Gaming

Miniclip’s 8 Ball Pool marks decade since launch as monthly match count hits 1.6 billion

Published

4 years ago

June 2, 2021

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Miniclip, the digital gaming leader and developer of market-defining mobile game titles, is celebrating the 10-year anniversary of the launch of its 8 Ball Pool game – the biggest online pool game in the world.

To mark the occasion, Miniclip is releasing the ‘Bismuth’ cue, named after the Bismuth Stone, a rare mineral known for its ability to transform and change appearance. The Bismuth will be 8 Ball Pool’s first ever animated and evolving cue – a unique touch for players who will witness changes with each cue upgrade.

Miniclip will also be launching a month of activities and rewards, with quests for players to complete, the 10-year themed Season Pass, unique minigames and live events. Giveaways, rewards and even celebrity appearances will also be involved during the celebrations.

European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

Miniclip President Rob Small commented: “8 Ball Pool has been a pillar of Miniclip’s success and has evolved into much more than a simple pool game. With several modes, clubs, leagues, leaderboards, live events and a Trophy Road, we’ve given players new and exciting ways to enjoy their time online. We look forward to announcing more new features as part of the anniversary celebrations and to continue bringing players together for many more years to come.”

8 Ball Pool has not slowed down on its promise to bring Pool Players together from all over the world with around 100 Million friends made within the game every single month and around 550 million gifts sent between them! With the growing number of 8 Ball Pool players each year, Miniclip looks forward to hosting more matches and keep adding to the 115 billion matches that have been played just in the last 3 years.

Every month, 8 Ball Pool racks up:
• 15 billion minutes of in-game play time – That’s 261 million hours, or around 29,000 years!
• 1.6 billion matches
• 19 billion shots
• 15 billion balls potted
• 549 million gifts sent between players

In the last three years, 8 Pool Ball has seen:
• Over 1.5 trillion minutes spent in game
• That’s 24 billion hours, or around 2 million years
• 115 billion matches played

Ranked as Miniclip’s number one game, 8 Ball Pool offers free content and can be played from any computer device and runs in any ordinary flash-enabled browser fluently. The game hosts over 10 million players from all around the world every single day.
Miniclip is also celebrating its own 20th anniversary. Co-founder and now President Rob Small launched Miniclip.com in 2001 at the age of 24 with a dream to build a next generation game entertainment company. Today, Miniclip offers over 60 high-quality titles across more than 195 countries, generating two billion downloads and over 50 million active daily players.

FreezeNova

10-15% Of Gamers In Florida Show Signs Of Gaming Addiction: Here Are 10 Signs Your Kid Is Suffering From It (And How You Can Help)

Published

6 days ago

December 20, 2024

GamingAmericas.com

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Recent studies indicate that 10-15% of young gamers in Florida exhibit signs of gaming addiction. These findings underscore the need for early identification of symptoms to prevent negative impacts on children’s mental and physical health. Gaming addiction, if not dealt with, can lead to poor academic performance, social withdrawal, and even health problems.

Marin Cristian-Ovidiu, CEO of FreezeNova, discusses key indicators of gaming addiction and offers practical advice for parents.

Recognizing Early Signs

“Early recognition of gaming addiction is crucial in preventing long-term negative outcomes,” Marin explains. The following signs can help parents identify if their child might be developing an addiction:

Exhaustion and Irritability

Constant tiredness and grumpiness during the day could indicate late-night gaming sessions interfering with sleep.

Gaming Obsession

If gaming dominates your child’s thoughts and conversations, and they plan their day around it while neglecting other responsibilities, it could be a sign of addiction.

Decline in Academic Performance and Lost Interests

A noticeable decline in academic performance or loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities may suggest your child is prioritizing gaming over more important tasks.

Emotional Volatility

Extreme emotional reactions to in-game outcomes, such as uncontrolled anger, known as ‘Gamer Rage’, or intense celebrations, could indicate an unhealthy attachment to gaming.

Physical Strain

Signs of repetitive strain injuries like ‘Gamer’s Thumb’ or ‘Nintendo Neck’ from prolonged screen time are warning signals.

Neglecting Basic Needs

If your child is neglecting basic needs like eating, sleeping, or hygiene to keep playing, gaming has likely taken an unhealthy control over their life.

Creating a Supportive Environment

While video games can be a great source of entertainment and connection, around 70% of people with signs of gaming addiction also experience social disorders. Marin recommends a few tips for building a supportive and open environment for your child.

Teamwork and Setting Boundaries

“Parents and children should work together to create a healthy gaming environment. Gaming addiction requires a holistic approach,” Marin advises. Start by setting clear boundaries on gaming time to ensure there’s room for schoolwork, chores, and quality family time.

Revisit activities your child once loved, like football practice or exploring new hobbies together. It’s vital for your child to take breaks from screens, so create a balanced daily routine that includes homework, chores, exercise and just some gaming time. This allows your child to enjoy their games without neglecting other aspects of their life.

Open Communication

Maintain open communication. Discuss the games your child enjoys and any concerns you might have. By understanding their world, you can work together to find solutions.

Remember, you’re not alone. If you feel overwhelmed, seek professional help from specialists in gaming addiction. Marin concludes, “By working as a team, setting clear boundaries, and fostering open communication, we can help your child develop a healthy relationship with gaming and thrive in all areas of life.”

Compliance Updates

SYNOT Games Officially Certifies Over 140 Games in Brazil

Published

1 week ago

December 17, 2024

GamingAmericas.com

synot-games-officially-certifies-over-140-games-in-brazil

SYNOT Games has announced that more than 140 of its games have now been officially certified in Brazil.

“We are delighted to announce that more than 140 of our games have now been officially certified in Brazil. This significant achievement allows us to expand our reach and introduce a diverse selection of games to this dynamic market. Brazil represents a key opportunity for growth, and we are committed to delivering exceptional gaming experiences to the Brazilian audience,” the Company said.

“We are thrilled to introduce our portfolio in Brazil, offering innovative and engaging gameplay that promises to captivate and entertain players,” Martina Krajci, CCO at SYNOT Games, said.

Gaming

SPGA Introduces Code of Conduct to Highlight Member Commitment to Compliance and Safety in Social and Promotional Gaming

Published

1 week ago

December 16, 2024

GamingAmericas.com

spga-introduces-code-of-conduct-to-highlight-member-commitment-to-compliance-and-safety-in-social-and-promotional-gaming

The Social and Promotional Gaming Association (SPGA), an organization dedicated to providing stakeholder education and advocating for the responsible operation of social games offering promotional sweepstakes prizes, today announced the implementation of a Code of Conduct for its operator members.

The Code of Conduct is designed to spotlight the processes and technologies already in place at both SPGA member sites and the majority of social casinos offering promotional sweepstakes, also referred to as social sweeps games.

Social sweeps games combine the established social casino model, on which Americans have spent over $40 billion in the last decade, and add promotional prizes. No purchase is necessary to win prizes, and the vast majority of users play for free.

The foundational pillars of the Code of Conduct include the application of regulation-grade suppliers, technology, or policies to ensure:

Age verification to limit real money play to users 18 and older
Proper identity verification (Know Your Customer or KYC)
Location verification of customers
AML policies to ensure proper transaction monitoring

“The pillars of the SPGA Code of Conduct highlight the technology and processes already in place at most social sweeps operators to ensure that the millions of adults who enjoy these games do so in a safe and reliable environment,” said Camilla Wright of Red Knot Communications, a spokesperson for the SPGA.

“The standards of the Code of Conduct go above and beyond the accepted best practices for traditional social casinos.”

In the months ahead, the SPGA will release more details on the Code of Conduct, introduce additional pillars, and engage an external firm to certify member compliance with the Code.

“We look forward to continuing to develop the Code of Conduct to further strengthen the commitment of SPGA members to compliance and player protection while providing consumers with a highly social and engaging experience that is always free to play,” said Wright.