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gamescom 2023: Gamecity Hamburg presents five games at the Indie Arena Booth
Hamburg, August 10: From August 23 to 27, gamescom, the world’s largest trade fair for video games, throws open its doors in Cologne. Through its Road to gamescom program, the location initiative Gamecity Hamburg enables five indie studios from Hamburg to participate in the Indie Arena Booth, the largest collaborative developer booth worldwide. The teams will present their games to gamescom visitors, potential business partners and the press. Numerous other companies from Hamburg will also be present at gamescom to showcase their projects, make contacts and benefit from the trade fair’s unique network of professionals for the further marketing of their game.
“With our “Road to gamescom” program we take five studios to gamescom in order to present their games to publishers, partners and consumers. All games were or are part of our funding programs: the Gamecity Hamburg Prototype Funding and our Games Lift Incubator,” states Dennis Schoubye, Head of Gamecity Hamburg”, says Dennis Schoubye, Head of Gamecity Hamburg. Gamecity Hamburg will feature some of the most promising game projects from Hamburg at its dedicated booth at the Indie Arena Booth in Hall 10.2 in the area F010g – E011g.
Gamecity Hamburg presents these six studios and games at the Indie Arena Booth:
- About Cannons + Sparrows with “About Cannons & Sparrows”: In this physics-based sidescroller with puzzle elements, players take on the role of a small cannon hatched from an egg that rolls through a forest with different platforms and branches, glides on wind streams or catapults itself forward with targeted shots.
- Crumbling Games with “Crumbling”: In this virtual reality game, the controller itself becomes an action figure in the player’s own hands, fighting against a wide variety of toy monsters in lovingly crafted dioramas.
- DrownTown with “Light of Atlantis”: This 2D puzzle metroidvania received the young talent award “Best Prototype” at the Deutscher Computerspielpreis 2023 (German Computer Game Award 2023) and impressed the jury with its clever interpretation of a jump ‘n’ run that embraces the element water. The water influences the movement of your robot as well as the behavior of the enemies, changes the environment and is the dynamic core mechanic of the game. Only by controlling the water to solve puzzles can players discover the secrets of Atlantis.
- Radioactive Dreams with “Turbo Shell”: This fast-paced 2D platformer doesn’t require jumping! Instead, players use a unique movement tool to navigate a brave egg through various levels full of obstacles and traps. By pushing and pulling the egg within a certain radius, a dynamic gameplay experience is achieved in which you should never touch the ground.
- Symmetry Break Studio with Misgiven: In this narrative 2D adventure with science fiction elements, players explore a city shrouded in toxic fog. We all know this situation: Speaking out about some things can be really hard. In this game’s unique dialog system, certain emotional states open up different ways of reacting. Since all the inhabitants wear masks, communication is even more difficult, but it is the key to unraveling this hostile environment.
All projects received funding from Gamecity Hamburg. About Cannons & Sparrows received fundings from the Games Lift Incubator, while Light of Atlantis and Turbo Shell were part of the Prototype Funding. The games Crumbling and Misgiven were able to secure funding from both the Games Lift Incubator and Prototype Funding at various stages of development.
More information and visuals on the games:
Companies from Hamburg showcase at gamescom 2023
Other companies from Hamburg’s games industry will also be at gamescom 2023 to present new releases or take the opportunity to initiate new business partnerships. For example, Daedalic Entertainment will be available for press and business contacts in the B2B area at the “game” booth, and they will present the couch co-op game “Wild Woods” by Octofox Games in the B2C area at the Indie Arena Booth (Wild Woods already received prototype funding from Gamecity Hamburg in 2020).
Even more Hamburg studios will be part of the Indie Arena Booth: Osmotic Studios will be showing the latest version of their game “Closer the Distance”, while Mooneye Studios will be exhibiting “Smushi Come Home”, “Farewell North” and “Lost Ember”. In addition, the Hamburg gaming internet station Rocket Beans TV will accompany gamescom with numerous live broadcasts from its booth in Hall 6.
Gamecity Hamburg: Diverse support programs for Hamburg’s games industry
In addition to programs such as “Road to gamescom 2023”, Gamecity Hamburg, financed by the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, boosts the local games industry with other tailor-made support programs: In the Games Lift Incubator, game developers and founders receive intensive coaching and mentoring from international industry experts in addition to financial support. With the Prototype Funding, Gamecity Hamburg supports the development of game prototypes in Hamburg with up to 120,000 euros per project.
Detailed background information on Hamburg as a games location and on the Gamecity Hamburg location initiative:
All information about Gamecity Hamburg and our activities can also be found on our website https://www.gamecity-hamburg.de/.
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Midnite appoints Alex Henderson as VP of Compliance to drive commitment to ‘doing things right’
Fast-growing UK sportsbook and casino Midnite has further bolstered its team with the appointment of Alex Henderson as VP of Compliance.
Henderson joins Midnite with significant experience across compliance, regulatory affairs and operational risk within the gambling sector. He has worked with established operators, law enforcement agencies and advisory firms, bringing a balanced understanding of commercial and compliance challenges.
The addition of Henderson is the latest key addition for Midnite, after the appointment of Zach Amin as Vice-President of Sportsbook and Andrew Mook as Head of Brand Marketing – with both joining from Flutter.
Henderson’s role will involve overseeing regulatory compliance, enhancing internal processes, and supporting Midnite’s continued focus on safer gambling and operational integrity under its UK licence.
He said: “I’m genuinely excited to be joining Midnite at such an exciting time in our growth story. Everyone I’ve met so far has been welcoming and clearly driven by a real passion for what they’re building. There’s a strong sense of ambition matched by a real commitment to doing things right.”
Midnite’s sportsbook was launched in 2018 by Nick Wright and Daniel Qu, who previously created daily fantasy sports platform Dribble in partnership with Sky Bet. In April, Midnite announced an investment of about £7.7m to help fuel its growth ambitions. The company has subsequently secured high-profile sponsorship partnerships with the World Snooker Championship, Southampton Football Club and Sheffield United Football Club.
The brand is focused on disrupting the UK betting market, prioritising the player experience with a slick website and app and a brand platform designed to speak to a new generation of players.
Wright said: “We’re building Midnite to be the most exciting betting brand in the UK but also the most trusted and that means taking compliance seriously. Alex brings heavyweight experience and the mindset we value – sharp, pragmatic and unafraid to raise the bar. His appointment is in keeping the standards we expect and the culture we’re creating.”
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EurAsia
Groove Technologies Partners with “Azərlotereya” OJSC to Revolutionise Digital Gaming Experience
Groove Technologies, a leading global iGaming platform and game aggregation solutions provider, today announced a landmark partnership with “Azərlotereya” OJSC, the official lottery organizer, iGaming and sports betting operator in Azerbaijan.
This collaboration will leverage Groove’s cutting-edge gaming platform and proven technological reliability to deliver an unparalleled digital experience to players across Azerbaijan.
With a vast portfolio of over 15,000+ games from over 150 top-tier providers and a robust, scalable infrastructure, Groove’s platform ensures seamless performance, security, and innovation.
The partnership will introduce “Azərlotereya” players to a new era of immersive gaming, powered by Groove’s industry-leading payment solutions, real-time analytics, and player engagement tools.
Rachel Tourgeman, Head of Partnerships at Groove Technologies, stated: “This partnership is a testament to Groove’s ability to deliver world-class gaming technology at scale. “Azərlotereya” recognised our platform’s unmatched reliability and depth of content, key factors in providing players with a premium, frictionless experience. Together, we’re setting a new standard for digital lottery entertainment.”
“Azərlotereya” OJSC added: “Our mission is to bring innovation and trust to “Azərlotereya” gaming landscape, and Groove’s proven platform aligns with that vision. Their technology’s stability and expansive game library allow us to elevate our offerings while maintaining the high standards of security and compliance. This partnership marks a major leap forward for our digital transformation.”
Groove’s platform is engineered for high-traffic environments, ensuring zero downtime and lightning-fast transactions, a critical advantage for “Azərlotereya” OJSC’s growing player base. The integration also includes advanced responsible gaming features, reinforcing both companies’ commitment to safe and sustainable play.
Trusted by partners worldwide, Groove turns complexity into competitive advantage. With a commitment to transparency and player satisfaction, “Azərlotereya” continues to pioneer the future of gaming in the region.
Yahale Meltzer, Co-Founder and COO of Groove Technologies, concluded: “At Groove, we don’t just power gaming platforms, we power possibilities. Collaborating with a forward-thinking partner like “Azərlotereya” allows us to demonstrate how technology can redefine an industry. This is just the beginning of a partnership that will drive innovation, engagement, and growth for years to come.”
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- Co-investment by ZEAL and French lottery operator FDJ UNITED Ventures
- Strategic partnership drives industry innovation and growth
ZEAL Network SE, Germany’s leading provider of online lotteries, is investing in the innovative Swedish iLottery and iBingo specialist Random State, alongside FDJ UNITED Ventures, FDJ UNITED’s startup investment fund. With this co-investment, both partners reaffirm their commitment to advancing the global lottery industry.
Random State develops modern, digital instant lottery and bingo formats characterized by creative game design and a consistent focus on user experience. Notable clients include The UAE Lottery, the first regulated lottery in the United Arab Emirates and Delta Bingo Online, the digital arm of the Canadian gambling operator Delta Bingo & Gaming.
Investment creates value for all parties
The investment will enable Random State to strategically expand its sales and marketing activities and accelerate the development of new games – supporting the company’s continued growth trajectory. ZEAL, in turn, gains not only valuable insights into new game formats and mechanics but also benefits from the commercial partnership opportunities that come with the investment. This move is part of the strategic goal of ZEAL Ventures, the venture investment department of ZEAL, to actively shape the future of lottery and infuse innovation into ZEAL’s product portfolio.
The partnership with FDJ UNITED Ventures also highlights the increasing collaboration among leading European lottery operators, united by a shared ambition to bring fresh momentum to a modern and future-ready lottery landscape.
Driving the future of the industry together
“With Random State, we are investing into innovation in the iLottery sector,” says Juliane Gutsmiedl, Investment Manager at ZEAL Ventures. “The team impresses with creative game design and a deep understanding of diverse user preferences – providing us with valuable impulses for the development of our own portfolio.”
“Our vision is to reimagine the lottery – digital, user-centric, and globally connected,” said Mattias Westholm, CEO of Random State. “With ZEAL Ventures and FDJ UNITED Ventures, we’ve found strong, strategically-minded partners who share this ambition. This investment allows us to accelerate our innovation pipeline and expand into new markets and customer segments.”
The post ZEAL invests in Swedish iLottery specialist Random State appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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