Gaming
Freeverse.io raises €10M to lead the charge for a fairer model of digital ownership
Earlybird Venture Capital and Target Global led the Series A round for Freeverse, which offers next-generation, ‘Living Asset’ NFTs.
Freeverse.io today announced a Series A investment round of €10M, co-led by Earlybird and Target Global, alongside existing investors Adara Ventures and 4Founders Capital. Freeverse’s service allows companies to build products that feature next generation NFTs – ‘Living Assets’.
In 2021, NFT sales catapulted to over $20bn, as both business and end-users came to understand the enormous potential that is unlocked by blockchain-certified digital ownership. Freeverse’s core product is a platform that allows companies (such as brands, game developers, or other content creators) to add a crucial new layer to their products: the ability of NFTs to change and evolve based on how they are used by their owners. As a result, how the NFT is used has a greater effect on its value than merely its rarity or scarcity.
One of the main criticisms of the digital collectibles boom is that the market value relies purely on speculation – with consumers buying ‘rare’ digital assets with the sole intention of selling them on while hoping for a profit. Freeverse’s product and technology offers a way out of this situation, by allowing NFT properties to change and evolve. With Freeverse, the Metaverse will be populated with assets that capture the value provided by their owners’ effort and talent using them, instead of just scarcity and speculation.
“While 2021 may have been ‘the year of the NFT’, NFTs that can be changed by their owners, such as Freeverse’s Living Assets provide a more sustainable business model for the sector, as their market value is not decided by artificial concepts of scarcity,” commented Dr. Christian Nagel, Partner and Co-founder at Earlybird.
“The infrastructure the Freeverse team has built addresses the limitations that NFTs have today, including the ability for brands to protect their brand equity. They’ve come up with a contrarian approach to other purely decentralized plays – but one that we believe is necessary for mass adoption of NFTs”, added Lina Chong, Investment Director at Target Global.
Alongside Earlybird and Target, existing investors Adara Ventures and 4Founders Capital, as well as global digital media giant, OneFootball, are joining the round. Notable angels include international football star Mario Götze, Travelperk CEO Avi Meir, OneFootball CEO Lucas von Cranach, and Maex Ament, Co-founder of Taulia and Centrifuge.
Freeverse will use the investment to fund a strong go-to-market push, as well to continue the development of the product and core technology. “Living Assets represent the way forward for digital ownership in the metaverse and beyond”, explained CEO Alun Evans. “The fact that Living Assets are valued more by how they are used, as opposed to simple speculation, means that they enable a fairer and more sustainable business model for both companies and consumers. As such, we expect our approach to become a core component within the emerging web3 sector.”
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Brazil
EGT to showcase its gaming portfolio for Brazil at SiGMA Americas 2026
Following a strong showing at SBC Summit Rio earlier this month, EGT is set to present its Brazil-focused portfolio once again at BiS SiGMA South America 2026, taking place in São Paulo from April 7–9. Visitors can explore the company’s latest solutions and partnership opportunities at stand L146.
“Don’t miss the chance to experience our products firsthand and discover how we can work together,” said Celina Guedes, Regional Director Brazil at EGT.
Advanced Land-Based Solutions
A key highlight will be EGT’s Super Sorte Video Lottery Terminals. The range includes the slant-top Super Sorte 27/27 ST, featuring dual 27-inch full-HD touchscreens with 4K UHD resolution, and the vertical Super Sorte 43V, equipped with a single 43-inch curved display. Both models are designed to deliver an immersive, next-generation gaming experience.
Also on display will be EGT’s latest online betting terminals, Top Estrela and Bar Estrela. The Top Estrela unit features a sleek 24-inch portrait touchscreen, while Bar Estrela offers a compact solution ideal for bars and smaller venues. Both are supported by an intuitive platform that ensures smooth navigation and secure access to a broad content library.
All terminals will feature the Gold VLT multigame package, offering 50 titles across diverse themes. This includes popular classics such as Amazons’ Battle and Rise of Ra, fruit-themed favourites like Burning Hot, and regionally popular games such as Keno Universe.
Expanding Digital Capabilities
EGT Digital will also present its growing iGaming portfolio, including more than 180 in-house slot titles. Among the highlights are established jackpot series such as Bell Link, Clover Chance, and Gods & Kings Link, alongside newer releases like Panda Ventura, which has quickly gained traction with players thanks to its distinctive style and engaging gameplay. The title also marks the beginning of a new character-driven series, with Tiger Ventura set to follow.
In addition, the company will demonstrate its modular X-Nave platform, which integrates casino, CRM, payment gateway, bonus management, and an aggregator offering over 20,000 games from 200+ providers. The platform also includes a high-performance sportsbook with flexible integration and advanced personalisation features, supported by AI-driven tools that enhance engagement and automate key processes.
Strengthening Regional Partnerships
“Our main goal at BiS SiGMA South America is to strengthen strategic partnerships with operators, platforms, and stakeholders shaping Brazil’s regulated market,” Guedes added. “It’s also an opportunity to showcase our full technology and content ecosystem, supporting both online growth and potential future land-based developments such as VLT operations. Ultimately, we’re focused on building long-term relationships and positioning EGT as a trusted partner across Brazil and Latin America.”
The post EGT to showcase its gaming portfolio for Brazil at SiGMA Americas 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Gaming
Soft2Bet launches MEGA Islands, a new gamification engine designed to increase player retention
Soft2Bet has unveiled MEGA Islands, the latest addition to its MEGA Suite, designed to enhance player engagement and retention across both casino and sportsbook offerings.
The new engine introduces a persistent progression system that carries over across sessions, giving players an ongoing reason to return. Through island-building, resource collection, and continual advancement, players embark on a long-term journey that transforms short play sessions into sustained engagement.
First previewed in Soft2Bet’s recent Lodur release, the MEGA Islands system allows players to develop their own islands over time. Resources earned through gameplay can be used to construct new buildings, upgrade existing structures, and unlock further stages of progression. Each upgrade opens new goals, creating a loop of continuous advancement that keeps players invested.
The engine also incorporates plundering mechanics, giving players an additional path to gather resources by raiding other islands. This feature not only accelerates growth but also maintains a dynamic and engaging progression loop. With no fixed endpoint, MEGA Islands is built to encourage repeat play through a satisfying cycle of building, collecting, and advancing.
“MEGA Islands is designed to make retention feel natural by providing players with a progression journey they want to return to,” said Yoel Zuckerberg, CPO at Soft2Bet. “By building islands, collecting resources, and unlocking upgrades—including through plundering—each session becomes part of a longer experience. It gives players a clear reason to come back while providing operators with a retention tool that integrates seamlessly across casino and sportsbook.”
The launch of MEGA Islands underscores Soft2Bet’s commitment to gamification as a driver of long-term growth. As part of the MEGA Suite, the new engine offers operators a powerful tool to extend player journeys, increase engagement cycles, and deliver consistent value in competitive markets.
The post Soft2Bet launches MEGA Islands, a new gamification engine designed to increase player retention appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Arcade
Pragmatic Play Elevates Arcade Roster with the Im-Peck-Able Chicken+
Pragmatic Play, a prominent content provider for the iGaming sector, has enhanced its arcade collection with the debut of Chicken+, a retro-themed game showcasing fast-paced action and significant winning opportunities.
Brought to existence with retro 8-bit visuals, the game tests players to evade approaching vehicles and various dangers, leading the chicken safely over the road.
With each lane successfully cleared, the win multiplier increases. Players can withdraw their earnings whenever they choose or try to navigate all lanes for the top reward, but a single random mishap concludes the round as a defeat. Players are able to view the possible winnings and the likelihood of success in reaching each lane to aid in their decision-making.
There are four levels of risk – Easy, Mid, Hard, and Daredevil. Raising the level reduces the number of lanes per round and increases the volatility, enhancing the maximum win potential from 24x in Easy mode to over 3,000,000x in Daredevil.
Blending nostalgic visuals with an eccentric theme, a user-friendly interface, and rapid betting rounds, Chicken+ meets the increasing demand for engaging, fast-paced games.
The title signifies the newest entry in Pragmatic Play’s continually growing arcade collection, succeeding the launches of Plinko+, Spire+, and Mines+.
Sharon McHugh, Director of Public Relations at Pragmatic Play, said: “Chicken+ blends retro charm with simple, high-engagement mechanics. With configurable risk levels and significant win potential, it stands out as another compelling addition to Pragmatic Play’s diverse arcade portfolio, inviting players to test their nerve and cross the road.”
The post Pragmatic Play Elevates Arcade Roster with the Im-Peck-Able Chicken+ appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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