Gaming

Gamecity Hamburg funds six prototypes of digital games with 398,000 euros

Published

4 years ago

May 18, 2022

Reading Time: 3 minutes

In its funding round for 2022, the location initiative Gamecity Hamburg supports six promising games projects from Hamburg with a total sum of 398,000 euros through its Prototype Funding program. The Gamecity Hamburg Prototype Funding is awarded as a non-repayable grant. The program enables Hamburg-based developers, studios and start-ups to develop convincing prototypes of digital games for the competitive international games market.

Because of the high quality of the projects submitted, the awarding committee decided to fully use the available budget of 400,000 euros for this year’s Prototype Funding program. The application phase for the next funding round will start in spring 2023. The diversity and quality of the applications demonstrate a positive development of Hamburg’s games industry and a successful promotion of young talent at the location.

Dennis Schoubye, Head of Gamecity Hamburg, explains: “We see a positive dynamic in the quality of the applications for the Prototype Funding. We also see positive effects from other support programs like our Games Lift Incubator and our new event format ‘Pitch Level Up’. Three of the funded projects are from teams and developers who have previously completed our Games Lift Incubator. In addition, there is a good mix among the funding recipients ranging from start-ups to game studios that are already firmly anchored in Hamburg.”

The funded projects in 2022:

Hexagone by Tiny Roar – €80,000
Super Party Verse by Super Crowd Entertainment – €80,000
Dein Skat by Bestjack Entertainment – €70,000
Alchymia by Pseudoscience Interactive – €70,000
Prospector by Symmetry Break Studio – €70,000
Monstersongs VR by Denise Koch – €28,000

Hexagone by Tiny Roar is a relaxing strategy-adventure game in which players create and explore different worlds. As adventurers, players individually uncover their game world and its secrets by laying cards on a mysterious world map full of treasures, expeditions, and hidden ruins.

Players can experience a fun multiplayer party in the mobile app Super Party Verse from Super Crowd Entertainment. In a colorful hub world, players can create mini-game events in a growing community, join existing parties and actively fill the world with life by designing their own rooms and avatars. New content will also find its way into the Super Party Verse through brand partners.

Dein Skat by Bestjack Entertainment takes the traditional German card game Skat to a new level as a single-player experience through a sophisticated AI, an entertaining story mode, motivating quests, and numerous challenges for beginners and advanced players in a lovely designed look.

In the construction and management game Alchymia by Pseudoscience Interactive, players must save their city from a horde of undead creatures with the help of alchemical equipment and various potions. In the turn-based game, players make tactical decisions that influence the course of the game. Julia Reberg, the creative mind behind Pseudoscience Interactive and Alchymia, is an alumna of the first round of the Games Lift Incubator in 2020.

Prospector by Symmetry Break Studio is a narrative 2D-adventure game with an intriguing story and an innovative dialogue system. Players experience their adventure in a metropolis on the edge of a crater doused in toxic fog and can only survive using mysterious masks. Symmetry Break Studio are alumni of the Games Lift Incubator 2021.

In the virtual rock musical game Monstersongs VR by Denise Koch, players experience stories and songs of numerous monsters in an abandoned theater, solve tricky puzzles and face their own feelings. Monstersongs VR bridges the gap between musical shows and gaming. With the concept for the game Denise Koch participated in the Games Lift Incubator 2021.

From March 4 to April 11, a total of 18 solo developers, start-ups, and companies from Hamburg applied for this round of the Gamecity Hamburg Prototype Funding.

The selection was made by an awarding committee consisting of Hamburg-based games industry experts Nina Müller (Head of Publishing, Goodgame Studios), Jonas Hüsges (Publishing Director, Daedalic Entertainment), Valentina Birke (Head of Project, Indie Arena Booth), Jens Unrau (Head of Department Media and Digital Economy, Ministry of Culture and Media Hamburg) and Dennis Schoubye (Head of Gamecity Hamburg).

The successful applicants not only convinced the committee with their project presentations but also with the potential of their projects in other criteria, like the market potential, their team structure, and the promotion of young talent.

About the Gamecity Hamburg Prototype Funding

The Gamecity Hamburg Prototype Funding in its current form was launched in 2020. Including the most recent funding round, the program has so far supported the development of 22 prototypes with a total funding amount of 1,240,000 euros.

Arcade Gaming

Pragmatic Play Redefines Arcade Gaming with Spire+

Published

14 hours ago

February 27, 2026

Wladimir P.

pragmatic-play-redefines-arcade-gaming-with-spire+

Pragmatic Play, a top content provider for the iGaming sector, boosts its presence in the arcade niche with the introduction of Spire+, where effectively climbing the prize ladder can lead to winnings surpassing 250,000x.

Against a night sky setting, players choose boxes to ascend the spire and reveal larger rewards. Participants can withdraw their winnings at any time or attempt to complete all nine levels for the highest payout, but if a flaming skull appears, the round concludes instantly with a loss.

Participants have the option to manage the climb by manually selecting boxes or opting for the ‘Random’ choice to let fate decide the next move. An extra strategy is implemented through five difficulty tiers, from Easy to Master, influencing the quantity of boxes and flaming skulls in each level. Choosing a more challenging difficulty enhances the reward possibilities but also heightens the chance of losing the round.

Spire+ enhances Pragmatic Play’s growing arcade collection after the introduction of Mines+ and the inaugural game Plinko+, which has just been upgraded to feature multiple balls, enabling players to release up to 10 balls on a single wager.

Sharon McHugh, Director of Public Relations at Pragmatic Play, said: “Arcade games continue to grow in popularity, underpinned by fast-paced, intuitive, and customisable gameplay. Spire+ aligns with this trend, handing control to players with numerous configurable settings, alongside significant win potential.”

The post Pragmatic Play Redefines Arcade Gaming with Spire+ appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

BLAST

Fortnite Championship Series Major 1 Summit heads to Düsseldorf for the first time

Published

1 day ago

February 26, 2026

Wladimir P.

fortnite-championship-series-major-1-summit-heads-to-dusseldorf-for-the-first-time

Epic Games and BLAST have today announced that the first Fortnite Championship Series (FNCS) LAN of the year is heading to Düsseldorf, Germany for the very first time.

The Fortnite Major 1 Summit will take place live inside the PSD Bank Dome on May 30 and 31, 2026. In the heart of Western Germany, Fortnite will take over the state-of-the-art PSD Bank Dome Arena, home of the Düsseldorfer EG hockey team, for two days of thrilling Fortnite action.

The top duos from all seven regions will battle live to be crowned Fortnite Major 1 Summit champions, take home a share of the $1,000,000 prize pool, and secure a spot at the Fortnite Global Championship later this year.

As one of Europe’s largest gaming markets and a frequent host of international esports tournaments, Germany has long played a central role in the global competitive scene. Located in the country’s most populous state and one of its most connected regions, Düsseldorf provides a fitting backdrop for the first FNCS LAN of the competitive season.

Tickets go on general sale March 2 at 4 AM ET / 10 AM CET on Eventim. More ticket information can be found here: Eventim Fortnite Major 1 Summit

The post Fortnite Championship Series Major 1 Summit heads to Düsseldorf for the first time appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

155.io

Hub88 Partners Exclusively with 155.io to Bring CCTV Game Rush Hour to Aggregators

Published

2 days ago

February 26, 2026

Wladimir P.

hub88-partners-exclusively-with-155.io-to-bring-cctv-game-rush-hour-to-aggregators

The release, driven by computer vision, provides operators with an innovative live betting experience featuring real-time traffic visuals.

Hub88 has amplified its collaboration with innovative studio 155.io by releasing its latest CCTV game, Rush Hour. The groundbreaking live game idea challenges players’ forecasting abilities by utilizing actual traffic video from cities worldwide.

Since 2024, Hub88 has been a reliable partner for 155.io, aiding in the launch of its immensely popular titles Ducks and Marbles. The studio located in Dubai takes pride in delivering rapid gameplay, captivating live streams, and ‘real-world chaos’ to fresh, mobile-first audiences.

Rush Hour presents 155.io’s innovative cctv.games betting category, featuring games centered on real-time surveillance camera footage from cities like Tokyo, Lyon, Sydney, and London. Participants are encouraged to estimate the number of items, like cars or motorbikes, that will pass through a specified AI monitoring area during a defined timeframe. Players can wager on Over, Under, Range, or Exact results, resulting in engaging gameplay.

Locations are chosen automatically according to the time of day and traffic trends, with the active setting shown during betting, enhancing the title’s ‘eyes on the world’ focus and real-time attraction.

Hub88’s wide array of operators will now enjoy smooth access to Rush Hour, after 155.io’s successful direct integrations with Stake, Roobet, and Shuffle.

The successful debut of another creative live game from 155.io showcases Hub88’s standing as an aggregator that prioritizes authentic differentiation, innovation, and tangible outcomes for its partners.

Jessica Inglott, Head of Supplier Relations at Hub88, said: “CCTV Game: Rush Hour is unlike anything else currently available to operators. Its real-world data, automated computer vision technology and clear, high-frequency betting format create a truly original experience.

“Being chosen as the exclusive aggregator for this release allows us to give our partners access to an entirely new genre, with action that will attract the next generation of players.”

Sam Jones, Founder and CEO of 155.io, said: “This release represents a new direction for interactive betting experiences. By combining live CCTV feeds with automated computer vision tracking and AI, we’ve created a format that is simple to understand yet highly engaging.

“With this first game in our CCTV Game series, we’re delighted to bring some of the world’s most intriguing cities to the screens of players, with Hub88 as the perfect partner to facilitate this.”

The post Hub88 Partners Exclusively with 155.io to Bring CCTV Game Rush Hour to Aggregators appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.