Gaming

Top Marks for Success: Kwalee’s Teacher Simulator has crossed 30 million teachers!

Published

4 years ago

June 24, 2021

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Launched in November 2020, this classroom-based phenomenon from Kwalee backed FareShare in their fight against food poverty.

Teacher Simulator, a hypercasual mobile game in which players manage a classroom of kids, has officially crossed 30 million downloads worldwide. Developed and published by Kwalee, the game was first launched in November 2020, surpassing 4 million players in the same month.

Teacher Simulator is a charming little game that dives into the nostalgic trappings of school life – asking questions, picking students out, marking grades, keeping an eye on exam cheats – albeit with a lighthearted tone and humour. It became one of Kwalee’s big hits during 2020 and rose up as a flagship game quickly.

European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

“It’s great to see a game like this reaching so many players and still continuing to grow,” Kwalee’s CEO David Darling CBE said of its success.

“That so many players clearly want to engage with new experiences like Teacher Simulator fills us with pride and confidence to keep making unique titles with a broad range of influences.”

2020 was a period of adaptation for Kwalee, as it was for businesses around the world, with the Leamington Spa-headquartered company adapting to remote work for the first time as well as opening its first overseas offices in Bangalore, India and Beijing, China. Kwalee now employs more than 160 people across 13 countries and developing hits such as Teacher Simulator with a global team is now a definite norm.

“Teacher Simulator, along with other hits from the year including Bake It, Object Hunt and Blade Forge 3D, have proven the success of our transition to globally-distributed teams and remote working in 2020,” added David Darling.

“This is the blueprint for how we see ourselves working and building more hits in the long term.”

During the first quarter of 2021, Teacher Simulator played a significant role in Kwalee’s efforts to back the Marcus Rashford-backed charity, FareShare, to fight against child food poverty.

Kwalee pledged 100% of the UK profits made from the game’s advertisements and in-app purchases over the first week of the school term to FareShare, with the hopes that it would help provide children with the sustenance and nutrition they need to keep themselves healthy and happy.

Teacher Simulator has grabbed everyone’s attention since its first pitch during Creative Wednesday, attaining overwhelmingly positive responses from the Kwalee development teams as well their public test audiences.

Today, the game stacks up alongside Kwalee’s most popular games such as Shootout 3D (35 million downloads), Bake It (49 million downloads), and Draw It (94 million+ downloads) – all of which are the brainchildren of Creative Wednesdays.

“We couldn’t have reached this milestone without the support of our amazing teams.” Head of Development Simon Platt stated.

“They’ve worked tirelessly to bring you the kind of fun that attracts and surprises folks around us, so we feel humbled when news like this comes up. It always reminds us why we’re doing this and why making games is the best thing, bar none.”

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

7 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

2 weeks 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.