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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EFG, Hero Esports and Niko Partners survey 8,000 fans across eight markets; 74% report ads and brand presence influence buying.
ESL FACEIT Group (EFG), Hero Esports and Niko Partners have released a multi-country Gen Z esports study claiming around 400 million Gen Z consumers (20%) regularly engage with esports. The findings were published on 25th June 2026 in Cannes, France, in a white paper titled The Esports Generation: Who They Are & Why They Spend.
The report is based on survey data from 8,000 Gen Z esports fans aged 13-30 across eight markets. It positions esports as a high-attention channel for brands: 85% of respondents said they notice branding in esports, while 74% self-reported that advertising and brand participation in gaming spaces influences their purchasing behaviour. The study also reports that 66% have bought a product following a collaboration or co-branding partnership with an esports team, game or player.
On consumption and fandom touchpoints, the study found 71% regularly watch gaming content, including 66% who watch gaming livestreams and 33% who watch or listen to gaming podcasts. It also points to offline reach: 21% said they regularly attend gaming conventions and esports events, with the average respondent attending at least one in-person event in the past nine months.
The white paper also breaks out claimed purchase categories linked to esports collaborations over the past year, led by food and beverage (33%), electronics (33%) and fashion (32%). Beyond core categories, it reports 28% bought esports-related collectibles, 17% purchased makeup, beauty, or skincare products, and 10% bought from partnered brands in other categories.
Niccolo Maisto, CEO at ESL FACEIT Group said: “Esports has evolved into one of the most effective channels for companies looking to connect with Gen Z audiences at scale. What makes it unique is not just its reach, but the depth of engagement and trust that exists between fans, players, teams, and events. This research shows that esports fans are highly invested participants, not passive viewers, creating an opportunity for brands that show up authentically and build meaningful and lasting connections with this key audience.”
Danny Tang, Co-Founder and CEO of Hero Esports said: “This whitepaper confirms what we at Hero Esports have long believed: esports has evolved into a global cultural and economic force. The data shows an audience that is young, diverse, and deeply engaged. For brands, the message is clear—esports is no longer a niche market; it is the premier platform to connect with the next generation of consumers. We are proud to partner with Niko Partners and EFG to provide this blueprint for understanding and succeeding in this dynamic industry.”
Lisa Hanson, CEO at Niko Partners said: “Our data shows that, much like fans of other sports, Gen Z esports fans are incredibly passionate and have formed strong bonds within their communities. However, their media and consumer affinities extend well beyond gaming and esports, with our research revealing naturally connected interest areas that create valuable overlapping opportunities for brands and partners that show up authentically in this ecosystem.”
The post Study: 400m Gen Z esports fans say brand activations drive purchases appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
HIPTHER has launched HALLO (Highly Aligned Leaders in Legal Operations), a new platform designed to help organizations find and engage compliance professionals, legal operations experts and industry vendors. The company announced the launch in Europe.
HIPTHER said HALLO brings together a professional directory, industry intelligence hub, community platform and visibility tools aimed at sectors including gaming, fintech, payments, AI, cybersecurity, digital identity, AML and blockchain. The platform includes an Individual Professional Membership and an Enterprise Membership, with HIPTHER stating that all memberships include a 14-day free trial.
Alongside membership options, HIPTHER said compliance professionals can create free, publicly visible “Expert” profiles outlining experience and areas of specialization, with additional premium visibility opportunities available. The company positioned the platform as a way for organizations to discover and evaluate qualified compliance and legal operations expertise.
A core feature at launch is “HALLO Resources,” which HIPTHER described as an open-access compliance intelligence section that aggregates more than 17,000 regulatory and compliance-focused articles from the HIPTHER media network. HIPTHER said the section is updated daily, includes search by topic, jurisdiction and keyword, and covers areas such as gaming, fintech, AI, payments, AML, digital policy, cybersecurity and regulatory affairs.
Zoltan Tuendik, Co-Founder & Head of Business at HIPTHER, said: “Navigating the modern regulatory landscape requires more than just standard legal advice; it demands highly specialized, agile compliance expertise. With the launch of HALLO, we are bridging the critical gap between organizations facing complex global standards and the elite professionals who can guide them through. By combining an active directory with a massive intelligence hub, we are setting a new standard for compliance collaboration and empowering businesses to move forward with absolute confidence.”
HIPTHER also linked HALLO to its conference and media activities, including advertising and thought leadership opportunities through the Wayseers Booklet, an annual handbook it said is distributed at HIPTHER conferences in Europe and reaches more than 1,500 professionals across gaming, fintech, AI, compliance and regulatory sectors.
The post HIPTHER Launches HALLO: The Standard in Compliance Expertise appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
HLTV will stage the HLTV Awards presented by 1xBet in Belgrade, Serbia on January 9, 2027, returning to the Sava Center. The company said more than 1,000 players, industry professionals, creators, and fans are expected to attend.
HLTV also confirmed Dust2 creator David Johnston will feature as an award announcer. HLTV linked the booking to the 25th anniversary of Dust2.
For 2026, HLTV is updating its Hall of Fame process and eligibility rules. Four players will be inducted again, with “at least two and up to three” slots reserved for players from the Counter-Strike 1.6 and early eras. HLTV also removed the former “neo rule,” allowing players to be inducted for their playing careers even if they remain active in other roles such as coaching.
HLTV is adding a Lifetime Achievement Award, which will be decided by the Hall of Fame Board. The ceremony will also move Community Awards onto the main stage show for the first time, rather than the pre-show segment.
Separately, HLTV will kick off the 2027 Awards season with an invite-only “HLTV Awards by 1xBet Launch Party x GRID” in Cologne during the Major. HLTV said industry members can apply for an invite to the ceremony via its awards page.
The post HLTV Awards returns to Belgrade on January 9, 2027, adding Lifetime Achievement honor appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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