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Opera GX becomes the world’s first browser with dynamic background music

Published

5 years ago

September 16, 2020

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Opera GX, the world’s first browser designed for people who love PC gaming, is releasing a major new feature still unknown to other browsers: adaptive background music. The new functionality aims to bring an immersive sound experience known from gaming to web browsing.

Opera GX initially launched in 2019 with sound effects designed by the acclaimed composer Ruben Rincón and the Berlinist band, known for the Bafta-nominated soundtrack to Gris. The same team is responsible for the new dynamic background music in Opera GX.

“We are excited to finally reveal the entire concept we’ve had in mind: We wanted to give our browser the immersive sound experience known from games, where a perfectly-composed soundtrack lets you focus more, forget about any worries and boosts your overall experience by adapting to the task at hand. I believe we have succeeded,” said Maciej Kocemba, product Director of Opera GX.

The dynamic background music in Opera GX is an ambient downtempo that boosts the users’ focus. It intensifies whenever users are actively browsing the web, clicking on links or typing, and becomes less dramatic and calmer whenever they become less active. It is aimed to disappear into the background but to also be missed once it’s gone.

The background music as well as all browser sound effects can be individually toggled on and off in the browser’s setting in the Browser sounds section.

GX Composer Award at Game Music Festival 2020

“We see the initial background music as just a start and would like to provide more options to our users in the future. Just as there are fans of different game genres, people love different types of background music. That’s why we want to give more game score composers the opportunity to present their music to millions of Opera GX users around the globe,” added Maciej Kocemba.

To make this vision a reality, Opera GX has partnered with the international Game Music Festival and sponsored its annual GMF 2020 High Score Competition, where music score composers can compete for cash prizes and to have their music featured in Opera GX by winning the GX Composer 2020 title. The competition opens on Sept. 16 2020.

Twitter now built into the Opera GX sidebar

With native integration of Twitch, Discord, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger and Instagram in the sidebar, Opera GX makes it easy to stay on top of conversations with friends, as well as with developing online trends and streams. This set of integrated messengers has now been extended with built-in Twitter in the sidebar, a feature Opera GX adopted from the main Opera browser.

Opera GX

Opera GX launched in June 2019 during the E3 Gaming Expo in Los Angeles. The browser distinguishes itself with unique features tailored to the tastes and needs of gamers. Along with numerous color customization options, Razer Chroma support and a gaming-inspired design, it includes CPU, RAM and Network Bandwidth limiters that make the browser less resource-hungry and leave more of the computer’s resources for gaming. The browser also includes a Hot Tabs Killer feature, which lets users “kill” the most resource draining tabs.

Opera GX has grown 183% year-to-date and now reaches over 4 million monthly active gamers. The browser has won two leading design awards: the Red Dot Design Award 2019 as well as the IF Design Award 2020.

About Opera:

Opera is a global web innovator. Opera’s browsers, news products and fintech solutions are the trusted choice of more than 380 million people worldwide. Opera is headquartered in Oslo, Norway and listed on the NASDAQ stock exchange (OPRA).

gross gaming revenue

Groupe Partouche Publishes its Consolidated Turnover for the First Quarter of Fiscal Year 2026

Published

53 minutes ago

March 16, 2026

Wladimir P.

groupe-partouche-publishes-its-consolidated-turnover-for-the-first-quarter-of-fiscal-year-2026

Groupe Partouche has published its consolidated turnover for the 1st quarter of fiscal year 2026 (November 2025 to January 2026).

The Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) totalled €189.0M at 2026 1st quarter compared to €182.9M a year earlier, up by +3.4%.

In France, the 1st quarter 2026 GGR increased by +2.2 % to €166.4M compared to €162.8M a year earlier, driven by all forms of gaming: +0.5 % for slot machines, +3.1 % for non-electronic table games and +11.8 % for electronic forms of gaming.

Abroad, the GGR is up +12.3 % compared to the 2025 1st quarter, at €22.6M, compared to €20.1M in N-1. The GGR of Swiss online games continues to grow reaching €8.1M (+23.6% over one year).

At a constant scope of consolidation, excluding the acquisition of Casino Partouche Cannes 50 Croisette that took place on 28th February 2025 together with the opening of Casino Cotonou (Benin) on 28th January 2025, GGR increased by 1.1 % at €185.0M (compared to €182.9M in 1st quarter 2025).

In total, after levies, Net Gaming Revenue (NGR) increases by +3.2 % to €105.5M in 1st quarter of 2026 (compared to €102.2M in Q1 2025).

The 1st quarter 2026 turnover reached a satisfactory increase of + 3.5 % over the year, reaching €130.8M compared to €126.4M a year earlier. This includes casinos turnover for €122.1M (+3.8 %), hotels for €6.4M (-1.4 %) and other activities for €2.3M (+1.7 %).

Furthermore, the city of Berck-sur-Mer has taken possession of the casino building, in the context of ongoing asset-protection litigation.

At the Annual General Meeting to approve the financial accounts for 2025 fiscal year, to be held on Wednesday 25th March at 10:00 a.m., shareholders will be able to vote on the distribution of a dividend of 12,033,793 € (i.e. €1.25 per share). Said dividend will be paid no later than 31st July 2026.

The post Groupe Partouche Publishes its Consolidated Turnover for the First Quarter of Fiscal Year 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

CULT.

Pragmatic Play Earns a Spot in Cult’s Inner Circle

Published

53 minutes ago

March 16, 2026

Wladimir P.

pragmatic-play-earns-a-spot-in-cult’s-inner-circle

Pragmatic Play, a top content provider for the iGaming sector, has launched CULT., allowing players to discover winnings of up to 10,000x via potent multiplier wilds.

Loyal adherents congregate around their wise leader on the 5×4 grid, where aligning five symbols on a payline can yield base game victories of up to 20x, and multiplier wilds reaching 100x can enhance winnings.

Obtaining 3-5 all-seeing eye scatter symbols activates the bonus game, granting an initial 10-20 free spins. In this feature, multiplier wilds that help create winning combinations are accumulated into a total multiplier, enhancing all following wins that involve a multiplier wild.

In certain markets, unique wagers allow players to personalize their gaming experience, with a 5x Ante Bet enhancing the chances of triggering free spins and a 10x Super Spin ensuring a multiplier wild on each spin.

Two bonus purchases offer instant access to either Free Spins or Super Free Spins, with the latter enhancing the probability of landing a multiplier wild on each spin.

CULT. indicates a fresh thematic shift for Pragmatic Play’s premium collection, succeeding the recent launch of the mining-themed slot Rolling in Treasures and the arcade game Spire+.

Sharon McHugh, Director of Public Relations at Pragmatic Play, said: “There is a growing appetite for more unconventional themes in iGaming. CULT. leans into that trend with a bold theme and exciting gameplay, delivering special bets, multiplier wilds, and 10,000x win potential for the initiated.”

The post Pragmatic Play Earns a Spot in Cult’s Inner Circle appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

BETBY

BETBY Expands E-Sim Portfolio with Three Industry-First Titles: eHockey, eMMA and eTeqball

Published

53 minutes ago

March 16, 2026

Wladimir P.

betby-expands-e-sim-portfolio-with-three-industry-first-titles:-ehockey,-emma-and-eteqball

Tier 1 sportsbook supplier BETBY has expanded its proprietary esports feed, Betby.Games, with the launch of three industry-first e-sim titles: eHockey, eMMA and eTeqball. The new releases further strengthen BETBY’s high-frequency betting content portfolio, introducing new sports verticals while continuing to deliver fast-paced, always-on content designed to maximise engagement for operators and players worldwide.

Each of the new titles debuts as a first-of-its-kind esports simulation in the betting industry, reinforcing BETBY’s reputation as a pioneer in developing original betting content.

eHockey launches with four tournaments representing the NHL’s divisions: Atlantic, Metropolitan, Central, and Pacific. Each match follows a format of three periods lasting three minutes each, delivering uninterrupted action with no stoppages. Designed to replicate the intensity of real hockey, the title offers 15+ betting markets and is expected to generate over 11,000 matches per month, ensuring a constant flow of high-frequency betting opportunities. Arriving just ahead of the Stanley Cup playoffs next month, the new title allows hockey fans to stay immersed in the sport 24/7, extending engagement beyond real-world fixtures.

eMMA introduces a fast-paced combat sports experience featuring two tournaments: UFC Legends and UFC Women Legends, where some of the sport’s most iconic fighters face off in simulated matchups. By bringing together well-known names from MMA history, the title creates an instantly familiar environment for fans and bettors alike. The format focuses on quick fights, with each matchup consisting of a single round lasting around one to two minutes on average. Events begin every five minutes, ensuring continuous action throughout the day. Betting markets focus on the fight winner, creating a simple yet highly engaging wagering experience. Combined, the two tournaments are expected to deliver around 15,000 events per month.

Completing the trio is eTeqball, which introduces a brand-new sport to the Betby.Games portfolio. Combining elements of football and table tennis, the rapidly growing discipline brings a unique dynamic to esports simulations. The title launches with the TQX Cup Hungary – Double Mixed tournament, generating around 1800 matches per month. Each match consists of two games played up to 12 points, with over 20 betting markets available.

Kirill Nekrasov, Head of Innovation & R&D at BETBY, said: “Creating original content has always been at the core of the Betby.Games vision. With Hockey, MMA, and Teqball, we’re introducing three industry-first titles that further diversify our portfolio and bring new experiences to esports betting. Each of these games offers fast gameplay, clear betting mechanics, and a constant stream of events, helping operators keep players engaged 24/7.”

The post BETBY Expands E-Sim Portfolio with Three Industry-First Titles: eHockey, eMMA and eTeqball appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.