Gaming
KINETIX LAUNCHES TEXT-TO-ANIMATION AI SIGNALING A NEW ERA IN USER-GENERATED GAMING CONTENT
Kinetix, the AI startup bringing emotes to video games and virtual worlds, today announces ‘Text2Emotes’: generative AI technology that heralds a new era of user-generated gaming content (UGC) by enabling anyone to create 3D animations and emotes for games – from nothing more than a simple text prompt.
Text2Emotes offers one of the first ever examples of AI which can create high-quality, playable 3D animations and emotes – animations which express emotion – from a basic text input. For example, users could enter a well-known dance such as ‘griddy’ or a literal prompt such as ‘I’m angry’, and see their avatars come to life through AI-generated emotes. The AI has been trained on the large proprietary dataset created by Kinetix over the last three years. With millions of 3D animations and emotes, it produces far more advanced and industry specific content than typical models, which leverage limited academic and standard datasets.
Uniquely, Kinetix has created a format that enables animations to be saved and published across multiple games and virtual worlds, meaning emotes generated with Kinetix can be used on any avatar, within any video game or metaverse world that integrates the Kinetix SDK. Game developers and publishers can now open their games up to a whole new era of user-generated content, allowing players to import viral trends into their favorite games – or even fuel the next one by coming up with their own in-game emotes.
Emotes have been used by MMOs like World of Warcraft for over two decades but, after rocketing into the mainstream with games like Fortnite and PUBG, are fast becoming a must-have feature for self-expression in gaming content. UGC is core to the success of many gaming platforms such as Roblox, and is set to become the new standard for helping games generate sustainable, long-lasting revenue, as shown by Fortnite’s Creative 2.0 announcement. The crossover potential of emotes is endless, with videos tagged #emote having received more than 2.4 billion views on TikTok alone.
Yassine Tahi, CEO and Co-founder of Kinetix, commented:
“As we know, UGC is becoming the bedrock of modern gaming and enabling gamers to generate their own content on the fly using AI will be a critical part of this. So for two years we’ve focused on perfecting our AI models and the animations generated by them; first using video inputs and now, incredibly excitingly, using just a simple text prompt. The clear early use case for this tech is in gaming. Emotes have become an essential part of users’ self-expression and a revenue driver for game-makers, and our AI-powered emotes tech is already being integrated by some of the best-known developers and virtual world builders.”
Jay Lee, Global Head of Ecosystem of leading virtual world platform ZEPETO, which has more than 400 million global users and is operated by NAVER Z, a Kinetix partner company, added:
“Kinetix’s Text2Emotes feature represents an exciting use case for generative AI in virtual worlds, with the potential to enable a new dimension of expression for ZEPETO users. When integrated, it will provide the ZEPETO community with an even more immersive social experience.”
Over the last two years, Kinetix has opened up the creation of 3D animation to anyone with video-to-animation AI and no-code editing tools. Traditionally, 3D animation has been an expensive and time-consuming process involving trained 3D experts, and specialist software and hardware. Text2Emotes will be added to the Kinetix Studio and existing Kinetix SDK, which already offers a ready-made, fully customizable emote wheel and a constantly growing library of more than 1,000 emotes across PC, console, and mobile. The Kinetix SDK is currently being integrated by more than 10 video games and virtual worlds including The Sandbox and PolyLand. Later this year, Text2Emotes will also be offered as an API.
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G2 Esports
G2 Esports Announces Global English Launch of Webcomic “Red Aura” on WEBTOON
G2, one of the world’s leading entertainment and esports brands, announced the upcoming English-language launch of its original fantasy-action series, Red Aura, on WEBTOON, a leading digital comics platform. Launching on Saturday, 6th June under the platform’s WEBTOON Originals label, the series marks the next step in G2’s expansion into digital-first entertainment. Inspired by the defining moments and competitive spirit behind G2’s rise, Red Aura reimagines the organisation’s legacy through bold shonen-inspired storytelling.
After debuting in Japan on LINE MANGA in October 2025, where it reached #9 in New Series on the opening weekend, Red Aura now launches on WEBTOON’s English-language platform as an Originals series. With 20 episodes available immediately, including 15 free episodes and 5 Fast Pass chapters, Red Aura offers readers expanded access to the series from day one, ahead of weekly releases across a planned 42-episode first season.
At the centre of the series is Asa, a young girl who dreams of becoming the greatest Nomad who ever lived. Driven by the same pursuit of greatness at the heart of G2, Red Aura unfolds in a fantasy-action world shaped by rivalry, perseverance and competition, where Asa must learn to master her abilities while facing dangerous enemies and the brutal consequences of ambition.
Red Aura was brought to life through collaboration with KISAI Entertainment, the studio behind the webcomic adaptations of AVATAR: The Last Airbender and The Beginning After the End, alongside Japanese Art Director Runbel, who works on the previously #1 action fantasy series in Japan and Korea – Skill Master Levels Up. Designed specifically for WEBTOON’s vertical-scroll format, the series also experiments with platform-native creative techniques, including a chapter that visually integrates music into the reading experience.
To celebrate the launch, G2 creator and VALORANT streamer Shanks will host a live reading of Red Aura, with further details to be announced soon.
“Red Aura was created as a way to reimagine the ambition and competitive spirit that have defined G2 over the last decade. Following the response to the Japanese launch, we’re excited to now bring the series to a global audience through WEBTOON. Expanding into original entertainment has been a major focus for G2, and Red Aura is only the beginning of what we want to build,” said Sabrina Ratih, COO of G2.
“The world of Red Aura is fresh and original, which made it really enjoyable to work on. It was a lot of fun working with producer Daniel using camera work to create cool action panels that have never been seen before, and I was always inspired by his passion to try new things. I am very honored to have been a part of it. I hope you enjoy it.”
Since its inception over a decade ago, G2 has expanded beyond esports through ventures across entertainment, culture, and original content. From collaborations with Smiley and Solo Leveling, to the launch of G2’s 62 media house and expansion into Gerard Piqué’s Kings League, Red Aura represents G2’s continued investment in anime-inspired entertainment and original storytelling designed for digital-first audiences.
The post G2 Esports Announces Global English Launch of Webcomic “Red Aura” on WEBTOON appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Asia
NODWIN and Nodding Heads launch India Games Showcase with Summer Game Fest
NODWIN Gaming and Nodding Heads Games are launching the inaugural India Games Showcase (IGS), a digital event set to premiere on June 8 as an official partner showcase of Summer Game Fest. The broadcast will feature 40 curated Indian indie games across trailers, reveals, gameplay segments and announcements.
The India Games Showcase will be accompanied by a dedicated Steam event aimed at helping players discover, follow and wishlist participating titles. The event is scheduled for 10 AM PT / 10:30 PM IST and will stream on YouTube and Twitch.
NODWIN Gaming Co-founder and Managing Director Akshat Rathee said: “There is a raw, untapped creative energy in the Indian indie ecosystem right now that is completely unique. We are seeing developers blend world-class mechanics with incredibly rich, localized storytelling that the global gaming community hasn’t experienced before. We want to make sure that a brilliant game built in India doesn’t just stay a local secret, but gets the global eyeballs, distribution, and recognition it rightfully deserves.”
Nodding Heads Games Co-founder and Game Director Avichal Singh added: “The debut of India Games Showcase proves that Indian indies are making strides as they arrive and make a presence internationally. The rise of quality and genre variety titles in recent years is very promising. Our partnership with the world’s biggest showcase, Summer Game Fest, is another mark of approval for the country. We’re excited for the times ahead.”
Ahead of the broadcast, the organisers named the first set of participating games, including Raahi (Kalp), Dodo Duckie (BornMonkie), Loop : Beginning Of Never Ending Journey (Pravin Nikam), Rakshasa (Odd Compass Studio), and Silkgrove (Gallic Entertainment). The showcase is spearheaded by Nodding Heads Games, the studio behind Raji: An Ancient Epic.
The post NODWIN and Nodding Heads launch India Games Showcase with Summer Game Fest appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Canada
XSOLLA STRENGTHENS COMMITMENT TO ATLANTIC CANADA’S GROWING GAME INDUSTRY WITH EXPANDED EVENT PRESENCE
Global Video Game Commerce Company To Support Industry Growth Through Panels, Workshops, And Community Engagement Across Atlantic Canada
Xsolla, a leading global video game commerce company, today announced its participation in two major gaming industry events taking place across Atlantic Canada from June 3-5, 2026, reinforcing the company’s commitment to supporting regional game development ecosystems and fostering industry collaboration.
Xsolla will participate in both Game Invest East and XP Game Connect Atlantic, joining developers, publishers, investors, and industry leaders for discussions centered on the future of game development, investment, and innovation in the local area.
At Game Invest East, held in partnership with Scaffold, Xsolla will contribute to conversations around funding, growth opportunities, and the evolving business landscape for game studios.
Featured on the panel titled “If You Can Make It Here,” Xsolla’s Manny Hachey, Senior Director of Developer Success, joins Kate Edwards, CEO and Principal Consultant of Geogrify, and Amir Satvat, Business Development Director at Tencent Games, founder of Always Supporting the Games Community (ASGC), and a 2026 GamesBeat Visionary Award honoree, to explore how new regions and new entrants can survive and thrive in disruptive times.
Hachey, a native of Atlantic Canada, was personally requested by Scaffold to represent Xsolla at the event — a homecoming that adds a personal dimension to the panel’s central thesis. Having built her career and made her mark in Germany’s games industry, she returns with a firsthand perspective on what it takes to leave, build something meaningful abroad, and come back with proof of concept.
Xsolla will continue its Atlantic Canada engagement at XP Game Connect Atlantic in Halifax on June 5. John Nguyen, Regional Vice President, Canada at Xsolla, and Ted DiNola, Developer Evangelist at Xsolla, will host a workshop titled ‘Full Picture to Fast Lane: Xsolla Ecosystem Overview & Live SDK 3 Integration’, providing practical insights and actionable strategies for developers navigating today’s rapidly evolving gaming market.
Nguyen will also host a panel titled, ‘What Does the Future of Game Development Look Like in Atlantic Canada?’ where he will be joined by industry experts, including Ryan Filsinger from Iron Fox; Shawn Woods, CEO at Alpha Dog and VP of Interactive Society of Nova Scotia; George Greer, Founder of Besszong; and Jade Yhap, President of Interactive NB. The panel will explore the region’s growing role in the global games industry and the opportunities ahead for studios, talent, and ecosystem partners.
“Atlantic Canada continues to emerge as an exciting hub for game development talent and innovation,” said John Nguyen, Regional Vice President, Canada, at Xsolla. “Xsolla is proud to support these events and contribute to conversations that help empower developers, build ecosystems, strengthen industry connections, and accelerate growth across the region.”
“Events like Game Invest East and XP Game Connect Atlantic are critical for building stronger connections across the games industry,” said Berkley Egenes, Chief Marketing & Growth Officer at Xsolla. “Atlantic Canada has a growing community of talented developers, creators, and industry leaders, and we’re excited to be part of conversations that help to shape the future of gaming in the region while supporting studios at every stage of growth.”
Through its participation in these events, Xsolla aims to deepen relationships within the Atlantic Canadian game development community while supporting knowledge-sharing, collaboration, and long-term ecosystem growth.
For more information about Xsolla’s participation in these events across Atlantic Canada, visit: xsolla.pro/Atlantic-Canada
The post XSOLLA STRENGTHENS COMMITMENT TO ATLANTIC CANADA’S GROWING GAME INDUSTRY WITH EXPANDED EVENT PRESENCE appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
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