Gaming
Co-creating for a safer web: Ahead of EU Cybersecurity Month, Google and Euroconsumers launch Space Shelter
A new web game to help people learn how to navigate the web safely — while having a blast
The Web has never had more potential to improve lives, but that’s only true as long as it is safe. Ahead of EU Cybersecurity Month in October, Google and Euroconsumers, with its local consumer associations in Italy (Altroconsumo), Spain (Ocu), Belgium (Test-Achats) and Portugal (DecoProteste), have joined forces to create “Space Shelter”. Choose your astronaut and beware of unexpected obstacles and aliens: this new web game will help people of all ages test their skills and learn new ones, all with a basic internet connection.
This is the first of many announcements that Google will have for EU Cybersecurity month. After a year of pandemic-driven tech acceleration and high-profile security threats, this work has gathered greater urgency. Every day, Google automatically blocks more than 100 million phishing attempts; Google Photos encrypts 4 billion photos, and Google Play Protect runs security scans on 100 billion installed apps. We check 900 million passwords daily, and automatically protect more than 4 billion devices with our Safe Browsing technology.
Still, a critical part of making the web safer is helping teach healthy digital habits. Google works directly with experts and educators to help people set boundaries and use technology in a way that is right for them and their families. That’s the objective of this initiative, and the purpose at the heart of our partnership with Euroconsumers. There’s no reason that work can’t also be fun.
A virtual trip to outer space
Who said we can’t travel in outer space from home? “Space Shelter” makes learning about online security an adventure, with smooth graphics and a top-level score and sound design. Players will select an avatar by choosing from a set of characters, and then will have to go through a series of five mini-games before ultimately docking at their destination: the Space Shelter. All the while, they’ll uncover the elements that make an internet account safe online, from using a password manager to understanding multi-factor authentication and widely available consumer privacy settings.
Making a difference by playing
The release of Space Shelter is the start of this partnership, but it’s not the end: Google will be making a contribution to support TechSoup, a non-profit organization that supports nonprofits, charities and libraries by providing access to donations and discounts on software, hardware, and services. TechSoup will run a series of nine training sessions on privacy and safety topics to NGOs in all the countries where this project will launch, with the goal of reaching as many as 3,000 NGOs.
The launch of Space Shelter will also be supported by 12 YouTubers from the four countries who, like real astronauts, will be receiving a survival kit and training from an authority: Paolo Nespoli, ex astronaut, science communicator and coach. These aspiring safety-nauts will be promoting the game to a wider group of consumers.
“We are glad to partner with Euroconsumers for a safer web for users. Google believes technology should improve life, which is why we have worked with experts in civil society and gaming to build a web game and help make the online universe safer.” – Karen Massin, Head of Government Affairs and Public Policy, European Institutions, Google.
“Space Shelter makes learning about cybersecurity more accessible, even fun,” said Marco Scialdone, Head of Litigation & Academic Outreach at Euroconsumers. “By raising awareness about cybersecurity, through initiatives such as Space Shelter, customers will feel able to benefit more from the huge opportunities presented by technology.”
Space Shelter is another fruitful product of the strategic partnership between Euroconsumers and Google. The internet offers great potential to improve lives – but only if it is safe to use. This is the reason for which Euroconsumers teamed up with Google to make the internet a more secure place for everyone, with a particular focus on digital well being, family safety, and online privacy. The Euroconsumers and Google partnership intends to accomplish these goals through empowering consumers with knowledge, tools, and programs, such as Space Shelter.
As technology becomes increasingly integral to everything we do, it can sometimes distract us from
the things that matter most to us. We are committed to giving everyone the tools they need to develop their own sense of digital wellbeing. This is why we are working hard to bring projects like this one to our Countries.
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Battle of the Tribes
POLYTOPIA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2025 BREAKS RECORD PARTICIPATION AS FINALS DRAW CLOSER
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Celebrated strategy game The Battle of Polytopia confirms its first ever World Championships has exceeded expectations with over 10,000 sign-ups in its qualifying rounds. While no stranger to tournaments, previously hosting smaller scale, local tournaments called ‘Polysseums’, developer Midjiwan’s first step into global esports has been met with extreme success. The inclusive esports event has a $10,000 prize pool and will conclude on 6 December 2025, 14:00-21:00.
The finals will take place in front of a live-studio audience, with expert commentary and a chance to peek behind the scenes at Midjiwan itself. First place will receive $4,000, the runner-up will take away $2,000, the third and fourth place finishers will get $1,500, and the fifth and sixth place $500.
The Polytopia World Championship 2025 is being hosted by eSports platform, Challengermode, who Midjiwan has relied on for its monthly local tournaments since 2022. Midjiwan also partnered with Black Molly Entertainment to help organise and manage the event. Black Molly Entertainment have years of experience managing eSports tournaments, with notable events including the Geoguesser World Cup and CS:GO Pinnacle Cup Championship.
Midjiwan has worked closely with its community to ensure engagement is high with each round, building a bespoke ‘Spectator Mode’ into the game so fans can watch each game live through the game itself. In the spectator mode the viewer has visibility of all players simultaneously, with stats on how many cities, technologies, kills and more available for quick access.
Christian Lovstedt, CEO of Midjiwan commented:
“Polytopia has always been about welcoming all kinds of players into the world of 4X strategy. That’s why our championship is open to everyone – not just pros with sponsors. We’ve been thrilled at the amount of interest this tournament received from our community, reaching participation numbers way beyond our expectations. We’re excited to bring the finalists to Stockholm and can’t wait to see the strategies that emerge.”
The Polytopia World Championship 2025 kicked off in September, with its ‘Battle of the Tribes’ qualifying round – weekly battles where players competed to be the best in each of the game’s 12 tribes. After an exciting six weeks, the top player from each tribe faced-off, reducing the qualifiers to six finalists. These six winners are listed down below.
|
Tribe |
Qualifying Player |
|
IMPERIUS |
ArthurL248 |
|
BARDUR |
slimmingboy |
|
OUMAJI |
Dreamlander3000 |
|
HOODRICK |
Theetat |
|
XIN-Xi |
LeLiberateur |
|
LUXIDOOR |
Meisterlampe |
Recaps of each round of the tournament prior to the finals can be watched on the official Battle of Polytopia YouTube channel.
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Part 1: Polytopia World Championship 1st Qualifiers Wrap-Up – BARDUR, IMPERIUS, KICKOO, ZEBASI
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Part 2: Qualifiers Wrap-Up – Oumaji Hoodrick Yadakk & Quetzali – World Champoinship 2025
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Part 3: Final Qualifiers Wrap-Up – Xin-Xi, Luxidoor, Ai-Mo & Vengir – World Championship 2025
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Face-off stream: https://youtube.com/live/GnU6mWPoJiY?feature=share
To watch the finals live on December 6,visit here: https://polytopia.io/stream/
To stay up to date on the Polytopia World Championship 2025, or purchase one of the limited tickets for the live event, visit the official website or join the Official Polytopia Discord.
The post POLYTOPIA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2025 BREAKS RECORD PARTICIPATION AS FINALS DRAW CLOSER appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Leading iGaming supplier Delasport teases a one-of-a-kind sports betting crash game called Betiator – a new in-play experience that merges live sports with the tension and excitement of crash games.
Inspired by the groundbreaking casino genre, the company once again pushes the whole industry to a new phase in evolution by allowing sports bettors to play in the same easy and fun way as fellow casino players. Crash games are booming in the casino world, showing that players crave more emotional, fast, and visually engaging formats – and Betiator brings that same adrenaline-charged energy to the sportsbook.
It changes the scene by introducing a truly innovative way to bet on sports, keeping players at the edge of their seats during the game. Designed to excite both sports bettors and casino players, it marks a defining moment for innovation.
This product comes as a logical next step in the evolution of live betting and the company’s goal to disrupt the iGaming industry. It demonstrates Delasport’s successful commitment to unique innovation: a strategy they call “Going Beyond Content” –building on the success of products and features like SuperPot, My Sportsbook, My Combo, Double My Winnings, and many more.
“Sports bettors deserve the same level of innovation and excitement that casino players get all the time,” Delasport’s CEO Oren Cohen Shwartz says. “At Delasport we’re taking the whole game to a new playing field with Betiator. Live betting won’t feel outdated anymore as we’re bringing in the thrill of the casino to sports betting.”
While details about Betiator remain under wraps for now, Delasport promises a completely new way to experience live sports. Operators and partners eager to see it in action can schedule exclusive demos and discover more at ICE Barcelona 2026, taking place January 19–21, where Betiator will make its official debut.
The post Delasport Unveils a Crash Game for Sports Betting appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Central Europe
game’s 2026 industry barometer – the mood in the German games industry is beginning to brighten
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The post game’s 2026 industry barometer – the mood in the German games industry is beginning to brighten appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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