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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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Clawbuster

REEVO Enters into Partnership with Clawbuster

Published

2 hours ago

March 13, 2026

Wladimir P.

reevo-enters-into-partnership-with-clawbuster

REEVO has announced a new partnership with Clawbuster, a fast-rising iGaming studio known for blending nostalgic arcade mechanics with modern slot gameplay. This collaboration reinforces REEVO’s commitment to expanding its aggregation ecosystem with distinctive, high-engagement content designed to help operators stand out in competitive markets.

Through this partnership, Clawbuster’s growing portfolio of titles will be integrated into the REEVO aggregation platform, giving operators seamless access to content that combines creativity, strong mechanics and commercial performance.

Headquartered in Limassol, Cyprus and founded in 2022/2023, Clawbuster has quickly built momentum in multiple international markets by introducing a unique claw mechanic that transforms traditional slot gameplay into a suspense-driven hybrid experience.

The studio places strong emphasis on customization, VIP engagement and localised optimisation, aligning with REEVO’s focus on scalable and performance-oriented aggregation solutions.

For REEVO, this partnership represents another strategic step in expanding its global distribution network with studios that bring originality and measurable operator value.

Daniel Cuc, Head of Account Management at REEVO, said: “Partnering with Clawbuster is an exciting addition to REEVO’s aggregation platform. Their innovative approach to gameplay and strong focus on engagement align perfectly with our strategy to deliver differentiated, high-performing content to operators worldwide. At REEVO, we continue to expand our ecosystem with studios that bring fresh ideas and real commercial potential. Clawbuster’s creative direction and flexibility make them a strong fit for our growing global network.”

Evija Mole, Commercial Director at Clawbuster, said: “Bringing Clawbuster to REEVO marks a major milestone for our team. REEVO provides an ideal stage for the game, giving us the opportunity to showcase its energy, character, and rapid-fire excitement just the way we designed it.”

The post REEVO Enters into Partnership with Clawbuster appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

AdmiralBet

SYNOT Games Announces Strategic Partnership with Admiralbet

Published

2 hours ago

March 13, 2026

Wladimir P.

synot-games-announces-strategic-partnership-with-admiralbet

SYNOT Games has announced a strategic partnership with Admiralbet, Bulgaria’s foremost casino operator and market leader.

Under the new agreement, Admiralbet will showcase a selected portfolio of SYNOT Games-developed games. Players can enjoy a diverse selection that includes popular titles such as 40 Coins of Chance and 100 Stunning Fruits. The integration of these games into Admiralbet’s offerings promises to redefine gaming standards and deliver an enhanced entertainment experience.

This partnership is a key part of SYNOT Games’ strategic expansion into the Balkan region, a market known for its discerning players who demand cutting-edge iGaming solutions. This new venture with Admiralbet further emphasizes the company’s dedication to delivering unmatched gaming solutions and retention tools that address the evolving needs of today’s iGaming market.

Martina Krajčí, Chief Commercial Officer at SYNOT Games, said: “This collaboration with Admiralbet not only strengthens our market presence in Bulgaria but also opens the door to a new audience of sophisticated gamers seeking innovative, high-quality entertainment. We are committed to driving excellence in the region by providing state-of-the-art gaming experiences that set new benchmarks in the industry.”

Mr. Beleski, General Manager at Admiralbet, said: “Our collaboration with SYNOT Games represents a strategic enhancement of our casino offering. By integrating their high-quality and engaging titles, we continue our commitment to delivering a superior and diversified gaming experience that meets the expectations of Bulgarian players and reinforces our position as a trusted leader in the market.”

The post SYNOT Games Announces Strategic Partnership with Admiralbet appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Conferences

SYNOT Successfully Participated in the Irish Gaming Show

Published

2 hours ago

March 13, 2026

Wladimir P.

synot-successfully-participated-in-the-irish-gaming-show

SYNOT has successfully participated in another edition of the Irish Gaming Show, which took place at the beginning of March at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Dublin. This prestigious gaming exhibition represents a key meeting point for operators, manufacturers and distributors active in the Irish market.

In cooperation with the distributor John Lynch, SYNOT introduced the latest gaming systems Gamifire Prime and Firebird Platinum to visitors, presented in the modern UP2-32 cabinets. These brand-new game mixes offer players an attractive combination of fruit and themed games. The Gamifire Prime set features a total of 36 sophisticated titles, including popular Hold & Win concepts. Firebird Platinum also includes 36 games, featuring well-liked linked titles.

“The products attracted great interest among local operators and received very positive feedback. Our company representatives were ready to provide visitors with detailed information not only about the showcased products but also about other premium solutions from our portfolio. Our jackpot systems SUPER LINK and MAGIC BALL LINK also drew significant attention from visitors,” said Roland Andrýsek, Sales Director of SYNOT Group.

During the exhibition, the Company established a number of new business contacts and discussed opportunities for future cooperation. Expansion into key international markets remains an important part of SYNOT Group’s long-term strategy. The company aims to further strengthen its position not only in the Irish market but also in many other regions.

The post SYNOT Successfully Participated in the Irish Gaming Show appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.