Gaming
Gaming is in the mainstream and it’s here to stay
By Tobias Knutsson, CEO, Adverty
It’s taken a lot to finally rub out marketers’ lingering belief that gaming is a thing for kids, a niche media channel, a flash in the pan. The pandemic did some of the final lifting, but in a gaming business that is booming on all sides, absorbing women, older people, obsessive Esports fans, cloud gamers, monthly subscribers – you name it – the numbers are now unignorable: an estimated audience of somewhere between 2.5bn and 3bn+, with a global value of $162.32bn last year. If that’s not mainstream, what is?
Nike, Coca-Cola, Redbull, even Gucci and L’Oréal have all waded into the gaming space, and smaller brands with more modest budgets are beginning to follow. So gaming is having a moment that started some time ago and promises to last – what should its exponents do to maximise it and build strong, sustainable connections with brands?
Hold their hands
Brands that are new to gaming often lack in-house expertise and even background knowledge. As with social media, gaming needs dedicated experts on the client side, and inevitably brands will recruit their own, but until that part of the puzzle falls into place, it is incumbent on publishers and ad tech providers to explain the protocols, the opportunities and the rules of thumb in clear and accessible terms. (In brief: respect the space, add value, but don’t get in the way.)
Bring gaming ads in line with other media
Convincing marketers is one thing, but the gaming advertising business needs to give those executives the tools to win the argument with the finance people. That means the gaming world needs to work hard to standardise its metrics, its formats, its sizes, in order to bring itself into line with the wider ad industry. Gaming is a complex environment for brands, who will ultimately only invest in what they understand. So the emergence of formats that stand direct comparison with those of other media – such as Adverty’s own In-Play branding ads and In-Menu performance ads – combined with robust metrics, strengthen gaming’s pitch for brand dollars.
Never generalise
The gaming audience is indescribably varied and ranges far beyond the young, male stereotype. More than 50% of mobile gamers are older than 34 [source: Mediakix] and 51% are women [source: MoPub]. So the question isn’t any longer about which brands could benefit from targeting ‘a gaming audience’, but exactly how to target your brand’s precise audience through gaming.
Make it worthwhile for users
The predominance of mobile games – which last year claimed $120 billion of consumer spend against home and handheld consoles’ $43 billion [source: App Annie] – indicates a need for strong mobile-friendly advertising models. A weight of research points to the fact that free-to-play gamers understand the value exchange and are comfortable with the presence of advertisers, but tolerance turns to genuine enthusiasm when brands add value to gaming. In-game rewards such as hints and power-ups work well in exchange for watching ads and dovetail nicely with in-game purchases. Further research points to the effectiveness of in-game branding advertising as a driver of positive sentiment.
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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.
Gaming
Make-A-Wish® and Lords Mobile Unite This Thanksgiving Season to Bring Hope to Children Through Mobile Charity Event
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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.
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