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“World Class Games” is the Theme of Gamescom 2023

Published

3 years ago

July 13, 2023

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Reading Time: 2 minutes

Video games connect some 3 billion people worldwide. People play together across all borders, share stories and adventures. Games have long since become a world culture medium, shaping whole generations around the globe. The games industry is not only setting the cultural trends, but also the technological trends, for example in virtual reality, 3D technologies or artificial intelligence. Games innovations are defining more and more industries. This outstanding cultural and technological importance of games makes them world class.

“As the world’s largest games event, gamescom brings together the global video games community and industry. Every year at the end of August, Germany is the heart of gaming. This is even more true for this year. However, it must be our aim to ensure that the international games industry does not just look to Germany once a year, but also during the rest of the year. In order for games from Germany to be world class, we need the reliable support of politics. That’s why I’m very pleased that numerous major politicians will visit gamescom again this year to talk about the right way forward,” said Felix Falk, Managing Director of game – The German Games Industry Association and co-organiser of gamescom.

Gamescom Trend: “Upgrade for reality”

Whether it’s Artificial Intelligence or the Metaverse: The expertise of the gaming industry is becoming crucial for more and more sectors of the economy. The best example of this is AI. Everyone is currently talking about it because of chatbots, but it has already been used successfully in the games industry for many years: Within video games, to enable believable behaviour of the game characters, in development, to create entire galaxies or to be able to detect errors in a complex code. The 3D technologies used to create games have also made it possible to replace entire movie sets or modernise education programmes.

Gamescom Trend: “Games studios are the new dream factories”

Video games tell the epic stories of our time. This requires teams of highly creative people. Their expertise – whether in programming, interface design or the creation of story universes – is in demand across all sectors of the economy. Anyone who wants to inspire people around the world with stories today should start in the gaming industry. After all, games are not only played all over the world, but they are also understood everywhere.

Major Political Figures Attending Gamescom

Not only the international games community and industry meet at gamescom in Cologne, but also more and more politicians from Germany, Europe and the rest of the world. With the gamescom congress, the Political Opening and the Debatt(l)e Royale, there are multiple political events. This year, the official Political Opening of gamescom on 23 August will be attended by, among others, Vice Chancellor and Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action Robert Habeck and Hendrik Wüst, Minister President of North Rhine-Westphalia. The political talk Debatt(l)e Royale will follow on 24 August. Participants will include Franziska Giffey (SPD Berlin Senator for Economic Affairs, Energy and Industry and SPD state party chair), Nathanael Liminski (Minister for Federal, European and International Affairs and the Media of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia and Head of the State Chancellery), Emily Büning (Federal Executive Director, Bündnis 90/Die Grünen) and Bijan Djir-Sarai (Secretary General, FDP). As part of the gamescom congress, Lisa Paus, Federal Minister for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth, will also take part in a discussion on the contemporary protection of minors in games.

eSports

Esports Foundation names Faker Game Ambassador for EWC and ENC through 2028

Published

10 hours ago

July 15, 2026

Wladimir P.

esports-foundation-names-faker-game-ambassador-for-ewc-and-enc-through-2028

Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok joins Cristiano Ronaldo and Magnus Carlsen in the Esports Foundation’s Ambassador Program.

The Esports Foundation (EF) has appointed Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok as a Game Ambassador for the Esports World Cup (EWC) and Esports Nations Cup (ENC) through 2028, the organization said on July 15, 2026 in a statement issued from Riyadh and Paris.

EF said Faker joins Cristiano Ronaldo, listed as the Foundation’s Global Ambassador, and Magnus Carlsen as part of the Esports Foundation Ambassador Program. The Foundation said Faker will represent “the perspective of esports players” across its international events, athlete initiatives, media engagements and leadership forums.

“You can’t talk about esports without mentioning Faker. He is the defining athlete of competitive gaming: a champion whose excellence, discipline and longevity have inspired an entire generation,” said Ralf Reichert, Chief Executive Officer of the Esports Foundation. “As our Game Ambassador, Faker represents something fundamental to the Ambassador Program: esports creates its own global sporting icons. Across EWC, ENC and NGSC, he will help ensure that the players who built this sport have a voice in shaping where it goes next.”

Faker said: “Competition has shaped my life, and I am proud to join the Esports Foundation as Game Ambassador. I want to continue competing for the biggest titles with T1 while representing the players and fans who have helped esports grow worldwide. Through the Esports World Cup, Esports Nations Cup and the Foundation’s wider platforms, I hope to inspire the next generation to pursue excellence, remain resilient and believe in how far competitive gaming can take them. There is still much more to achieve.”

EF highlighted Faker’s competitive record, describing him as a six-time League of Legends World Champion, EWC 2024 winner, two-time MSI champion and ten-time domestic champion with T1. The Foundation also said Faker became the first esports athlete to receive the Blue Dragon Medal in 2026, describing it as the Republic of Korea’s highest sporting honor awarded by President Lee Jae-myung.

The post Esports Foundation names Faker Game Ambassador for EWC and ENC through 2028 appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Brand Partnerships

Midnite signs as Middlesbrough FC principal partner for 2026/27 season

Published

17 hours ago

July 15, 2026

Wladimir P.

midnite-signs-as-middlesbrough-fc-principal-partner-for-2026/27-season

Midnite has agreed a partnership with Middlesbrough FC that will see the UK bookmaker become the club’s principal partner and front-of-shirt sponsor for the 2026/27 campaign, which Middlesbrough describes as its landmark 150th season.

The companies announced the deal alongside a fan activation at Riverside Stadium on Thursday, July 9, branded “This Season’s On Us”. The initiative offered supporters prizes including 2026/27 season tickets, 2026/27 shirts, match tickets, or a £25 club shop voucher, with fans required to answer Middlesbrough trivia and complete a football challenge.

Middlesbrough former players Craig Hignett and David Wheater attended the event, and, according to the company, took bonus attempts on behalf of participants who missed out.

Andrew Mook, Midnite’s Head of Brand Marketing, said:

“Middlesbrough have a storied history and we’re delighted to announce this partnership during such a monumental year with the club celebrating their 150th anniversary.

“It was great to see so many Middlesbrough fans at the “This Season’s On Us” activation, we hope they enjoyed taking part and meeting club legends, with David Wheater hitting top bins on several occasions and allowing fans to win big with season tickets.

“We can’t wait to get to Riverside Stadium in August to kick-off a new season and we’re excited to say that we have plenty of new and captivating campaigns planned.”

Lee Fryett, Middlesbrough FC Chief Commercial Officer, added:

“We’re delighted to welcome Midnite as our new Principal Partner.

“We’re looking forward to working closely with Midnite to develop engaging campaigns, content and unique experiences that bring our fans even closer to the club.

“We’re confident this partnership will provide real value for our supporters while supporting our ambitions both on and off the pitch.”

The post Midnite signs as Middlesbrough FC principal partner for 2026/27 season appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

AGCO

ThrillTech secures AGCO supplier licence for Ontario launch

Published

17 hours ago

July 15, 2026

Wladimir P.

thrilltech-secures-agco-supplier-licence-for-ontario-launch

ThrillTech has been awarded a Gaming-Related Supplier licence by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), clearing the company to launch in Ontario’s regulated market.

The licence allows ThrillTech to deploy its opt-in side bet jackpots technology with regulated online casino, sports betting and lottery operators across the province.

Benjamin Bradtke, Co-Founder of ThrillTech, said: “Securing our AGCO licence is a major step in our mission to transform how jackpots are delivered at scale across regulated markets. This latest certification is testament to our robust technology and trusted compliance frameworks, allowing us to continue our global growth trajectory. We are thrilled to bring our proven, compliant jackpot technology to Ontario, empowering locally licensed operators to uplift revenue without cannibalising existing spend.”

The company said its “ThrillPots” mechanics sit as an independent, player-funded side bet and do not alter the underlying game’s return-to-player mathematics.

ThrillTech said the Ontario approval enables its existing multinational partners that also operate in the province to launch its side bet jackpots locally, while it also holds talks with potential new operator partners. The company lists its regulated footprint as including the United Kingdom, Sweden, the Netherlands, Romania, Malta, Gibraltar, Brazil and Peru.

The post ThrillTech secures AGCO supplier licence for Ontario launch appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.