Gaming

Gaming startup GOALS scores $15M seed round to build the number one AAA football game

Published

4 years ago

April 5, 2022

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Online football game GOALS, has announced a $15M seed round. Northzone, a global VC firm which has backed Spotify, Klarna, Trustpilot, and Homa Games, led the round with participation from previous investors Cherry Ventures, Moonfire Ventures, Banana Capital and new investors Not Boring Capital and Cassius. The round features notable angels such as FC Barcelona star Gerard Pique, Sorare co-founder and CEO Nicolas Julia, Axie co-founder and COO Aleksander Larsen, metaverse expert Matthew Ball, and web3 authority Magdalena Kala. The funds will allow GOALS to double their headcount recruiting another 30 game developers by the end of 2022.

GOALS is a fast-paced and multiplayer-first football game primarily for PC and consoles that offers a unique and attractive way for gamers to own in-game digital assets as they play. With a focus on quicker and more responsive gameplay, GOALS is different from existing football games by creating a fun, competitive and rewarding experience. Being free-to-play and cross-platform, GOALS provides a completely frictionless opportunity for gamers and football fans to enjoy the beautiful game like never before.

Through the utilization of environmentally friendly blockchain technology, GOALS allows true digital ownership of in-game assets. These in-game assets are earned for free through gameplay and can be used in the game or traded freely at any point.

“We’re thrilled to announce a seed round by an amazing group of VCs and fantastic angel investors”, said GOALS co-founder and CEO Andreas Thorstensson. “We have been in the very fortunate position where investors reached out to us before we were actually fundraising so we were able to pick the ones we felt had the best fit for GOALS. The current investors have the perfect combination of expertise in gaming, sports, web3 and company growth. With GOALS I am building my dream company. It combines my deep interest in sports, gaming, esports and new technology. After playing most football games on the market and observing the esports scene for a long time I could see that gamers deserved something new. GOALS is a gameplay-first football game. Free to play, cross-play, multiplayer-focused, and esports-ready where the players can finally own their in-game items instead of renting them.”

Football and gaming are respectively two enormous markets. With 3.5 billion football fans and 2.9 billion gamers, the estimated market for virtual goods in this space is valued at close to $190bn. Major players have bet big on realism and licensing to sustain their market positions. This leaves a huge space for companies like GOALS who can deliver an esports ready product that offers the accessibility and non-stop action of other online giants like Rocket League. GOALS’ play-and-own business model is ideally placed to service the new market for NFTs which is itself estimated to reach $80Bn by 2025. Gamers will own their players and teams to take part in professional online leagues.

“Andreas has gathered around him a stellar team. They’ve identified a unique opportunity at the intersection of metaverse and football, the world’s largest sport. Web3 and the technology behind innovations like NFTs will power the next generation of businesses in this space and GOALS is poised to become a leader in their own category”, adds Pär-Jörgen Pärson, a partner at Northzone and sitting on the GOALS board.

“GOALS represents a rare investment opportunity. The game they’re building is original and fun, and their growth and business model is truly impressive. Andreas is as impressive a founder as I’ve ever met, has a solid vision and a clear execution plan. From a personal perspective too, this intersection of football, gaming, esports and NFTs covers so much of what I find fascinating. I’m really excited to see where we go from here” says Mattias Ljungman, founder of Moonfire Ventures.

“GOALS is not just a game, but a team on a mission,” says Sophia Bendz, partner at Cherry Ventures, which also led GOALS’ pre-seed round. “In just a few short weeks, GOALS grew its following to well over 25,000 people on social media and thousands upon thousands in Discord. GOALS is creating something people have long wanted. We’re excited to be with them on their journey in creating a new football game people love.”

Founded in late 2021, GOALS has already built a team with an impressive set of skills and track record of successes in entrepreneurship, engineering, game development, gaming, esport and web3. This funding will allow them to grow further in the game development area. As a gaming start-up, GOALS has taken the lead in offering a diverse and inclusive workplace to better attract developers from competing firms.

Diamond Coins

Wazdan enhances Hot Slot™ series with Hot Slot™: Diamond Coins

Published

6 days ago

April 9, 2026

Wladimir P.

wazdan-enhances-hot-slot-series-with-hot-slot:-diamond-coins

Wazdan, the gain-focused game developer, has bolstered its high-performing Hot Slot portfolio with the launch of Hot Slot: Diamond Coins, a vibrant new title that merges the series’ retro charm with mechanics from its flagship Coins collection.

Staying true to the Hot Slot format, the game spans 15 reels and features fan-favourite mechanics including Cash Infinity and Hold the Jackpot, alongside specially designed Bonus symbols to boost engagement.

In the Hold the Jackpot Bonus Game, players compete for a Grand Jackpot of up to 3,000x their stake. Standard Hot Slot symbols also remain active on any reel without a Bonus symbol, using two paylines to deliver consistent base-game wins.

The Chance Level feature adds an extra layer of strategy and excitement, increasing the likelihood of triggering the Hold the Jackpot Bonus Round and offering players a more personalised gameplay experience.

Radka Bacheva, Head of Sales and Business Development at Wazdan, said:
“Hot Slot: Diamond Coins marks an exciting milestone in the evolution of the Hot Slot series. By combining the retro aesthetics players love with the proven performance of our Coins mechanics, and layering in Cash Infinity, Hold the Jackpot, and Chance Level, we’ve created a dynamic experience that immediately captures attention and delivers engaging, high-energy gameplay from the very first spin.”

Hot Slot: Diamond Coins is now available for integration, designed to perform across global markets and appeal to a broad player base.

The post Wazdan enhances Hot Slot™ series with Hot Slot™: Diamond Coins appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Gaming

PopOK Gaming Launches “Matatu Juu”: A Fast-Paced Journey to 10,000x Multipliers

Published

6 days ago

April 9, 2026

Wladimir P.

popok-gaming-launches-“matatu-juu”:-a-fast-paced-journey-to-10,000x-multipliers

PopOK Gaming has launched its latest title, Matatu Juu, a fast-paced crash game that brings the vibrant energy of urban commutes to the gaming world. Inspired by the lively “Matatu” culture, the game challenges players to chase escalating multipliers, with the potential for wins of up to 10,000x.

High-Stakes, Player-Controlled Action
At the heart of Matatu Juu is the intuitive Cashout mechanic, giving players full control to decide the perfect moment to secure their rewards before the inevitable crash. Timing and strategy define the thrill, creating a tense, adrenaline-filled experience with every spin.

Key Features:

Massive Multiplier Potential: Chase multipliers soaring up to 10,000x for life-changing wins.
Player-Centric Control: Cash out at your own pace—play safe or go all-in for the ultimate payout.
Seamless Gameplay: A clean, engaging interface that’s easy for newcomers but addictive for experienced players.
Vibrant Urban Theme: A colorful, energetic design that blends cultural flair with modern gaming mechanics.

“With Matatu Juu, we wanted to capture the thrill of a fast-paced commute and turn it into a rewarding gaming journey,” said Luiza Melikyan, Head of Business Development at PopOK Gaming. “Combining simple crash mechanics with huge win potential keeps players on the edge of their seats from start to finish.”

Matatu Juu is now available for integration, offering operators a high-engagement title perfectly suited for players seeking instant-win, social-style gaming experiences.

The post PopOK Gaming Launches “Matatu Juu”: A Fast-Paced Journey to 10,000x Multipliers appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

BGaming

Hook Huge Rewards in Fishing Club 2

Published

6 days ago

April 9, 2026

Wladimir P.

Fast-growing content producer announces its involvement in a long-awaited sequel.

Renowned iGaming content developer BGaming aims to capture significant victories once more in Fishing Club 2, the follow-up to one of the firm’s most profitable #Casual games.

Participants settle in around a picturesque lake before dropping their lines into the water to discover what prizes they might reel in. The game offers a first-person perspective, engaging players directly in the action while conveying the soothing ambiance of an actual fishing experience.

BGaming has considered players’ opinions on the original game and provided them with greater freedom in their gameplay of Fishing Club 2. Players can fish at three spots located at dawn, dusk, and twilight. This provides each session with a unique twist and enables players to discover the atmosphere that suits their preferences.

The new Fishing Club game offers two bonus features. The Fishing Net bonus, capable of being activated for ×60 the player’s wager, spreads widely, while the TNT Bonus, valued at ×100 the wager, creates a massive blast in the water. You can acquire both of these by using the Buy Bonus button, ensuring a victory.

A skilled angler retains trophies, and the game enables players to track theirs with the well-known features Best Win and Best Catch. These show the greatest single-spin win amount and the largest multipliers achieved.

Vasili Pauliuchenko, Game Producer at BGaming, said, “The original Fishing Club title is one of players’ most-loved #Casual games by BGaming. Having listened to their feedback, we are taking them back to the open waters in Fishing Club 2 with a few pivotal updates.

We love to give our players more control over how they play, and that is on full display with Fishing Club 2. They can decide when and where they fish and what tools to use for most successful angling. We are sure that such personalization will be a hit with the game’s fans and those new to the series.”

The post Hook Huge Rewards in Fishing Club 2 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.