Gaming
modl.ai unveils Puzzle Maker – an AI-based development tool uniquely designed to support the demand for Match-3 puzzle levels
modl.ai’s latest AI-based development tool gives match-3 level designers the ability to generate hundreds of ready to use game levels overnight, removing a major time and resource bottleneck
Danish AI company modl.ai has unveiled Puzzle Maker, a new game development tool that uses AI and Machine Learning to help the developers of match-3 puzzle games meet the ongoing challenge of creating enough new levels to keep players engaged. Whereas a specialist level designer might be able to design one or two levels in a day, Puzzle Maker can generate hundreds of levels in just a few days, hugely reducing the human time and cost of supporting these games.
Match-3 games are some of the world’s most popular games – particularly on mobile – with examples like Candy Crush Saga, Gardenscapes and Bejeweled Blitz downloaded hundreds of millions of times. According to game analytics company GameRefinery, match-3 games are so popular that they make up 16% of all mobile game revenues on the US Apple app store.
To give some idea of how important level creation is to these games, Candy Crush Saga currently has more than 9000 levels – with more added on a weekly basis. Any ability to automate the level design and creation process therefore has the potential to save developers considerable time and money.
Unlike other types of puzzle, match-3 games don’t have a single solution – meaning they are very hard to create using automated software. modl.ai’s approach was to create two AI-based tools: a content generator and a level tester that, when used together, solve many of the challenges of creating a constant flow of game levels.
Puzzle Maker’s content generator is based on procedural content generation via machine learning (PCGML), meaning that it learns from existing levels and also improves the more levels it creates, with as few as 100 levels needed to complete the training phase. Each level the tool creates can be customised through a dashboard where the level designer can set a variety of parameters, from the size of the playing canvas to the kinds of puzzle pieces and challenges in each level.
Once levels have been generated, Puzzle Maker tests each level with AI bots to understand how many moves it takes to complete a level, the time it takes to complete, the number of reshuffles required and even the predicted likelihood that players will win the level – a key part of keeping players engaged over time. This data provides developers with insights into each level’s difficulty and provides characterisations of the structural level features such as the ratios of piece types and their distribution. All of this information is displayed to the level designer, who can review each one and decide if they are good enough to be included in the actual game. If they are, the code for the level is generated ready to be added.
“Match-3 games are often seen as simple and only for casual gamers, but in reality they are very clever and complex. This means that developers have relied on skilled level designers to keep coming up with fresh designs, and the only way to make more levels is to hire more level designers. We saw an opportunity to bring a new approach,” said Christoffer Holmgård, CEO at modl.ai. “By giving level designers a tool like Puzzle Maker, they get to use their expertise to know what their audience will love, but without the hours of trial and error work that we’ve automated. By solving the quantity problem, developers can focus on the quality.”
modl.ai was founded by a talented and diverse team of game developers, engineers and AI experts who saw the opportunity to use AI to automate and improve aspects of the game development process. Between them, the company founders have been involved in the development and launch of more than 30 games. Despite being less than three years old, modl.ai ranks second in the world among private companies for the number of technical game publications its team has authored.
You can find out more at www.modl.ai.
Powered by WPeMatico
Gaming
Make-A-Wish® and Lords Mobile Unite This Thanksgiving Season to Bring Hope to Children Through Mobile Charity Event
Reading Time: 2 minutes
From November 26-30, Lords Mobile players worldwide can help grant life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses through a global in-game charity challenge.
Make-A-Wish®, the world’s leading wish-granting organization, is delighted to announce a special collaboration with IGG, the global developer and publisher of hit mobile titles.
This Thanksgiving season, the two organizations are coming together to transform the spirit of gratitude into global impact through a community charity challenge inside Lords Mobile.
From November 26 to 30, 2025, players from around the world will unite across their respective Kingdoms to combine play with purpose. By completing five days of in-game quests and collecting 30 event points, players can unlock the exclusive “Wish Upon a Star” Decoration – a special symbol of hope within the Lords Mobile world.
Once 50,000 players across the global server have claimed the Wish Upon a Star Decoration, IGG will donate $50,000 USD to Make-A-Wish to help grant life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. The donation will support wishes in the USA, Indonesia, Brazil, Germany, Singapore, and Korea.
Players who wish to enhance their event experience can also purchase four in-game packs priced at USD 4.99 or above to unlock premium rewards such as Mystic Carpets, Royal Coins, and more.
April Stallings, Charitable Gaming and Creators Community Manager at Make-A-Wish International said:
“Thanksgiving is a time for reflection, generosity, and connection. We’re deeply grateful to IGG and the global Lords Mobile community for harnessing their passion for play to help make life-changing wishes come true. Together, we’re turning the power of gaming into the power of hope.”
As players unite to achieve their community goals, Make-A-Wish will highlight real wish stories from participating countries, connecting the in-game achievements to the life-changing impact they help create.
Together, IGG and Make-A-Wish are showing the power of the gaming community to make a difference.
The post Make-A-Wish® and Lords Mobile Unite This Thanksgiving Season to Bring Hope to Children Through Mobile Charity Event appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
155.io
155.io flips the script again with Coin Flip game release
Reading Time: < 1 minute
155.io, the live content studio built for a mobile-first world, has turned convention on its head with the launch of Coin Flip, a machine-run coin-flipping game.
Tossing coins is as old as time as a means to settle football matches, pub games, and everyday decisions – now 155.io has transformed that timeless ritual into a live, 24/7 digital betting experience.
Central to Coin Flip is a real coin-flipping machine, powered by a precision solenoid and monitored by an overhead camera. Every coin flip is analysed by machine learning and AI systems that record and validate results in real time, feeding the outcome directly into a secure game engine. All players have to do is correctly pick heads or tails – one side features the U.S. President and the other the American flag.
Coin Flip runs continuously, 24 hours a day, offering the world’s simplest, fastest, and totally transparent betting experience.
155.io Founder and CEO Sam Jones commented: “Tossing coins is something humans have done for millennia to decide anything from fixtures to fiefdoms. Coin Flip modernises that ancient ritual, in true 155 style, and adds a competitive layer that makes it seriously entertaining.”
The post 155.io flips the script again with Coin Flip game release appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Counter-Strike 2
Just Dance, MLBB and HADO Added to Lineup of Global Gaming Icons for the Games of the Future 2025
Reading Time: 2 minutes
Phygital International (PI), the exclusive rights holder and custodian of the Games of the Future (GOTF), is unveiling the final game titles set to feature in this December’s pioneering phygital sports tournament, along with a powerful line-up of new global media partners who will bring the event to fans around the world.
With 11 disciplines and the world’s best athletes ready to compete across virtual and physical challenges, the Games of the Future 2025, taking place at ADNEC in Abu Dhabi from 18-23 December, promises to deliver a groundbreaking phygital showcase that will redefine what it means to play, perform and compete.
In addition to previously announced global esports icons such as Counter-Strike 2, Dota 2, Fortnite, Fatal Fury: City of Wolves, UFL and 3on3 Freestyle, Phygital International has confirmed three new titles that further broaden the depth and dynamism of the tournament. Each game has been carefully selected to complement a unique phygital discipline, showcasing the full spectrum of speed, skill and strategy that defines the Games of the Future.
Joining the roster is Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB), the global mobile gaming phenomenon that has defined the multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) genre for millions of players worldwide. In the MOBA Mobile discipline, MLBB will see players battle in high intensity matches that test strategy, coordination and tactical mastery.
Adding rhythm and flair to the lineup, Just Dance, the world’s best-selling dance game series, will take centre stage in the Phygital Dancing competition. Renowned for its vibrant energy and expressive gameplay, Just Dance brings one of the world’s most dynamic and community-driven gaming experiences to GOTF 2025, where athletes will be challenged to combine choreography, precision and physical stamina as digital gameplay meets live performance in a visually electrifying showcase.
In the confirmed lineup of tournament games, the addition of HADO completes the roster, serving as the core of the virtual reality (VR) gaming competition. As a pioneering augmented reality (AR) experience, HADO integrates real-world body movements with digital game scenarios through wearable AR technology. Players do not use controllers; instead, they directly “control” virtual skills with their physical movements – running, dodging and aiming in the real world – with every action directly impacting the in-game situation and instantly reflected visually. HADO promises to deliver a fast-paced, visually stunning VR competitive experience.
“These newly announced titles highlight the full range of phygital sports that people can experience at the Games of the Future 2025. From the expressive energy of dance, the global appeal of mobile esports to the groundbreaking innovation of AR gameplay, this second wave of games highlights the diversity and excitement of phygital sport,” said Nis Hatt, CEO of Phygital International.
In addition to expanding its game lineup, Phygital International is also announcing a series of major global media partnerships, ensuring that the Games of the Future 2025 will be accessible to fans around the world through both digital and broadcast platforms.
The post Just Dance, MLBB and HADO Added to Lineup of Global Gaming Icons for the Games of the Future 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
-
Central Europe7 days agoOddin.gg Wins the Deloitte Technology Fast 50 Central Europe for the Second Year in a Row
-
Australia6 days agoCrown Melbourne Fined for Exclusion Breach
-
Eastern Europe7 days agoWorldMatch Partners with MrBit
-
Balkans6 days agoEGT Digital Wins “Online Platform of the Year” for the Second Consecutive Year at the Golden Spade’s Awards 2025
-
Balkans7 days agoCT Interactive Shortlisted in Three Categories at the BEGE Awards 2025
-
Latest News7 days agoPeter & Sons Strengthens Its Nordic Footprint Through Partnership with Nordplay Group
-
ELA Games5 days agoGlory & Honour Await the Strongest Gladiators in ELA Games’ Newest Game, Roman Fortune
-
Compliance Updates7 days agoStake joins ESIC as official anti-corruption partner



