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iCandy Acquires Renowned Lemon Sky Studios, To Form Largest Game Development Company in Australia and Southeast Asia

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iCandy Interactive Limited announced its 100% acquisition of the leading Southeast Asian gaming studio, Lemon Sky Studios. This acquisition adds strategic value and significant scale to iCandy’s existing capabilities. It will form the largest pure-play game development company on the Australian Stock Exchange, and in Australia and Southeast Asia too, with more than 450 employees while generating no less than A$17 million (US$12.36 million) revenue per annum.

With significant interest and best-regarded growth in gaming driven by the metaverse concept, iCandy Interactive and Lemon Sky will be a leading powerhouse through its regional expansion plans in developing casual and AAA gaming on blockchain for the open metaverse.

The metaverse is a virtual world that allows work and play, shared by millions (or billions) of people. It is built with next-generation technology encompassing Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality and Video and Gaming technologies.

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iCandy Interactive’s core business is in game development, game publishing, and esports. The company is the co-founder of the global esports league and platform, Esports Players League (ESPL), fast-growing across 17 countries in Southeast Asia, South Asia, Latin America and Europe.

Games on the iCandy network are played by over 360 million mobile gamers worldwide. The gaming studios based in Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia have won multiple awards, including Google Play’s Best of 2016 and 2017 New Android Excellence Game Award* Games Award for Crab War and other various coveted international events.

Its latest game release, Claw Stars, is a top-rated mobile game with over 1 million downloads since its initial release in July 2021. It has received more than 50,000 4-star and 5-star reviews on Google Play and App Store.

Founded in 2006, Lemon Sky Studios is an award-winning video game and animation studio world-renowned for providing innovative visual art solutions for critically acclaimed

AAA gaming titles ranging from Overwatch 2, Call of Duty – Infinite Warfare, to SimCity, Diablo 3, StarCraft: Remastered, amongst many other illustrious titles.

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The studio has amassed an incredible clientele over its 15-year history, working with gaming industry leaders such as Blizzard Entertainment, Naughty Dog, 2K Games, Square-Enix, Bandai Namco, Microsoft Studios, EA Entertainment, Disney and Nickelodeon.

“Lemon Sky Studios is a phenomenal acquisition and an excellent addition to iCandy Interactive. We now have this unparalleled capability in the region, we will focus a fair bit of our newly gained superpower to make high-quality games for the metaverse, arguably the most important development for the gaming world.” says Kin W. Lau, Chairman of iCandy Interactive.

He adds, “Lemon Sky Studios’ track record in creating world-class visuals for AAA games is highly regarded in the industry. To merge our expertise with a studio like Lemon Sky is truly phenomenal, and we cannot wait to see the outcome of integrating our teams,”

“Collaborative partnerships in the creative industry are pertinent to keeping things fresh and innovative. We are positive that this merger will encourage creative working methods and bring about new ideas. We are extremely excited about the possibilities that lie ahead,” said Cheng-Fei Wong, CEO of Lemon Sky Studios.

The acquisition will be at a valuation of MYR135 million (A$44.5 million, US$32.4 million), to be fulfilled together with cash and newly issued iCandy shares.

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Concurrent with the acquisition, iCandy has also announced that it has raised A$40 million (US$29.1 million) from institutional investors via a placement that is heavily oversubscribed.

Leading iCandy’s latest fundraising round is another gaming heavy-weight, Animoca Brands, iCandy’s cornerstone investor. Animoca is a global leader in gamification technology and blockchain gaming with an extensive portfolio of over 100 investments in NFT-related companies and decentralised projects contributing to building the open metaverse. They raised more than US$200 million in 2021 and is currently valued by investors at US$2.2 billion. Separately, The Sandbox – Animoca’s subsidiary raised US$93 million recently, in a round led by Softbank Vision Fund 2.

The global video game industry is estimated to be worth A$214.33 billion (US$155.95 billion) in 2020**. With the APAC region leading the industry at 49% of the worldwide market, there is a clear pathway for growth with enormous upside potential expansion.

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DigiPlus Secures Three Honours at the 60th Anvil Awards

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DigiPlus Interactive, the company behind leading digital entertainment platforms BingoPlus, ArenaPlus and GameZone, secured three honours at the 60th Anvil Awards. Recognised as the gold standard of public relations excellence in the Philippines, the Anvil Awards celebrate outstanding programmes and tools that elevate the field of communications and public relations.

DigiPlus was honored with a Gold Anvil for its transformative corporate rebranding campaign, “DigiPlus Reimagined: Pioneering Fun, Technology, and Community”, which highlighted the company’s evolution from a traditional leisure and resorts operator to a leader in digital entertainment. Additionally, DigiPlus garnered two Silver Anvils: one for its 2023 Integrated Report, “Ushering a New Era of Digital Entertainment”, and another for BingoPlus Foundation’s “FutureSmart” programme, an initiative dedicated to empowering the next generation of innovators through education.

The rebranding initiative, developed in collaboration with global brand specialist Landor, encapsulated DigiPlus’ commitment to harness technology and innovation to deliver new forms of entertainment for Filipinos. This strategic transformation not only revitalized the company’s visual identity but also reinforced its mission to deliver immersive and enjoyable experiences through its products. The 2023 Integrated Report chronicles DigiPlus’ strategic direction, financial and operational performance, as well as its performance around environmental, social and governance metrics. The report follows the Integrated Report framework, which adheres to the highest global standards of annual reporting.

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“These accolades from Anvil highlight DigiPlus’ commitment to innovation, transparency, and building strong connections with our stakeholders. The award for our corporate rebranding celebrates our bold transformation into a digital entertainment leader, while the recognition for our Integrated Report underscores our dedication to global standards of accountability and transparency. These achievements inspire us to deliver even greater value to our customers, investors, and communities” said Celeste Jovenir, Vice President for Investor Relations, Corporate Communications and Sustainability.

BingoPlus Foundation’s FutureSmart Programme was recognised for its transformative impact on marginalised communities. In 2024, the programme reached 5332 individuals, focusing on IT education, digital literacy and inclusive livelihood powered by technology. Initiatives included providing 60 scholarships to IT students across 20 universities nationwide and introducing the P.L.U.S. Factor development programme to equip scholars with critical workplace skills. The Coding for Kids initiative brought robotics and programming to 4853 students in the Visayas, alongside training for 213 teachers. The programme also launched PLUS Tech Centers, providing computers and digital skills training to underserved communities. These centers aim to bridge the digital divide and create more inclusive job opportunities for marginalized sectors, reinforcing BingoPlus Foundation’s commitment to education, technology and livelihood empowerment.

“We are honored to receive an Anvil for BingoPlus Foundation’s FutureSmart Program. This recognition reaffirms our commitment to uplifting communities through education, technology, and livelihood opportunities. FutureSmart is a testament to how we aim to create lasting, positive change by preparing individuals for a brighter and more sustainable future,” said Angela Camins-Wieneke, Executive Director of the BingoPlus Foundation.

The post DigiPlus Secures Three Honours at the 60th Anvil Awards appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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BETBY PARTNERS WITH SABA SPORTS TO DELIVER ESPORTS CONTENT THROUGH BETBY GAMES

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BETBY strengthens its Asian position with agreement to power leading brand SABA Sports

Premium sportsbook provider BETBY has entered into a strategic partnership with renowned sports gaming supplier SABA Sports, marking a significant step in bringing BETBY’s award-winning esports feature, BETBY Games, to the Asian-facing market.

The partnership with SABA Sports, the largest sports betting provider in Asia, will kick off with the integration of NBA focused eBasketball content in its esports portfolio. Going forward SABA Sports will be expanding its e-sim offering with additional BETBY Games titles, which are renowned to increase player engagement through fast-betting content designed for the next generation of players.

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“This partnership with SABA represents an important milestone for BETBY as we expand our footprint into the Asian market,” said Chris Nikolopoulos, BETBY’s Chief Commercial Officer. “SABA’s exceptional market presence and reputation make them an ideal partner to bring BETBY Games content to life for operators across the region. Together, we aim to deliver unparalleled esports experiences and redefine how players engage with these dynamic esports offerings.”

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DigiPlus Introduces Tools for Players to Control Gaming Time and Bets

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DigiPlus Interactive Corporation, the company behind leading platforms BingoPlus, ArenaPlus and GameZone, has raised the bar for responsible gaming in the Philippines by launching an advanced Responsible Gaming tab within its platform. This groundbreaking feature provides players with a powerful set of tools to take control of their gaming habits. With options to set daily gaming durations, customise specific gaming schedules and establish daily loss limits, DigiPlus ensures that players can enjoy gaming responsibly, within boundaries they define for themselves.

For example, players can now set a gaming duration that ensures their gaming is confined to specific hours, such as during evenings, or lunch breaks, without interfering with work or family commitments. Players can also set a daily loss limit, such as not exceeding ₱1000, ensuring they never risk more than they are comfortable with. These self-defined features allow players to enjoy the fun and excitement of gaming while ensuring that it never becomes a source of stress or financial strain.

The Responsible Gaming feature is at par with global standards, reflecting DigiPlus’ leadership in adopting best practices for player welfare. These self-exclusion measures, commonly implemented by leading international gaming operators, empower players to prioritise their wellbeing while enjoying the fun and excitement of gaming. By integrating these tools directly into the app, DigiPlus guarantees easy accessibility and seamless user experience, demonstrating a proactive commitment to protecting players from potential harm.

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“The launch of the Responsible Gaming tab in our platforms reflects our deep commitment to our players’ welfare. We believe gaming should always remain a safe and enjoyable activity. By giving our players the tools to manage their gaming habits responsibly, we’re setting a new benchmark for responsible gaming, one that aligns with global standards and emphasizes our care for every individual who engages with our platforms,” said DigiPlus Interactive Chairman Eusebio Tanco.

This new and innovative feature is complemented by DigiPlus’ broader responsible gaming initiatives through its social development arm, BingoPlus Foundation. The “Tamang Laro, Tamang Panalo” webinar series provides education on maintaining a healthy gaming-life balance, managing emotional and mental health, and recognising when to seek intervention. Personalised financial coaching sessions are also offered to guide players in making sound financial decisions, as demonstrated in the support provided to the jackpot winners, the most recent one being the ₱312 million Lucky Spin winner.

DigiPlus’ self-exclusion tools and educational programmes align with PAGCOR’s mission to promote responsible gaming and create a safer environment for players. This latest advancement in responsible gaming is a testament to DigiPlus’ vision of creating a sustainable and enjoyable gaming ecosystem that puts people first.

The post DigiPlus Introduces Tools for Players to Control Gaming Time and Bets appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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