Eastern Europe
Amazon Games Expands Global Footprint with New Development Studio in Europe

Amazon Games announced it has opened a new game development studio in Europe, based in Bucharest, Romania. The studio expands Amazon’s commitment to developing and publishing games as it joins the ranks of the existing development teams in Orange County, Montreal, San Diego, and Seattle. The new studio will focus on supporting Amazon Games’ diverse portfolio of games now and in the future. Amazon Games is actively hiring to build out the talented team, with many active roles open now.
“Amazon Games is focused on developing and publishing great games, and we have an ambitious long-term roadmap in front of us,” said Christoph Hartmann, VP of Amazon Games. “Expanding our internal development teams into Europe was a natural next step for us as we tackle our broad portfolio. Bucharest is known as one of the top emerging European cities for game development and we look forward to tapping into the rich talent pool.”
Amazon Games has hired industry veteran Cristian Pana to lead the studio. Cristian brings more than 20 years of experience building video games, most recently serving as the Managing Director at Ubisoft Bucharest. Cristian’s experience spans some of video games’ biggest games and franchises, including Tom Clancy’s The Division, The Crew, Far Cry, and Avatar and diverse genres, from driving games, action adventure open world games to shooter RPGs.
“I’m thrilled to join Amazon Games at a time when the team is actively building across an exciting roadmap,” said Cristian Pana, Studio Head for Amazon Games Bucharest. “I’ve built and led outstanding teams in the past and I know this area of Europe is a hot spot for some of the very best talent in gaming.”
The new studio supports Amazon Games’ vision of developing and publishing games that foster community in and around its games. The expanding portfolio from Amazon Games includes two launched live-service games, New World and Lost Ark, announced projects including Tomb Raider, The Lord of the Rings, and Throne and Liberty, as well as unannounced projects from our San Diego and Montreal studios, and the independent studio Glowmade in the UK.
The post Amazon Games Expands Global Footprint with New Development Studio in Europe appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Balkans
BEGE and EEGS Unveil Visionary 2025 Concept Focusing on Proximity, Collaboration, and AI

BEGE (Balkan Entertainment and Gaming Expo) and EEGS (Eastern European Gaming Summit) are excited to announce their groundbreaking 2025 concept, which emphasizes the critical importance of proximity, collaboration, and forward-thinking strategies – all while integrating the latest advancements in Artificial Intelligence.
At the heart of this initiative is a strong commitment to fostering meaningful connections within the industry. Together, BEGE and EEGS are creating a vibrant platform for networking and idea exchange, bringing industry leaders together to explore the future of gaming. With multiple networking opportunities throughout the BEGE and EEGS, attendees will have countless chances to engage with one another, share insights, and forge valuable partnerships.
“The power of community is essential to our mission,” says Natalia Baevska, Project Manager of BEGE and EEGS. “By collaborating, we can harness our collective strengths to unlock new opportunities for growth within the region.”
Nino Berezhiani, Marketing Manager, highlights the significance of the initiative’s theme, “Proximity to Potential: Where Every Piece Matters.” She explains, “This slogan captures the essence of our vision. It underscores the idea that every connection and collaboration serves as a vital piece of a larger puzzle, driving innovation and success in our industry. We are excited to create an environment where companies can showcase their achievements, celebrate excellence and engage in meaningful dialogue.”
In addition to the networking events, the initiative will feature an impressive lineup of thought-provoking lectures and lively panel discussions led by industry experts, all designed to spark engagement and collaboration.
Furthermore, the integration of AI into this initiative promises to elevate gaming experiences and enhance operational efficiency, setting a new benchmark for innovation in the sector.
With this ambitious initiative, BEGE and EEGS are poised to transform the gaming landscape in the Balkans, encouraging all stakeholders to come together and actively shape the industry’s future.
The post BEGE and EEGS Unveil Visionary 2025 Concept Focusing on Proximity, Collaboration, and AI appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Compliance Updates
Ukraine Creates New Agency Named “PlayCity” to Control Gambling and Lotteries

Ukraine has created a new agency named “PlayCity” to control state policy in the field of gambling and lotteries.
The work of “PlayCity” will be coordinated by the Cabinet of Ministers through the Deputy Prime Minister for Innovation, Development of Education, Science and Technology — Minister of Digital Transformation Mykhailo Fedorov.
In 2025, the agency will be financed within the budget of the liquidated Gambling Commission (CRGL).
In December 2024, the parliament decided to liquidate CRGL and transfer gambling regulation functions to the Ministry of Digital Economy. It was decided to automate licenses to remove the human factor from the process and reduce corruption.
The post Ukraine Creates New Agency Named “PlayCity” to Control Gambling and Lotteries appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Eastern Europe
GGBET UA is expanding its presence in football: first press conference with FC Zorya held in Kyiv

The first media event as part of FC Zorya Luhansk’s partnership with their title sponsor, GGBET UA, has taken place in Kyiv. Zorya is the second Ukrainian football team that the brand has successfully collaborated with. The partnership with the leading betting brand has boosted Zorya’s media activity and brought the club closer to fans.
By working with GGBET UA, Zorya have strengthened their presence on social media, regularly sharing engaging and interactive content. Thanks to this new strategy for interacting with fans, the reach and engagement of certain types of social media posts have doubled. The club have launched an updated version of their official site, where you can now find all the information about their history and current activities. Zorya will also soon be delighting fans by launching an official fan shop.
This approach to the partnership between GGBET UA and FC Zorya Luhansk is bringing the team closer to their fans, creating real value for all involved, and promoting Ukrainian football.
GGBET UA CEO Sergii Mishchenko shared his thoughts about the collaboration and the future of the partnership: “GGBET chooses its partners carefully. Signing football clubs just for the sake of a portfolio is not the approach we take. Shared values, a drive for growth, and a desire to evolve and improve are all important to us. Our partnership with FC Zorya is a brilliant example of our philosophy when it comes to collaboration. We only started working together at the end of 2024, and we’re already seeing results. And we have many new and interesting things to look forward to in the future.”
During the press conference, club representatives also shared the results of their winter training sessions and discussed how the team is preparing for the second half of the Ukrainian Premier League season. The club also announced that it has signed some new players: Bosnia’s Dejan Popara and Ukraine’s Volodymyr Bilotserkovets.
You may recall that previously GGBET UA broadened its support for Ukrainian football by partnering with FC Dynamo Kyiv. A press conference with the club was held in autumn 2024 and was an important step forward in terms of strengthening the brand’s ties with Ukrainian football.
The post GGBET UA is expanding its presence in football: first press conference with FC Zorya held in Kyiv appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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