacted India’s Competition Commission (CCI) back in 2022, after it was excluded from Google’s Play Store, despite some of its competitors being allowed.

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Google’s policy had allowed for real-money games which include rummy and fantasy sports but the company was rejected for carrying games in other categories that Google did not accept – including car racing, puzzles and Indian carrom.

“By granting preferential treatment to select app categories, Google effectively creates a two-tier market where some developers are accorded superior access and visibility while others are discriminated against and thus, left with a competitive disadvantage,” indicates a letter from the CCI.

The post India Investigates Google Over Policies for Real-money Games appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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GR8 Tech Expands Infrastructure into Asia with 25% Performance Boost

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To better serve clients in the target Asian region, GR8 Tech has expanded its technical infrastructure with new, automated server setups. The upgrade enables rapid platform deployment across markets, delivering optimized, high-performance experiences for Asian users with 99,96% uptime even during top sporting events such as the World Cup or IPL.

Our expansion into Asia is not merely a strategic move, but an opportunity to set a new standard in iGaming. The initiative allows us to better meet client needs, providing reliable performance that builds trust and boosts engagement,” said Yevhen Krazhan, CBDO at GR8 Tech.

Previously, product load times in Asia were hindered by reliance on centralized servers in Frankfurt, leading to delays that affected user experience. In response, GR8 Tech deployed the platform’s main frontend as a standalone solution and established a new data center in Asia, which has significantly reduced load times and enhanced service delivery to clients across the region. As a result, web performance metrics have improved by 25% in the region.

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To further enhance performance, GR8 Tech selected an optimal content delivery management provider to bring services closer to clients and improve access speed. The platform also implemented front-end optimizations to boost operational efficiency. The migration will continue with backend infrastructure improvements, reducing the number of frontend-to-backend calls and further enhancing service reliability and speed.

The migration to Asia is a pivotal project for GR8 Tech, with our SRE, Sportsbook, and Platform teams working closely to deploy the solution, achieving significant improvements in web performance and enabling faster market launches. The project embodies the kind of collaboration that excites us – harnessing our combined strengths to build high-performance infrastructure and establish our leadership in key Asian markets,” said Artur Ashyrov, CTO and Deputy CEO at GR8 Tech.

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Navigating Japan’s Evolving iGaming Landscape: Insights and Predictions with Sachiko West

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Current State of the Market (2024)

How would you describe the current state of the iGaming market in Japan in 2024? Have there been any significant milestones or shifts this year?

Despite the uncertainty of how the future Police campaigns will change the iGaming landscape in Japan, the number of online casino users including sports bettors seems to be growing steadily, and more online casinos are entering the Japanese market.   One thing in common within the industry is that companies no longer hire anyone based in Japan for the Japanese market.   

What are the most popular types of games or gambling activities among Japanese players right now?

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Social casino games are on the up. Besides Pachinko-type slots, Plinko, Crash and Hi-Lo are increasingly popular among casino players.

How has the regulatory environment evolved in 2024? Have there been any notable changes that impacted operators or consumers?

In 2024, the Japanese Police arrested more people than the previous years in relation to use of online casinos. Streamers have become a clear target as well as payment providers based in Japan.  Encouraged by the current Prime Minister’s support, the Police declared in August that they would investigate more iGaming affiliates and online casino operators even outside Japan.  The Police made over 100 arrests so far in 2024 in relation to use of online casinos.  

With more risks associated with promoting online casinos, streamers command higher fees than ever.  Some YouTubers are migrating to other platforms trying to avoid detection by the Police.   

What role has mobile gaming played in shaping the iGaming market in Japan, and how does it compare to desktop or other platforms?

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Japan is a mobile market. Over 70% of players play on a mobile phone. As they are also technology-driven people, the usability of the casino platform on mobile phones could be the key to acquire and retain players. Those operators who study the Japanese mobile players’ behaviour and preferences would have enjoyed better results in both casino and sports betting in 2024.      

Have advancements in technology, such as blockchain or virtual reality, been widely adopted in Japan’s iGaming sector?

More and more people are shifting to using cryptocurrency when they play online casinos. The demographics of crypt users are also wider in Japan. User age could be up to 60. 

 

Challenges and Opportunities

What do you see as the biggest challenges currently facing operators and other stakeholders in the Japanese market?

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Japan is an affiliate-driven market. The affiliate/ streamer costs are expected to increase as the risks increase.  As direct marketing i.e. through local media is limited, boosting brand awareness can be tricky. You have to come up with creative ideas and catch the right moment. 

With increasing competition from both local and international operators, how are companies differentiating themselves to attract Japanese players?

To start with, operators tend to hire native Japanese speakers to make sure the site is fully localized and to meet the needs of Japanese users. Then the branding. They also tend to offer bonuses and promotions that are appealing to Japanese users.  

Are there any notable examples of successful partnerships between operators and local entities or institutions in Japan?

Live streaming providers and fighting event organisers are known to work with operators well.

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How do you think offshore and unlicensed operators affect the market landscape and trust among consumers?

Not many unlicensed operators are known or promoted in the Japanese market. 

 

Looking Ahead to 2025

What key trends or developments do you expect to emerge in Japan’s iGaming market in 2025?

More new Japanese players via social media would play at online casinos in 2025.  More deposits will be made in cryptocurrency.

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Are there specific regulatory reforms or discussions that might significantly impact the market next year?

The Police investigation efforts might impact the market, depending on who is involved and when they happen.

With the market’s growth, do you foresee new entrants, both local and international, establishing a foothold in Japan?

I expect to see more newcomers in the Japanese market, as they have room for growth.  Having said that, they might struggle in the competition unless they have strong branding and region-specific strategies.   

How important is localization for operators planning to enter or expand in the Japanese iGaming market? What should they prioritize?

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It is extremely important to have the site fully localized. It is the top priority.  Some affiliates don’t even work with you unless your site is fully localized and provides good Japanese customer support. 

What technological innovations do you believe will drive growth in the iGaming sector in Japan in 2025?

Any functionality that brings about a community feel and better usability for users. 

Insights and Predictions

Do you think Japan will ever move towards a more unified or liberal regulatory framework for online gambling? If so, what might catalyze this change?

Land casinos have been legalized and one is expected to be built in Osaka by 2030. Unfortunately, there is no sign of this new move being extended to online gambling in the near future. The government is opposed to it.

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What advice would you give to iGaming companies looking to launch in Japan or expand their presence in 2025?

Look out for any new on the Police investigations on operators based outside Japan and any arrest of affiliates. You make sure to have native Japanese speakers to oversee the latest developments.  

How do you see Japanese consumers’ preferences evolving in terms of gameplay, payment systems, and interaction with platforms?

Players always liked everything fast, but now they like it faster.  Expectation of faster service in payments, game loading, support’s response, etc is higher than ever. 

They also tend to like the feeling of ‘belonging’ whether as in VIP, community chat, player-to player activities. 

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Broader Market Perspectives

Lastly, what excites you the most about the future of iGaming in Japan?

As Japanese people are more familiar with international sporting events with live streaming services, I believe that the sports betting market will grow in the future.  There have been talks within the government to legalize sports betting, too.  

The post Navigating Japan’s Evolving iGaming Landscape: Insights and Predictions with Sachiko West appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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