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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

Published

4 years ago

July 23, 2021

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.”

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Hold and

Pragmatic Play Rings in 2026 with Joker’s Jewels Hold & Spin™

Published

37 minutes ago

January 5, 2026

Wladimir P.

pragmatic-play-rings-in-2026-with-joker’s-jewels-hold-&-spin

Pragmatic Play, a powerhouse in the iGaming sector, has officially kicked off the new year with a nostalgic neon glow. The supplier’s first release of 2026, Joker’s Jewels Hold & Spin, breathes new life into a fan-favorite franchise by blending classic “fruit machine” aesthetics with high-octane modern features.

This 5×3, 10-payline slot brings back the iconic jester for a high-volatility performance, offering players a massive win potential of 10,000x their stake.

Classic Visuals, Modern Rewards

The game is a masterclass in retro design, featuring vibrant neon visuals and a traditional jester theme. Players will find a grid populated by familiar symbols such as lutes, juggling pins, and sparkling gems.

Base Game Wins: Matching 3–5 symbols can trigger payouts of up to 1,000x.
The Return of the Joker: The titular character remains the highest-paying symbol, maintaining the core identity that made the original Joker’s Jewels an industry staple.

The Main Event: Hold & Spin Bonus

The headline addition to this sequel is the integration of Pragmatic Play’s popular Hold & Spin mechanic.

Triggering the Feature: Landing three or more Money Symbols—each carrying values of up to 5,000x—activates the bonus round.
Respin Dynamics: Standard symbols fade away, leaving only the triggering Money Symbols locked in place. Players start with three respins, and the counter resets every time a new Money Symbol lands.
Grand Prize: If the player manages to fill all 15 positions on the grid with Money Symbols, the game awards the 10,000x Max Win.

“Joker’s Jewels Hold & Spin provides a fresh take on a vintage theme,” said Irina Cornides, Chief Operating Officer at Pragmatic Play. “It offers classic slots action enhanced by the popular Hold & Spin mechanic and a 10,000x max win.”

This release sets a strong pace for Pragmatic Play’s 2026 roadmap, following a prolific 2025 that saw the launch of hits like Big Bass Splash 1000 and Fortune of Olympus.

The post Pragmatic Play Rings in 2026 with Joker’s Jewels Hold & Spin™ appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Balkan Gaming Market

Yggdrasil Strengthens Bulgarian Presence Through Strategic Deal with bet.bg

Published

2 hours ago

January 5, 2026

Wladimir P.

yggdrasil-strengthens-bulgarian-presence-through-strategic-deal-with-bet.bg

Yggdrasil, the leading global iGaming publisher, has officially boosted its reach in the regulated Bulgarian market by taking its premium content live with regional operator bet.bg.

This partnership marks another significant milestone in Yggdrasil’s European expansion strategy. Following a landmark commercial year in 2025—where the studio saw rapid growth across Spain, Brazil, and the Balkan markets—this new deal ensures a steady stream of high-quality entertainment for Bulgarian players.

A Portfolio of Blockbuster Hits

As part of the initial rollout, bet.bg has integrated over 20 of Yggdrasil’s top-performing titles. The selection features a mix of “all-time classics” and modern hits, including:

The Vikings Series: Specifically the fan-favorite Vikings go Berzerk.
Legendary Quests: The high-adventure Valley of the Gods.
GEM-Powered Slots: Innovative titles like Raptor DoubleMax, Hades GigaBlox, and Golden Fish Tank 2.

These games leverage Yggdrasil’s signature Game Engagement Mechanics (GEMs), which have proven to be major drivers of player retention and engagement in the Eastern European region.

Strategic Growth in the Balkans

Bulgaria has emerged as a flourishing hub for iGaming, supported by a clear regulatory framework and a growing demand for premium casino content. For Yggdrasil, partnering with an established local brand like bet.bg is a “statement of intent” to dominate the Balkan territory.

“Partnering with bet.bg is a real statement of intent for us as we further boost our footprint in the Balkan region,” said Jose Kadala, Chief Commercial Officer at Yggdrasil. “Our titles have already proven to be incredibly popular in the region, and we’re confident that bet.bg customers will love the gaming experiences we will provide for them.”

A spokesperson for bet.bg echoed this enthusiasm, stating: “We are extremely pleased to offer Yggdrasil’s wide-ranging product portfolio to our players. Yggdrasil brings a combination of fan-favorite games and cutting-edge mechanics to our collection, and we can’t wait to grow in tandem with them.”

The post Yggdrasil Strengthens Bulgarian Presence Through Strategic Deal with bet.bg appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

B2B gaming software

Gamblers Connect and BetOxygen Announce Strategic B2B Partnership

Published

2 hours ago

January 5, 2026

Wladimir P.

gamblers-connect-and-betoxygen-announce-strategic-b2b-partnership

Gamblers Connect, the award-winning iGaming affiliate and media platform, has officially entered into a strategic partnership with BetOxygen, a software development company specializing in agile B2B gaming solutions.

The collaboration aims to bridge the gap between high-end infrastructure and operators seeking reliable, omnichannel systems. As the boundary between land-based and online gaming continues to blur, the partnership highlights BetOxygen’s role as a key architect in the modern iGaming landscape.

A Unified IT Ecosystem for Modern Operators

BetOxygen has distinguished itself by offering a complete IT ecosystem that supports a wide range of verticals, including:

Sports Betting Software
Internet Casinos
Virtual Slot Games

At the heart of their offering is a comprehensive omnichannel platform. This system integrates retail, mobile, and online operations into a single, unified back office. This allows operators to manage their entire business from one dashboard, ensuring a consistent and seamless experience for players regardless of how they choose to bet.

Efficiency and “Boutique” Support

BetOxygen differentiates itself from traditional technology vendors through a proactive, “boutique” approach to client management. Key highlights of their service model include:

Rapid Technical Support: Boasting a two-minute response time for technical inquiries.
Fast Integration: A clear roadmap that promises full platform customization and integration within 60 days of signing.
Risk Management: Continuous monitoring to protect partners from operational challenges.

Currently holding a strong presence in regulated markets across Europe and Africa, BetOxygen is focused on democratizing access to high-end gaming technology for ambitious operators.

“What sets BetOxygen apart and makes this partnership so exciting for us is their unique full package philosophy,” said Gjorgje Ristikj, Founder & CEO at Gamblers Connect. “This partnership underscores our dedication to showcasing providers who prioritize speed, customization, and unwavering support.”

The post Gamblers Connect and BetOxygen Announce Strategic B2B Partnership appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.