Latest News
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.”
DATA.BET
DATA.BET Issues Comprehensive Sportsbook Report
DATA.BET, a trusted sportsbook solution supplier, has published its annual Sportsbook Report, an in-depth look at its performance in 2025, and the key trends shaping the European iGaming industry heading into 2026. The reports reflect the company’s commitment to transparency and giving operators a clear view of what’s working and how to capitalize on it.
The 2025 Sportsbook Report goes beyond the numbers as it unpacks the thinking behind DATA.BET’s performance to date. The company saw an average of 23% increase in their clients’ turnover, demonstrating a clear picture of what’s working in the iGaming space today. The report covers:
- Industry trends that defined iGaming in 2025 and continue to influence the market in 2026
- Rising tax & regulation across European markets, pushing operators to reassess where and how they run their business
- The demand of low-tier esports tournaments and high-engagement disciplines such as Valorant semi-pro matches has proven growth.
- Key metrics and business results across the company’s three verticals: esports, sports, and virtuals.
- A practical guide for casino brands planning to add a sportsbook to their projects in 2026, backed by proof of existing client base.
“We believe that transparency builds trust and moves the whole industry forward. At DATA.BET sits at the core of everything we do, and this report reflects that. With the addition of sports betting last year, we want to show how our product continues to evolve and improve, and how we help operators grow their revenue through betting that works,” commented Yurii Berest, CEO of DATA.BET.
The DATA.BET Sportsbook Report is available via the link.
The post DATA.BET Issues Comprehensive Sportsbook Report appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Booming Games
Booming Games launches Mr. Oinkster’s Power Hit slot
New release adds an expanding 3x4x4x4x3 grid, up to 1,194 ways to win, and a 5,000x max win, the studio says.
Booming Games has launched Mr. Oinkster’s Power Hit, the latest entry in its Mr Oinkster slot series.
The company said the game uses a 3x4x4x4x3 grid that can expand to 3x6x6x6x3, offering between 576 and 1,194 ways to win. Booming Games also stated the title has a maximum win potential of 5,000x.
According to the studio, COLLECT symbols on reels one and five gather coin values across all reels, with Reel Frenzy multipliers ranging from 2x to 5x. The game also includes progressive prizes that can be boosted by special symbols in the base game, as well as Second Chance respins.
Booming Games said three Scatter symbols trigger 10 Free Spins, where “sticky nudging collectors” expand and return to collect additional coin values. During Free Spins, prize pots are boosted to maximum values, alongside more frequent collects and Reel Frenzy triggers.
Craig Asling, Director of Games at Booming Games, said: “This is the latest iteration of our classic Mr Oinkster series, which we’re confident will be as popular as ever. The game is packed with features that build tension and keep the fun going for longer, making this an innovative twist on a timeless classic. Are you ready to unlock truly pigtastic wins? Play Mr. Oinkster’s Power Hit now!”
The post Booming Games launches Mr. Oinkster’s Power Hit slot appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Conferences
NOVOMATIC Americas Ignites Momentum at Indian Gaming Association Trade Show & Convention
NOVOMATIC Americas showcased its industry leadership at the Indian Gaming Association Trade Show & Convention with a compelling presentation of its latest offerings, including the debut of the striking visual “Neon Nile” experience, highlighting its commitment to design, innovation, and performance-driven product strategy.
From opening day through close, the NOVOMATIC Americas booth emerged as a high-interest destination on the show floor, drawing strong reaction from tribal operators, partners, and industry leaders across North America.
Key highlights from the event included sustained, high-quality booth traffic from key Class III tribal operators; particularly strong reception to RISING TREASURES link, including its recent debut on the Eilers & Krejcik Gaming performance index, reinforcing its position as a proven, performance-driven link; and VISION LINK, which drew significant attention for its scalable progressive architecture and future-ready flexibility. A standout on the show floor was the integrated presentation of VISION LINK with the outstanding 4-POD sign, creating a high-impact merchandising installation that elevated both the bank’s and the brand’s presence. Additional highlights included Novo Unity Pro electronic table game innovations and strategic customer interactions focused on performance, growth, and expanding relationships across tribal gaming markets.
“This year’s IGA was about more than presence; it was about consistency and progress. The customer energy and response to our new products, our people, and the evolving visual experience exceeded expectations and validated the direction we’re taking as an organization,” said Kathleen McLaughlin, VP of Marketing, Communications, and Corporate Accounts.
“We sincerely thank all customers, partners, and attendees who visited our booth and contributed to a highly successful event. With strong momentum and a clear focus on execution, we remain committed to delivering innovative gaming solutions that drive measurable results for our customers”, said Sabine Stoppel, Managing Director at NOVOMATIC Americas.
The post NOVOMATIC Americas Ignites Momentum at Indian Gaming Association Trade Show & Convention appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
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