Gaming

YAHAHA hosts Finland’s largest Global Game Jam Hybrid-Site with over 100 jammers creating on its platform

Published

3 years ago

March 2, 2023

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Over 80 games were created on the pioneering 3D creation platform

Community-focussed, user generated content platform YAHAHA can today present its wildly successful participation in 2023’s Global Game Jam (GGJ), which saw them host 110 people live at their site in game-development powerhouse Helsinki, making this the biggest hybrid-jam site in Finland over the course of 48 hours. A total of 80 games were created by talented jammers, collaborating both on-site and through their online community, with some games receiving as many as 34,000 plays till date. Always looking to service its community, the event was broadcast across YAHAHA’s Discord server, making this a truly collaborative and inclusive jam.

Jammer Filipe Borges, a graphic designer who joined in-person at the Helsinki site, said, ”This was amazing! I learned a lot at this event, and I connected and worked with some amazing people who I would never have met if not for events like this.”

Yahaha Studios, founded in 2020 by a pioneering group of Unity veterans, is on a mission to democratise 3D content creation. Committed to supporting its growing community of creators, YAHAHA offers them the tools they need to bring their visions to life in a 3D world. In line with this philosophy, the platform is proud to partner with GGJ to enable young game developers to take their first steps into the industry.

Pengfei Zhang, COO at Yahaha Studios, added, “It was a real pleasure to work with GGJ this year and to see so many game developers’ ideas blossom in YAHAHA. Being able to provide a physical, as well as online, space for jammers really created a sense of community amongst everyone, and we’re excited to continue our work with GGJ in the form of a long-term partnership to keep bringing YAHAHA to people around the world and pursue our mission to democratise 3D games content creation.”

GGJ is the world’s largest game-creation event, and this year’s event took place from January 30th – February 5th, with 40,000 jammers from around the globe creating a combined 7,600 games together. This year’s theme was revealed as ‘roots’, in a ceremony which included speakers from GGJ Ukraine and Code to Inspire, an organisation dedicated to bringing STEM education to women in Afghanistan.

GGJ Executive Director, Tim Cullings, said of the partnership with YAHAHA: “We were happy to work with YAHAHA on the 2023 Global Game Jam. GGJ is all about giving everyone the opportunity to make games and the YAHAHA platform enables anyone with an idea to get it working quickly with minimal training and experience. We saw over 100 games created with YAHAHA world-wide this year and I only expect that number to grow as the platform becomes more robust and people learn how it can be an extremely useful tool for game jams, prototyping, and building fully featured games. We look forward to a long-term partnership between GGJ and YAHAHA going forward and hope that our community will continue to use and support the platform after the jam.”

In the closing months of 2022, Yahaha Studios announced it had secured an investment of $40 million to further build upon the Early Alpha success of YAHAHA, a creator-focussed user-generated content social platform. Now with the added convenience of the new Asset Ovi platform, YAHAHA is currently open in Early Alpha, offering anyone the opportunity to be among the first to test the platform and share feedback as it continues to grow. This early community has an important role to play in how YAHAHA will evolve, influencing the shape the platform takes and building its digital world.

Brazil

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

Published

4 days ago

April 1, 2026

Wladimir P.

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

Published

6 days ago

March 30, 2026

Wladimir P.

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+

Published

1 week ago

March 26, 2026

Wladimir P.

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.