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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.”
Eskil Raknes Casino & Betting Expert at Kongebonus
Kongebonus Awards 2025 now open for voting
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Kongebonus, Norways largest expert led iGaming community for everything related to casino and betting in Norway, has opened the voting for the fourth consecutive Kongebonus Awards, recognising the studios and titles shaping the next wave of online casino entertainment.
The programme celebrates creativity, innovation and excellence, with nominees and winners decided by a blend of votes from real players across Norway and scores from an expert jury, ensuring balanced, credible recognition. As the only iGaming awards originating from Norway, the Kongebonus Awards also signal trends felt across Europe and the wider community.
Recognising skill across modern game development – from graphics and sound design to inventive gameplay mechanics – the 2025 categories include:
- Beste Spillutvikler – Best Game Provider
- Mest innovative Spillutvikler – Most Innovative Game Provider
- Beste Bonus Buy Slot – Best Bonus Buy Slot
- Hall of Fame – Både vår egen, i tillegg til lesernes favoritt – Hall of Fame –Kongebonus and the readers’ favourite
- Rising Star Spillutvikler – Rising Star Game Provider
- Beste nye slot – Best New Slot
- Beste Oppfølger Slot – Best Sequel Slot
Building on last year’s momentum, where Hacksaw Gaming was named Best Game Provider and Print Studios took Best New Slot for Dreadworks, the 2025 Awards once again spotlight both established leaders and rising studios.
Eskil Raknes, Casino & Betting Expert at Kongebonus, said: “Each year, the Kongebonus Awards highlight the ideas and craftsmanship that move our industry forward. For many developers, a Kongebonus Award is more than a trophy, it’s a respected mark of recognition that raises a studio’s profile and opens doors across the industry.What makes these awards meaningful is the combination of votes from real players in Norway and expert jury review: players tell us what resonates, and our jury validates quality and innovation. We look forward to receiving your votes and celebrating the standout achievements of 2025.”
Voting is now live at https://www.kongebonus.com/awards/2025-prisutdeling where readers can learn more and cast their votes.
The post Kongebonus Awards 2025 now open for voting appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
BETBY
BETBY EXPANDS E-SIM PORTFOLIO WITH TWO INDUSTRY-FIRST TITLES: eTABLE TENNIS and eFOOTVOLLEY
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BETBY, the leading sportsbook supplier, has expanded its proprietary esports feed, Betby.Games, with the launch of two brand-new e-sim titles: eTable Tennis and eFootVolley. Both releases mark a major milestone in BETBY’s commitment to delivering fair, authentic, and localised esports content that enhances 24/7 engagement for operators and players worldwide.
Representing a world-first for the industry, the eTableTennis title, entitled TTX CUP, introduces a completely new vertical to esports betting, with an authentic, fully fair, and transparent experience. The game features realistic physics, true-to-life gameplay, and zero-second betting delay, offering instant bet placement for one of the fastest-paced sports.
Each match follows the classic table tennis format of five sets to 11 points, with over 20 betting markets and high betting limits comparable to elite-level competitions such as the Champions League. Launched initially with two tournaments, TTX CUP delivers more than 1,500 matches per month, running 24/7 with no streaming delay, ensuring full transparency and player trust.
Aligned with the WTT Finals Hong Kong, one of the sport’s premier real-world events, the release allows operators to engage users during off-hours through a seamless, always-on e-sim.
BETBY’s second new title, eFootVolley, further strengthens its “go-local” approach by focusing on Brazil’s fast-growing futevôlei scene, one of the country’s most culturally resonant sports. The game replicates the official Liga Nacional de Futevôlei, following a five-set format (up to 11 points) and an average match duration of around 20 minutes, with 20+ available betting markets.
Launching in sync with the final stage of the real-world Liga Nacional de Futevôlei, eFootVolley provides an ultra-localised, 24/7 betting experience, reflecting BETBY’s strategy of blending authenticity with constant engagement. Following the success of eVaquejada, this release reinforces the company’s dedication to creating content that speaks directly to local audiences and their sporting passions.
Kirill Nekrasov, Head of Sportsbook Product at BETBY, commented: “With TTX CUP and eFootVolley, we’re breaking new ground in esports simulations. TTX CUP sets a new benchmark for integrity and realism in table tennis betting, while eFootVolley demonstrates our ongoing commitment to localised, culturally relevant content. Both titles reflect the Betby.Games vision to provide operators with high-frequency, fair, and engaging titles.”
The Betby.Games portfolio now features 25 proprietary titles, covering 80+ tournaments and over 400,000 monthly matches across multiple sports.
The post BETBY EXPANDS E-SIM PORTFOLIO WITH TWO INDUSTRY-FIRST TITLES: eTABLE TENNIS and eFOOTVOLLEY appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Carl Gatt Baldacchino Head of Account Management SlotMatrix
SlotMatrix crowns the reels with Gold Pigger 2 Royal Snouts release
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The post SlotMatrix crowns the reels with Gold Pigger 2 Royal Snouts release appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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