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The world’s first and only dedicated gaming browser, Opera GX, reaches level 2 with a major new release that includes built-in Discord support

Published

6 years ago

June 19, 2020

Reading Time: 4 minutes

Opera GX, the world’s first gaming browser, is introducing new features including Discord support and a Hot tabs killer. It can also force brightly-designed pages to become dark to stop that nighttime glare.

Opera believes that the more than one billion PC gamers around the world deserve a browsing experience tailored to their needs
Opera GX remains the only web browser made specifically for people who love and play video games and experienced a 121% growth in monthly users since end of 2019
Opera GX is upgrading to Level 2 with major updates including the new native Discord support and a “killer” of the most resource-hungry tabs. The browser can also force web pages to become dark should you want that
Opera GX already includes CPU, RAM and Network limiters, as well as Twitch, Facebook Messenger, Instagram, and WhatsApp integration
The browser will host a 1st birthday livestream on Twitch with SypherPK

With 1.3 billion PC gamers around the world and the gaming industry surpassing the movie and music business in revenue, Opera GX [NASDAQ: OPRA] remains the only PC browser designed with gamers’ needs and tastes in mind. The browser has an array of useful features including Twitch integration, as well as CPU, RAM and network bandwidth limiters. Today, Opera GX is getting a major birthday update which introduces built-in Discord support, as well as the Hot Tabs Killer feature, which lets gamers see which tabs are overwhelming their computer and easily close them.

Why every gamer should give Opera GX a try

Opera GX was launched in June 2019 during the E3 gaming expo in Los Angeles. One year later, the gaming industry has grown even more relevant. As events were canceled and restaurants, cinemas and other sources of entertainment closed, an increasing number of people turned to gaming to participate in virtual mass events such as Travis Scott’s concerts in Fortnite – watched in real time by 27 million people. Meanwhile others hosted birthday parties and even weddings in Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Still others turned to Discord for remote teaching. Games and virtual reality are now more than ever an extension of our everyday lives as they provide the necessary meeting spaces that might otherwise be unavailable.

With native integration of Twitch, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Instagram and now Discord in the sidebar, Opera GX makes it easy to stay on top of conversations with online friends as well as with developing online trends and streams.

Built-in Discord support

”
Our users have been asking for native Discord support in the browser so here it is. Everyone can now more easily connect with their community on any topic they want,” said Maciej Kocemba, the creator of Opera GX and product director at Opera.

As the majority of our lives moved online, Discord developed from being the go-to place for gaming-related topics to covering any topic and even became a platform that allowed schools to host online classes.

With this step, Opera GX is not only integrating the feature but also entering the Discord community to discuss the browser as well as gaming with its fans. For the Opera GX Discord server, click here.

Hot tabs killer

For the tab hoarders among us, Opera GX has a new useful feature called Hot Tabs Killer which lets you identify the most resource-draining tabs and slash them with a sword to make sure the browser doesn’t overburden your PC or laptop.

Turn any brightly designed page dark

Opera GX was designed to be dark and not blind you while browsing. With its new Force Dark Pages feature, it brings that experience to any web page, even if the page was designed as glaring bright. The feature injects its own changes to a site’s styles to turn bright backgrounds dark, making sure that users aren’t blinded by web pages. This feature is currently in beta and has to be explicitly switched on.

The only browser to limit the amount of CPU, RAM and network bandwidth it uses

Opera GX comes with a set of features which have been tweaked to the specific needs of people who love computer games. The browser is the only one to take care of the way the browser affects the functioning of the entire machine: Opera GX allows users to make it less resource-hungry by setting a limit to the amount of CPU and RAM used by the browser, as well as to the network bandwidth.

Users can also adjust the highlight colors of the browser, which is integrated with Razer Chroma, and will match the highlight colors of the peripherals to the colors of the browser. The browser also includes Video pop-out, a feature which lets people display online videos on top of other webpages and even on top of a game for some gameplay support.

Opera GX users can adjust elements such as the hovering style of icons or the browser sounds, designed with the award-winning composer Rubén Rincón and the band Berlinist. The sounds can be individually enabled/disabled and while they do sound great on speakers, Opera GX has recently joined the Better with Headphones club.

Apart from its unique features, Opera GX also has all the features known from the main Opera browser. These include a free built-in browser VPN, ad blocker, as well as Workspaces – a tool for better tab grouping according to topic.

GX Corner: a gateway to free games, deals, gaming news and new releases

Opera GX includes the GX Corner, a portal within the browser which is a one-stop source for gaming news. The GX Corner includes a game-release calendar as well as a deals and free gamers aggregator which lets GX users know first about GTA V being offered for free and other deals. The free games section is particularly popular among GX users.

“Whether you’re a hardcore gamer or a casual one, Opera GX is a great entryway to everything gaming-related. It will display your favorite gaming news and deals. It also looks and sounds great and will make your browser use as few resources as possible allowing for your games to run smoothly,” added Maciej Kocemba.

The creators of Opera GX, notably from the Norwegian browser firm Opera, have been competing in the browser space with the likes of Microsoft, Google and Firefox and have already won two design awards for GX: the iF Design Award and the Red Dot award.

Birthday stream coming up on June 19

To celebrate its birthday with the community of 3.5 million people who actively use Opera GX each month, the browser will be moving up to Level 2 and hosting a birthday party stream on Twitch on Sypher PK’s channel at 17:00 CEST (11 AM ET) on June 19. The stream will be accompanied by a discussion on Opera’s discord server.

In early July, the browser will reveal the results of its first worldwide gamer survey, in which 200 thousand people have revealed secrets about their gaming habits, the games they like and even the drinks they hydrate with while gaming.

Belatra Games

From ‘Mummyverse’ to Crash Games: Belatra Reviews a Landmark 2025

Published

5 days ago

December 23, 2025

Wladimir P.

from-‘mummyverse’-to-crash-games:-belatra-reviews-a-landmark-2025

Editor’s Take

Why this matters: Belatra has been a steady hand in the slots world for a long time, but 2025 marked a distinct shift in strategy. By entering the Crash vertical with Goose Boom Bang and winning big at SiGMA Africa, the studio is clearly pivoting to capture the high-growth, high-frequency players in emerging markets. They are no longer just a “classic slots” developer; they are diversifying the portfolio to ensure relevance in regions like LatAm and Africa.

The Full Story

Belatra Games, the specialist online slots developer, has issued a strategic review of its 2025 operations, celebrating a 12-month period defined by entry into new game verticals, significant franchise expansion, and high-profile industry recognition.

The year was characterized by a dual strategy: deepening engagement in established markets while aggressively expanding its content portfolio to suit local preferences in emerging territories.

Portfolio Evolution: Crash and Battles 2025 saw Belatra move beyond its traditional slot roots. The company made its debut in the high-demand Crash game vertical with the launch of Goose Boom Bang, a title designed to tap into the fast-paced gameplay preference of younger demographics.

Additionally, the studio introduced a fresh game concept with the launch of Battles, a new format unveiled for the first time in 2025, with further development planned for 2026.

The ‘Mummyverse’ Expands For fans of classic slots, the highlight of the year was the aggressive expansion of the Mummyverse. Belatra nearly doubled the size of this franchise over the year, making it the most extensive game universe in their entire catalog.

The developer also focused on B2B localization, releasing a number of exclusive bespoke games created specifically for selected operator partners to meet specific local market tastes.

Awards and Recognition The company’s strategic shifts were validated by industry accolades. Belatra secured over 30 nominations throughout the year, with standout wins including:

Best Slot Provider (awarded by BitStarz).
Most Played Game of 2025 for Make It Gold at the SiGMA Africa Awards.
Player’s Pick Award.

Management Commentary Misha Voinich, Head of Business Development at Belatra, commented on the studio’s momentum:

“This year has truly defined who we are as a studio – ambitious, creative and focused on building long-term partnerships. We’ve expanded our universes, launched new ones and entered exciting new markets that will all help us carry this momentum into the New Year.”

The post From ‘Mummyverse’ to Crash Games: Belatra Reviews a Landmark 2025 appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.

BMM Testlabs

‘Chaos and Soul’: Ebaka Games Plots Global Expansion After Viral Launch

Published

5 days ago

December 23, 2025

Wladimir P.

‘chaos-and-soul’:-ebaka-games-plots-global-expansion-after-viral-launch

Editor’s Take

Why this matters: The “Instant Game” vertical (Crash, Plinko, Mines) is becoming crowded, but Ebaka Games is cutting through the noise with a distinct brand personality. By securing BMM Testlabs certification so quickly after launch, they are signaling to Tier 1 operators that despite their “chaotic” marketing vibe, the math underneath is solid and compliant. The backing of industry veteran Dmitry Belianin also adds immediate commercial credibility to the startup.

The Full Story

Ebaka Games, the fledgling studio that promises to bring “chaos and soul” to the iGaming sector, has outlined an aggressive growth strategy for 2026 following a landmark launch period in late 2025.

The studio, which officially debuted in November, reports that its initial rollout reached more than five million people worldwide. The launch saw its portfolio go live with the operator Menace, serving as the initial testbed for its mechanics and “Ebaka modes.”

The Product: Instant Games with Personality Ebaka is bypassing traditional slots to focus on the high-growth vertical of fast-paced, instant-win games. Their initial lineup includes:

Plinko
Mines
Tower
Limbo
Crash

Differentiation is achieved through unique mascots and signature gameplay tweaks designed to offer high win potential and distinct visual identities, moving away from the generic interfaces often found in this genre.

Regulatory Milestone Crucially for its 2026 roadmap, Ebaka Games has confirmed it has secured certification from BMM Testlabs. This accreditation validates the fairness and integrity of its RNG (Random Number Generator) and game engines, removing a major barrier to entry for regulated markets. With this certification in hand, the studio plans to launch with a number of “major brands” in the coming year.

Management Commentary Vitalii Zalievskyi, CEO of Ebaka Games, commented on the studio’s unorthodox approach:

“It’s only been a few weeks since we first introduced Ebaka Games to the world. The feedback has been breathtaking, and it vindicates the decision for us to take a different path to the rest of the industry. You don’t need huge marketing budgets to grab people’s attention if you are building something truly innovative.”

Industry Backing The studio describes itself as being “created by players for players” but boasts significant industry firepower in its corner. The team includes Dmitry Belianin, a well-known figure in the sector who is the co-founder of Blask and Menace, as well as Managing Partner at Already Media.

The post ‘Chaos and Soul’: Ebaka Games Plots Global Expansion After Viral Launch appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.

ARC

Racing Meets Nightlife: SBK Backs ARC’s New ‘Friday Night Live’ Series

Published

5 days ago

December 23, 2025

Wladimir P.

racing-meets-nightlife:-sbk-backs-arc’s-new-‘friday-night-live’-series

Editor’s Take

Why this matters: British racing has a well-documented demographic problem; its core audience is aging. “Friday Night Live” is a direct attempt to fix this by blending high-stakes racing with the “experience economy” (DJs, nightlife vibes) that appeals to Gen Z and Millennials. Bringing SBK on board—a mobile-first, app-only sportsbook—is a perfect demographic fit, while the Racing Post adds the necessary credibility to ensure the actual racing product remains the focus.

The Full Story

Arena Racing Company (ARC) has unveiled the strategic commercial lineup for its upcoming Friday Night Live series, confirming SBK as the Exclusive Betting Partner and The Racing Post as the Official Media Partner.

Set to launch in January 2026, Friday Night Live is a new initiative created in collaboration with youth-focused events company INVADES. The series is designed to overhaul the traditional race day experience, featuring fast-paced fixtures under floodlights, DJ sets, and significant entertainment elements sandwiched between races.

The Commercial Deal

SBK: As the exclusive betting partner, the Smarkets-owned sportsbook will take naming rights and on-course branding for all 35 races. Crucially, these races will be broadcast live on mainstream television via ITV Racing as well as Sky Sports Research.
The Racing Post: As the Official Media Partner, the publication will provide content, coverage, and promotion across its digital platforms, aiming to bridge the gap between established racing purists and the new audience ARC hopes to attract.

A High-Stakes Experiment The series is not just a marketing exercise; it carries serious sporting weight. Each of the five scheduled nights will feature over £200,000 in prize money. The fixtures will rotate across three of ARC’s all-weather tracks: Wolverhampton, Newcastle, and Southwell.

Management Commentary David Leyden Dunbar, Group Director of Commercial Strategy at ARC, was clear about the target audience:

“We have been very clear that one of the aims of Friday Night Live is to engage the next generation of racing fans… Both [partners] have shown real enthusiasm to work with us… as well as using the platform that these fixtures will offer them to also engage with more established racing and sports fans.”

Adam Baylis, Marketing Director at SBK, added:

“Friday Night Live [is] a fresh and engaging concept that brings a new energy to British racing. SBK has always been built around sport… our focus is on enhancing the live race day experience in a fun, social and responsible way.”

The 2026 Schedule The series kicks off immediately in the new year: