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.”
betting solutions
GoldenRace’s Spin2Win returns stronger
Reading Time: 2 minutes
GoldenRace, the leading provider of award-winning Virtual Sports and betting solutions, has unveiled the latest version of its emblematic number game, Spin2Win&Spin2Win Royale. Recognised for its simplicity, fast gameplay and high rewards, the title has become a cornerstone of the company’s portfolio and a proven engagement tool for operators worldwide.
Number games continue to be one of the most reliable verticals in the global betting market. Figures from H2 Gambling Capital confirm that casino-style products represented 21.5 and 8.5 billion in GGR for online and land-based markets, respectively, in 2024. Their clear rules, short cycles and frequent payouts make them a favourite among players and a steady source of revenue for operators.
At GoldenRace, we constantly push to improve our products, making them more engaging and accessible with every release. And this philosophy runs across our entire portfolio. Big5, a groundbreaking take on Virtual Football and RaceDay, which unites all race types in a single product, are just two recent examples. This version of Spin2Win continues this path.
Among the improvements are a fully optimised user interface and a renewed, visually striking wheel that boosts the excitement of every spin and clearer statistics. The game also incorporates an Autoplay option in instant mode and a Multiplier feature in scheduled mode – tools designed to enhance decision-making, increase engagement and extend player sessions online.
Spin2Win also maintains its variety with four distinct versions: Classic, Royale, American and American Royale. Royale formats introduce an additional sectors wheel that expands betting options, while the American variants highlight the double green with fully transparent odds. Operators benefit from flexible configuration, multiple odds formats and automated validations that ensure seamless and fair gameplay.
With this relaunch, GoldenRace confirms its leadership in the number games vertical and invites operators and players to discover a new era of spinning.
The post GoldenRace’s Spin2Win returns stronger appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
B2B gaming software
Expanse Studios Secures Romanian Class 2 B2B Gaming License
Reading Time: 2 minutes
Expanse Studios, a B2B iGaming content provider and subsidiary of Golden Matrix Group Inc. (NASDAQ: GMGI), has been granted a Class 2 license by Romania’s National Gambling Office (ONJN), authorizing the company to distribute specialized gaming software across one of Europe’s fastest-growing regulated markets.
The license, granted under Decision No. 273, enables Expanse Studios to provide its portfolio of proprietary slot games, crash games, and casino content to licensed Romanian operators. This approval positions the company to serve a market that generated approximately €600 million in gross gaming revenue in 2024 and maintains one of Europe’s highest channelization rates at over 90%.
Strategic Entry into High-Growth Regulated Market
Romania represents one of Eastern Europe’s most dynamic iGaming jurisdictions, with internet penetration reaching 88% of its 19 million population and a regulatory framework that has attracted over 50 licensed operators. The market has demonstrated consistent growth, with total industry turnover exceeding €2 billion in 2023, reflecting a 15% year-over-year increase.
The Class 2 B2B license allows Expanse Studios to distribute content to Romania’s licensed B2C operators without establishing a Romanian entity or paying Romanian corporate taxes, while providing access to a market where mobile gaming dominates and player engagement continues to accelerate.
Romania’s stringent licensing requirements under Government Emergency Ordinance 77/2009 make ONJN approval a significant credential for B2B providers. The regulatory framework emphasizes technical compliance, player protection, and operational transparency—requirements that align with Expanse Studios’ existing European operations across 1,300+ casino brands.
“Securing ONJN approval validates our technical capabilities and regulatory compliance standards in one of Europe’s most demanding jurisdictions,” said Damjan Stamenkovic, CEO of Expanse Studios. “Romania offers substantial distribution opportunities through licensed operators serving a tech-savvy player base with strong engagement metrics. This license strengthens our European B2B footprint and demonstrates our ability to meet the compliance requirements of mature regulated markets.”
Expanding B2B Distribution Infrastructure
The Romanian license complements Expanse Studios’ recent European partnerships, reflecting accelerating demand for the company’s content across regulated jurisdictions. With 56 proprietary titles including Super Heli, Titan Roulette, and Wild Icy Fruits, Expanse continues scaling its high-margin B2B operations across Europe, Latin America, and North America.
Romania’s market characteristics—including preference for mobile platforms, strong affinity for slot content, and established payment infrastructure—align well with Expanse Studios’ content portfolio and distribution model. The company’s games will be available to Romanian operators seeking certified, compliant content for their licensed platforms.
This license approval reinforces Golden Matrix Group’s broader strategy of expanding regulated B2B operations in jurisdictions with transparent licensing frameworks and sustainable growth trajectories.
The post Expanse Studios Secures Romanian Class 2 B2B Gaming License appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
eSports
League of Legends Fans Flock to Munich for a Thrilling Edition of Red Bull League of Its Own 2025
Reading Time: 3 minutes
- Red Bull League of its Own 2025 saw Europe’s finest and global icons collide in a showcase of skill, creativity, and pure entertainment, marking another standout chapter for the one-of-a-kind tournament series
- Featuring some of the wildest matches ever played, highlights include G2 securing a huge 45-16 kills against T1 and Los Ratones facing off and beating T1 for the second year in a row
- MSI returned with its MSI Gaming Arena, joined by Sony INZONE as official headset partner and Herman Miller Gaming as official gaming chair partner
A new chapter in European esports history was written this weekend as Red Bull League of Its Own 2025 lit up Munich’s iconic SAP Garden, welcoming over 11,500 live attendees and countless online viewers for a full day of spectacle, strategy, and pure passion. The lineup read like a who’s who of League of Legends greatness – with reigning world champions T1 facing off against Europe’s most celebrated squads, including G2 Esports, Karmine Corp, NNO Old, and Los Ratones. Each team brought their signature flair, creative strategies, and unforgettable personalities, setting the tone for a day filled with unforgettable clashes.
Returning for its third edition, the one-of-a-kind event brought together these global legends and European fan favourites for a show built on daring play. For the first time, the stage was set in Munich’s state-of-the-art SAP Garden, transforming the city’s Olympic Park into a high-energy esports arena that buzzed with anticipation from the opening match to the closing moments. Fans were treated to a thrilling slate of best-of-one showdowns throughout the day, that kept the pace sharp and the competition unpredictable.
G2 Esports and NNO Old opened the event, with G2 coming out on top as attendees witnessed the team setting the tone for the day-long tournament with a huge KDA spike right off the bat. Match 2 saw Karmine Corp emerging victorious after a rigorous battle with Los Ratones, establishing themselves as one of Europe’s strongest. However, G2 pulled no stops showcasing why they are the leading European team in match 3, dominating the match against Karmine Corp and earning them the European title match.
Next came the clash of the titans which saw T1 facing off back-to-back against Europe’s best. G2 Esports vs T1 saw Steven “Hans Sama” Liv dropping 18 kills, resulting in G2 Esports slamming T1 with 45-16 kills in an unprecedented and shocking twist. T1 managed to scrape back after their previous loss, with Faker landing his signature outplays and bringing the team to victory against NNO Old. Then finally the showdown everyone was waiting for: the rematch between Los Ratones and T1. The battle was relentless and the most dominating, lightning-paced showmatches of the day, with 81 kills seen in 28 minutes. T1 countered with their signature flair but Los Ratones proved their might once more, driving T1’s base and closing the show in an absolute tailspin. Each match pushed competitors to their limits, celebrating the creativity and spontaneity that make Red Bull League of Its Own, unlike any other tournament in the scene.
Dynamic host Sjokz led the charge, guiding fans through every twist and turn of the event with trademark charisma and energy. The atmosphere inside SAP Garden was electric – a seamless blend of top-tier esports production, immersive visuals, and a fan community united in their love for the game. Whether watching from the front row or on stream, viewers experienced the full force of Red Bull’s commitment to pushing competitive gaming beyond the ordinary.
By the end of the day, Red Bull League of Its Own 2025 had once again proven why it stands as one of the most unique and beloved events in the League of Legends calendar. With moments that had fans holding their breath, the event captured the true spirit of modern esports – bold, unpredictable, and endlessly entertaining. From cheering for their favorite pros to discovering new matchups and witnessing once-in-a-lifetime plays, fans left Munich with memories to last long after the lights went down, with anticipation already building for what the next edition of Red Bull League of Its Own will bring.
The post League of Legends Fans Flock to Munich for a Thrilling Edition of Red Bull League of Its Own 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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