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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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belatra Gaming

Belatra collars another hit with Cops vs Robs

Published

12 seconds ago

April 9, 2026

Wladimir P.

belatra-collars-another-hit-with-cops-vs-robs

Belatra, a leading developer of innovative online slots, has unveiled its latest high-stakes release, Cops vs Robbs—a 5-reel slot that plunges players into the classic battle between law enforcement and daring outlaws. Noir-inspired visuals, a gripping soundtrack, and dynamic gameplay bring the crime thriller to life.

Choose Your Side: Cops or Robbers
Players can stake their allegiance before spinning:

Cops Mode: Smoother gameplay with frequent, consistent wins.
Robbers Mode: High-volatility action for players chasing big payouts.

Multiplier Wilds & Shootout Mechanics
Wild symbols expand to cover entire reels and grow multipliers with each step—up to x5 for Cops and x10 for Robbers. Multiple Wilds on a payline combine values for explosive wins, and landing five simultaneously triggers the 10,000x grand prize.

The Shootout mechanic dynamically drops high-value Coin symbols (Cops) or forces random winning combos (Robbers), keeping the action unpredictable.

Hold & Win Bonus and Buy Feature
During Hold & Win, cash and power-up symbols lock for three spins. Special tools like the Revolver Drum and Thompson Submachine Gun double coin values, while Coin Merge consolidates full lines for larger payouts.

The Buy Bonus menu offers direct access to three options: a Cop-themed Hold & Win for consistent returns, a Robber-themed version for high ceilings, or a guaranteed Wild spin delivering 1–5 Wilds with 10,000x win potential.

Misha Voinich, Head of Business Development at Belatra, commented:
“Cops vs Robbs is a fully customisable gambling experience where players can adjust their risk and reward. With Multiplier Wilds, Shootout mechanics, and Hold & Win bonuses, every spin has the potential to change the plot, just like the best crime thrillers.”

The post Belatra collars another hit with Cops vs Robs appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

GR8 Tech

GR8 Tech World-Cup-Ready Series: Sportsbook Upgrades to Convert Tournament Traffic Into Results

Published

13 seconds ago

April 9, 2026

Wladimir P.

gr8-tech-world-cup-ready-series:-sportsbook-upgrades-to-convert-tournament-traffic-into-results

Attracting World Cup traffic is easy, but converting that traffic into bets—and retaining those players—depends on the sportsbook experience. GR8 Tech is addressing this with a major overhaul of ULTIM8 Sportsbook, its flagship sports betting solution.

“The World Cup moves a lot of money regardless of operators,” said Dinos Doxiadis, Head of Sportsbook Business at GR8 Tech. “The challenge is retaining it. Players who can find and place bets efficiently during the group stage are the ones you keep.”

Seamless Navigation and Reduced Friction
The upgraded sportsbook separates Live and Pre-Match flows, adds dedicated Sport and Tournament Lobbies, and introduces multiple entry points to bring players directly to their desired content. This reduces friction and boosts conversion. The widget-based architecture now spans the redesigned navigation, allowing operators to manage layouts, campaigns, and featured markets without developer support—crucial during fast-moving tournaments.

Enhanced Bet Builder for Football
GR8 Tech expands Bet Builder with Corners, Cards, and Player Props for football, offering more combinations per slip. Longer sessions and more complex bets drive higher margins and deeper engagement.

Bet Booster Promotions Embedded in the Product
Odds-based promotions via Bet Booster provide boosted markets inside the sportsbook without eroding margin. Integrated with segmentation and the new navigation, the tool enhances player retention and activation while leveraging Bet Builder for maximum impact.

Sharper Odds, Controlled Margin
A dedicated Enhanced Prices market allows operators to offer competitive odds for football without impacting promotional mechanics on the standard market. This structural separation balances sharp pricing with profitability.

Ready for the Tournament
Several upgrades are already live, with the remainder rolling out before the World Cup begins. ULTIM8 Sportsbook offers operators a proven revenue stream with minimal operational overhead, making it a key tool for the year’s biggest betting window.

GR8 Tech.
GR8 Tech is an award-winning provider of sportsbook and iGaming solutions, including ULTIM8 Sportsbook, Infinite Casino Aggregation, and proprietary affiliate management via Aff.Tech. Focused on operator-first innovation, GR8 Tech has delivered measurable results in over 100 markets and was named Platform Provider of the Year at the SBC Awards 2025.

The post GR8 Tech World-Cup-Ready Series: Sportsbook Upgrades to Convert Tournament Traffic Into Results appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

1spin4win

1spin4win to exhibit and join a panel discussion at the iGaming AFRIKA Summit 2026

Published

60 minutes ago

April 9, 2026

Wladimir P.

1spin4win-to-exhibit-and-join-a-panel-discussion-at-the-igaming-afrika-summit-2026

The conference will take place from May 4 to 5, 2026, in Nairobi, Kenya. 1spin4win delegates will join over 3,500 iGaming professionals for two days of networking, trend exploration, and knowledge exchange.

The provider will attend with a branded Stand E11 showcasing its portfolio of over 200 classic slots. Designed to drive strong player retention and engagement, their games stand out for their simple, intuitive gameplay and proven mechanics, including Hold and Win, an option especially popular in Kenya. Additionally, 1spin4win titles are fully compatible with mobile devices and run smoothly even on weaker internet connections.

For the studio, the event marks another step in reinforcing its standing in the African markets by strengthening relationships with existing partners and exploring new collaboration opportunities. Among their growing network of 1,000 global clients are international brands with a strong presence in the region, such as BC.Game, 1xBet, 22bet, N1bet, and 1win.

This momentum is reflected in the company’s recent performance in Africa. In 2025, 1spin4win saw GGR surge 11.8x, while bets increased 9.2x. This growth has continued into 2026. Comparing the first three months of 2026 with the last three months of 2025, bets rose by a further 9.73%, while player numbers climbed by 8.23%.

As part of the iGA Summit, participants can join expert-led discussions on key trends shaping the future of the African iGaming market. Among the speakers will be Jaime Carvajal, Business Development Manager at 1spin4win. On the second day of the event, he will take part in a panel discussion on Best-Selling Games and Sportsbook or Casino Platforms in Africa. Jaime will share his expertise and insights into popular slot trends in the region and answer audience questions.

Another highlight of the conference is the awards ceremony on May 4, where the winners of the iGA Awards 2026 will be announced. 1spin4win is also in the running, nominated for Online Slot Supplier of the Year in recognition of excellence and innovation in the African iGaming industry.

Jaime Carvajal, Business Development Manager at 1spin4win, commented, “At 1spin4win, we’re excited to be part of one of the biggest iGaming gatherings in Africa. We look forward to reconnecting with our partners, engaging with industry peers, and showcasing our diverse classic portfolio. We believe our games, already proven across global markets, are a strong fit for Africa, meeting the needs of both players and operators.”

About 1spin4win

1spin4win is an established game provider founded in May 2021 by ambitious developers with over 15 years of experience in the gambling industry. Since its inception, the company has expanded its portfolio to include over 200 classic online slots, all characterized by quality mathematics, transparent mechanics, and well-balanced gameplay — key factors that drive strong player retention. The studio aims to release an average of four new games each month in 2026 and offers effective promotional tools for casino operators to help them enhance player loyalty.

The post 1spin4win to exhibit and join a panel discussion at the iGaming AFRIKA Summit 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.