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Escape Studios partners with Epic Games and leading European animation schools to deliver world’s largest training programme in Unreal Engine
Mark Flanagan, Education Partner Manager, Epic Games said: “The Summer of Unreal is an incredible opportunity that is open to professionals in animation and VFX all across Europe, and we couldn’t be happier to invite the industry to participate. Escape Studios is a wonderful partner who, along with a number of Europe’s best animation schools, are running this programme, which is set to be the biggest Unreal Engine training that we’ve undertaken to date. We’re excited to help all learners find new ways to tell awesome stories and express their creativity using Unreal Engine.”
Saint Walker, Deputy Dean of Escape Studios, said: “The Summer of Unreal is a fantastic opportunity for animation and 3D CGI professionals across Europe to discover more about the cutting-edge technology on offer with Unreal Engine.
“We’ve worked with top animation companies to create a novel animation-centric way of teaching Unreal Engine, in one of the most ambitious training programmes that Escape Studios has been involved with – our vision of a pan-European festival of learning in Unreal Engine has gained us amazing academic partners in the form of some of the best animation schools in the world. We invite learners across Europe to join us. Make your summer staycation Unreal!”
The Summer of Unreal will be taught online in English and is free-of-charge to professionals working in the animation, motion graphics and VFX industry who want an informal group experience of learning Unreal Engine over the holiday period. The course will feature daily workshops covering all the major aspects of using Unreal Engine interspersed with practice time, teamwork, as well as demonstrations and masterclasses from some of Europe’s premiere companies and artists showing how they use the platform in their work.
Mark Spevick, Escape Studios’ Head of 3D VFX will be the main ‘showrunner’ for the Summer of Unreal. The unique role used in Escapes’ larger courses ensures that tutors get to hear and address the most important questions from the online shop floor through Mark’s advocacy. Mark combines teaching and programme design with senior industry experience, having worked at Peerless Camera, the production house co-owned by Terry Gilliam.
Partner quotes
Timothy Leborgne, Head of Talent & Skills Development, The Animation Workshop/VIA University College
“A course such as Summer of Unreal is very welcome. Whether you look at film, animated series, or games we can all see a growing demand for rapid development and competent animators. And Unreal Engine is one particularly advanced tool and software we can’t avoid as professionals in the future. So, I am excited and happy we bring such a valuable course to professionals in our industry. By partnering with such competent institutions and studios across Europe, we have ensured that the course will deliver the best training.”
Gilbert Kiner, President, ARTFX
“Since its creation in 2004, ARTFX has been dedicated to training students using the latest technology and software. Beyond using this engine for our Games courses, Unreal has also been integrated into the previz pipeline for our VFX programs. We are very happy and proud to have been chosen as the exclusive French partner for this collaborative initiative.”
Felix Balbás, Area Director of Animation & VFX at La Salle-URL
“Unreal Engine is a reality we can’t ignore. No longer only in videogames and recently virtual production, now more than ever the future of any visual content creation and in particular animation and VFX, must take this evolution into account. Not only in previs stage, but also in full production. This is why La Salle-URL’s commitment towards promoting state-of-the-art training along with leader institutions at a European level is reflected in the Summer of Unreal.”
Miljana Jovović, Executive Director, Crater Training Center
“We are happy to join the Summer of Unreal as partners for Southeastern Europe, as we see this project as a great chance to upskill and connect professionals across the continent. We have spent the first part of 2021 educating university professors in Serbia in Unreal Engine so they could implement the newly-gained knowledge to their study programs and introduce the software to their students.”
Katja Schmid, Visual Effects and Post Production Professor, Hochschule der Medien
“Many artists in the industry have been waiting for this course. Now the time has come. At the moment, Unreal is one of the most in-demand tools in the industry. The response to the course announcement has been fantastic. It’s just an amazing opportunity not only to get trained for free but also to be part of a most inspiring community! We are very impressed by this large-scale project and excited to be contributing.”
Gareth Lee, Screen Skills Ireland Manager
“Screen Skills Ireland is hugely excited to be part of the Summer of Unreal. This is a unique opportunity for Irish screen sector professionals to learn about the powerful capabilities of Unreal Engine from industry experts, as well as connect with their peers across Europe.”
Latest News
Midnite appoints Alex Henderson as VP of Compliance to drive commitment to ‘doing things right’
Fast-growing UK sportsbook and casino Midnite has further bolstered its team with the appointment of Alex Henderson as VP of Compliance.
Henderson joins Midnite with significant experience across compliance, regulatory affairs and operational risk within the gambling sector. He has worked with established operators, law enforcement agencies and advisory firms, bringing a balanced understanding of commercial and compliance challenges.
The addition of Henderson is the latest key addition for Midnite, after the appointment of Zach Amin as Vice-President of Sportsbook and Andrew Mook as Head of Brand Marketing – with both joining from Flutter.
Henderson’s role will involve overseeing regulatory compliance, enhancing internal processes, and supporting Midnite’s continued focus on safer gambling and operational integrity under its UK licence.
He said: “I’m genuinely excited to be joining Midnite at such an exciting time in our growth story. Everyone I’ve met so far has been welcoming and clearly driven by a real passion for what they’re building. There’s a strong sense of ambition matched by a real commitment to doing things right.”
Midnite’s sportsbook was launched in 2018 by Nick Wright and Daniel Qu, who previously created daily fantasy sports platform Dribble in partnership with Sky Bet. In April, Midnite announced an investment of about £7.7m to help fuel its growth ambitions. The company has subsequently secured high-profile sponsorship partnerships with the World Snooker Championship, Southampton Football Club and Sheffield United Football Club.
The brand is focused on disrupting the UK betting market, prioritising the player experience with a slick website and app and a brand platform designed to speak to a new generation of players.
Wright said: “We’re building Midnite to be the most exciting betting brand in the UK but also the most trusted and that means taking compliance seriously. Alex brings heavyweight experience and the mindset we value – sharp, pragmatic and unafraid to raise the bar. His appointment is in keeping the standards we expect and the culture we’re creating.”
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EurAsia
Groove Technologies Partners with “Azərlotereya” OJSC to Revolutionise Digital Gaming Experience
Groove Technologies, a leading global iGaming platform and game aggregation solutions provider, today announced a landmark partnership with “Azərlotereya” OJSC, the official lottery organizer, iGaming and sports betting operator in Azerbaijan.
This collaboration will leverage Groove’s cutting-edge gaming platform and proven technological reliability to deliver an unparalleled digital experience to players across Azerbaijan.
With a vast portfolio of over 15,000+ games from over 150 top-tier providers and a robust, scalable infrastructure, Groove’s platform ensures seamless performance, security, and innovation.
The partnership will introduce “Azərlotereya” players to a new era of immersive gaming, powered by Groove’s industry-leading payment solutions, real-time analytics, and player engagement tools.
Rachel Tourgeman, Head of Partnerships at Groove Technologies, stated: “This partnership is a testament to Groove’s ability to deliver world-class gaming technology at scale. “Azərlotereya” recognised our platform’s unmatched reliability and depth of content, key factors in providing players with a premium, frictionless experience. Together, we’re setting a new standard for digital lottery entertainment.”
“Azərlotereya” OJSC added: “Our mission is to bring innovation and trust to “Azərlotereya” gaming landscape, and Groove’s proven platform aligns with that vision. Their technology’s stability and expansive game library allow us to elevate our offerings while maintaining the high standards of security and compliance. This partnership marks a major leap forward for our digital transformation.”
Groove’s platform is engineered for high-traffic environments, ensuring zero downtime and lightning-fast transactions, a critical advantage for “Azərlotereya” OJSC’s growing player base. The integration also includes advanced responsible gaming features, reinforcing both companies’ commitment to safe and sustainable play.
Trusted by partners worldwide, Groove turns complexity into competitive advantage. With a commitment to transparency and player satisfaction, “Azərlotereya” continues to pioneer the future of gaming in the region.
Yahale Meltzer, Co-Founder and COO of Groove Technologies, concluded: “At Groove, we don’t just power gaming platforms, we power possibilities. Collaborating with a forward-thinking partner like “Azərlotereya” allows us to demonstrate how technology can redefine an industry. This is just the beginning of a partnership that will drive innovation, engagement, and growth for years to come.”
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- Co-investment by ZEAL and French lottery operator FDJ UNITED Ventures
- Strategic partnership drives industry innovation and growth
ZEAL Network SE, Germany’s leading provider of online lotteries, is investing in the innovative Swedish iLottery and iBingo specialist Random State, alongside FDJ UNITED Ventures, FDJ UNITED’s startup investment fund. With this co-investment, both partners reaffirm their commitment to advancing the global lottery industry.
Random State develops modern, digital instant lottery and bingo formats characterized by creative game design and a consistent focus on user experience. Notable clients include The UAE Lottery, the first regulated lottery in the United Arab Emirates and Delta Bingo Online, the digital arm of the Canadian gambling operator Delta Bingo & Gaming.
Investment creates value for all parties
The investment will enable Random State to strategically expand its sales and marketing activities and accelerate the development of new games – supporting the company’s continued growth trajectory. ZEAL, in turn, gains not only valuable insights into new game formats and mechanics but also benefits from the commercial partnership opportunities that come with the investment. This move is part of the strategic goal of ZEAL Ventures, the venture investment department of ZEAL, to actively shape the future of lottery and infuse innovation into ZEAL’s product portfolio.
The partnership with FDJ UNITED Ventures also highlights the increasing collaboration among leading European lottery operators, united by a shared ambition to bring fresh momentum to a modern and future-ready lottery landscape.
Driving the future of the industry together
“With Random State, we are investing into innovation in the iLottery sector,” says Juliane Gutsmiedl, Investment Manager at ZEAL Ventures. “The team impresses with creative game design and a deep understanding of diverse user preferences – providing us with valuable impulses for the development of our own portfolio.”
“Our vision is to reimagine the lottery – digital, user-centric, and globally connected,” said Mattias Westholm, CEO of Random State. “With ZEAL Ventures and FDJ UNITED Ventures, we’ve found strong, strategically-minded partners who share this ambition. This investment allows us to accelerate our innovation pipeline and expand into new markets and customer segments.”
The post ZEAL invests in Swedish iLottery specialist Random State appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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