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.”
eSports
Martin Lycka Joins Oddin.gg as Vice President of Institutional Affairs
Oddin.gg has named Martin Lycka as Vice President of Institutional Affairs, enhancing the firm’s knowledge in regulation and responsible gambling as esports wagering grows in regulated markets worldwide.
Lycka offers over 15 years of high-level regulatory and responsible gambling expertise in Europe, North America, and Latin America. Most recently, he held the position of Senior Vice President for American Regulatory Affairs and Responsible Gambling at Entain, where he directed regulatory strategy throughout the Americas and oversaw global esports regulatory issues. He additionally sits on the Board of Directors for the American Gaming Association.
Before joining Entain, Lycka had high-level regulatory positions at GVC Holdings and Paddy Power Betfair, overseeing licensing initiatives and regulatory strategy in various jurisdictions.
In his new position at Oddin.gg, Lycka will collaborate with regulators, policymakers, publishers, tournament organizers, and integrity bodies, making sure the company’s esports betting solutions keep up with changing compliance standards. Situated on the U.S. East Coast, Lycka will aid the company’s growth into more regulated markets worldwide, with this new role highlighting the increasing industry need for suppliers with substantial institutional trustworthiness.
Martin Lycka, VP Institutional Affairs at Oddin.gg, said: “Esports betting has experienced significant development within fully regulated environments. This has been the outcome of proactive engagement, education, transparency, and open dialogue with regulators. Oddin.gg, as an industry pioneer, has built its approach around those principles, and I’m looking forward to supporting the company as it scales across many more global markets.”
Marek Suchar, Co-Founder and Managing Director at Oddin.gg, added: “As esports betting continues to scale, institutional credibility becomes just as important as product quality. Martin brings deep regulatory experience and a practical understanding of what regulators seek to become comfortable with innovative betting products. His appointment strengthens our ability to engage constructively with regulators, addressing integrity, governance, and technological concerns, and to support partners operating in complex regulatory environments.”
The post Martin Lycka Joins Oddin.gg as Vice President of Institutional Affairs appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
IZI Finance
IZI Finance Delivers Impressive Growth Across Its Divisions
IZI Finance plc, the financial subsidiary of IZIGROUP, today revealed impressive interim results for the six-month period ending 31st December 2025, highlighting exceptional growth in all its revenue-producing business sectors. The results showcase the Group’s disciplined financial approach, operational robustness, and the ongoing enhancement of its primary gaming endeavors.
Throughout the reviewed period, the Group maintained steady progress across its varied portfolio, supported by consistent cash flows, careful cost control, and a persistent commitment to long-term value generation for stakeholders. The favorable outcomes further illustrate the Group’s balance sheet robustness and its capability to implement strategic priorities.
The Group reported a turnover of €561 million, representing a 25% increase compared to the previous year, while Player Winnings rose by €104 million relative to the same timeframe last year. This endeavor led to unprecedented Gaming Revenues of €53.9 million, showing a rise of €8.6 million (a 19% enhancement compared to the same timeframe of the prior financial year). The Group additionally announced impressive profitability growth, concluding the 6-month timeframe with an EBITDA of €18.1 million, reflecting a 35% rise in comparison to the same period last year. Net profit before tax rose to €6.9 million, a gain of €4.2 million, signifying a 156% increase compared to the €2.7 million NPBT recorded in the same period last year. The Group is anticipated to exceed the FY2026 financial goals, with forecasted revenue expected to surpass the €1 billion level as Gross Gaming Revenues are projected to reach over €100 million.
These results underpin and support the Group’s international expansion strategy, reinforcing the rationale previously communicated to the market on January 19, 2026, wherein the Board of Directors of IZI Finance plc announced that it is actively seeking to return to the market with a second issuance of bonds on the Official List of the Malta Stock Exchange. Subject to the necessary regulatory approvals being obtained, the proceeds of the proposed €30 million bond issue would go towards supporting the next phase of IZIGROUP’s growth strategy via international expansion, building on the strong foundations established in recent years. The Group announced that it has already identified several feasible and well-advanced international growth opportunities, and this issuance would be designed to provide the financial latitude required to pursue them in a disciplined and sustainable manner.
Commenting on the outlook, the Board remains confident that the Group is well positioned to build on its current momentum and pursue sustainable growth in the medium to long term. The Board also highlighted that the Group will be leveraging its proven operational expertise, regulatory experience and management of large-scale, concession-based gaming environments, with a view to exporting its successful operating model to international gaming markets.
The post IZI Finance Delivers Impressive Growth Across Its Divisions appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Colombia
ZITRO INSTALLS OVER 70 MACHINES ACROSS GRUPO ALADDIN CASINOS IN COLOMBIA
Zitro is expanding its presence in Colombia with the deployment of more than 70 machines across Grupo Aladdin venues in key cities, including Cali, Bogotá, Barranquilla, and Pereira. This rollout strengthens Zitro’s position in the Colombian market and its partnership with one of the country’s leading casino operators.
The lineup includes proven performers such as Fu Frog, Fu Pots, and King Fu Frog—titles that have delivered strong results in gaming floors nationwide.
“We are also introducing a Wide Area Progressive (WAP) as part of the gaming experience on our Altius Glare cabinets. Given its track record, we are confident this will be a significant success for the group,” says Iván Gómez, Sales Manager at Zitro Colombia.
Jorge E. Vélez, Director of Gaming Technology and IT at Grupo Aladdin, comments: “Expanding our portfolio alongside a leading supplier like Zitro is a significant milestone for us. The performance of these titles has exceeded our expectations, further reinforcing the long-standing trust we place in their products.”
Alejandra Burato, Zitro’s Regional Director for Latin America, adds: “We are very pleased to see our games featured across Grupo Aladdin’s venues. This partnership is a reflection of the success of our expansion strategy in Colombia and our commitment to delivering high-performing products to the market.”
The post ZITRO INSTALLS OVER 70 MACHINES ACROSS GRUPO ALADDIN CASINOS IN COLOMBIA appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
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