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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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Wings of Heroes raises the stakes with campaigns, jets and deeper progression

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The second quarter of 2026 marked one of the most important development periods for Wings of Heroes to date. The game introduced a new campaign system, expanded PvE gameplay, added new battle formats and began a strategic shift in player progression and the in-game economy. The last update continues this direction by expanding the campaign system with time-limited jet campaigns, including the first F-16 campaign, alongside a new skill-based game mode – Time Trial, and further improvements to gameplay variety.

Wings of Heroes is entering a new stage of development. In recent months, the team behind the mobile air combat game introduced a broad set of features designed to increase gameplay depth, strengthen long-term engagement and test new growth opportunities for the title. These include campaigns, expanded PvE experiences, a plane rarity system, a major economy rebalance, larger battle formats and additional gameplay modes.

The update reflects more than a regular content expansion. It marks a strategic shift in the way Wings of Heroes builds progression, engagement and monetization. While the game remains rooted in dynamic World War II-inspired aerial combat, the new systems add more structure, context and variety to the player journey. They also create new ways to build limited-time events, communicate aircraft value and develop stronger LiveOps mechanics around specific goals, rewards and aircraft types.

“- Over the last three months, we have been reshaping Wings of Heroes from a title built mainly around individual battle sessions into a broader, more scalable gameplay ecosystem. Campaigns, plane rarities, economy rebalance and new modes are not separate additions – they are connected systems designed to strengthen progression, give players more reasons to return and open new monetization opportunities,” said Michał Szurma, Product Owner of Wings of Heroes. “- This is an important strategic step for the game. We are testing new engagement and monetization levers, while at the same time making the player journey clearer, deeper and more rewarding.”

One of the key features introduced in the second quarter of 2026 was the campaign system. Campaigns bring a new PvE layer to Wings of Heroes, built around sets of missions connected by historical context and scenario-based progression. Instead of focusing only on standard battles, players can now progress through defined mission sequences, complete specific objectives and experience more immersive combat scenarios.

Depending on the campaign and the country of origin of the aircraft in the player’s hangar, players can also be supported by scenario-specific assistants, who guide them through the mission and strengthen the feeling of being part of a larger historical scenario. This gives the game a more narrative-driven layer and allows the team to develop content that combines action, progression and atmosphere.

Campaigns also introduce a new structure for temporary events. Some campaigns can become permanent parts of player progression, unlocked as players advance through tiers, while others can be time-limited. This creates new opportunities for LiveOps, goal-based engagement and monetization, as players are encouraged to complete missions, secure rewards and progress within a specific timeframe.

The June 30 update expands this system further with a new time-limited jet campaign. For the first time, players can take part in a special campaign-style experience featuring modern jets, with the first campaign centered around the F-16. Unlike regular battles, where players use aircraft from their hangar, jet campaigns are built around one specific aircraft provided within the campaign. Other jets may appear as enemies, but the player uses one dedicated jet during the experience.

Jets are one of the most distinctive additions to Wings of Heroes so far. With campaigns focused around modern jet fighters, the game moves beyond its classic World War II-based aerial combat formula for the first time, adding modern aircraft, a new visual layer and a different type of combat experience. This also creates an opportunity to reach new groups of players. At this stage, jets are available only within campaigns, allowing the team to test the format in a controlled, time-limited environment.

Together with jets, Wings of Heroes is also introducing a new Time Trial mode, where precision flying and maneuvering skills are key. Players navigate a specially designed route with a series of gates, aiming to pass through them as accurately as possible within a set time limit. The run ends when the player reaches the end of the route, the timer runs out, or the aircraft crashes. This single-player mode focuses on control, precision and mastery of flight, offering a skill-based experience built around piloting ability rather than direct combat.

Another important addition is Team Deathmatch, a more classic team-based mode in which players can return to combat with the same aircraft after being shot down and compete to reach the target team score.

In recent months, the team also expanded its game mode capabilities with NvN formats, including larger battles such as 10v10 gameplay. This system allows Wings of Heroes to create variations of existing modes with different numbers of players per team. The feature gives the team more flexibility in shaping future events and battle formats.

Alongside new gameplay features, Wings of Heroes introduced a significant change to aircraft progression through the plane rarity system. Aircraft are now assigned one of four rarity levels: Common, Rare, Epic or Legendary. The aim is to make progression smoother, aircraft value clearer and rewards more meaningful for different groups of players.

The rarity system was accompanied by a broad economy rebalance and changes in blueprint distribution, unlock costs and upgrade pacing. Common aircraft are easier to unlock, while rarer planes become more clearly differentiated within each tier.

Wings of Heroes also introduced in-game commendations, a new battle element that highlights combat actions such as double or triple kills. Commendations can be earned multiple times during a single battle and are designed to make combat feel more dynamic, interactive and rewarding.

“- Wings of Heroes has a strong foundation, but the next stage of development is about understanding how far we can take it,” added Michał Szurma. “- The systems introduced in recent months give us more room to experiment with events, aircraft formats, progression and player motivation. This creates a stronger framework for learning what drives engagement, what supports monetization and where the game’s further growth potential may come from.”

Together, these initiatives point to a broader strategic direction for Wings of Heroes. The game is expanding beyond standard battle loops into more structured progression, richer PvE, time-limited campaign experiences and clearer monetization systems. The end of June update is designed to help the team test what drives engagement and where the title’s further growth potential may come from.

The post Wings of Heroes raises the stakes with campaigns, jets and deeper progression appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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Kongebonus becomes first Norwegian affiliate to win Best Casino Affiliate at iGB Affiliate Awards 2026

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Kongebonus has become the first Norwegian affiliate to win Best Casino Affiliate at the iGB Affiliate Awards 2026, a landmark recognition that names the independent Norwegian guide as the world’s leading casino affiliate for 2026.

The award was presented on 2 July during iGB L!VE London, where the iGB Affiliate Awards celebrated the affiliates, programmes, networks, suppliers and individuals helping to drive the iGaming sector forward.

iGB Affiliate described first-time contestant Kongebonus as a “Norwegian local hero”, noting that the platform claimed the award in a close race and ended Gambling.com Group’s two-year reign in the highly competitive category. Independent judges praised Kongebonus’ “super smart” approach, highlighting its combination of innovation, engaged player community, and strong editorial presence across Google News and the media.

The recognition reflects Kongebonus’ focus on detailed operator testing, transparent casino reviews, community-led content and player protection. The platform tests casinos with its own money before reviewing them, publishes its full methodology and continues to invest in responsible gambling resources, including practical guidance and support signposting for players.

 

David Nilsen, Editor-in-Chief at Kongebonus, said: “Winning Best Casino Affiliate at the iGB Affiliate Awards is a huge moment for Kongebonus and for everyone who has helped build the platform. To be recognised in a category alongside some of the biggest and most respected names in the affiliate industry is something we are incredibly proud of.

“I’ve spent more than ten years on the inside of this industry, and I’ve seen how big the gap can be between what a casino promises and what the player is actually left with. Closing that gap is the whole reason we test the way we do.

“What this award tells us is that being the most trusted guide matters more than being the biggest one, and that’s the only thing we’ve ever set out to build.”

The post Kongebonus becomes first Norwegian affiliate to win Best Casino Affiliate at iGB Affiliate Awards 2026 appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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Ariel Reem CEO at Games Valley

Games Valley adds BGaming titles to aggregation platform

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Games Valley has signed a content aggregation partnership with BGaming, adding the studio’s online casino portfolio to the Games Valley platform.

Under the agreement, operators connected to Games Valley will be able to access BGaming titles via a single integration. The content slated for distribution includes slots, crash games, casual games and other online casino titles.

Games Valley and BGaming marked the partnership during NEXT Summit Valletta, where both companies supported the BGaming Charity Gala in aid of DAR Bjorn.

Ariel Reem, CEO at Games Valley, said: “BGaming has built a strong reputation as one of the most creative and dynamic studios, with games that combine strong visual identity, engaging mechanics and genuine player appeal. At Games Valley, our role is to help operators access the content that delivers real value to their players and their business, quickly and efficiently through a single integration. We’re delighted to welcome BGaming to the Games Valley platform, and we’re especially pleased that this partnership has grown from a relationship rooted in shared values.”

Marina Ostrovtsova, CEO at BGaming, added: “Games Valley has established itself as a modern and ambitious aggregation partner, helping operators access high-quality casino content with speed, flexibility and reliability. This partnership allows us to bring BGaming’s portfolio to a wider network of operators through a platform that shares our focus on innovation, strong partnerships and long-term industry growth.”

The post Games Valley adds BGaming titles to aggregation platform appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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