Gaming
Trailblazing creators’ platform Ludo launches iconic new function for game developers and designers
Ludo.ai unveils icon search feature and makes its platform accessible to all with new free tier
Ludo.ai has announced the launch of a groundbreaking icon search feature, a tool that uses cutting edge AI technology to enable users to quickly source and review all mobile game icons. With the new addition of a free tier, Ludo’s icon search is now available to everyone, providing fresh inspiration for game developers to design their own icon.
The new icon search feature is facilitated by Ludo’s AI – giving users a detailed view of each icon, what filters are in place, and cross-referencing this across multiple online game storefronts. Expertly created to support users, whether game developers beginning their journey or independent studios looking for inspiration on iconography, the icon search feature pulls from Ludo’s impressive database of over a million different published apps that are live on the Apple App Store, Google Play and Itch.io. Searches can be refined even more with seven unique filters, offering a look at games of a specific genre, by release date, art style, platforms it’s available on, stores it’s available on, colours used and even top-performing apps.
As well as the new icon search, Ludo uses state of the art machine learning and natural language processing to instantly suggest game ideas and mechanics, review gaming trends, and more, on-demand – helping to inspire developers and creators. Users set parameters by providing keywords, natural language descriptions, game mechanics, or imagery and Ludo quickly returns multiple written game concepts, artwork and images, by analyzing its growing database of 1.2 million games and over four million images. Following the introduction of a new free tier, Ludo’s platform is now accessible for free, with paid tiers being available to help businesses to expand the toolset and its functionality.
Arguably the front cover of a game, players judge an icon’s appearance and often decide whether to play a game because of it. The main purpose of a game icon is to not only appeal to potential users but to give an accurate representation of a title, drawing players in and alluding to the experience on offer. With roughly one in five apps being games on the Apple App Store alone, there is an expansive market to compete within. First impressions count more than ever, as games can be published and lost within the flurry of the market.
Tom Pigott, CEO and Founder of Ludo says “Our exciting new icon search feature came as an addition to our image search, following feedback from our users. We are excited to now be able to help facilitate icon design on Ludo. We found that the relevancy and impact that an icon can have for a game is just as important as the game itself – it gives those searching an idea of what’s in store if they choose to play.
“Ludo is offering our icon search function, as well as other key tools including the latest trends, gamestorming and image search, within our new free tier. We’re helping to create a centralised toolbox for game design and ideation, adding another string to the bows of our users.”
With the launch of the icon search feature, Ludo aims to support developers to create unique icons for games. Those who work in smaller studios, or even independently, may not have the resources or time for professional icon design that is available to larger studios. Ludo’s toolkit provides many tools that can benefit these studios and indie developers, supporting them to deliver hit games to a high standard.
Ludo combines a non-bias search engine, a library of over 1.2 million games and ways to collate research and inspiration, all in one place. Ludo offers a free subscription tier including the icon search feature, alongside many excellent features for game development, design and research. You can find out more at ludo.ai or contact Ludo on Twitter.
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Bone Croo Studios
Tequity Publishing Launches “Cats Balls”
Tequity, the technology partner behind some of the industry’s most scalable and customisable gaming solutions, has announced the latest high-octane release through its Tequity Publishing vertical, Cats Balls.
Developed by Bone Croo Studios and powered by The Fortune Engine technology, Cats Balls is a high-energy, pachinko-style experience that transports players back to the 1980s – an era of loud riffs, bigger hair and alley cats with rock god ambitions.
Cats Balls breaks the traditional slot mould, trading spinning reels for a storm of steel balls dropping like a drum solo. Packed with punk attitude, the game invites players to crank the amp, unleash the balls and watch the feline cast of guitar heroes shred.
The title serves as the latest premier showcase for The Fortune Engine, highlighting the platform’s flexible maths and game templates. This technology allows studios to move beyond conventional formats and create bold, unconventional experiences that resonate with a new generation of players.
The launch of Cats Balls further solidifies the mission of Tequity Publishing, which provides a distribution and aggregation framework designed to help ambitious studios launch at speed and scale. Through its RGSaaS model, Tequity Publishing provides the full infrastructure, distribution and publishing framework, allowing studios to focus entirely on game creation. With RGS-to-RGS, Tequity offers a technology-first approach for studios already operating their own RGS, enabling them to scale more quickly and deliver through Tequity’s global operator network.
Krzysztof Opałka, CEO at Tequity, said: “The release of Cats Balls is a perfect example of why we built Tequity Publishing. By removing the technical barriers to entry, we enable studios like Bone Croo to bring their wildest creative visions to life without compromise. Seeing this punk-inspired pachinko title hit the market via The Fortune Engine proves that our infrastructure is the go-to choice for high-impact, innovative content.”
The post Tequity Publishing Launches “Cats Balls” appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Exprexion
Flexion Launches Mobile Service Suite Exprexion
Games marketing company Flexion has announced the launch of Exprexion. This integrated suite of services provides game developers with a single point of entry to alternative app stores, creator-led marketing and direct-to-consumer sales.
The mobile gaming industry is entering a new era. After years of market domination by Google and Apple, game studios are looking for ways to be in command of their own destiny. High store taxes and rising acquisition costs have squeezed profits for too long. The Exprexion suite of services gives developers the freedom to innovate in market engagement and express their ideas directly to users, moving beyond the traditional constraints of the major app stores.
The Exprexion suite consists of three core services:
Exprexion Markets: This service manages all the technical and operational requirements of distributing games on alternative platforms including Amazon, Samsung, Huawei, Xiaomi and ONEstore. Flexion handles everything from integration to platform relations, typically adding more than 10% in incremental revenue. By taking on these tasks, Flexion reduces upfront and operational costs for developers while reducing risk.
Exprexion Creators: This service focuses on influencer-led marketing and social media strategy. By managing the creative process and relationships with influencers, Flexion helps studios find high-value players who engage with games through organic interest. This approach allows developers to reach bigger audiences through broader market channels and innovative user acquisition.
Exprexion Direct: This service enables developers to sell to their players no matter where those players are. By moving transactions outside of the major app stores, studios can make better margins and reclaim the 30% fee typically charged by platform owners. The service uses proven payment technology from trusted suppliers, like Xsolla, to ensure the buying experience remains smooth.
“The mobile industry has reached a point where the old methods of finding and monetizing players are no longer sustainable for many game studios. For years, developers accepted high fees and limited data access as the cost of doing business. Now, the emergence of a more open market and the shift toward direct-to-consumer relationships have changed the math. We launched Exprexion because the market is finally in a place where developers can feasibly run their own stores and distribution networks without the massive operational overhead that used to hold them back,” said Jens Lauritzson, CEO and Founder of Flexion.
Flexion’s technology, people and expertise are unique in the mobile market. The Exprexion services are fully integrated with one another, meaning each service perfectly complements the others. They can be combined seamlessly or used in any combination to generate profit and grow audiences bigger than ever before.
Flexion currently manages 37 top-grossing games. Four of these titles have reached the Top 10 grossing charts on Google Play. By providing a decentralised path to growth, Exprexion serves as a vehicle for a studio’s financial freedom.
The post Flexion Launches Mobile Service Suite Exprexion appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Funding
EasyWin closes second seed round at $20m valuation
Real-money casual puzzle tournament startup says an EU private investor backed the April 2026 round.
EasyWin, a U.S.-based real-money gaming startup, said it has closed its second seed funding round at a $20 million valuation. The company announced the round in April 2026 and said it was backed by a private investor from the European Union.
The company previously closed its first seed round in December 2025 at a $15.5 million valuation. That round included funding from Velo Partners, Vladimir Nikolsky and several private angel investors.
EasyWin was founded by Ivan Leshkevich, a former executive at mobile game publisher and developer Mamboo Entertainment. The startup, which currently has a team of eight, says it has built a global tournament platform for casual puzzle games with cash prizes and operates across major markets.
Since launching in 2025, EasyWin reported 25% month-over-month growth in user spending and a 4.9 average user rating. It also said it has expanded into 12 countries with localized legal opinions and payment infrastructure, received PayPal approval for its MCC, and completed payments-stack integrations with global providers.
The company also said it has obtained GLI certification “confirming compliance with U.S. regulations for skill-based gaming products.” Leshkevich said: “In the long term, we aim to become a leading global skill-based gaming platform. To achieve this, we focus on a strong product USP and new AI-based dev tools.”
The post EasyWin closes second seed round at $20m valuation appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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