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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Gaming
Portside Game Assembly: Studios behind Dead Cells, Dungeon Clawler, Dorfromantik, Blasphemous on board and ticket sales for brunch and party launched
With Portside Game Assembly, Gamecity Hamburg is welcoming studio heads and directors from successful indie game studios on a conference ship and other extraordinary locations in Hamburg on June 27. Benjamin Laulan, Co-Founder of Evil Empire, (Dead Cells, The Rogue Prince of Persia) will give a keynote on the Triple-i Initiative started by the French studio. At the Triple-i Showcase 2024, over 30 “iii games” were announced in 45 minutes, and 150,000 views were achieved on YouTube alone. Further speaker on board is Philomena Schwab, Founder of Stray Fawn Studio (Dungeon Clawler, The Wandering Village).
Portside Game Assembly celebrates its premiere as B2B-conference for international indie game leaders on June 27. There will be no direct ticket sales for the conference; instead, a curated list of participants will ensure that only studio heads and decision makers attend the conference on board a ship sailing through the port of Hamburg.
At the same time, the Networking Brunch and the Games Industry Party are open as networking events for interested contacts from the games industry to bring platform holders, publishers, and game companies into contact with the international conference participants. Studio leads from Denmark, Sweden, Switzerland, the UK, France, Spain, Canada, the USA, and Germany are already on board for the conference.
Portside Game Assembly is set to be a platform for decision makers and studio leads to exchange ideas, learn from each other, and face the challenges of the games industry through collaboration.
As the first announced talk of the conference, Benjamin Laulan (Co-Founder of Evil Empire) will present a keynote on the Triple-i Initiative and how to create your own announcement space and talk directly to your audience when you can’t really relate to other existing showcases. In addition, Philomena Schwab (Founder of Stray Fawn Studio & Publishing) will give a short talk about ways for game idea validation.
The program of the Portside Game Assembly will consist of keynotes, short talks, and roundtables.
Selection of already confirmed participants:
- Evil Empire (Dead Cells, The Rogue Prince of Persia) / France
- Stray Fawn Studio (Dungeon Clawler, The Wandering Village) / Switzerland
- The Game Kitchen (Blasphemous I & II) / Spain
- Toukana Interactive (Dorfromantik)/ Germany
- Ghostship Publishing (Deep Rock Galactic) / Denmark
- Landfall Games (Content Warning, Totally Accurate Battle Simulator) / Sweden
- Chasing Carrots (Halls of Torment) / Germany
- Foulball Hangover (Hydroneer) / UK
- Siege Camp (Foxhole) / Canada
The post Portside Game Assembly: Studios behind Dead Cells, Dungeon Clawler, Dorfromantik, Blasphemous on board and ticket sales for brunch and party launched appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Fourth Star, the cutting-edge virtual reality immersive media streaming platform, is officially available to the public. This innovative platform transforms traditional entertainment by enabling users to seamlessly watch standard 2D, 180 and 360 immersive media content and movies. Fourth Star redefines how audiences engage with immersive storytelling, offering an unparalleled first-person centric perspective on entertainment.
“Fourth Star is more than just a platform – it’s a revolution in entertainment,” said Greg Simon, Co-Founder & CEO of Fourth Star. “We’ve created an immersive experience where users can not only consume content but also actively participate in it. Our vision is to transform how people experience media content and movies in a way that has never been done before.”
A New Era of Interactive Entertainment
The largest immersive media streaming platform available on Sidequest, users can explore nearly forty unique environments, interact with AI-driven crew, and experience entertainment in an entirely new way. Fourth Star offers a groundbreaking approach to digital engagement, whether socializing in the Cafe, customizing avatars in private Apartments or Ships, or stepping directly into a movie’s storyline.
“The combination of VR, AI, and blockchain in Fourth Star sets a new standard for immersive entertainment,” said Craig Wiltshire, CTO of Fourth Star. “Our vision is to seamlessly integrate all three technologies into the user experience. We are redefining the entertainment experience from passive observation to active creation.”
Built for Content Partners
Fourth Star is a self-serve platform designed for content partners of all sizes, from individual creators to blockbuster studios. Content partners can set up an account, create content channels, and begin monetizing their work immediately. No integration is required, allowing for seamless onboarding and instant access to a global audience. The Creator Portal empowers partners to distribute and profit from their immersive media with ease, making Fourth Star a truly open and accessible metaverse for digital entertainment.
Key Features of Fourth Star
- VR Streaming Platform – Users can access nearly forty environments and own their own luxury apartments and ships all equipped with an immersive media streaming entertainment hub.
- Social & Customization – Connect with others in dynamic social hubs, personalize your avatar, and invite your friends to your own luxury apartment and ship.
- Player Portal – Users can access the web-based marketplace to explore content, invite friends,
- Creator Portal – Set up an account, create content channels, and begin monetizing your work immediately. No integration is required, allowing for seamless onboarding and instant access to a global audience.
- Blockchain Integration – The FSTR token, built on the Polygon blockchain, powers the ecosystem, providing secure transactions and exclusive rewards.
- AI-Powered Companions – Coming soon
FSTR: The Utility Token Powering Fourth Star
FSTR serves as the primary ecosystem currency within the Fourth Star platform, enabling users to purchase Apartments, Ships, AI Companions, and exclusive content. Token holders benefit from:
- VIP Access – Exclusive events, early screenings, and red carpet experiences.
- Discounts – 25% savings on in-app purchases (IAPs) and entertainment content.
A New Paradigm in Entertainment
Fourth Star is designed to deliver the future of entertainment through merging cinematic storytelling with interactive gaming, offering:
- A seamless transition from passive to interactive experiences.
- A thriving community for players, creators, and investors.
- Advanced AI integration for interactive AI characters.
- Don’t just watch the star in the movie, become the star.
Availability and Access
Fourth Star is now live and available for users worldwide on Sidequest. Whether you’re an explorer, content creator large to small, storyteller, or entertainment enthusiast, Fourth Star provides an immersive space to experience digital entertainment like never before.
The post Fourth Star Launches Immersive Media Streaming Platform appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
Significant industry first will see game launch from day one across 5 alternative stores in addition to Apple and Google.
Flexion, the games marketing company, announces a partnership with preeminent developer King to market new game Candy Crush Solitaire© in alternative app stores.
Expected to be one of the exciting game announcements of the year, Candy Crush Solitaire© will be available on the Amazon Appstore, Samsung Galaxy Store, Huawei App Gallery, Xiaomi GetApps and ONE store from the get-go thanks to Flexion’s expertise and technology. The game launches globally across platforms on 6 February and is already available for preregistration in all the stores.
Flexion has had a partnership with King since June 2024 to market Candy Crush Saga© on the alternative stores. With this latest deal, both companies are breaking new ground with concurrent launches, taking them to the leading edge of games marketing.
“This is the first time King will launch simultaneously across such a wide range of platforms,” says Jens Lauritzson, Flexion’s CEO. “King has recognised that mobile audiences come from a more diverse range of markets these days, and we are thrilled to be able to help them reach those markets. Flexion has brought to the partnership the tech, experience and expertise to ensure the ultimate in user choice.”
Commenting on the deal, Benjamin Pommeraud, General Manager of Strategic Initiatives at King, says: “We’re excited to partner with Flexion to make Candy Crush Solitaire available to more players. As our first expansion of the Candy universe into a new genre, this collaboration reflects our ongoing commitment to delivering high-quality experiences that are accessible to everyone, no matter where they choose to play.”
The post Flexion partners with King to launch Candy Crush Solitaire© simultaneously across platforms appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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