Industry News
Yggdrasil and Black Cow strike strategic global game engine partnership
GDK platform integrated with Yggdrasil’s GATI to power YG Masters program allowing studios and game developers a rapid route to global markets
Yggdrasil has partnered with Black Cow in a deal that will see the open architecture specialists integrate its GDK platform into Yggdrasil’s new GATI solution – the power behind its successful YG Masters Program – enabling global and local studios and game developer partners with instant access to game engines and a rapid route to new markets.
The partnership is the first GDK partner for Yggdrasil’s new Publishing division, launched in January 2020, offering customers ‘the keys to its kingdom’enabling partners to cost effectively and with a short TTM (time to market) accelerate their business strategies, and revenue growth ambitions.
Black Cow will build game engines for best-of-breed studios who join the YG Masters program. They will achieve this by integrating their Games Development Kit (GDK) platform into Yggdrasil’s new Game Adaptation, Tools and Interface (GATI) solution.
Once complete, studios and game developers who were previously unable to deliver their own game engines, will have the fastest and most efficient route to building and distributing content via YG Masters.
The collaboration also means that Black Cow’s existing studio partners can quickly and easily become YG Masters partners, seamlessly porting their games and benefitting from wide distribution and industry leading marketing tools.
The original YGS Masters program has been significantly upgraded with the introduction of Yggdrasil’s GATI, a disruptor to the existing iGaming industry and part of the new Yggdrasil Publishing value proposition.
GATI is a preconfigured, regulation-ready content development toolkit that powers YG Masters, enabling studios and game developers to use a standardised technology solution to develop and distribute games anywhere in the world. This means partners can source, build and distribute content and crucially accelerate global reach, finding new ways to increase revenues.
Using GATI, YG Masters partners will be free to build game engines in any way, language or method with Black Cow’s proven GDK acting as one conduit for delivery should game studios want that support.
As part of its new strategic approach, Yggdrasil is franchising its entire business, from current and future content and industry-leading gamification to its advanced platform technology and new GATI product. This will enable partners to instantly create their own unique, end-to-end iGaming offering supported by, and in partnership with, Yggdrasil Publishing.
The roll out of the YG Franchise model will see strategic partners located in significant markets building games for their players that can also be sold back for global distribution via YG Masters at a stroke opening instant B2B opportunities. Franchise partners, thanks to the nature of standardised architecture and consistent game frameworks (GATI), will also be able to select games to offer their players from the YG Masters program. This is Decentralised Aggregation, a game-changing disruptive force that has the potential to revolutionise the content supply chain and business growth drivers.
The current three core value propositions for the Publishing arm are: YG Franchise (platform IP licensing) YG Masters (game development and distribution program), and YG Game IP (game IP licensing).
Stuart McCarthy, Head of Partner Strategy & Sourcing at Yggdrasil, said: “I’m delighted to be able to announce our partnership with Black Cow. Our revolutionary GATI solution allows studios and game developers to build directly onto our platform, thus benefitting from our global distribution, promotional tools and regulated market adaptors while taking control of their roadmap and retaining complete protection of their IP.
“By adding Black Cow’s proven gold standard GDK technology for studios looking for game engine build we believe we have created the perfect go-to solution for any game studio looking to quickly, efficiently and securely get their games to market.”
Tony Plaskow, Commercial Director at Black Cow Technology, said: “Black Cow is honoured and excited to be partnering with Yggdrasil in its new Publishing venture. By integrating our GDK into GATI we provide an efficient and rapid way for prominent game developers to build and distribute their games into Publishing’s valuable universe.”
The American Gaming Association (AGA) announced the Gaming Hall of Fame Class of 2026, recognizing four individuals whose careers have profoundly shaped the legal gaming industry:
• Holly Gagnon, Board Member, Bragg Gaming Group
• Bill G. Lance, Jr., Secretary of State, Chickasaw Nation
• Scott Olive, Principal & Founder, HRG Studios
• Timothy J. “Tim” Wilmott, Retired Chief Executive Officer, PENN Entertainment
“The Gaming Hall of Fame recognizes the individuals whose vision, innovation, and dedication have helped shape today’s legal gaming industry. Holly, Bill, Scott, and Tim have each left a lasting mark through decades of service and leadership. Their contributions have set a high standard for those who follow,” said AGA President and CEO Bill Miller.
“This year’s inductees reflect the remarkable breadth of the gaming industry – from commercial and tribal gaming operators to suppliers. Each of them has helped advance gaming in significant ways, and we’re proud to welcome them to the Gaming Hall of Fame,” said AGA Chairman Lou Jacobs.
Since 1989, the Gaming Hall of Fame has celebrated the achievements of industry legends who have driven the commercial and tribal gaming industry forward. The Class of 2026 will be formally inducted at an invitation-only ceremony during the Global Gaming Expo (G2E) in Las Vegas this fall.
This year’s selection committee members include:
• Eric Schippers, SVP, Public Affairs & Government Relations, PENN Entertainment Inc.
• Mark Fulton, President, Cherokee Nation Entertainment
• Trevor Croker, CEO & Managing Director, Aristocrat Technologies
• Sherri Sosa, SVP, Human Resources, Hard Rock Las Vegas Hotel & Casino
• Mark Lipparelli, Chairman Emeritus, International Center for Responsible Gaming
• Kirsten Clark, Executive Director, IAGA
• Siobhan Lane, Executive Vice President & Chief Executive Officer, Gaming, Light & Wonder; Chair, Global Gaming Women
• Dr. Brett Abarbanel, Executive Director, UNLV International Gaming Institute
• Lou Jacobs, Co-CEO, Delaware North; Chairman, AGA
About the 2026 Inductees:
Holly Gagnon, Board Member, Bragg Gaming Group
Holly began her 34-year gaming career on the opening team of Foxwoods Resort Casino in 1992, at the birth of modern tribal gaming in America. She went on to hold senior financial and operational roles at Caesars Entertainment and MGM Resorts International before serving as President and CEO of Pearl River Resort, CEO of Chumash Enterprises for the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, and CEO of Seneca Gaming Corporation for the Seneca Nation of Indians. Named NAFOA Executive of the Year in 2016, Gagnon is a recognized champion of tribal economic development. As a founding member of Global Gaming Women and Distinguished Fellow at the UNLV International Gaming Institute, she has helped develop more than 300 gaming executives. She currently serves as a board member of Bragg Gaming Group.
Bill G. Lance, Jr., Secretary of State, Chickasaw Nation
Bill has served the Chickasaw Nation for decades in senior leadership roles spanning commerce, healthcare, and governance. As Secretary of Commerce for more than thirteen years, he oversaw more than 60 gaming, hospitality, retail, media, manufacturing, and tourism businesses employing approximately 7000 people. He also served as Administrator of the Chickasaw Nation Health System, overseeing construction of the 370,000-square-foot Chickasaw Nation Medical Center in Ada, Oklahoma. Lance currently serves as Secretary of State, representing the Chickasaw Nation in civic, business, and governance capacities.
Scott Olive, Principal & Founder, HRG Studios
Scott is one of the most influential game designers in the history of the slot machine industry. His career spans more than three decades, beginning at Aristocrat Gaming in 1997, where he helped drive the adoption of penny and Australian-style slots in U.S. gaming markets. After co-founding True Blue Gaming in 2007, Olive established HRG Studios in 2012, where he went on to create some of the most commercially successful slot titles ever produced.
Timothy J. “Tim” Wilmott, Retired Chief Executive Officer, PENN Entertainment
Tim spent more than three decades as one of the gaming industry’s most respected operational leaders. He served as Chief Executive Officer of Penn National Gaming from 2013 until his retirement in 2019, having previously served as President and Chief Operating Officer from 2008 to 2013. Before joining Penn National, Wilmott served as Chief Operating Officer of Harrah’s Entertainment and Division President of its Eastern Division, holding a series of leadership positions at Harrah’s properties dating back to 1988.
The post AGA Announces Gaming Hall of Fame Class of 2026 appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
The operator-facing series runs 29 June to 13 September and uses Mystery Drop and Mystery Multiplier Drop mechanics.
Wazdan will launch a summer-long Network Promotion series for partner casinos, running from 29th June to 13th September. The campaign is structured in three stages with breaks between each phase.
The promotion will use Wazdan’s Mystery Drop
and Mystery Multiplier Drop mechanics. The supplier said the programme is designed to be easy for operators to activate and will be supported with marketing materials, including promotional assets, brochures and newsletter content for partners to use across their own channels.
Alongside the promotion, Wazdan has a summer content roadmap with three slot releases scheduled: Mighty Hot: Amazonia (30th June), Magic Fruit$: Cherries (30th July) and Mighty Crown: Empire of Gold (6th August).
Radka Bacheva, Head of Sales and Business Development at Wazdan, said: “Summer presents a valuable opportunity for operators to keep engagement levels high, and this promotion has been designed to deliver exactly that through Wazdan’s proven promotional tools.
“Combined with our upcoming game releases, we are excited to offer partners a strong seasonal campaign with plenty of player appeal.”
The post Wazdan schedules three-stage Network Promotion campaign for summer appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
ICONIC21 has rolled out three limited-edition Football Cup-branded casino games and launched its first network tournament, ICONIC Showdown Football Cup, running from 9th of July to 19th of July.
The new titles are Football Cup Roulette, Football Cup Blackjack 360, and Football Cup Gravity Blackjack. ICONIC21 said the releases showcase different customisation approaches, including green screen production for the roulette environment and an updated visual rebrand for its RNG blackjack table.
For Football Cup Gravity Blackjack, ICONIC21 said it used its latest LED technology and applied the Gravity Series multiplier mechanic, with a custom felt, a football gate, and bespoke 3D-printed decorations.
Alongside the three new games, ICONIC21 pointed to its previously launched slot Soccer World Championship, plus The Kickoff and Top Card, which it said received football-season branding and UI/UX updates.
The ICONIC Showdown Football Cup tournament covers 11 games in total and is positioned around the quarter finals, semi-finals and final period. ICONIC21 said 1,000 winners will share a €50,000 prize pool, and operators can enroll via their account manager or by contacting the company directly.
Edvardas Sadovskis, Chief Product Officer at ICONIC21, said:
“What I’m most proud of with this project is the turnaround. We built three fully branded, technically distinct games, enhanced existing ones with promotional branding, and launched our first-ever network tournament around them, all timed to coincide with peak player interest and traffic.
That kind of speed doesn’t happen by accident, it reflects how this team works. ICONIC Showdown is a meaningful first step for us as a provider, and launching it during the Football Cup, with this much energy around the game, feels like the right way to do it. We’re genuinely excited to see how the leaderboard shapes up and even more excited for the finals.”
The post ICONIC21 launches Football Cup-branded casino games and debut network tournament appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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