Gaming
GameRefinery unveils the finalists for its annual Mobile GameDev Awards, celebrating the best in mobile game design
The 2022 Mobile GameDev Awards finalists announced in seven categories covering different aspects of mobile game innovation and feature design, in USA, Japan and China.
Today, mobile game analytics specialist GameRefinery, a Liftoff company, is excited to announce that its jury has decided on the finalists for its second annual Mobile GameDev Awards. The awards recognise and celebrate innovation in mobile game design amongst developers in the USA, China and Japan.
The seven categories are:
Innovation and Excellence in Core Gameplay, (all regions)
Most Promising Soft Launch Game, (all regions) Biggest Evolver individually in USA, Japan, China Best Newcomer individually in USA, Japan, China
Best Feature Innovation, Best Event individually in USA, Japan, China and
Best Use of IP in Collaboration Events (all regions).
GameRefinery will announce the winners on the 24th of May 2022.
The 2022 Mobile GameDev Awards finalists have been selected by a panel of GameRefinery analysts, drawing on their extensive experience and expertise in games analysis.
GameRefinery’s platform tracks over 100,000 mobile games for market research, competitor intelligence, and player insights while providing more than 2,500+ in-depth game feature deconstructions and analyses.
Mobile GameDev Awards 2022 Finalists
Innovation & Excellence in Core Gameplay
The most innovative and well-executed core gameplay seen in 2021:
- 无尽的拉格朗日 (Infnite Lagrange, China)
- Gold and Goblins: Idle Merge
- 哈利波特:魔法觉醒 (Harry Potter Magic Awakened, China)
- Kingdom Guard: Tower Defence
- ウマ娘 プリティーダービー (Umamusume Pretty Derby, Japan)
- The Ants: Underground Kingdom
- League of Legends: Wild Rift
Most Promising Soft Launch Game
The 2021 soft launch game most likely to be a breakout launch success based on gameplay:
- Apex Legends
- Clash Mini
- Star Blast
- Tower of Fantasy
- Diablo Immortal
- Honkai: Star Rail
- Star Wars: Hunters
Biggest Evolver
The game that has developed the most during 2021 in terms of gameplay:
USA Finalists:
- Merge Dragons!
- Clash Royale
- Garena Free Fire
- Lords Mobile: Tower Defense
- Rise of Kingdoms
- Yahtzee® with Buddies
- Cookie Run: Kingdom
Japan Finalists:
- ステート・オブ・サバイバル (State of Survival)
- Shin Sangokushi
- ドラゴンクエストタクト (Dragon Quest Tact)
- パズル&ドラゴンズ (Puzzle & Dragons)
- プロ野球スピリッツA (Pro Yakyuu Spirits A)
China Finalists:
- 植物大战僵尸2 (Plants vs. Zombies 2)
- 天谕 (Revelation)
- 原神 (Genshin Impact)
- 跑跑卡丁车官方竞速版 (PopKart Mobile)
- 魂斗罗:归来-特战集结 (Contra Returns)
Best Newcomer
The best new entry into the market during 2021:
USA Finalists:
- Beatstar
- The Ants: Underground Kingdom
- Royal Match
- Kingdom Guard: Tower Defence
- Family Farm Adventure
- Zen Match – Relaxing Puzzle
- The Lord of the Rings: Rise to War
- No Limit Drag Racing 2
- Idle Lumber Empire
- League of Legends: Wild Rift
Japan Finalists:
- ウマ娘 プリティーダービー (Umamusume Pretty Derby)
- 二ノ国:Cross Worlds (Ni No Kuni: Cross Worlds)
- ガーディアンテイルズ (Guardian Tales)
- グランサガ(Gran Saga)
- Nier Re[in]carnation
China Finalists:
- 哈利波特:魔法觉醒 (Harry Potter: Magic Awakened)
- 王牌竞速 (Ace Racer)
- 幻塔 (Tower of Fantasy)
- 无尽的拉格朗日 (Infnite Lagrange)
- 英雄联盟手游 (League of Legends: Wild Rift)
- 重返帝国
- 金铲铲之战 (Battle of the Golden Spatula)
Best Feature Innovation
The most innovative new feature introduced in a game during 2021
- 松松总动员 (Song-song Zong-dong-yuan, China) – Login calendar meets IAP offers
- 松松总动员 (Song-song Zong-dong-yuan, China) – Innovative limited-time gacha event
- Garena Free Fire – Special PvP modes
- Cooking Diary – Social hangout areas
- Yahtzee® with Buddies – Kingdom feature
- Rise of Kingdoms – MOBA mode
- Puzzle & Dragons (Japan) – Synchronous PvP mode
- PUBG MOBILE – RP Activity Packs in Battle Pass
- Highrise – NFT cosmetics
- XFLAG’s Kotodaman and Monster Strike (Japan) – New gacha type with a social twist
- Ensemble Stars!! Music (Japan) – Music co-op newcomer tasks
Best Event
The best in-game event held during 2021:
USA Finalists:
- Yahtzee® with Buddies – Derby event
- POP! Slots™ Vegas Casino Games – Win Zone event
- Gardenscapes – Klondike Expedition event
- Genshin Impact – Midsummer Island Adventure
- Call of Duty®: Mobile – Anniversary event
- Garena Free Fire – Pet Mania event
- Mobile Legends: Bang Bang – Aspirants Unite event
- State of Survival – 2nd Anniversary Airship Building event
Japan Finalists:
- プロジェクトセカイ カラフルステージ! 初音ミク (Project Sekai Colorful Stage feat. Hatsune Miku) – New Year’s event
- ドラゴンボール レジェンズ (Dragon Ball Legends) – Legends Festival
- 妖怪ウォッチ ぷにぷに (Youkai Watch Punipuni) – Collaboration event with Neon Genesis Evangelion
- 二ノ国:Cross Worlds (Ni No Kuni: Cross Worlds) – General events
- NieR Re[in]carnation – Collaborations events with the earlier titles in the series (NieR Automata (launch), NieR Replicant and Drakengard 3)
China Finalists:
- 明日之后 (LifeAfter) – Romantic event July 2021
- 松松总动员 (Song-song Zong-dong-yuan) – June 2021 Gacha event
- 御龙在天 (Legend of Yulong) – Fight the Landlord-card game event (doudizhu) in Jan
- 神武4 (Shén wǔ 4) – Event with a real-life map to beat monsters and get points
- 阴阳师 (Onmyoji) – recurring event with event-only customizable character
- 富豪麻将 (Fuhao Majiang) – collaboration event with China Mahjong Masters Tournament
Best Use of IP in a Collaboration Event
Finalists:
- 跑跑卡丁车官方竞速版 (PopKart Mobile) & Ali the Fox (China)
- 香肠派对 (Sausage Man) & Pizza Hut (China)
- Top War: Battle Game & Transformers
- 江南百景图 (Canal Towns) & Kentucky Fried Chicken (China)
- Mobile Legends: Bang Bang & Hello Kitty (Sanrio Characters)
- Roblox & 24kGoldn Concert Experience
- PUBG MOBILE & Arcane (League of Legends)
- 獅子の如く~戦国覇王戦記~ (Shishi no Gotoku – Sengoku Haousenki) & Rurouni Kenshin (Japan)
- State of Survival & The Walking Dead (US)
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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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