Gaming

Jagex Partners continues to grow its capabilities with new key team additions

Published

4 years ago

June 2, 2021

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Leading UK game developer and publisher of living games, Jagex has today announced that it has further expanded the studio’s partnerships and third-party publishing capabilities. The hires are made as Jagex Partners readies for the upcoming announcement and release of its maiden title, developed by Flying Wild Hogs and its Cracow studio development team.

Chris Pfeiffer is Jagex Partners’ new Director of Product Management, with responsibility for leading a team of product managers and developing a strategy for driving long-term player retention for new titles. Chris has more than 20 years in the industry having been Director of Gameplay Programming for such games as Ratchet & Clank and Resistance: Fall of Man at Insomniac Games, as well as Executive Producer roles at Kabam and Wargaming.

Thomas Hopper joins Jagex as Senior Producer for Third-Party games. Thomas has 13 years of experience in live game operations, having worked at Blizzard Entertainment and Bethesda Games Studios, where he was Live Production Lead for Fallout 76. In his time there he managed the live operations team for the game and oversaw the rollout of the Wastelanders and Steel Dawn expansions.

European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

Stuart Bottell comes onboard as Platform Partnerships Lead at Jagex, responsible for adding new capabilities to Jagex Partners, helping to position Jagex as the publishing partner of choice for third-party developers of living games, and extending the audience reach of those games to more platforms and markets. With 15 years of industry experience, Stuart has previously held commercial manager roles at EA and then PlayStation, where he owned and oversaw strategy for first-party and third-party games.

Robert Fox-Galassi completes the line-up as Lead Product Manager across Jagex Partners projects. Robert has more than 13 years’ experience in the gaming space and joins from Wargaming where he was a Product Manager and Senior Game Designer.

Jeff Pabst, VP of Jagex Partners, said: “Each of these new hires brings a wealth of industry experience in developing high-quality games and in overseeing the kind of high-performance third-party development teams we are and will be working with in the future. As we prepare to lift the lid on the first JXP title, developed by the team at Flying Wild Hog in Cracow, these additions come at a very exciting time.”

Phil Mansell, Jagex CEO, added: “2021 is proving to be yet another important year for us in terms of recruiting, with new additions to the Jagex Partners’ third-party publishing team just one part of a concerted effort to build capabilities across the company. These new hires will play a crucial role in Jagex’s further growth by accelerating the development of new and existing games for wider global audiences.”

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

3 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

6 days 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.