Latest News
Social Chain-owned GameByte launches first publisher-led e-commerce brand
The move makes GameByte the only social publisher in the world to own every step of the consumer journey.
The GameByte shop will stock over 1000 products including video games, next-gen consoles and gaming accessories
A proprietary e-commerce platform will provide media buyers with total transparency and insight
84% of GameByte’s surveyed followers* said they want to buy with GameByte
Manchester-based GameByte, the gaming brand owned by global social agency and publishing house, Social Chain, is venturing into e-commerce with the launch of The GameByte shop.
On November 9, GameByte’s audience of more than 6 million gamers will be introduced to over 1000 products including merchandise, gaming accessories, hardware, next-gen consoles and games. The shop will act as an extension of the GameByte website GameByte.com, which hosts its gaming news coverage and features.
Gaming enthusiasts will be able to buy directly from the store or purchase through social by simply clicking on one of GameByte’s Facebook videos, which average more than 25 million views every month.
GameByte’s mantra, ‘by gamers for gamers’, takes centre stage in the creation and launch of the shop, which was ideated based on a survey put to its audience that saw 84% of GameByte’s audience express a desire to buy with GameByte.
GameByte’s head, Rich White, said: “This isn’t just the next generation of GameByte, it’s the next gen of games media. Though it’s never been done before, we’re in the perfect position to launch a gaming e-commerce platform. We know our audience inside-out.”
The same survey found that one-third of gamers discover new brands on social media, emphasising the role that GameByte’s social following will play in the success of the shop.
Four-year-old GameByte has grown until this point by creating fan-centric original content and coverage for household gaming brands like Frontier and Logitech. In a first for games media, the GameByte brand will now become the client, using its tried-and-tested content strategy to market its own products as well as that of its clients.
The GameByte Shop will also act as ad inventory for clients, media buyers and affiliates, who will have the chance to tap into a market of an estimated 2.6 billion active gamers worldwide, a figure that is set to increase by 5% in 2021 to 2.725 billion.
While this is unprecedented in gaming, the move is reminiscent of the beauty brand Glossier’s strategy. Glossier first began as a publisher, Into The Gloss, and soon turned its editorial audience into paying customers, relying on their insight to create smash-hit products.
GameByte, of course, will benefit from the resources of parent company Social Chain, which will assist in content creation across editorial, social-first video and display ads, to promotional posts, performance marketing, driving traffic and customer acquisition.
Social Chain’s business development director, Sam Barrett, added: “We’re already a trusted source of gaming news and entertainment. Now with our proprietary e-commerce platform, we can provide a seamless purchase journey for both our community and for the world’s leading gaming companies, by owning every step involved to help them reach their customers.”
The shop is a natural next step for GameByte, but also hints at the upward trajectory that social commerce is on, with companies like Social Chain at the forefront. What’s more, it promises to demonstrate the power of community and social-first savvy in generating revenue for both the brand and its partners.
*These figures are based on a survey of 1,569 gamers from the GameByte community.
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Ebaka Games
Ebaka Games secures first aggregator partner with Hub88 deal
Ebaka Games has taken a major step in its growth journey by securing its first aggregator partnership with Hub88, officially ending its period of exclusivity with menace.com and opening up to new commercial opportunities.
The new agreement will see Hub88’s network of operators among the first to access Ebaka Games’ distinctive portfolio, known for its original mechanics and bold approach to instant-play gaming.
Through seamless integration via the Hub88 API, partner operators can quickly onboard Ebaka’s full suite of instant games. The portfolio is designed to stand out, featuring dynamic gameplay, striking visuals, proprietary Ebaka game modes, high-volatility mechanics, and generous multipliers. The studio’s focus is firmly on delivering instant entertainment and driving strong player engagement.
Commenting on the partnership, Ebaka Games CEO Vitalii Zalievskyi said:
“It is time to bring Ebaka Games’ genuinely thrilling content to players around the world, and partnering with Hub88 is an important step as we scale our operations. We’re excited that operators can now integrate our games so easily, and we look forward to building a strong, long-term partnership with Hub88 as we expand globally.”
The Hub88 deal marks the first phase of Ebaka Games’ wider distribution strategy. The studio has confirmed that additional partnerships are already in the pipeline, with its content set to roll out across major operators and leading aggregators in the near future.
The post Ebaka Games secures first aggregator partner with Hub88 deal appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Latest News
QTech Games Partners with PEA Gaming to Roll Out More Premium Weightless Games
QTech Games, the top game distributor in all emerging markets, has sustained the momentum in its 2026 pipeline, attributed to its recent agreement with the up-and-coming supplier of weightless games, PEA Gaming.
Lighter than light, this weightless category features games that are under 1% the size of conventional light games. Importantly, PEA Gaming provides the sole games that are entirely compatible on various devices, ranging from basic feature phones to advanced smartphones.
Incorporating offerings from the most imaginative and cutting-edge “weightless games” supplier further enhances QTech Games’ expanding platform, which brings the broadest selection of online games to new markets, featuring both renowned brands and the industry’s most thrilling emerging developers.
The games offered to its partners include well-known favorites and new titles, such as Penalty, Roulette, Hilo, Tusks & Tails, and Target, all of which are supported by robust mathematical modeling and easy, recognizable gameplay.
Participants in developing markets frequently face technological obstacles to participation, including limitations in handset quality, limited access to high-speed networks, or elevated data expenses. Consequently, PEA Gaming’s games are tailored for this particular segment, aiming to address these challenges while maintaining a high-quality product. The agreement further expands PEA Gaming’s global presence, opening up previously inaccessible regions from Africa to Latin America for varied development.
Philip Doftvik, QTech Games’ CEO, said: “PEA Gaming is injecting a prized weightless specialism into the sector, particularly in emerging markets where network connectivity can encounter serious challenges. We’re integrating more and more “weightless” games for markets like Africa to overcome those ongoing data/network obstacles without sacrificing the delivery of high-quality product.
“PEA Gaming’s keystone is developing easily intelligible and engaging games for all – prioritizing performance wherever you set your scene on the map. These games are indicative of our strategy to bring more agile entertainment options to the QTech Games platform for our partners worldwide.”
Permi Jhooti, CEO of PEA Gaming, added: “We’ve created a new space of weightless games that finally provide an immersive gaming experience to all users, regardless of device and bandwidth limitations. Partnering with QTech represents a fantastic opportunity to strengthen our product distribution across emerging territories and deliver our great games to a range of top-tier partners.
“That’s why we design every game with emerging market players in mind: those facing real-world challenges like basic handsets, slow networks, and expensive data. Our games are purpose-built for this audience, tackling these limitations head-on while still delivering a high-quality, seamless experience. Our approach is simple: create fun, rewarding games without the excess — and it works. By stripping out all the fluff, our games are a mind-blowing 2,000 times smaller than many so-called “light” games, making costly data usage a thing of the past.
“Above all, this collaboration marks a significant step forward for PEA Gaming’s growth strategy in untapped territories like Africa and Latin America where our games will doubtless prove popular since they work everywhere, even in regions where low-end devices and limited network speed are prevalent.”
The post QTech Games Partners with PEA Gaming to Roll Out More Premium Weightless Games appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Bala Ganesan
John Connelly Steps Down as Interblock CEO
Interblock, the global leader in luxury gaming products, announced that John Connelly has stepped down from his role as Chief Executive Officer. The Board of Directors has appointed Bala Ganesan, Interblock’s former interim Chief Operating Officer and a Managing Director at Oaktree Capital Management, to serve as interim CEO while a comprehensive search is conducted for a permanent successor. Oaktree-advised investment funds own a majority of the equity interests in Interblock.
“On behalf of the Board and the entire Interblock team, we thank John for his many years of service. Under his guidance, Interblock experienced significant growth driven by a clear vision and entrepreneurial execution. As the Company enters its next phase of growth and innovation, the Board is focused on building a world-class, scalable operating platform and ensuring Interblock is led by the right executive to capitalize on emerging opportunities and sustain its strong growth trajectory,” said David Quick, Interblock Board member.
Mr. Ganesan brings extensive executive leadership and business transformation experience through his role as a Managing Director on the Portfolio Transformation team at Oaktree. He joined Oaktree in 2017 from Yum! Brands, where he led major growth initiatives and the operational and digital transformation of Taco Bell. Previously, Mr. Ganesan led corporate and business strategy, commercial growth, and turnaround initiatives at Kimberly-Clark Corporation and Mattel, Inc. He also served as a senior leader in McKinsey & Company’s operational transformation practice, advising Fortune 500 companies across the consumer, technology, manufacturing, medical devices, energy, and financial services sectors. Mr. Ganesan acted as the Company’s interim Chief Operating Officer from 2024 to 2025.
“Interblock is exceptionally well positioned for continued growth, underpinned by a talented team, industry-leading innovation, and strong customer partnerships. I am honored to support the Company during this transition and remain focused on serving our customers and partners,” said Mr. Ganesan.
Mr. Quick added: “We are fortunate to have Bala step in as interim CEO at this important time. During his tenure as interim COO, Bala demonstrated outstanding leadership, operational expertise, and a deep understanding of our business and industry. The Board has full confidence in his ability to guide Interblock through this transition and ensure we continue to deliver value to our customers and partners.”
The Board has engaged an executive search firm to identify Interblock’s next permanent CEO. During this period, Interblock remains fully committed to advancing its strategic priorities and delivering the high-quality products and services that define the Interblock brand.
The post John Connelly Steps Down as Interblock CEO appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
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