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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.”
Fiona Hickey
Hub88 Enters into Partnership with Games Inc
Hub88 has further strengthened its aggregation platform through a partnership with Games Inc, delivering the studio’s portfolio, shaped by more than a decade of close collaboration with operators, to its global network.
The deal introduces Games Inc’s range of more than 70 tried and tested titles to Hub88’s partners, including slots and table games, granting access to premium content developed with a focus on performance, engagement and player-first design.
Founded in 2012, Games Inc began as a bespoke slot developer for some of the world’s biggest operators, before transitioning into a fully independent global content provider.
For Hub88’s partners, Games Inc’s rich knowledge translates into a line-up designed with entertainment and high performance in mind. Each release seamlessly combines engaging mechanics, balanced maths, captivating graphics and immersive audiovisual effects for the ultimate experience.
The agreement further strengthens Hub88’s reputation for choosing partners with intriguing content and robust technology that drives success.
Ollie Castleman, Managing Director at Hub88, said: “Games Inc brings a level of experience and deep operator understanding that really stands out to us. They have spent years building custom games meticulously, and this is reflected in how their portfolio performs. Their content is shaped by real-world insight and data, and this will only bring further benefits to our operator network.”
Fiona Hickey, Managing Director at Games Inc, said: “Hub88 is a key partner for us, with their values, way of working and enduring reputation unlocking access to more brands worldwide. Their platform is technically excellent and significantly boosts our reach. We are confident that our style and creative approach will resonate with their partners across multiple global markets.”
The post Hub88 Enters into Partnership with Games Inc appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
Brazil
The IBJR stresses that combating the illegal market is crucial for Desenrola 2.0
The Brazilian Institute for Responsible Gaming (IBJR) warns that the effectiveness of financial protection measures in Desenrola 2.0 fundamentally depends on a rigorous fight against the illegal betting market.
It is also worth emphasizing that in 2025, bets placed on licensed platforms accounted for the equivalent of only 0.46% of household consumption in the country, an extremely small share within the Brazilian budget, according to data from a study by LCA Consultoria.
This reinforces that the main factor of indebtedness in the Brazilian budget continues to be the high cost of credit.
The entity also emphasizes that restrictions on access to the regulated sector may encourage users to migrate to clandestine platforms, which already move around R$ 40 billion per year and operate without any oversight or consumer protection mechanisms.
Combating the illegal market is the most urgent step to prevent unlicensed operators—often associated with organized crime—from exploiting periods of restriction to attract vulnerable audiences.
This concern is heightened by the proximity of the World Cup, a period of natural increase in the volume of sports betting, and by the potential loss of R$ 10.8 billion in revenue for the country if consumption shifts to the underground market.
The IBJR reinforces that the real protection of citizens and the integrity of Desenrola 2.0 depend on coordinated action between the government and the private sector.
The organization advocates for public policies that combine financial education, strengthening responsible gambling, and a strategic offensive against clandestine websites, ensuring that entertainment occurs exclusively within a safe, transparent, and properly monitored ecosystem.
The post The IBJR stresses that combating the illegal market is crucial for Desenrola 2.0 appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
ALT Sports Data
ALT Sports Data Announces a New Partnership with Caesars Entertainment
ALT Sports Data, a global leader in engagement solutions and official data for emerging sports, has announced a new partnership with Caesars Entertainment. The partnership powers a new, next-generation Formula 1 betting product for Caesars’ sports betting platforms, delivering one of the most advanced wagering experiences ever offered on motorsports across Caesars Sportsbook and William Hill digital and retail platforms.
Caesars Sportsbook and William Hill will leverage ALT Sports Data’s proprietary Formula 1 models, pricing, and real-time data infrastructure to offer a comprehensive and differentiated suite of betting markets. Built on sub-second latency data and hundreds of inputs per car, the platform enables dynamic pricing and continuous market recalibration throughout Formula 1 race weekends.
The product introduces a new category of Formula 1 betting, combining pre-race, in-race, and micro-market opportunities into a single, integrated experience. This includes live race micro markets, predictive driver performance modeling, and large-scale race simulations that generate thousands of possible race outcomes per event, allowing for deeper and more accurate pricing across every lap.
“Formula 1 is one of the most complex and data-rich environments in global sport, and that complexity creates an opportunity to completely redefine the betting experience. Our platform is designed to unlock that potential at scale, and partnering with Caesars allows us to bring a truly differentiated, always-on product to market that reflects the speed, strategy, and unpredictability of Formula 1,” said Joe Dunnigan, CEO and Founder of ALT Sports Data.
“Formula 1 continues to captivate fans with its intensity, strategy, and constant innovation. By integrating ALT Sports Data’s advanced modeling and real-time official data, we’re able to elevate our Formula 1 offering and give customers a more dynamic way to experience every moment of the race weekend,” said Eric Hession, President of Caesars Digital.
In addition to core markets such as race winner and podium finishes, Caesars and William Hill will offer an expanded set of in-play and micro markets, including lap-by-lap driver matchups, fastest segment performance, pit stop outcomes, overtakes, and position-based milestones. These markets are designed to evolve in real time, enabling a true race-within-a-race experience for bettors.
As the Official and Exclusive Betting Data Supplier of Formula 1, ALT Sports Data is building the foundational infrastructure to support the sport’s growing focus on regulated sports betting and fan engagement. With Formula 1 increasing its investment in official betting partnerships and data-driven engagement, the expansion of sophisticated betting products represents a key strategic initiative for the league and its global ecosystem.
The agreement further establishes ALT Sports Data as a key infrastructure partner for sportsbooks and leagues seeking to unlock the next phase of growth in global sports betting through official data, advanced modeling, and real-time fan engagement.
The post ALT Sports Data Announces a New Partnership with Caesars Entertainment appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
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