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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

5 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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Buffalo Bonanza Hold & Win

ICONIC21 adds Buffalo Bonanza Hold & Win to its Buffalo slot series

Published

24 minutes ago

April 30, 2026

Wladimir P.

iconic21-adds-buffalo-bonanza-hold-&-win-to-its-buffalo-slot-series

New release follows Buffalo Wild Collection and includes Hold & Win jackpots and a Bonus Buy option.

ICONIC21 has launched Buffalo Bonanza Hold & Win, a new online slot and the second title in the supplier’s Buffalo series following Buffalo Wild Collection.

The game is set on a prairie-themed backdrop and features up to 1,024 ways to win. ICONIC21 said the Free Spin round removes lower-value symbols from the reels, leaving only higher-value symbols in play.

The slot also includes a Hold & Win mechanic triggered when gold coins land and lock. ICONIC21 said the feature builds multipliers and coin values toward one of four jackpot tiers: Mini, Minor, Major or Grand.

Buffalo Bonanza Hold & Win has a maximum prize of 10,000x stake and includes a Bonus Buy option to access bonus rounds. The release adds to ICONIC21’s slots line-up alongside its live casino, virtual, instant game and RNG table game portfolios.

Edvardas Sadovskis, Chief Product Officer at ICONIC21, said: “Buffalo Bonanza Hold & Win is built around a clear idea of stripping everything back to what matters most. The game’s Free Spin round does exactly that, putting the focus on the symbols with the highest potential.

“The Hold & Win feature then adds a second layer of engagement, turning the session into something more rhythmic as multipliers accumulate, and the jackpot tiers come into play. It’s a title with real bite, and we’re confident it will perform strongly for operators seeking to add a high-impact slot to their lobby.”

The post ICONIC21 adds Buffalo Bonanza Hold & Win to its Buffalo slot series appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Booming Games

Booming Games Secures Strategic Partnership With Casino Portugal to Accelerate Growth in Southern Europe

Published

24 minutes ago

April 30, 2026

Wladimir P.

booming-games-secures-strategic-partnership-with-casino-portugal-to-accelerate-growth-in-southern-europe

Booming Games, a leading provider of premium gaming content, has announced a strategic partnership with Casino Portugal, one of the country’s most established and trusted online gaming platforms. The collaboration marks a significant step in Booming Games’ continued expansion across regulated European markets.

Through this partnership, Booming Games will integrate its portfolio of certified games into Casino Portugal’s platform, making a selection of its top-performing titles available to Portuguese players. The rollout will include popular releases such as Buffalo Hold and Win Extreme 10,000 and Inferno Fortune Power Hit, alongside newer hits like Greedy for Gold Power Hit, Tasty Bonanza 10,000, Trollfufu Bonanza, and Diamond Hits Trio: InstaStrike.

Casino Portugal, operated by the renowned Estoril Sol Group, was the first licensed online casino to launch in Portugal in 2016 and has since established itself as a leader in the market. Known for its premium user experience, strong regulatory compliance, and entertainment-led approach, the brand continues to innovate through exclusive content and omnichannel engagement strategies.

The partnership reflects Booming Games’ commitment to delivering high-quality, compliant content tailored to local markets, while strengthening its footprint in Europe. As demand for engaging, innovative casino content continues to grow in Portugal, the collaboration positions both companies to capitalise on new opportunities and enhance the player experience.

Lucia Baranda, Head of Partnerships at Booming Games, said: “We are delighted to partner with Casino Portugal, a brand that stands out for its strong reputation, premium positioning, and commitment to innovation. This collaboration represents an important milestone in our European growth strategy and allows us to bring our engaging content to a wider audience in Portugal.”

Tiago Sousa, Casino Manager at Casino Portugal, said: “We are excited to welcome Booming Games to our platform. Their portfolio of high-performing and visually engaging titles aligns perfectly with our commitment to delivering premium entertainment experiences to our players. We look forward to a successful partnership that will further enrich our offering.”

The post Booming Games Secures Strategic Partnership With Casino Portugal to Accelerate Growth in Southern Europe appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

BETANO

Betano signs sponsorship deal with Argentina national football team

Published

12 hours ago

April 29, 2026

Wladimir P.

betano-signs-sponsorship-deal-with-argentina-national-football-team

Kaizen Gaming brand becomes an Official Regional Sponsor as World Cup 2026 approaches, with campaigns planned across digital, TV and OOH.

Betano has signed a new sponsorship agreement with the Argentina National Football Team, joining as an Official Regional Sponsor, the company said on April 29, 2026.

The deal was announced from Athens, Greece and Buenos Aires, Argentina, with the Kaizen Gaming-owned sports betting and gaming brand positioning the partnership ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026.

According to the company, the sponsorship will include “local 360° campaigns” featuring Betano’s tagline “Confiá” across digital media, television, and out-of-home (OOH) advertising. Betano also said it plans “high-engagement activations” intended to connect fans with the team.

In the release, Kaizen Gaming framed the agreement as part of a broader strategy to invest in top-tier sports partnerships to support international brand growth and “responsible gaming experiences.” Financial terms, territories covered under the “regional” designation, and contract duration were not disclosed.

More relevant data as follows:

Betano (Kaizen Gaming) official website; https://www.betano.com/ Primary source for brand and market presence details related to Betano.
Kaizen Gaming official website; https://kaizengaming.com/ Company background and corporate announcements for Kaizen Gaming, the owner of Betano.
AFA (Argentine Football Association) official website; https://www.afa.com.ar/ Authoritative reference for Argentina national team commercial partnerships and federation announcements.
FIFA World Cup 2026; https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/tournaments/mens/worldcup/canada-mexico-usa2026 Official tournament page to ground the timing reference to the FIFA World Cup 2026.

The post Betano signs sponsorship deal with Argentina national football team appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.