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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
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.”
BGaming, a popular iGaming content provider, has unveiled its latest #Entertainment slot, Piggy Bank Hold & Win, inviting players to join a lively cast of colourful piggies in a playful new release.
The game puts a fresh spin on the well-known Hold and Win mechanic, unfolding across a compact 3×3 grid enhanced by vibrant, casual-style visuals and upbeat audio.
Players aim to activate the Hold and Win bonus by landing three symbols on the middle horizontal reel. Above the reels sit three piggy characters—Green, Pink, and Blue—each capable of triggering unique features during the bonus round. As the game progresses, the piggies collect coins that land on the grid, steadily building anticipation with every spin.
Each piggy introduces a distinct mechanic: the Green Piggy can reset remaining spins back to three, the Pink Piggy applies multipliers of up to x8 to total winnings, and the Blue Piggy expands the grid to 3×5, unlocking greater win potential.
Additional features include Mystery and Collect symbols, alongside five available jackpots, with the top Royal Jackpot offering a payout of up to 2,000x the bet.
A playful detail sees a pig snout appear at the side of the grid, giving players access to Buy Bonus options. This allows instant entry into a randomised bonus round or enhanced versions with extra features.
Alex Baliukonis, Game Producer at BGaming, said, “The Hold and Win gameplay mechanic is one of the most consistently popular with players right now, and with Piggy Bank Hold and Win, we have added plenty of personality to the format.
The game’s playful design perfectly matches the fast-paced features, showing that you can add something fresh to a well-known formula without overcomplicating it, and we look forward to seeing how players engage with Piggy Bank Hold & Win.”
The post Meet Some Playful Piggies and Win Big in BGaming’s Piggy Bank Hold & Win appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Evoplay, the award-winning game developer, is marking the Easter season with the release of two vibrant new titles — Uncrossable Rush Eggster and 3 Bunny Pots Bonanza — combining high-energy gameplay with feature-rich mechanics.
Leading the seasonal rollout is Uncrossable Rush Eggster, the newest entry in the studio’s popular crash-style series. Players once again follow Eggwina the hen as she navigates a hectic 24-lane highway, choosing after each successful move whether to cash out or continue for bigger multipliers.
The game offers four difficulty levels, from Easy to Hardcore, alongside fully customisable autoplay settings. With unpredictable traffic patterns shaping every round, the experience delivers a dynamic risk-reward balance where no two sessions feel the same. Fast-paced gameplay and rising multipliers make it particularly appealing for players seeking quick, high-intensity sessions with a seasonal twist.
Joining the release is 3 Bunny Pots Bonanza, a slot set inside a treasure-filled bunny vault, where players spin for vibrant coins, glittering gems, and golden rewards.
At its core are Bonus Coin symbols that unlock a feature packed with multipliers, extra spins, and expanding reels through three distinct boosters. With multiple gameplay combinations and the potential to trigger the Grand Jackpot, the title offers a highly engaging experience with strong replay value and multiple paths to big wins.
Together, the two launches highlight Evoplay’s ability to blend seasonal themes with varied gameplay formats, catering to a wide spectrum of player preferences during one of the year’s most active content periods.
Ivan Kravchuk, CEO at Evoplay, said: “Easter is a great opportunity for us to explore more playful themes across different game formats.
“With Uncrossable Rush Eggster, we’ve added a seasonal twist to one of our most recognisable series, while 3 Bunny Pots Bonanza delivers a feature-rich slot packed with colour and rewarding mechanics. Together, they offer players two distinct but equally engaging ways to celebrate the season.”
The post Evoplay expands seasonal portfolio with a duo of new Easter games appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Exciting Loco Free Spins, engaging Toro Bonus, and the exhilarating VIP Express jackpot conclusion.
Kendoo, the rapidly expanding slot developer, has accelerated the launch of Locomotoro, an exciting 5×3 slot where thunderous engines and a fierce Toro drive each spin on a progression-focused adventure.
Designed to cater to every player, from casual to high-stakes, Locomotoro embodies Kendoo’s player-centric philosophy in game development. Centered on dynamic visuals, the game employs gratifying mechanics and a captivating rhythm that heightens excitement before presenting substantial wins in the VIP Express.
Central to the experience is the Toro Bonus, a Hold and Win feature that enlarges the grid from 5×3 to 5×6 when players reveal extra rows with Green Light symbols. Every Green Light unlocks a secured row and turns into a Bonus or Collect symbol, instantly enhancing the board’s worth.
When Bonus, Bonus Jackpot, and Collect symbols appear, respins are reset, and Collect symbols accumulate all active values and remain fixed, progressively leading to substantial payouts.
After all rows are freed, the following Green Light opens the Golden Gate, subsequently triggering the VIP Express at the conclusion of the feature.
In the VIP Express feature, a golden train comes in with cars loaded with rewards determined by the overall bet amount. Prizes consist of the Mini, Minor, Major, and Grand jackpots, with the Grand providing 1000x.
All VIP Express rewards are incorporated straight into the Toro Bonus amount. Moreover, gathering 30 symbols of any kind during the Toro Bonus triggers a Full Board Multiplier, which doubles the total payout of the feature.
Loco Spins introduce additional diversity, activated by three Scatter symbols to grant five Free Spins, with chances for retriggering during the round.
For players looking to access premium gameplay instantly, the Buy Feature option allows entry into the Toro Bonus for 75x the bet or the enhanced VIP Toro Bonus for 150x, with higher chances at triggering the VIP Express
Locomotoro is now available for demo and real play across all Kendoo partner platforms.
Kate Romanenko, Commercial Director at Kendoo, said: “Locomotoro is built around momentum and structured payoff. Players can feel the progression as they unlock rows, open the Golden Gate and ultimately trigger the VIP Express.
“It delivers a strong bonus climax combined with clear win progression, which makes the overall experience both satisfying and highly engaging.”
The post Kendoo Accelerates with Jackpot-Driven Locomotoro appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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