Gaming

Azerion successfully completes its business combination with EFIC1

Published

4 years ago

February 3, 2022

Reading Time: 4 minutes

Azerion Holding B.V., a high-growth, profitable, digital entertainment and media company, and European FinTech IPO Company 1 B.V. (“EFIC1”), a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) listed on Euronext Amsterdam, have successfully completed their business combination on 1 February 2022.

As part of the completion of the business combination, the legal form of the combined company has been converted into a limited company (naamloze vennootschap) and it has been renamed Azerion Group N.V. (“Azerion Group”). The first day of trading on Euronext Amsterdam under the new name of Azerion Group’s shares and warrants will be on 2 February 2022 (today) under the new ticker symbols AZRN and AZRNW, respectively.

The business combination received the support of EFIC1’s shareholders, with more than 95% of the votes cast at EFIC1’s extraordinary general meeting held on 31 January 2022 (the “EGM”) approving the business combination.

European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

The completion of the business combination supports Azerion Group in its ambitions to become a global digital entertainment and media powerhouse. The business combination furthermore provides for a strong complementary partnership accelerating future value creation for all stakeholders through continued investments in Azerion Group’s growth, both organically and through M&A. Azerion Group expects this listing to create a new long-term supportive shareholder base, permit Azerion Group to incentivise the existing and future management team and senior staff and continue to attract high calibre individuals.

The business combination resulted in approximately €93 million of gross total primary cash proceeds, including approximately €70 million of funds from the EFIC1 escrow account (net of negative interest and after effectuation of the share repurchase arrangement) complemented by a sponsor and co investor commitment of €23.15 million. With the completion of the business combination, Azerion Group received approximately €56 million of net primary cash proceeds (net of transaction costs and expenses), which will be used to continue to pursue value-accretive acquisitions (with Azerion having a strong acquisition track record and a broad pipeline of potential targets), and to further invest in organic growth initiatives (such as new games and features, platform investments, etc.) as well as general corporate purposes.

Immediately after completion of the business combination and the related restructuring steps (including the cancellation of 31,228,299 ordinary shares that were repurchased by EFIC1 from its shareholders), the issued share capital of Azerion Group is as follows:

Public

Type of security #¹

Ordinary Shares (excl. treasury) 111,483,296

Ordinary Shares in treasury² 70,078,452

Total Ordinary Shares 181,561,748

Capital Shares 22

Conditional Special Shares 1,152,886

Warrants³ 12,736,605

Please see section 6.4. “Description of Securities” in the EFIC1 Shareholders Circular dated 13 December 2021 for a description of the classes of securities of Azerion Group.

1. Excluding any conditional and unconditional option rights and Founder Warrants existing at the date of this press release, which in aggregate entitle the holders to receive up to a maximum of 24,160,245 Ordinary Shares. 2. The Ordinary Shares in treasury can be used for acquisitions, exercise of warrants and option rights and other general funding purposes.

3. The outstanding Warrants listed on Euronext Amsterdam at the date of this press release entitle the holders to receive up to 12,736,605 Ordinary Shares.

Immediately after completion of the business combination, the ownership percentages of Ordinary Shares are as follows:

Shareholder % Ordinary Shares⁴

Principion Holding B.V.⁵ 74.3%⁶

Azerion former depositary receipt holders 7.5%

Azerion former stock appreciation rights holders 4.0%⁷

Former EFIC1 converted special shares holders 5.9%

Other Shareholders 8.3%

Total 100.0%

Based on Azerion Group’s information. Actual share ownership percentages and regulatory filings and notifications of ownership percentages may differ.

4. Excluding treasury shares as well as any conditional and unconditional option rights and Founder Warrants existing at the date of this press release, which in aggregate entitle the holders to receive up to a maximum of 24,160,245 Ordinary Shares.

5. An entity controlled by Azerion’s co-founders and co-CEOs.

6. Including shares held for settlement of future acquisition-related earn out and other obligations. 7. Excluding shares held for settlement of future acquisition-related earn out and other obligations.

Atilla Aytekin, co-founder and co-CEO of Azerion says: “Today marks an important step for Azerion, and we are excited to finally enter the public markets and continue to grow and advance our platform whilst raising our profile amongst our customer and partner groups and talented workforce globally. We are proud to achieve this important milestone, and we look forward to our next growth phase and future

Public

as a public company. I am grateful to the entire Azerion team for all their hard work, which has brought us to this pivotal moment, and for the dedicated support of our partner EFIC1.”

Martin Blessing, former Chief Executive Officer of EFIC1, adds: “The journey of our SPAC EFIC1 comes to a successful end while the exciting journey of Azerion as a listed company starts now. The whole EFIC1 team thanks its shareholders for their support. We look forward to continuing our partnership with Azerion over the long term and wish the company, its founders, employees and shareholders success as they continue their impressive growth story.”

To celebrate the completion of the business combination, the management team of Azerion Group will ring the opening bell at Euronext Amsterdam at 09.00 CET on 2 February 2022. A live stream of the event and replay can be accessed via this link.

Advisers

Credit Suisse Bank (Europe), S.A. acted as capital markets adviser, Hogan Lovells International LLP acted as legal adviser and ABN AMRO Bank N.V acted as financial adviser to EFIC1.

N.M. Rothschild & Sons Limited acted as financial adviser, Stibbe N.V. acted as legal adviser, and Citigroup Global Markets Europe AG and Jefferies GmbH as capital markets advisers to Azerion.

ABN AMRO (acting in cooperation with ODDO BHF SCA), ING Bank N.V. and Pareto Securities AB acted as co-capital markets advisers to EFIC1, and Clifford Chance LLP acted as legal adviser to the capital markets advisers.

Liquidity Provider

As from 2 February 2022, Azerion Group will enter into a liquidity provider agreement pursuant to which ABN AMRO Bank N.V. will act as liquidity provider for the trade in listed shares of Azerion Group.

Gaming

German Games Market Grows in the First Half of 2025

Published

4 days ago

August 14, 2025

Niji Narayan

german-games-market-grows-in-the-first-half-of-2025

Reading Time: 2 minutes

The German games market has returned to growth: following a year in which revenue from games, games hardware and online gaming services declined for the first time after many years of growth, the first six months of 2025 have once again seen an increase in sales revenue. 4.6 billion euros in revenue was generated, which equates to an increase of 4% compared to the same period in the previous year.

This was announced by game – The German Games Industry Association at a press conference in advance of the opening of gamescom next week. The sources of this data are the market research firm YouGov and data.ai (a Sensor Tower company). Games hardware enjoyed the biggest increase during the first half of 2025. Propelled among other things by the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2, revenues in this area grew by 17%. The online gaming services market segment also increased, by 4%. Games, on the other hand, experienced a small decline of 2%, to 2.7 billion euros.

“The German games market’s growth in the first six months of 2025 sends a powerful signal for the start of gamescom. This year’s event has also set a new record for the number of exhibitors. Combined with the increase in exhibition space and the many top companies expected to attend this year’s event, gamescom is set to drive even more growth in the German and international games market. This year’s theme – ‘Games – perfect entertainment’ – is fully in keeping with this boost, as 44 million Germans view games as the entertainment of our age. And not just for themselves: the vast majority of video game players believe that games are particularly good for bringing people of all ages together. It is yet another way that gamescom will be the perfect place to be,” said Felix Falk, Managing Director of game – The German Games Industry Association, which is a co-organiser of gamescom.

The theme of gamescom 2025 – “Games – perfect entertainment” – reflects the reality in Germany, as was underscored by the findings of a representative survey conducted by the market research company YouGov: some two thirds of Germans consider video games to be the entertainment of our age. This equates to around 44 million people. It is a finding that is also supported by the experiences of the people playing video games. Nearly all of them say that they enjoy playing games (94%), find them entertaining (93%), and see them as a good way to relax (91%). In fact, 86% of video game players say that games put them in a good mood, and 8 in 10 players spend less time thinking about crises or worries thanks to games.

The average age of video game players in Germany is now nearly 40 – and it is continuing to rise. This is because the largest increases in the number of players are in the older age groups. Games have long since established themselves as a medium for all generations. The video game players think so, too: 85% of them say that games offer something for every age group, while 88% enjoy playing with other family members. 79% of players in Germany believe that games can help to bring younger and older people together, and three quarters of players think that playing games together as a family can help people to gain a better understanding of digital media.

The post German Games Market Grows in the First Half of 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Anton Umnov

Avalanche and Helika Launch New Gaming Accelerator – Applications Now Open

Published

5 days ago

August 13, 2025

GamingAmericas.com

avalanche-and-helika-launch-new-gaming-accelerator-–-applications-now-open

The Avalanche Foundation and Helika, a leading provider of technical and creative solutions for the video games industry, have officially launched their joint video game accelerator program and opened applications for the first cohort.

The newly announced strategic partnership is designed to engage both Web3-native studios and traditional game developers exploring blockchain integration. The accelerator aims to identify and support the next generation of studios building at the frontier of blockchain-based gaming.

The program is focused on product interaction and is designed to discover, support, and fast-track promising studios and projects building on the Avalanche blockchain. It will provide selected projects with unparalleled access to resources, mentorship from industry leaders, technical support, activations, and funding opportunities for qualifying or top-performing teams.

The accelerator is open to seasoned teams building high-quality, engaging experiences across platforms, from mobile to desktop and everything in between. Projects with prior traction or cross-platform aspirations are especially encouraged to apply.

The program will run for 3 months, with virtual onboarding and IRL showcases planned across major gaming and blockchain events.

What selected teams get:

Funding & Resources: $25,000 in initial support and up to $125,000 in additional funding for qualifying or top-performing teams.

Expert Guidance: Mentorship from game veterans, blockchain experts, and industry leaders through group sessions and 1:1 consultations.

Analytics Support: Comprehensive analytics solutions to track performance, improve retention, and optimize monetization strategies.

Blockchain Integration: Dedicated assistance for integrating with the Avalanche blockchain and optimizing technical performance.

Community & Growth: Activations with partner communities and platforms and support in player acquisition, community building, go-to-market strategies.

Helika Advisory Access: Access to specialized experts from Helika’s network for tailored support.

Ecosystem Access: Direct connection to a vibrant network of developers, investors, publishers, and Web3 enthusiasts.

Showcase Opportunities: A final Demo Day event to present games to investors, publishers, and ecosystem partners.

“We are excited to partner with the Avalanche Foundation to create a world-class accelerator for Web3 gaming. Avalanche’s robust and scalable infrastructure makes it an ideal environment for innovative game development. Studios need tools that work, data that matter, and real support from people who understand what it means to build in this space — this accelerator provides all of that, plus a direct line into a powerful Web3 ecosystem,” said Anton Umnov, Founder and CEO of Helika.

“Avalanche is focused on the long game. There’s no shortage of flashy ideas. What’s missing is the support that helps studios turn those ideas into real, playable, scalable games. Avalanche has long been the go-to chain for speed and innovation, and now we’re channeling that energy into the future of gaming, supporting teams who understand the nuance of player experience, community building, and long-term value creation,” said Parker Heath, Ava Labs Gaming Partnerships Lead.

Avalanche plays host to a vibrant lineup of video games, including Off The Grid and Maple Story Universe, all pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in blockchain-powered play. Thanks to its customizable Avalanche L1s, lightning-fast transaction speeds and low fees, developers can tailor unique environments for their games without compromising on user experience.

Helika has become a cornerstone for modern game studios, equipping developers with real-time insights into player behavior, on-chain economies, and engagement metrics. From Proof of Play and Parallel to Nexon, Ubisoft, and Com2Us, Helika’s platform is shaping how developers build, balance, and scale their games in real-time. This accelerator takes that impact further by embedding support into the earliest stages of development when it matters most.

The post Avalanche and Helika Launch New Gaming Accelerator – Applications Now Open appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

Gaming

Unlocking games revenue: player behavior and payment trends in the west | Newzoo x Tebex Whitepaper

Published

5 days ago

August 13, 2025

GamingAmericas.com

unlocking-games-revenue:-player-behavior-and-payment-trends-in-the-west-|-newzoo-x-tebex-whitepaper

Tebex, the leading payments solution for gaming, reaching $1Bn in processed payments and powering over 30,000 web stores, is launching the first industry-wide look at payment trends in EU and NA with Newzoo on Tuesday, August 12 at 09:00 AM CEST.

Why This Data Matters

In a maturing Western games market with slowing payer growth (North America: +1.1% CAGR, Europe: +3.1% CAGR, 2023-2027), studios must shift from acquiring new players to maximizing value from existing ones. The data reveals critical insights into player motivations, spending patterns, and payment preferences, enabling developers to craft targeted monetization strategies that boost revenue, enhance retention, and align with player expectations.

Global Market Snapshot (2025)

Market Size: $188.9B (+3.4% YoY), with North America ($52.7B, 28%) and Europe ($33.1B, 18%) driving 46% of global spend despite housing only 20% of players (3.54B total).
Payer Spending Power: North America leads with $324.9 avg. annual spend per payer; Europe averages $125.4 ($170.0 Western, $51.6 Eastern).
Value: High per-payer spend in Western markets highlights the opportunity to deepen monetization through tailored strategies.

Spending Motivations Drive Strategy

North America: 34% of payers spend to unlock exclusive content, 29% for personalization (character customization), reflecting a desire for self-expression. Studios can capitalize by offering unique cosmetics and content packs to drive engagement.
Europe: 28% prioritize deals/offers, 21% value ad-free experiences, showing value-driven behavior. Discounted bundles and subscription models can increase conversion in this region.
Value: Understanding regional motivations allows studios to align offerings with player priorities, enhancing loyalty and spend.

Diversified Spending Patterns

North America: 27% of payers invest in content packs, power-ups, and in-game currencies, with subscriptions (24%) and battle passes (23%) also strong.
Europe: In-game currencies and content packs lead (21% each), followed by subscriptions (20%) and gear/time-savers (18% each).
Value: Diverse spending across virtual goods underscores the need for varied monetization options to capture a broad range of player preferences, boosting average transaction value (ATV).

Payment Methods Unlock Higher Spend

ATV Trends (2025): Overall, ATV rose from $30 (2024) to $40. BNPL (North America: $85.0, Europe: $72.0) and crypto (North America: $94.8, Europe: $111.6) outperform cards (North America: $52.2, Europe: $42.7).
Dual-Method Impact: Players using cards + BNPL/crypto maintain transaction frequency while spending more.
Value: Offering alternative payment methods like BNPL and crypto can significantly increase ATV, especially in Western markets, without sacrificing transaction volume.

Revenue by Platform and Genre

Microtransactions (MTX): Drive 49% of PC and 52% of console revenue in North America; 42% (PC) and 51% (console) in Europe. Mobile is near 100% in-game revenue.
Top Genres: North America favors shooters, Europe prioritizes sports, with RPGs and puzzles strong in both.
Value: High MTX revenue and genre preferences guide studios to focus on live services and region-specific content to maximize engagement.

Strategic Takeaways

Deepen Monetization: With modest payer growth, studios must focus on existing players by offering personalized content and value-driven deals.
Diversify Payment Options: Cards and wallet still dominate in volume, but integrating BNPL and crypto can unlock higher ATV, especially in Western markets.
Align with Player Values: Transparency, fairness, and seamless payment experiences reduce churn and build loyalty in a competitive market.
Understand the why and how players spend: NA players are more likely to spend for personalization and self-expression, while EU players are more value-conscious, prioritizing deals and an ad-free experience.

Quotes

Liam Wiltshire Head of Payments & Compliance at Tebex

“The future of gaming is about flexibility – meeting players where they are, with the methods they trust.”

This quote summarizes the importance of adapting to player-preferred payment methods like wallets, BNPL, and crypto to enhance accessibility and trust.

“Virtual currencies and microtransactions are no longer just revenue streams – they’re becoming strategic levers for retention and differentiation.”

This emphasizes the evolving role of microtransactions beyond revenue, focusing on engagement and player retention.

“Today’s players want to know what they’re paying for – and why. How you monetize matters more than ever.”

This highlights the need for transparency and fairness in monetization to build player trust and loyalty.

The post Unlocking games revenue: player behavior and payment trends in the west | Newzoo x Tebex Whitepaper appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.