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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

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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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When Dreams Become Reality: How WinSpirit’s “Wish Express” Reunited a Family After 11 Years

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As the holiday lights dim and the New Year takes flight, one story in the iGaming world proves that magic isn’t just for children. WinSpirit Casino has officially concluded its Wish Express campaign — a seasonal initiative that evolved from a standard promotion into a profound celebration of human connection.

Returning to the Magic of Childhood

The core idea of “Wish Express” was simple yet daring: in a world of practical goals and data-driven results, when was the last time you let your “inner child” truly dream? WinSpirit invited its community — from players and streamers to game providers and partners — to step away from spreadsheets and strategy to write a literal letter to Santa.

What started as a simple idea quickly grew into something much more meaningful. Inspired by childhood nostalgia, Wish Express brought back the excitement of sending dreams to the North Pole, thoughtfully reimagining that familiar experience for the digital age.

A Community United by Sincerity

The response was overwhelming. Over 2,000 unique wishes flooded the “Wish Express” headquarters. The campaign saw a staggering 169% increase in social media reach and a 76% boost in engagement, proving that sincerity is the most powerful currency in modern branding.

The project received unexpected support from industry giants. Major game providers like Gamebeat, Mascot, 1spin4win, and Zillion joined the journey, sharing their own festive dreams on social media. This cross-industry participation turned the “Wish Express” into a collective movement, blurring the lines between “business” and “community.”

From Disneyland to Backyard Concerts

While the campaign offered rewards for participation, the highlight was the community voting process. WinSpirit narrowed down the entries to the most heartwarming stories, letting the public decide on the most inspiring dreams. The community-voted winners received 100 Free Spins.

The wishes were a mosaic of human desires:

  • A parent longing to see the joy in their children’s eyes at Disneyland.
  • Someone wishing for a global “chain of kindness.”
  • A gamer wanting to share a PlayStation 5 with their kids.
  • Whimsical dreams of private backyard concerts and world travels.

The Real-Life Reunion

The most touching moment of the campaign came when WinSpirit reviewed a wish from a player who hadn’t seen their mother, grandmother, and aunt in 11 years. The distance and life’s obstacles had kept them apart for over a decade, making a family Christmas feel like an impossible dream.

Moving beyond digital rewards, WinSpirit stepped in to play the role of Santa’s helper. They covered the full cost of round-trip flights, making the long-awaited reunion a reality. For the first time in 11 years, the player celebrated the holidays in the warm embrace of their family.

“We believe that a reunion with family is the greatest gift one can receive at Christmas,” a WinSpirit representative noted. By fulfilling this wish, WinSpirit showed that behind every spin lies a team that truly cares.

A New Standard for Engagement

“Wish Express” has set a new benchmark for how iGaming brands can interact with their audience. It wasn’t just a campaign; it was a reminder that magic still exists when a brand chooses to listen. As the “Wish Express” returns to its station, it leaves behind a community that is not only more engaged but more connected through shared hope and the belief that sometimes, dreams really do come true.

In a competitive industry, WinSpirit has shown that emotional connection isn’t a ‘nice extra’ — it’s a strategic advantage. This campaign didn’t just win hearts. It built trust, visibility, and a deeper relationship with the community.

The post When Dreams Become Reality: How WinSpirit’s “Wish Express” Reunited a Family After 11 Years appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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Diego Simeone Named Official Ambassador for Betinia and CampoBet

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Betinia and CampoBet have announced Diego Simeone as their official ambassador, a move that places one of football’s most recognisable and influential leaders at the heart of both brands’ campaigns.

Simeone is celebrated globally for his winning mindset, discipline, and intensity. Since becoming the manager of Atlético de Madrid in 2011, the Argentine coach has cemented his reputation as one of modern football’s elite, guiding the club to two LaLiga titles. He also had a stellar career as a player, earning over 100 caps for Argentina.

Players of Betinia’s football manager game can test their tactical thinking and advance through a journey that rewards progress. Simeone will help strengthen Betinia and CampoBet’s position with a clear, football-led story that affiliates can activate across content, SEO, social, email and performance media.

Betinia’s five-tier VIP loyalty journey is also built around the idea of progression, mirroring a football career path from Beginner to Amateur, Professional, World Class, and ultimately Legend. This structure gives affiliates an additional retention-led narrative to work with, supporting longer player lifecycles and stronger value beyond the first conversion.

“Diego Simeone is the kind of figure audiences recognise instantly, and that recognition translates into stronger storytelling and higher intent traffic,” said Aviv, Head of Affiliate “Our role is to help partners turn this announcement into measurable performance. We are rolling out updated creative packs, campaign angles and landing page flows designed to lift conversion, while keeping every activation aligned with local requirements.”

2RBO Affiliates combine flexible commission models with a no-negative-carryover policy to help partners scale with confidence. Affiliates also benefit from transparent, real-time reporting, innovative tracking tools, and proactive compliance support, alongside partner loyalty initiatives including personalised account management, exclusive incentives, and VIP networking events.

About 2RBO Affiliates

2RBO Affiliates is a high-performance affiliate programme representing numerous iGaming brands including Betinia and, CampoBet. Built on an advanced platform, the programme combines modern gamification features, flexible commission models, and a no negative carryover policy to help maximise partner profitability. With transparent reporting, innovative tracking tools, and a strong focus on partner support and compliance, 2RBO Affiliates delivers scalable growth and long-term collaboration across competitive markets.

Contact

2RBO Affiliates
https://www.2rbo.com/#team

The post Diego Simeone Named Official Ambassador for Betinia and CampoBet appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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Vegangster’s Scroll & Play Adds Queue to Streamline Game Discovery

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Platform provider Vegangster has introduced a new queue mechanic to its Scroll & Play video feed, giving players a faster and more flexible way to discover and launch games.

Scroll & Play already offers a continuous feed of short, autoplaying previews that help players explore new titles quickly. With the new queue feature, players can add several games from the feed to a personal list, open them in advance, and move between them without waiting for each title to load again.

The queue removes the final layer of friction between discovery and gameplay. Players can build a shortlist as they scroll, load the games they want to try, and switch between them instantly. Imagine making a spin in one game, swiping, and making a spin in another without loading times. The result is a smoother path from curiosity to action, especially for mobile users who prefer quick, uninterrupted interactions.

Early operator tests show that players tend to queue newly discovered titles more often than familiar ones, indicating that the mechanic supports broader catalogue exploration and helps surface games that are usually overlooked.

Michael Oziransky, Chief Product Officer at Vegangster, said:

 “Scroll & Play works because it matches how people already consume content. The queue removes the last bit of friction, letting players build a shortlist as they scroll and jump straight into play. Early feedback from operators shows it’s particularly effective at surfacing catalogue depth.”

The queue update is part of Vegangster’s ongoing work on social-style UX patterns inside its casino stack, following recent enhancements to Stories, in-feed promotions, and dynamic video placements.

Operators can try the new queue mechanic at ICE Barcelona, Fira Barcelona Gran Via, 19–21 January 2026, with live Scroll and Play demos available at stand 1E20.

About Vegangster

Vegangster provides a full-stack iGaming platform engineered for speed, scalability, and operator control. Its turnkey, white-label, and sweepstakes solutions integrate casino and sportsbook content, payments, CRM, compliance, and social features into a single mobile-first system. With Vegangster, operators can launch quickly and scale with confidence.

Press contact
Romans Kozlovskis
Senior Content & PR Manager
Vegangster
[email protected]

The post Vegangster’s Scroll & Play Adds Queue to Streamline Game Discovery appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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