Canada
MID-SEASON GAME UPDATE ARRIVES, PLUS DEVELOPER BLOG DETAILING IMPROVEMENTS TO KART UPGRADE SYSTEMS AND COSTS
In the mid-season update to KartRider: Drift, Nexon continues to fine-tune the racing experience by implementing improvements based on feedback from its global player base. Since last month’s Season 1 launch, which added PlayStation and Xbox consoles to the cross-play mix, KartRider: Drift has been the top free-to-play game on Xbox. Nexon also announced that North American and European players currently account for approximately 46% of new racers since Season 1 – the highest proportion of newly registered players.
In his Developer Blog post released yesterday, KartRider: Drift game director Jaeyun Cho emphasized the development team has been diligent in reviewing gameplay feedback, understanding player behaviors, and adjusting key in-game systems with balance and fairness in mind. A comprehensive list of changes in the Mid-Season 1 Update can be found online, but highlights include:
Kart Upgrade Costs
The Kart Upgrade system allows racers to adjust the driving performance of karts and fine-tune it to achieve maximum performance. After the patch, the amount of earnable in-game currency (called Lucci) required to reset a kart’s gears has been adjusted to 5,000 regardless of rank. Previously, it would have cost 7,000 Lucci to reset a kart at Fine rank, and 14,000 Lucci to reset a kart at Rare rank. These cost reductions will allow racers to experiment with multiple karts and tuning variations.
Kart Balancing
Also included in this mid-season update, players will be able to bring out the true uniqueness of each of their owned karts. To address this, director Cho stated that the five karts earned through License system missions and Racing Pass have now been given attributes to help differentiate them. “This is intended to maintain the fairness of the existing karts, while creating a bit of variety in the performance of the karts you can earn,” notes director Cho. Specific karts were called out in the Developer Blog post.
New Content
As part of Nexon’s commitment to improving the players’ experience, a brand-new game mode has been implemented into yesterday’s patch. As mentioned by Jaeyun in his blog post, “Factory Run” pits a team of four players who compete against 36 AI racers on a ‘Factory’-themed course (which is the setting for Season 1). Based on Item Mode, players race normally in “Factory Run” by collecting items to use against opponents, but, if overtaken by enough AI racers, they will be turned into an android kart, whose new goal is to knock former teammates out of the race. It’s thrilling and fast-paced, and gives KartRider: Drift racers a new opportunity to test their drifting skills and master the chaos.
In closing, game director Cho stated that, “We’re always looking for new ways to keep racers entertained by gathering feedback from racers across the globe. Following the new modes featured for this current season, we’re also excited to introduce more themed content in Season 2, which kicks off next month.”
Patch Notes for the April 5 mid-season game update can be found here, and the Developer Blog post from KartRider: Drift game director Jaeyun Cho are available to read here.
Be sure to watch KartRider: Drift’s Twitch channel and link your Nexon account for an exclusive set of three all new Twitch drops: the Witchy Sophia decal, Airi Emoticon Pack, and the F724 Kart are available to watch-and-earn now.
KartRider: Drift is available to download and play for free on PlayStation, Xbox, Steam, Nexon Launcher, iOS App Store, and Google Play.
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Bally Bet Sportsbook & Casino app
Bally’s Interactive Launches the New Bally Bet Sportsbook & Casino App in Ontario
Bally’s Interactive, the digital and sports betting division of Bally’s Corporation, has launched the all-new Bally Bet Sportsbook & Casino app in Ontario, Canada. This latest release marks another significant milestone for the company, following the recent app update in New Jersey and a series of successful app launches in the past year, including the introduction of Bally Bet Sportsbook across multiple states and Bally Casino in Rhode Island.
The updated Bally Bet Sportsbook & Casino app represents a major step forward, as it combines the functionalities of the existing Bally Casino app and Bally Bet Sportsbook app into one comprehensive platform. Powered by White Hat Gaming, this new app allows players residing in or traveling to Ontario to conveniently place wagers on both sports and casino games using a single app, account, and universal wallet.
“We are thrilled to introduce the new Bally Bet Sportsbook & Casino app, marking a significant milestone for Bally’s. This integrated platform merges the features of our previous apps, providing players in Ontario with a seamless experience for both sports and casino betting. Our commitment to enhancing the player experience remains at the forefront as we strive to personalize the enjoyment of playing Bally Bet,” said Robeson Reeves, CEO of Bally’s Corporation.
BCLC
Be #GiftSmart: Scratch the Idea of Gifting Scratch & Win Tickets to Kids
BCLC reminds adults to gift responsibly this holiday season
With the holiday season in full swing, BCLC is reminding British Columbians to gift responsibly and scratch lottery products from their shopping lists for kids.
“Scratch & Win tickets can make great stocking stuffers for the adults in your life, but they’re not for kids,” said Ryan McCarthy, BCLC’s Director of Player Health. “The research shows that children who have early encounters with gambling are four times more likely to develop riskier gambling behaviour as they grow up. While people are out shopping for those last-minute gifts, BCLC wants adults to be aware of the potential risks associated with gifting lottery products to children and to consider safer alternatives.”
While Scratch & Win tickets are among the most common ways kids can be introduced to gambling, children are increasingly exposed to various online forms, such as gambling streams.
“With the convergence of gaming and gambling, youth are becoming more exposed to gambling content in online spaces like streaming sites, where creators are able to live-stream their own gambling, usually while playing online slots and instant games,” said Dr. Luke Clark, Director for Gambling Research at UBC. “Our research at the UBC Centre for Gambling shows that a higher frequency of watching online gambling streams is associated with a more positive attitude towards gambling and a high intention to gamble in the future.”
In B.C., it is illegal to sell lottery products to anyone under the age of 19 and BCLC encourages adults to have conversations with the kids in their lives about the risks associated with gambling.
“Open and honest conversations are crucial when it comes to navigating childhood exposure to gambling,” said McCarthy, who shared the following tips to adults:
- Monitor for gambling-related lifestyle changes. For example, developing a positive attitude towards gambling or a preoccupation with video games or streaming sites.
- Be a positive role model. Exhibit safer gambling behaviour and talk about the risks.
- Limit exposure. Monitor kids’ online activities and discourage engagement with gambling content. Explain how gambling is based on chance.
AGCO
Jackpot Digital Receives Approval from AGCO as a Registered Gaming Supplier
Jackpot Digital Inc., a leading provider of innovative dealerless electronic poker gaming solutions, has announced that the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has approved the Company to be licensed as a registered Gaming Related-Supplier (the “Supplier License”) under the Gaming Control Act in the Province of Ontario.
This significant achievement allows Jackpot Digital to enter one of the most dynamic and rapidly growing regulated gaming markets in North America. The Supplier License authorizes Jackpot Digital to supply its electronic table games to Ontario’s gaming venues, including casinos and other regulated gaming facilities.
Jackpot Digital’s flagship product, the Jackpot Blitz electronic table game system, offers a modern, dealerless, player-friendly solution that integrates traditional multiplayer poker games with cutting-edge digital technology. The Supplier License will enable the Company to offer its innovative gaming solutions to operators throughout Ontario, driving new revenue opportunities and enhancing player experiences.
“Receiving AGCO’s approval is a major milestone. This approval provides us with the opportunity to offer our top-tier electronic gaming systems to operators throughout all of Ontario, positioning us for further growth in one of the world’s most robust gaming markets. We are excited to bring our innovative products to Ontario’s gaming community and continue our commitment to providing exciting, technology-driven entertainment experiences,” said Jake Kalpakian, CEO of Jackpot Digital.
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