Gaming

AppGallery named ‘Best Alternative App Store of the Year’ at Mobile Games Awards 2023

Published

3 years ago

April 24, 2023

Reading Time: 3 minutes

The third largest app marketplace in the world will continue to empower consumers with more choice and drive innovation for developers and partners

AppGallery has won ‘Best Alternative App Store of the Year’ at the Mobile Games Awards (MGA) 2023 at an industry gala event held at BAFTA in London. A prestigious recognition that celebrates the very best in mobile, this award is an acknowledgement of AppGallery’s commitment to users and developers. Not only is it an avenue where users can easily download the apps and games they need, it is a smart ecosystem where developers can drive innovative app experiences.

Since its launch in 2018, AppGallery has seen an uninterrupted growth, firmly establishing itself as one of the world’s top three app marketplaces. Serving over 580 million monthly active users – a 10% increase outside of China in the past 12 months – AppGallery continues to offer a wide range of popular global games and local apps that make life more convenient for users.

“As countries all over the world highlight the importance of Alternative App Stores for a healthier Mobile Market, we are immensely proud and honoured to win this award. This is a critical milestone in the recognition of our dedication to our partners and users. The growth and success of AppGallery is largely due to the trust and strong support they have in us, even from our very humble beginnings. We will continue to work tirelessly to be that go-to Mobile App and Games marketplace across all Android phones, and hopefully all phones in the near future, for the best user experience and the platform that helps developers reach their maximum potential,” said Jaime Gonzalo, VP Huawei Mobile Services Europe.

User satisfaction is top priority for AppGallery

AppGallery constantly works on collaborations with the world’s top brands and gaming developers. This is to ensure that consumers are given unique and smart experiences and have access to some of the most sought-after mobile games. To make it even more enticing for gamers, AppGallery regularly runs seasonal campaigns offering exclusive promotions. They include discounts with app downloads, rebates on in-app purchases and even exclusive gift packs and bonuses that help them stay ahead in the game they are playing. AppGallery also runs yearly Game Fest campaigns to encourage users to explore new ways to play on the platform with a series of exclusive benefits.

Gamers will be spoilt for choice on AppGallery. The availability of in-demand games supported by generous user deals demonstrates the platform’s capacity to cater to the diverse preferences of gamers in the European region. Apart from games, AppGallery consists of applications across 18 categories including news, social media, finance, entertainment and more. This means that all aspects of a users’ digital life will be met.

In fact, AppGallery has seen an increased interest among other Android users. Just last year alone, the app store saw a notable uplift in non-Huawei Android gamers among this group. Thanks to the inclusive nature of the platform, non-Huawei users can easily gain access to AppGallery. First, they need to download and install AppGallery from its website. Next, install HMS Core – AppGallery will not work without it, and finally create a Huawei ID for downloading apps and games.

Unwavering full-stack support for developers through collaborative partnerships

AppGallery places a rich array of tools, capabilities and other resources at developers’ disposal, allowing more than 6 million Huawei-registered developers to grow their business in new and unprecedented ways. With strong interconnected integration and HMS Core capabilities available, as well as a dedicated technical support team, developers can unleash the full power of innovation.

AppGallery also provides a favourable revenue-sharing model and abundant marketing resources to accelerate commercial monetisation of global developers. According to Business of Apps, 79% of game apps use IAP for monetisation and IAP accounts for 48.2% of mobile app earnings. This is why the IAP revenue sharing proportion provided by Huawei for developers is higher than the industry average, thereby benefiting developers in the long run.

AppGallery aims to continue providing users with a wide availability of apps and not limit accessibility base on ecosystems. By staying open and transparent, the platform will continue to protect the interest of users and build strong and collaborative partnerships with developers to ensure the flourishing development of the ecosystem.

eSports

Study: 400m Gen Z esports fans say brand activations drive purchases

Published

18 hours ago

June 25, 2026

Wladimir P.

EFG, Hero Esports and Niko Partners survey 8,000 fans across eight markets; 74% report ads and brand presence influence buying.

ESL FACEIT Group (EFG), Hero Esports and Niko Partners have released a multi-country Gen Z esports study claiming around 400 million Gen Z consumers (20%) regularly engage with esports. The findings were published on 25th June 2026 in Cannes, France, in a white paper titled The Esports Generation: Who They Are & Why They Spend.

The report is based on survey data from 8,000 Gen Z esports fans aged 13-30 across eight markets. It positions esports as a high-attention channel for brands: 85% of respondents said they notice branding in esports, while 74% self-reported that advertising and brand participation in gaming spaces influences their purchasing behaviour. The study also reports that 66% have bought a product following a collaboration or co-branding partnership with an esports team, game or player.

On consumption and fandom touchpoints, the study found 71% regularly watch gaming content, including 66% who watch gaming livestreams and 33% who watch or listen to gaming podcasts. It also points to offline reach: 21% said they regularly attend gaming conventions and esports events, with the average respondent attending at least one in-person event in the past nine months.

The white paper also breaks out claimed purchase categories linked to esports collaborations over the past year, led by food and beverage (33%), electronics (33%) and fashion (32%). Beyond core categories, it reports 28% bought esports-related collectibles, 17% purchased makeup, beauty, or skincare products, and 10% bought from partnered brands in other categories.

Niccolo Maisto, CEO at ESL FACEIT Group said: “Esports has evolved into one of the most effective channels for companies looking to connect with Gen Z audiences at scale. What makes it unique is not just its reach, but the depth of engagement and trust that exists between fans, players, teams, and events. This research shows that esports fans are highly invested participants, not passive viewers, creating an opportunity for brands that show up authentically and build meaningful and lasting connections with this key audience.”

Danny Tang, Co-Founder and CEO of Hero Esports said: “This whitepaper confirms what we at Hero Esports have long believed: esports has evolved into a global cultural and economic force. The data shows an audience that is young, diverse, and deeply engaged. For brands, the message is clear—esports is no longer a niche market; it is the premier platform to connect with the next generation of consumers. We are proud to partner with Niko Partners and EFG to provide this blueprint for understanding and succeeding in this dynamic industry.”

Lisa Hanson, CEO at Niko Partners said: “Our data shows that, much like fans of other sports, Gen Z esports fans are incredibly passionate and have formed strong bonds within their communities. However, their media and consumer affinities extend well beyond gaming and esports, with our research revealing naturally connected interest areas that create valuable overlapping opportunities for brands and partners that show up authentically in this ecosystem.”

The post Study: 400m Gen Z esports fans say brand activations drive purchases appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Compliance

HIPTHER Launches HALLO: The Standard in Compliance Expertise

Published

4 days ago

June 22, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

hipther-launches-hallo:-the-standard-in-compliance-expertise

HIPTHER has launched HALLO (Highly Aligned Leaders in Legal Operations), a new platform designed to help organizations find and engage compliance professionals, legal operations experts and industry vendors. The company announced the launch in Europe.

HIPTHER said HALLO brings together a professional directory, industry intelligence hub, community platform and visibility tools aimed at sectors including gaming, fintech, payments, AI, cybersecurity, digital identity, AML and blockchain. The platform includes an Individual Professional Membership and an Enterprise Membership, with HIPTHER stating that all memberships include a 14-day free trial.

Alongside membership options, HIPTHER said compliance professionals can create free, publicly visible “Expert” profiles outlining experience and areas of specialization, with additional premium visibility opportunities available. The company positioned the platform as a way for organizations to discover and evaluate qualified compliance and legal operations expertise.

A core feature at launch is “HALLO Resources,” which HIPTHER described as an open-access compliance intelligence section that aggregates more than 17,000 regulatory and compliance-focused articles from the HIPTHER media network. HIPTHER said the section is updated daily, includes search by topic, jurisdiction and keyword, and covers areas such as gaming, fintech, AI, payments, AML, digital policy, cybersecurity and regulatory affairs.

Zoltan Tuendik, Co-Founder & Head of Business at HIPTHER, said: “Navigating the modern regulatory landscape requires more than just standard legal advice; it demands highly specialized, agile compliance expertise. With the launch of HALLO, we are bridging the critical gap between organizations facing complex global standards and the elite professionals who can guide them through. By combining an active directory with a massive intelligence hub, we are setting a new standard for compliance collaboration and empowering businesses to move forward with absolute confidence.”

HIPTHER also linked HALLO to its conference and media activities, including advertising and thought leadership opportunities through the Wayseers Booklet, an annual handbook it said is distributed at HIPTHER conferences in Europe and reaches more than 1,500 professionals across gaming, fintech, AI, compliance and regulatory sectors.

The post HIPTHER Launches HALLO: The Standard in Compliance Expertise appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

1xBet

HLTV Awards returns to Belgrade on January 9, 2027, adding Lifetime Achievement honor

Published

1 week ago

June 17, 2026

Wladimir P.

hltv-awards-returns-to-belgrade-on-january-9,-2027,-adding-lifetime-achievement-honor

HLTV will stage the HLTV Awards presented by 1xBet in Belgrade, Serbia on January 9, 2027, returning to the Sava Center. The company said more than 1,000 players, industry professionals, creators, and fans are expected to attend.

HLTV also confirmed Dust2 creator David Johnston will feature as an award announcer. HLTV linked the booking to the 25th anniversary of Dust2.

For 2026, HLTV is updating its Hall of Fame process and eligibility rules. Four players will be inducted again, with “at least two and up to three” slots reserved for players from the Counter-Strike 1.6 and early eras. HLTV also removed the former “neo rule,” allowing players to be inducted for their playing careers even if they remain active in other roles such as coaching.

HLTV is adding a Lifetime Achievement Award, which will be decided by the Hall of Fame Board. The ceremony will also move Community Awards onto the main stage show for the first time, rather than the pre-show segment.

Separately, HLTV will kick off the 2027 Awards season with an invite-only “HLTV Awards by 1xBet Launch Party x GRID” in Cologne during the Major. HLTV said industry members can apply for an invite to the ceremony via its awards page.

The post HLTV Awards returns to Belgrade on January 9, 2027, adding Lifetime Achievement honor appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.