Connect with us

Gaming

Nominations announced for first-ever Scottish Games Awards

Published

on

Reading Time: 3 minutes

 

  • The longlist covers achievements in Art and Animation, Audio, Best Small Budget Game, Best Big Budget Game, and many more!

  • Winners will be announced on Thursday 27th October, as part of Scottish Games Week

The long list of nominees for the first-ever Scottish Games Awards has been released, celebrating the best games talent in Scotland. The awards – taking place at the Malmaison in Dundee on the 27th of October – will bring together a wide range of disciplines and specialities from across the games ecosystem and beyond, acting as a show of appreciation for those leading the charge across the growing and thriving sector.

The Scottish Games Awards ceremony is the culmination of the first ever Scottish Games Week, a first of its kind suite of events that will take place across Scotland from the 24th – 27th of October.  Winners will be announced at the ceremony on Thursday 27th of October, tickets are available now via Citizen Ticket.

The award nominees are as follows:

 

Art and Animation

  • Just Take Your Left (Mehrdad Rezaei)

  • Cloudpunk (ION LANDS)

  • Galaxy Fight Club (Interference Pattern)

  • Train Sim World 2: Island Line 2022 (Rivet Games)

  • Autonauts vs Piratebots (Denki)

Audio

  • SOLAS 128 (Amicable Animal)

  • Train Sim World 2: Island Line 2022 (Rivet Games)

  • A Bonnie Odyssey (Astrodreamer Studio)

  • Agatha Christie – Hercule Poirot: The First Cases (Blazing Griffin)

  • Autonauts vs Piratebots (Denki)

Best Educational Programme

  • Glasgow Caledonian University: 3D Art and Animation

  • University of the West of Scotland Games Development Programme

  • Robert Burns’ Farm at Ellisland in Minecraft

  • Dundee & Angus College: HN Games Development

  • Glasgow School of Art: MSc Visualisation

Best Educator

  • Daisy Abbott

  • Dr Thomas Methven

  • Jane Draycott

  • Erin Hughes

  • Dr Lynn Love

Best Large-Budget Game

  • From the Depths (Brilliant Skies Ltd.)

  • Cloudpunk (ION LANDS)

  • Mystery Match Village (Outplay Entertainment Ltd)

  • Autonauts vs Piratebots (Denki)

  • Island Saver (Stormcloud)

Best Small-Budget Game

  • Temple of Snek (Aetheric Games)

  • The Black Iris (Jamie Ferguson)

  • SOLAS 128  (Amicable Animal)

  • The Baby in Yellow (Team Terrible)

  • Ultimate Supremacy (GameExplosion)

Creativity

  • SOLAS 128  (Amicable Animal)

  • Cloudpunk (ION LANDS)

  • Playhead (Lowtek Games)

  • Temple of Snek (Aetheric Games)

  • Strange Sickness (Common Profyt Games)

Diversity Champion

  • Joanne Lacey

  • Searra Dodds

  • Tanya Laird

  • Lauren Aitken

  • Charly Harbord

Lifetime Achievement

  • Colin Anderson

  • Tanya Laird

  • Stuart Martin

  • Dave Jones

  • Chris Sawyer

Stewart Gilray Award (Community Spirit)

  • Malath Abbas

  • Colin Macdonald

  • Colin Anderson

  • Dr Amanda Ford

  • Paddy Burns

Technical Achievement

  • Conquest.eth (Etherplay)

  • Monstrum 2 (Team Junkfish)

  • Ultimate Supremacy (GameExplosion)

  • A Bonnie Odyssey (Astrodreamer Studio)

  • From the Depths (Brilliant Skies Ltd.)

Tools and Technology

  • Dislectek

  • Murder Mystery Machine

  • Kythera AI

  • Zappaty

  • AdInMo

 

The long list of entries will now go to the judging panel, chaired by Chris Scullion, and comprising of:

  • Brian Baird: Technical Director at Bethesda Games Studios Austin

  • Joe Donnelly: Feature Writer at GamesRadar+

  • Alisdair Gunn: Director at Glasgow City Innovation District

  • Steven Hamill: COO at Scottish Edge

  • Keza MacDonald: Video Games Editor at The Guardian

  • Jim Trinca: Games journalist and video producer

  • Jo Twist: CEO of UKIE

The judges will be tasked with picking a shortlist and winners from each of the categories.

Brian Baglow, Director of Scottish Games Week and Founder of the Scottish Games Network said: “As the founder and director of the Scottish Games Network, I am lucky enough to see on a daily basis, the incredible work being carried out in Scotland and meet the people, the pioneers and the games which are shaping the future of the games ecosystem.

“However, not every game – or person – doing this work gets the visibility they need or deserve. The Scottish Games Awards are designed to address this and showcase the people, the organisations and the games which make Scotland such a wonderful place to create, publish, teach, learn, love (or even play!)  games.

“We were thrilled to get such a wide range of entries and such a high level of excellence across each of the categories. I don’t envy the judges trying to select the winners from such a superb range of entries.

“Good luck to every entrant!”

Powered by WPeMatico

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Brazil

EGT to showcase its gaming portfolio for Brazil at SiGMA Americas 2026

Published

on

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.

Continue Reading

Gaming

Soft2Bet launches MEGA Islands, a new gamification engine designed to increase player retention

Published

on

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.

Continue Reading

Arcade

Pragmatic Play Elevates Arcade Roster with the Im-Peck-Able Chicken+

Published

on

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.

Continue Reading

Trending

Get it on Google Play

Fresh slot games releases by the top brands of the industry. We provide you with the latest news straight from the entertainment industries.

The platform also hosts industry-relevant webinars, and provides detailed reports, making it a one-stop resource for anyone seeking information about operators, suppliers, regulators, and professional services in the European gaming market. The portal's primary goal is to keep its extensive reader base updated on the latest happenings, trends, and developments within the gaming and gambling sector, with an emphasis on the European market while also covering pertinent global news. It's an indispensable resource for gaming professionals, operators, and enthusiasts alike.

Contact us: [email protected]

Editorial / PR Submissions: [email protected]

Copyright © 2015 - 2024 - Recent Slot Releases is part of HIPTHER Agency. Registered in Romania under Proshirt SRL, Company number: 2134306, EU VAT ID: RO21343605. Office address: Blvd. 1 Decembrie 1918 nr.5, Targu Mures, Romania