Gaming

gamescom 2021: digital event a major success – promising outlook for the post-election political climate

Published

5 years ago

September 1, 2021

Reading Time: 2 minutes

gamescom took a major step forward in its second year as a purely digital event. Numerous facets of the digital concept were optimised, resulting in hundreds of satisfied gamescom partners and millions of satisfied fans around the world. The grand opening show “gamescom: Opening Night Live” with host Geoff Keighley alone reached around 5.8 million live viewers, which is more than 30 per cent more than in 2020, with again around 2 million viewers simultaneously. In all, 13 million people watched gamescom shows this year – an increase of 30 per cent compared to the previous year. gamescom was followed in more than 180 countries around the globe.

‘gamescom 2021 was a tremendous success. Not only was the community closely involved through gamescom EPIX, but the event also featured the entirely revamped “gamescom now” hub and our programme of gamescom shows, including “gamescom: Opening Night Live”. We succeeded in taking a huge step forward with our digital concept – to the delight of our many partners and of the community as a whole. This offers us an outstanding digital foundation for the years to come, when gamescom will be able to take place in Cologne once again and we can combine the digital experience with live, in-person visits,’ says Felix Falk, Managing Director of game – the German Games Industry Association, which is a joint organiser of gamescom. ‘Be it the political opening of gamescom or the Debatt(l)e Royale, I am pleased that all the parties have taken this opportunity a few short weeks before the German parliamentary elections to highlight the importance of digital and games policy for the upcoming legislative period. There was a cross-party consensus that further improvements in the conditions for Germany as a games location were on tap, including the simplification and continuation of games funding, efforts to attract specialist personnel, the deployment of serious games and the expansion of digital infrastructure. Thanks to these positive signals at gamescom, our German games industry can look forward to the German parliamentary elections with confidence.’

gamescom 2021 was clearly focused on its central theme ‘Games: The New Normal’. The gamescom congress and political events in particular offered opportunities for guests, including Andreas Scheuer, the Federal Minister of Transport and Digital Infrastructure, and Dorothee Bär, Minister of State for Digitalisation, to highlight the tremendous social and economic potential of games, and the need for Germany to make fuller use of this potential. It was pointed out that improving the conditions in which the German games industry operates is a key requirement for making this possible.

gamescom 2022 will take place from 24 to 28 August in Cologne and online.

Big Time Gaming

BTG Launches the High-Stakes Thriller, Millionaire Megapots™

Published

3 hours ago

March 10, 2026

Wladimir P.

btg-launches-the-high-stakes-thriller,-millionaire-megapots

Step into the Hot Seat and chase life-changing wins in Millionaire Megapots, the latest prime-time release from Big Time Gaming.

This isn’t a game for the faint-hearted. Players take centre stage on the studio floor, facing the electrifying reels where every spin could change everything.

The tension ramps up when six or more Coin symbols land anywhere on the reels, triggering the thrilling Hold and Spin feature with three respins to start. Each symbol position becomes its own reel, revealing additional Coins holding prize amounts, multipliers, or coveted Megapots icons. Every time new Coins land, respins reset to three, keeping the stakes high as the total prize climbs. At the end of the respins, total prizes are multiplied by all revealed multipliers. Collect three matching Megapots icons to win the corresponding jackpot.

For the ultimate thrill, if every reel position reveals a Coin, the Hold & Win bonus doubles the total prize—delivering a show-stopping finale. The Mini, Midi, and Mega Megapots, displayed above the reels, showcase dynamic jackpots that change with every spin and can only be won during the Hold and Spin feature.

Inspired by the iconic Hot Seat from Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, the Hot Seat Free Spins Gamble replicates the same heart-pounding risk-versus-reward excitement. Players can climb the ladder for up to 50 Free Spins, with unsuccessful gambles risking lost spins. Rungs two and seven act as safety nets, guaranteeing 10 and 20 Free Spins, while classic Lifelines—50:50, Phone a Friend, Ask the Audience—offer support at every stage.

Free Spins are triggered by landing three or more Millionaire Scatters, awarding 10 spins and entry to the Hot Seat Gamble ladder. Each Scatter moves players up the ladder, and during Free Spins, win multipliers start at 1x and increase with every Coin that lands. Additional Scatters extend spins, building tension and potential.

For instant intensity, Bonus Buy offers direct access: Hold and Spin for 65x stake, 12 Free Spins for 125x, or 20 Free Spins for 250x. Power Play, available for 8x stake, guarantees at least 10,000 Megaways per spin.

With up to 200,704 Megaways, high volatility, and a maximum win of 91,000x the stake, Millionaire Megapots delivers the drama, spectacle, and life-changing ambition of the Hot Seat—all powered by BTG’s signature gameplay innovation.

Nik Robinson, Founder and CEO of Big Time Gaming, said:
“With Millionaire Megapots, we wanted to capture the raw, edge-of-your-seat tension of the Hot Seat. By combining our Megaways engine with Megapots and the Hot Seat Free Spins Gamble, players truly feel the heat of the studio floor. It’s all about the big risk, rising stakes, and life-changing reward.”

The post BTG Launches the High-Stakes Thriller, Millionaire Megapots™ appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Asia

GodLike Esports’ gaming creator Sharkshe unveils upgraded gaming room powered by Red Bull

Published

3 hours ago

March 10, 2026

Wladimir P.

godlike-esports’-gaming-creator-sharkshe-unveils-upgraded-gaming-room-powered-by-red-bull

GodLike Esports star Sharkshe has revealed her newly upgraded gaming room, created in partnership with Red Bull to deliver a premium streaming and content production setup.

Sharkshe, one of India’s leading female gaming creators, boasts over 500,000 YouTube subscribers and is known for her lifestyle content and livestreams featuring games like Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI).

The revamped room is designed to elevate both her streaming and content creation. It features moveable custom studio lights for flexible shooting angles, allowing Sharkshe to produce a variety of content without leaving her room.

Red Bull branding is integrated throughout the setup, including a Red Bull cooler, custom can holders, and a mesh wall for hanging memorabilia and personal items. The layout doubles as a fully functional content studio.

The upgraded space will now serve as Sharkshe’s central hub for livestreams, videos, and other creative content, enhancing the experience for her audience.

The post GodLike Esports’ gaming creator Sharkshe unveils upgraded gaming room powered by Red Bull appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Edvardas Sadovskis CPO at ICONIC21

Drive player engagement higher with ICONIC21’s Mines

Published

6 hours ago

March 10, 2026

Wladimir P.

drive-player-engagement-higher-with-iconic21’s-mines

Provider introduces an additional arcade game to its expanding collection, enabling operators to capitalize on the increasing demand for dynamic content.

A single action transforms everything in Mines, the newest virtual game from sought-after iGaming content creator, ICONIC21.

Mines operates on a clear grid where each successful uncovering of a safe location immediately increases the multiplier. Enabling the user to choose both the grid dimensions and the count of hidden mines grants them greater control over the unpredictability and possible expansion of their session.

This style of play focuses on the “Cash Out,” a moment of heightened control where the player chooses precisely when to lock in their progress before a mine resets the game board.

The essence of the experience is influenced by managing risk and timing. Players have the option to choose from 3×3, 4×4, or 5×5 grids, in addition to deciding how many mines can show up, effectively creating their own risk-to-reward ratio on the spot.

Mines secures complete market reach with one product, enhancing lifetime value as users revisit to explore new strategies amid various volatility levels, fostering deeper and more meaningful engagement.

This changes the game into a high-efficiency, streamlined format that seamlessly accommodates all player groups.

Edvardas Sadovskis, CPO at ICONIC21, said: “Mines is the perfect balance between simplicity and strategy. Players choose their grid, define their own risk-reward level, and decide how far they want to push their luck.

With the option to use autoplay for fast gameplay and the potential for extremely high multipliers, it creates a thrilling experience where every click matters.

In addition, ICONIC21 provides flexible real estate for custom branding, allowing operators to deliver a bespoke experience that aligns with their specific market identity and target audiences.“

The post Drive player engagement higher with ICONIC21’s Mines appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.