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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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Xpoint gains Massachusetts vendor license as North American expansion accelerates

Published

24 minutes ago

March 2, 2026

Wladimir P.

xpoint-gains-massachusetts-vendor-license-as-north-american-expansion-accelerates

Xpoint, a leading geolocation and compliance technology company, has officially secured a vendor license to enter the regulated sports betting market in Massachusetts. The approval marks another strategic milestone in the company’s accelerating North American expansion, reinforcing its role as a core provider of gaming infrastructure.

Xpoint’s geolocation solution is now available to operators across the Bay State, delivering high-precision tools designed to ensure player activity remains fully compliant with the strict regulatory framework established by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission.

With Massachusetts added to its portfolio, Xpoint is now authorized to support regulated online sports wagering across 28 states and territories, as well as Ontario in Canada.

The license follows a period of sustained global expansion, including recent market entries in Missouri, Brazil, and the United Arab Emirates.

Built specifically for the gaming industry, Xpoint’s platform uses advanced geofencing technology to deliver precise location verification. By leveraging multiple data points, the system helps prevent wagers from unauthorized jurisdictions while identifying suspicious activity in real time.

The company’s platform development has also been supported by a recent investment round aimed at accelerating growth and enhancing product capabilities.

Manu Gambhir, CEO of Xpoint, said: “Securing our license in Massachusetts is a vital step as we continue to make strides in the geolocation space. Massachusetts has a passionate sports culture and a sophisticated regulatory framework, and we are excited to provide the precision technology necessary to maintain the integrity of the state’s sports betting ecosystem.

“Our growth into the Bay State demonstrates our team’s ability to navigate complex regulatory landscapes quickly and efficiently. This expansion underscores the global demand for more innovative and adaptable compliance solutions, and we remain committed to being the most reliable partner for regulated operators worldwide.”

The post Xpoint gains Massachusetts vendor license as North American expansion accelerates appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

eSports

NODWIN Gaming’s VALORANT Challengers South Asia 2026 Set for Broadcast Kickoff; Registrations Close March 4

Published

24 minutes ago

March 2, 2026

Wladimir P.

nodwin-gaming’s-valorant-challengers-south-asia-2026-set-for-broadcast-kickoff;-registrations-close-march-4

With registrations entering their final phase, NODWIN Gaming, in partnership with Riot Games, is set to kick off the broadcast phase of VALORANT Challengers South Asia (VCSA) 2026, marking the start of another high-stakes competitive season in the region.

The official VCSA 2026 broadcast will stream live on the NODWIN Gaming and Valorant Esports South Asia YouTube channels, bringing fans across South Asia closer to the region’s top VALORANT talent as teams begin their Split 1 campaigns.

Registrations for Split 1 remain open until March 4, 2026, inviting eligible teams across South Asia to compete in the region’s premier VALORANT circuit—the official pathway for teams aiming to reach the VCT Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ).

Season Overview

The 2026 season introduces a refined multi-stage competitive structure, featuring Open Qualifiers, two Splits, Promotion & Relegation, and a culminating Grand Final to crown the regional champions.

Key Dates – Split 1

Registration Window: Till March 4, 2026
Open Qualifiers: March 7 – March 11, 2026
Split 1 Broadcast Begins: March 16, 2026
Split 1 Playoffs: April 8 – 9, 2026

Eligibility Requirements

Minimum Rank: Immortal 1 and above (V25 Act 6)
Regions: India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Afghanistan & Maldives
Premier Team Seeding: Based on V25 Acts 4, 5 & 6

Tournament Structure Overview

Open Qualifiers & Playoffs

The competition begins with an open circuit designed to spotlight emerging talent across South Asia.

Open Qualifiers

Single Elimination
Best-of-Three (Bo3)
Top 10 teams advance to OQ Playoffs

OQ Playoffs

Double Elimination
Bo3
Top 5 teams qualify for Split 1

The top three teams from VCSA 2025 receive direct invitations to Split 1.

Split 1

Team Composition

5 teams from OQ Playoffs
3 direct invite teams
Total: 8 teams

Format

Single Round Robin
Bo3
28 matches across 14 match days

Advancement

Top 6 teams advance to Split 2
Bottom 2 teams move to Promotion & Relegation

Split 2 & Grand Finals

Split 2 will feature eight teams competing in a single round robin format. The top four will advance to the Playoff Stage, where a single-elimination bracket (Bo3, Bo5 Grand Final) will determine the VALORANT Challengers South Asia 2026 champions.

Game Changers South Asia 2026

Running alongside the main circuit, Game Changers South Asia 2026 will feature two competitive splits with open qualifiers, reinforcing inclusive growth within the region’s VALORANT ecosystem. The winner of Split 2 will advance to the Game Changers Pacific Stage.

Building on a Landmark 2025 Season

VCSA 2026 follows a record-breaking 2025 edition, where Velocity Gaming secured the VCT Ascension Pacific slot after a dominant 3–1 Grand Final victory over S8UL at the Ascension Qualifiers LAN.

The 2025 season recorded over 12 million views and peaked at 50,000+ concurrent viewers, cementing VCSA’s position as one of South Asia’s most-watched VALORANT tournaments.

With viewership at an all-time high and competitive standards rising, the 2026 season promises even greater intensity.

From the Organizers

Gautam Virk, Co-Founder & CEO, NODWIN Gaming, said:
“As we head into the broadcast phase of VCSA 2026, the excitement across the ecosystem is palpable. This circuit represents the pinnacle of competitive VALORANT in South Asia, and our structured pathway ensures that every team from open qualifiers to grand finalists earns their position through performance. After the incredible momentum of last season, we are confident that 2026 will further elevate the region’s competitive standard.”

Sukamal Pegu, Head of Esports India and South Asia, Riot Games, added:
“Competing in VCSA continues to be one of the most defining experiences for teams in South Asia. The level of competition, the scale of production, and the passion of the community make this circuit truly special. With the new season underway and the clear path connecting Tier-2 to Tier-1 already announced, we’re excited to see both established rosters and emerging contenders raise the bar even higher.”

With broadcasts set to begin and registrations closing soon, the road to VALORANT Challengers South Asia 2026 is officially underway. Teams across the region are invited to step forward and shape the next chapter of South Asian VALORANT.

The post NODWIN Gaming’s VALORANT Challengers South Asia 2026 Set for Broadcast Kickoff; Registrations Close March 4 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Adam Miles

DEGEN Studios adds commercial firepower with Adam Miles

Published

24 minutes ago

March 2, 2026

Wladimir P.

degen-studios-adds-commercial-firepower-with-adam-miles

DEGEN Studios has appointed Adam Miles as Director of Sales, accelerating its commercial engine as the studio pushes further into global markets.

Adam joins DEGEN with extensive experience across the iGaming industry, specialising in business development, account management and strategic partnership growth. Most recently, he served as Head of Sales at BetGames, where he led commercial strategy, built high-performing teams and strengthened operator relationships across key territories. Prior to that, he held a senior Business Development role at ARRISE, a global leader in software development and services for the iGaming industry.

In his new role, Adam will lead DEGEN’s global sales strategy, focusing on expanding distribution, deepening operator partnerships and ensuring the studio’s high-volatility, identity-led portfolio reaches the right audiences.

Adam joins at a time of momentum for DEGEN, with new titles launching and the recently unveiled DEGEN Powered initiative broadening the studio’s collaborative ecosystem.

Adam Miles, Director of Sales at DEGEN Studios, said: “What drew me to DEGEN is that it doesn’t try to fit into the safe middle ground. That makes the commercial conversation stronger, not harder. Operators want content that cuts through, and my job is to make sure we’re building the right strategic relationships to support that ambition.”

Danny Gordon, Head of Studio at DEGEN Studios, said: “As we continue to scale, it’s important that our commercial strategy matches the ambition of our roadmap. We have strong momentum behind the product, and now it’s about accelerating that growth in the right markets with the right partners. Adam brings the experience and commercial focus needed to expand our reach while staying true to what makes DEGEN distinct.”

The post DEGEN Studios adds commercial firepower with Adam Miles appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.