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Blueprint Gaming set for international growth with new games studio Lucksome
Leading slot developer extends development capabilities with highly-experienced games design team
Leading slot supplier Blueprint Gaming has unveiled the industry’s newest development studio, Lucksome, which promises to bring exciting and innovative new content to the global gaming industry.
Joining Blueprint’s multi-studio strategy, Lucksome is led by a team with a collective experience of 29 years in games design from across the online, land based and social casino sectors on a worldwide market scale. The new venture has strong ambitions to deliver localised games that are built with the player in mind, as well as being packed with innovative concepts.
The Lucksome team based in Malta is headed by Bryan Upton, a games design, content strategy specialist and industry veteran, who most recently worked at NetEnt, running the company’s RNG games product development unit. He has over 14 years’ experience within the gaming industry, having previously worked for IGT, OpenBet and Inspired. The company also features former NetEnt and Yggdrasil employees Josefin Uppeke, who joins as Head of Creative and Games Designer, and Johan John, Senior Product Manager.
Lucksome is a wholly owned group company that will benefit from the distribution and reliability of Blueprint’s RGS platform. The team will work closely with Simon Thompson, one of its founders, who directs design for the group.
Simon Thompson, Director of Design at Blueprint Gaming, commented: “The Lucksome team have a strong background within the casino sector and we’re delighted to welcome them to the Blueprint family.
“With another games studio joining our portfolio, our design capabilities have elevated to a new level which will provide a strong base for us to bring fresh and engaging content to the market.”
The new studio will, in addition to online slots, be exploring other styles of games, as well as unveiling a new and innovative multi-game concept in Q1. The first games designed by Lucksome are set to be distributed through Blueprint’s RGS platform within Q2 of 2021.
Lucksome becomes the latest studio under Blueprint’s growing portfolio of games following in the footsteps of Games Warehouse, Livewire, Project, Reel Time Gaming (RTG) and Merkur Gaming. The addition of Lucksome is an important move in Blueprint’s efforts to extend its international footprint, providing operators with quality, localised content across multiple markets.
Bryan Upton, Director at Lucksome, said: We’re very excited to unveil Lucksome to the industry and to be part of the Blueprint family. Our studio’s team is highly experienced in designing great games that resonate with players in multiple regions. Coupled with the group’s prolific games development technology, I’m confident we’ll bring even more exciting and innovative content to Blueprint’s already rich portfolio.
“Building a presence in Malta is an important move for the group and shows the strong intent we have to work more closely with operators and broaden our reach.”
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Meet N1 Partners at Affiliate World Global in Dubai
N1 Partners team is attending Affiliate World Global in Dubai on 4 and 5 March 2026. The event is a major meeting point for affiliates, media buyers, and performance-driven brands, known for high-intensity networking, deal-making, and practical conversations around traffic, monetization, and scaling.
One of the key focuses will be the N1 Traffic Cups series, a year-long format of traffic tournaments running throughout 2026. The first stage, N1 SEO Traffic Cup, which is just getting started and will open the season for affiliates ready to compete, scale, and earn extra rewards.
Affiliate World Global will be the perfect moment to discuss the N1 SEO Traffic Cup in person. Attendees will be able to connect directly with the team, get the details first, and explore the best strategies for their traffic to take advantage of the tournament.
In Dubai, N1 Partners will be ready to connect with partners looking for strong brands, fast execution, and flexible deals across 10+ Tier-1 GEOs. The team will also share insights into new projects planned for 2026, upcoming launches, and key growth priorities for the year ahead.
Book a Meeting with Our Affiliate Managers
To make the most of Affiliate World Global, book a meeting with N1 Partners in advance and discuss partnership opportunities directly on-site.
Alexey Gusarov, Team Lead of Affiliates and Victoria Sokolenko, Affiliate Manager, will represent N1 Partners in Dubai and will be available throughout the event to talk about traffic strategy, deal structures, and how to join the upcoming N1 Traffic Cups.
Why Meet N1 Partners at Affiliate World Global
Affiliate World Global is the right place to explore:
- 14+ casino and sportsbook brands with Reg2Dep up to 70%
- Top deals across 10+ Tier-1 GEOs
- CPA up to €700 for high-performing traffic, RevShare up to 45% + NNCO for top partners, and hybrid models
See you in Dubai at Affiliate World Global.
About N1 Partners
N1 Partners is a multi-brand affiliate program and direct advertiser, bringing together 14+ casino and sportsbook brands with high LTV and Reg2Dep conversion rates of up to 70%. Operating successfully since 2018, the company delivers stable results and long-term value for partners worldwide.
N1 Partners offers transparent terms, flexible partnership models, and a reputation as a reliable partner. With a strong product portfolio, advanced retention system, and experienced team, N1 Partners helps partners achieve consistent earnings even in highly competitive Tier-1 markets.
Be number one with N1 Partners.
Liverpool Leads UK Sports Fans as Darts Surges with Luke Littler
New data from Flashscore highlights Liverpool as the most popular football club in the UK in 2025 while revealing darts as the fastest-growing sport among UK users.
The insights come from the annual Flashscore Yearbook, which analyzes billions of interactions across the platform’s app and website to identify trends in fan engagement, top teams, sports, events, and athletes.
Football Dominates, Liverpool on Top
Football remained the UK’s favorite sport, registering 5.9 billion views on Flashscore throughout 2025. Within the league, Liverpool emerged as the most-viewed team, accumulating over 5.3 million views, ahead of Manchester United (4.5M), Arsenal (4.3M), and Manchester City (3.2M).
Chelsea secured fifth place, while Newcastle United overtook Tottenham Hotspur, signaling a shift in fan attention and club momentum.
Notable match highlights include:
- Real Madrid vs Arsenal (Champions League) – 2.6M views
- Manchester United vs Burnley (Premier League) – 2.6M views, boosted by Bruno Fernandes’ stoppage-time winner
Darts Breaks Through with Luke Littler
Darts overtook tennis, golf, and basketball to become the UK’s second most popular sport, attracting nearly 275 million views across major tournaments.
- PDC World Championship led viewership, surpassing Premier League Darts.
- Luke Littler’s January victory over Michael van Gerwen drew 952,887 views, making it the year’s most-watched darts match.
The 19-year-old Littler emerged as the third most-viewed UK sportsperson, only behind football stars Harry Kane and Marcus Rashford, and the only non-footballer in the top 20, showcasing his role in raising darts’ profile.
Broadening Fan Interests
Charlie Ford, UK Country Manager at Flashscore, highlighted the evolving sports landscape: “The Yearbook shows that while football remains dominant, fans’ interests are expanding. Liverpool’s engagement demonstrates consistent fan loyalty, while Newcastle’s rise reflects shifting attention. Darts’ growth, fueled by Luke Littler, proves the impact a breakout star can have on a sport’s popularity.”
The data underscores a diverse fanbase increasingly engaged across multiple sports, from traditional football to rising stars in darts.
What This Means for UK Sports
- Liverpool Dominates Digital Engagement – Confirming their enduring popularity on and off the pitch.
- Newcastle’s Momentum – Smaller clubs can disrupt traditional hierarchies with key performances.
- Darts’ Growing Appeal – High-profile athletes like Littler attract younger, digitally engaged audiences.
- Fan-Centric Insights – Platforms like Flashscore reveal real-time shifts in sports popularity.
The full Flashscore Yearbook 2025 provides a detailed look at these trends, highlighting the evolving preferences of UK sports fans.
The yearbook is available at canva.com/design/DAHBMseYWyc/YYOTdS56irp1FBspX2qodQ/view?utm_content=DAHBMseYWyc&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=h844c3c447c
The post appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
award winning indie game
THE BATTLE OF POLYTOPIA CELEBRATES 10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY, CONFIRMS NEW GAMEPLAY MODE AND FEATURES ON THE WAY
The Battle of Polytopia Marks 10 Years with New Gameplay Mode and Major Updates
The Battle of Polytopia is celebrating its 10-year anniversary in 2026, as developer Midjiwan confirms a brand-new gameplay mode, additional features, and even a physical card game are on the way.
Originally launched on February 26, 2016, the award-winning strategy title has evolved from a single-player mobile passion project into a globally recognized indie success story with more than 25 million organic downloads and millions of monthly game sessions.
From Indie Passion Project to Global Strategy Hit
Created by Felix Ekenstam, founder of Midjiwan, The Battle of Polytopia began as a mobile-first strategy game inspired by classic PC and console titles but redesigned for touchscreen accessibility.
At launch, the game featured:
- iOS-only availability
- Single-player mode
- One gameplay format
- Five playable tribes
Over the past decade, the game has expanded significantly, now offering:
- Multiple unique Tribes including Cymanti
- Local and online multiplayer
- Leaderboards and weekly challenges
- Multiple game modes such as Domination
- Tribe skins and customization
- Releases on Android, Steam, Epic Games Store, and Nintendo Switch
This evolution transformed Polytopia into what Midjiwan now calls a “forever game,” emphasizing replayability, competitive play, and community-driven design.
Award-Winning Growth and Community Power
Over the last decade, Polytopia has earned industry recognition, including:
- Best Indie Developer at the Pocket Gamer Mobile Game Awards (2024)
- Best Community at the Gaming On Phone Awards (2025)
The game boasts:
- 270,000+ active fans
- 50,000+ Discord members
- 60,000+ Reddit members
The most popular tribes among players include Elyrion, Vengir, Cymanti, Kickoo, and Hoodrick, reflecting the strategic diversity that keeps the meta evolving.
From September to December 2025, Midjiwan hosted the Polytopia World Championships, a global esports event with a $10,000 prize pool and more than 10,000 participants — reinforcing the game’s competitive credibility.
10th Anniversary Celebrations Begin
To mark the milestone, Midjiwan has launched:
- A signed limited-edition 10-Year Anniversary poster via its official store
- The New Dawn Cymanti Skin on Nintendo Switch (already available on mobile)
The celebrations will continue throughout 2026, culminating in the reveal and launch of:
- A brand-new gameplay mode
- Additional in-game features
- A physical Polytopia card game
While details remain under wraps, the announcement signals continued innovation and franchise expansion beyond digital platforms.
Sustained Engagement and Replayability
Polytopia now sees:
- Millions of sessions played monthly
- Average player session times exceeding 5 hours
The game’s long-term success is widely attributed to its player-first philosophy — prioritizing creativity and community over aggressive monetization strategies.
According to studio leadership, the focus remains on quality gameplay, strategic depth, and meaningful community interaction.
Why Polytopia’s 10-Year Milestone Matters
In the mobile gaming industry — where lifecycle turnover is often rapid — sustaining a decade of organic growth is rare. Polytopia’s journey highlights several important trends:
- Mobile-First Strategy Works – Deep strategy games can thrive on mobile platforms.
- Community Drives Longevity – Strong Discord and Reddit ecosystems sustain engagement.
- Indie Studios Can Scale Globally – Award recognition and esports tournaments validate long-term viability.
- Platform Expansion Fuels Growth – Moving beyond iOS accelerated adoption and competitive legitimacy.
As Midjiwan prepares to reveal its new gameplay mode later this year, Polytopia enters its second decade positioned as one of the most resilient and community-driven mobile strategy franchises.
Similar coverage about games:
https://www.pocketgamer.com/the-battle-of-polytopia/feature-retrospective/
Pocket Gamer frequently publishes retrospectives and milestone coverage on successful mobile strategy games, including The Battle of Polytopia and other long-running indie titles.
The post THE BATTLE OF POLYTOPIA CELEBRATES 10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY, CONFIRMS NEW GAMEPLAY MODE AND FEATURES ON THE WAY appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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