Gaming
Mads “Viggomopsen” Mikkelsen crowned Red Bull Solo Q Champion
Red Bull Solo Q, the official 1v1 League of Legends tournament, came to an exciting end this weekend as Mads “Viggomopsen” Mikkelsen was crowned the Red Bull Solo Q Champion, besting Arnas “arnax” Stepanauskas in a confident 4-2 victory.
Set in one of the most visited tourist attractions in Germany, BMW Welt, and with Eefje “Sjokz” Depoortere as global face of the initiative, the Red Bull Solo Q World Final closes out an amazing year for League of Legends Esports.
The Red Bull Solo Q World Final kicked off on Saturday, December 4th, with 19 of the world’s best 1v1 League of Legends players entering the group stage to decide who moves on to the elimination rounds. The single lane map Howling Abyss saw players forced to switch up their usual playstyle– along with a sudden death mechanic pushing players to fight in a shrinking Ring of Fire after 7 minutes. The opening day saw the two USA players, DarkWings and bradleyyy eliminated, leaving North American fans with the Canadian Doxa as their only hope. French top-laner Raphaël “Lingwi” Claudé, who looked like a very strong competitor moving into the final, could only put forward a 1 win 3 loss performance which saw him eliminated in the group stage.
Sunday saw the kick-off of the Playoffs and elimination matches. Mads “Viggomopsen” Mikkelsen, one of the strongest players in the group stages, continued his dominating run all the way until the final, besting Hamboly 3-1, Doxa 3-0 and You MERT Bro 3-1 with amazing adaptability, switching up the playstyle based on his opponents’ champion picks. On the other side of the bracket, Lithuanian Arnas “arnax” Stepanauskas made his way to the final with tough 3-2 wins over both Shakara and Potatis, before besting HULKSMASH 3-1, with a thrilling final game where HULKSMASH looked sure to take First Blood.
Although Viggomopsen entered the final as the clear favourite, it was arnax who took an early lead with a win in game one. However, Viggomopsen’s calmness and measured approach allowed him to take back control, winning the following three games in a calm and confident fashion. arnax took the W in a nail-biting game five, surviving with only a sliver of health left. However, staying composed in a closely fought game 6, Viggomopsen remained patient as the Ring of Fire enclosed and took First Blood, and the Red Bull Solo Q World Title.
Following the win, Viggomopsen said: “I think I really screwed up a lot, I should have won the matchup quite easily but I kinda panicked a couple of times. But thankfully the pick was too strong late game, so even though I was really nervous and really stressed out I still got it.”
Speaking on Red Bull Solo Q, runner up arnax said: “The experience overall was great. I just took it one game at a time, I wanted to not come last place so going top two is great for me. I like all the guys, I’m really great friends with them all right now, so it’s been great.”
The show stopping final act of the renowned amateur circuit, Red Bull Solo Q features 1v1 duels where the player must draw “First Blood,” take down the opponent’s tower, or reach a 100-minion score to claim victory. Having run for a number of years, the tournament has seen multiple heartwarming success stories of amateurs competing in the tournament, and then progressing on to greater League of Legends success.
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Gaming
XSOLLA LAUNCHES THE XSOLLA GOLD GIFT CARD TO ENHANCE GAME BRAND VISIBILITY THROUGH PHYSICAL AND DIGITAL CHANNELS, OFFERING GAMERS A NEW WAY TO PAY
Xsolla, a leading global video game commerce company, announces the launch of the Xsolla Gold Gift Card, a flexible payment solution designed to enhance how gamers purchase, gift, and redeem virtual goods. Available in physical and digital formats, the Xsolla Gold Gift Card provides players with an accessible and convenient way to engage with their favorite games across multiple platforms.
As the global gift card market is projected to reach $5.3 trillion by 2033, developers face increasing opportunities to expand their monetization strategies and engage players more effectively. The Xsolla Gold Gift Card offers a seamless way for players to acquire in-game items, gift content to friends, and redeem rewards, enriching their gaming experience. This solution unlocks new revenue streams for developers, enhances brand visibility, and enables targeted marketing initiatives, including co-branded promotions and customized campaigns.
Discover the standout benefits making this gift card a game-changer for players and developers:
- Flexible Distribution Options: Includes physical and digital cards, ensuring broad accessibility for players worldwide
- Enhanced Community Engagement: Encourages players to share gaming experiences through gifting, fostering deeper connections within gaming communities
- Monetization and Marketing Opportunities: Leverages gift cards for cross-promotions, partnerships with retail brands, and exclusive in-game offers, driving increased engagement and revenue for developers
- Cross-Platform Usability: Fully compatible across multiple platforms and game titles, catering to a diverse player base with various spending preferences
“We’re excited to offer a gift card to help simplify how players purchase and share virtual goods while helping developers increase player retention and engagement through strategic integrations,” said Chris Hewish, Chief Strategy Officer of Xsolla. “The Xsolla Gold Gift Card allows us to continue innovating, enhancing how players interact with their favorite games and how developers can reach a broader audience.”
The Xsolla Gold Gift Card will be available in various denominations, adapting to different player needs. Developers can integrate these cards into their ecosystems to enhance player engagement and drive monetization through tailored campaigns and promotions.
The post XSOLLA LAUNCHES THE XSOLLA GOLD GIFT CARD TO ENHANCE GAME BRAND VISIBILITY THROUGH PHYSICAL AND DIGITAL CHANNELS, OFFERING GAMERS A NEW WAY TO PAY appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
Xsolla, a leading global video game commerce company, is deepening its commitment to mobile game developers through a strategic partnership with Pocket Gamer Connects (PGC) in 2025. As the industry leader in Web Shop development and management, with over 500+ Web Shops generating revenue, Xsolla is also leading the way in direct-to-consumer monetization in the video game industry. Xsolla will showcase its latest innovations in mobile game monetization, user acquisition, and cross-platform analytics throughout key global PGC events.
Supporting Mobile Developers at PGC Events Worldwide
Xsolla will sponsor Pocket Gamer Connects events in 2025, bringing its expertise in direct-to-consumer monetization and engagement strategies to the following locations:
- PGC San Francisco (March 17-18)
- PGC Dubai (May 7-8)
- PGC Barcelona (June 3-4)
- PG Summit Shanghai (July 30)
- Mobile Games Awards at Gamescom (August)
- PGC Helsinki (October 7-8)
Xsolla will engage with developers at each event through thought leadership sessions, panel discussions, and networking opportunities. It will offer data-driven insights and solutions to help mobile developers maximize revenue beyond traditional app stores.
Advancing Web Shop Monetization with AppsFlyer Integration
A key component of Xsolla’s presence at PGC will be its partnership with AppsFlyer, the global leader in mobile measurement and data analytics. Together, they have developed a first-in-the-industry integration that solves cross-platform attribution challenges, giving mobile game developers the tools to:
- Measure Web Shop purchases as in-app events for accurate LTV and ROAS tracking.
- Seamlessly attribute Web Shop revenue to mobile user acquisition, re-engagement, and retention campaigns.
- Optimize ad spending across mobile and Web Shops with real-time analytics, all without requiring coding from developers.
Xsolla’s Web Shop solution has already transformed mobile game monetization, enabling 500+ developers to generate direct-to-consumer sales online while pushing players to pay on their mobile devices. By integrating AppsFlyer’s measurement tools, Xsolla ensures that mobile developers gain a complete, end-to-end understanding of the user journey across platforms, allowing them to make smarter business decisions and improve ROI.
“Xsolla’s Web Shop has revolutionized how mobile game developers monetize online, and our integration with AppsFlyer takes it to the next level,” said Berkley Egenes, Chief Marketing & Growth Officer at Xsolla. “By bridging the data gap between Web Shops and mobile applications, we empower developers with the insights they need to optimize performance, increase revenue, and engage players more effectively. We look forward to engaging directly with the community and hearing from the Pocket Gamer community throughout the year at each event around the world.”
Strengthening the Global Mobile Gaming Ecosystem
Xsolla’s continued investment in mobile game commerce solutions aligns with Pocket Gamer Connects’ mission to support and connect game developers worldwide. With the combined power of Web Shop, AppsFlyer integration, and a direct presence at major industry events, Xsolla is committed to helping mobile game creators navigate monetization challenges and drive sustainable growth.
“Pocket Gamer Connects is the world’s leading event series for mobile game developers (and others) and we’re thrilled to have Xsolla as a key partner in 2025,” said Chris James, CEO at Steel Media, Pocket Gamer’s parent company. “Xsolla’s expertise in mobile commerce, cross-platform engagement, and Web Shop monetization makes them an invaluable resource for developers looking to scale their businesses.”
By partnering with Pocket Gamer Connects, Xsolla ensures mobile developers worldwide can access the latest technology, insights, and business models to thrive in today’s competitive gaming market.
For more information on Xsolla Web Shop and its integration with AppsFlyer, visit: xsolla.blog/xsolla-appsflyer
Join us at Pocket Gamer Connects 2025 to connect, learn, and explore new opportunities in the gaming industry.
The post XSOLLA PARTNERS WITH POCKET GAMER CONNECTS TO EMPOWER MOBILE GAME DEVELOPERS IN 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Gaming
Portside Game Assembly: Studios behind Dead Cells, Dungeon Clawler, Dorfromantik, Blasphemous on board and ticket sales for brunch and party launched
With Portside Game Assembly, Gamecity Hamburg is welcoming studio heads and directors from successful indie game studios on a conference ship and other extraordinary locations in Hamburg on June 27. Benjamin Laulan, Co-Founder of Evil Empire, (Dead Cells, The Rogue Prince of Persia) will give a keynote on the Triple-i Initiative started by the French studio. At the Triple-i Showcase 2024, over 30 “iii games” were announced in 45 minutes, and 150,000 views were achieved on YouTube alone. Further speaker on board is Philomena Schwab, Founder of Stray Fawn Studio (Dungeon Clawler, The Wandering Village).
Portside Game Assembly celebrates its premiere as B2B-conference for international indie game leaders on June 27. There will be no direct ticket sales for the conference; instead, a curated list of participants will ensure that only studio heads and decision makers attend the conference on board a ship sailing through the port of Hamburg.
At the same time, the Networking Brunch and the Games Industry Party are open as networking events for interested contacts from the games industry to bring platform holders, publishers, and game companies into contact with the international conference participants. Studio leads from Denmark, Sweden, Switzerland, the UK, France, Spain, Canada, the USA, and Germany are already on board for the conference.
Portside Game Assembly is set to be a platform for decision makers and studio leads to exchange ideas, learn from each other, and face the challenges of the games industry through collaboration.
As the first announced talk of the conference, Benjamin Laulan (Co-Founder of Evil Empire) will present a keynote on the Triple-i Initiative and how to create your own announcement space and talk directly to your audience when you can’t really relate to other existing showcases. In addition, Philomena Schwab (Founder of Stray Fawn Studio & Publishing) will give a short talk about ways for game idea validation.
The program of the Portside Game Assembly will consist of keynotes, short talks, and roundtables.
Selection of already confirmed participants:
- Evil Empire (Dead Cells, The Rogue Prince of Persia) / France
- Stray Fawn Studio (Dungeon Clawler, The Wandering Village) / Switzerland
- The Game Kitchen (Blasphemous I & II) / Spain
- Toukana Interactive (Dorfromantik)/ Germany
- Ghostship Publishing (Deep Rock Galactic) / Denmark
- Landfall Games (Content Warning, Totally Accurate Battle Simulator) / Sweden
- Chasing Carrots (Halls of Torment) / Germany
- Foulball Hangover (Hydroneer) / UK
- Siege Camp (Foxhole) / Canada
The post Portside Game Assembly: Studios behind Dead Cells, Dungeon Clawler, Dorfromantik, Blasphemous on board and ticket sales for brunch and party launched appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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