Latest News

Anzu Brings In-game Ads to Animated Sci-Fi Game Virtuverse

Published

6 years ago

October 27, 2020

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Today, Anzu.io, the world’s leading in-game advertising platform, announced a new partnership with the game developers of Virtuverse, a third-person PC-based massive multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG). The deal will allow advertisers to display non-intrusive blended banner and video ads inside the animated fantasy game. Advertisers looking to connect with gamers in North and South America, Europe, and Russia will benefit the most as these are the most active regions for the game.

Virtuverse is built on the Unreal Engine which is what enables the game to have such captivating and stand-out graphics, a factor that attracts plenty of players and places the game in a premium category. Players can venture into any of the different fantasy lands, defeating monsters and collecting the spoils of war which can be traded for in-game items or exchanged for real money. While gamers, who average an unprecedented six and a half hours of playtime per session, explore futuristic worlds, they will encounter video and banner ads displayed on immersive billboards and interior screens in built-up settlements. These objects naturally fit into the futuristic game, with the ads enhancing the environment.

Since its first early access release in 2018, in addition to regularly adding new content, the development team has prioritized community building and listening to player feedback, which shows their ongoing commitment to creating a game that their dedicated fans love playing.

Virtuverse’s team is committed to keeping the game within the free-to-play model and supporting its costs through blended in-game ads. The game’s dedicated community has been vocal about supporting this monetization method, according to CEO and Founder Fin Yeates. The new partnership will contribute to what Yeates refers to as the ‘gaming economy’. Yeates said, “Virtuverse seeks to utilize Anzu to drive down costs for its players and offset operational costs with an immersive, in-game advertising system. Anzu’s the right partner for this!”

As players gravitate towards free-to-play games instead of paying around $60 per game, developers are actively looking for alternate ways to fund their businesses. In-game advertising has become a hot topic because it provides developers with a stable income stream that doesn’t rely on players paying for games. It also gives developers an opportunity to reduce the selling price of games without risking their bottom line. Anzu’s platform is the answer industry players have been waiting for. It provides gaming studios with a sustainable revenue stream, gamers with free game content, and advertisers with the ability to increase brand awareness through in-game ads that are non-disruptive and respect the gamer experience.

Anzu already works with big advertisers including Samsung and Vodafone, and gaming companies such as Ubisoft, Unfinished Pixel and Vivid Games to bring ads to games in the sports, racing, and simulation categories. With this partnership, Anzu extends its game genres to include animated fantasy, abating the doubts that industry had regarding how natural ads could look when placed in such an environment. Once again, Anzu has proved that the solution can work in any type of game content.

“Gamers won’t tolerate disruption anymore so we created a solution that works for them, game developers, and advertisers,” Anzu’s CEO and Co-founder Itamar Benedy said. “Many people were unsure of how video and banner ads could be harmoniously blended into an animated game, but we are happy to prove them wrong through our partnership with Virtuverse.”

iGaming

Inspired rolls out five soccer-themed iGaming slots across North America, UK and Malta

Published

17 minutes ago

June 2, 2026

Wladimir P.

inspired-rolls-out-five-soccer-themed-igaming-slots-across-north-america,-uk-and-malta

Inspired Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ: INSE) has launched five new soccer-themed iGaming slot titles across regulated jurisdictions in North America, plus the UK and Malta iGaming markets.

The releases are Bigger Piggy Bank Soccer, Cops ’n Robbers Bigger Big Money Soccer, Wolf It Up! Again Soccer, Kong It Up! Large Soccer and World Soccer Grand Chance. The company said the lineup adapts established game brands with soccer-themed visuals and feature sets aimed at the international soccer season.

Bigger Piggy Bank Soccer features Cash Bank and is positioned as a soccer-themed version of Bigger Piggy Bank, including its bonus wheel and “growing Piggy Bank” mechanic. Cops ’n Robbers Bigger Big Money Soccer reworks the original’s theme while retaining modifiers, a progressive Free Spins trail, and cash collection features, according to Inspired.

Wolf It Up! Again Soccer and Kong It Up! Large Soccer also feature Cash Bank, adding soccer-themed symbols, bonus wheel elements, and enhanced Free Spins opportunities, the supplier said. The fifth title, World Soccer Grand Chance, is described as a soccer reimagining of Golden Winner Grand Chance, combining collector mechanics, reel modifiers, volatility choice, and progressive-style rewards.

Claire Osborne, Managing Director of Interactive at Inspired Entertainment, said: “Soccer has an incredible ability to bring energy, excitement, and entertainment to audiences around the world, and we wanted to capture that spirit across some of our most successful game brands. Each of these titles combines themes players instantly recognise with proven mechanics including the much-loved Cash Bank, alongside engaging feature sets that we know resonate strongly across multiple markets. We’re excited to give operators a fun and timely content lineup that can help drive engagement throughout the international soccer season and beyond.”

The post Inspired rolls out five soccer-themed iGaming slots across North America, UK and Malta appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Casino Content

R. Franco Digital launches Crash Raiders grid-based crash game

Published

17 minutes ago

June 2, 2026

Wladimir P.

r.-franco-digital-launches-crash-raiders-grid-based-crash-game

R. Franco Digital has launched Crash Raiders, a new crash-style game that uses a grid format instead of traditional reels and paylines.

In Crash Raiders, players move across a grid to uncover prizes while avoiding traps that end the run. Each successful step increases the prize pot, and players can choose to cash out at any point or continue for a higher return.

The game includes four modes. Normal Mode lets players customise grid size, prizes and traps. Turbo Mode uses pre-selected routes for faster play, while Mystery and Mystery Turbo Modes apply full randomness to routes and outcomes.

Crash Raiders also adds an Extra Life mechanic that allows a player to revive once per game after hitting a trap, keeping accumulated winnings in play.

Javier Sacristán Franco, International Business Director at R. Franco Digital, said: “With Crash Raiders, we set out to create a highly engaging hybrid experience that blends strategy with high volatility gameplay. By giving players control over risk and path selection, we deliver a dynamic format that captures the excitement of every decision.”

The post R. Franco Digital launches Crash Raiders grid-based crash game appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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Kongebonus launches World Cup hub with live chat and Pick’em game

Published

17 minutes ago

June 2, 2026

Wladimir P.

kongebonus-launches-world-cup-hub-with-live-chat-and-pick’em-game

Kongebonus has launched a dedicated World Cup hub aimed at Norwegian football fans, adding a live discussion and prediction layer to its betting and tournament coverage. The company said the page will go live 1st of June ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Kongebonus positions the hub as the “home of the second screen”, combining live chat, free-to-play prediction games, live match information and curated tournament content. The live chat will be moderated by the Kongebonus team and tied into the site’s Pick’em competition.

The free-to-enter Pick’em predictor game runs throughout the tournament. Kongebonus said users can submit three predictions per game day and track results via a live leaderboard, with top performers receiving winner badges.

Additional features listed for the hub include live in-game updates, upcoming fixtures, local Norwegian broadcast information, weather updates for matches, curated World Cup news coverage and a promotions section highlighting selected offers and boosted odds from partners.

David Nilsen, Editor-in-Chief at Kongebonus, said: “The World Cup is about more than just watching football, it is about reacting together and feeling part of the wider conversation. With many matches taking place at late-night or unusual hours for Norwegian fans, we wanted to create a second-screen hub that keeps that shared experience alive.

“The live chat is at the heart of the page, giving fans a place to follow the action, share opinions and connect with the wider Kongebonus community throughout the tournament.”

The post Kongebonus launches World Cup hub with live chat and Pick’em game appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.