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Opera buys owner of GameMaker and starts a Gaming division

Published

5 years ago

January 22, 2021

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Opera, the browser developer and consumer internet brand, announced its acquisition of YoYo Games, creator of the world’s leading 2D game engine, GameMaker Studio 2, for approximately $10 million. The tuck-in acquisition represents the second building block in the foundation of Opera Gaming, a new division within Opera with global ambitions and follows the creation and rapid growth of Opera’s innovative Opera GX browser, the world’s first browser built specifically for gamers.

Krystian Kolondra, EVP Browsers at Opera, said: “With Opera GX, Opera had adapted its proven, innovative browser tech platform to dramatically expand its footprint in gaming. We’re at the brink of a shift, when more and more people start not only playing, but also creating and publishing games. GameMaker Studio2 is best-in-class game development software, and lowers the barrier to entry for anyone to start making their games and offer them across a wide range of web-supported platforms, from PCs, to, mobile iOS/Android devices, to consoles.

Annette De Freitas, Head of Business Development & Strategic Partnerships, Opera Gaming, added: “Gaming is a growth area for Opera and the acquisition of YoYo Games reflects significant, sustained momentum across both of our businesses over the past year. Our new Opera GX browser hit 7 million MAUs in December, 2020, up 350% year over year, while YoYo Games’ GameMaker engine achieved 400K new registered creators in 2020. We’re tremendously excited by the opportunities the combination creates not only for our combined users, but also for the expansion of Opera’s gaming community.”

Stuart Poole, GM at YoYo Games who will remain with the business alongside technical lead Russell Kay stated, “For over twenty years, the vision behind the GameMaker engine was to not just create more games, but expand development within and beyond the game studio. We think the transaction with Opera – whose products are known, trusted and used worldwide by millions of people every month- represents a massive opportunity to accelerate fulfilment of that founding vision, during a period of exceptional growth for both companies.”

“We are very excited to start working with the team at YoYo Games,” said Krystian Kolondra, EVP Browsers at Opera. “We see the Game Maker Studio platform as being an ideal acquisition to complement our global ambitions in gaming, and to help drive awareness and traffic to our Opera GX gaming browser.”

Opera GX, YoYo Games and GameMaker will unite under Opera Gaming, focusing on innovating across the gaming, game development, and browser experience. “We look forward to further growing Opera GX and driving the growth of GameMaker as part of a broader ecosystem, making it more accessible to novice users and developing it into the world’s leading 2D game engine used by commercial studios,” continued Krystian Kolondra. “Opera Gaming will be focusing on accelerating the growth of this emerging ecosystem, combining the 7+ million highly engaged gamers using Opera GX with millions of GameMaker creators. We are also thrilled to continue realizing synergies between YoYo Games’ products and Opera GX.”

GameMakerStudio is an integrated game development software, performance-tuned 2/2.5D engine that fuels many games, including multi-million hits like Risk of Rain, Undertale, or Hyper Light Drifter on an extensive range of mainstream platforms. Starting to build games with Game Maker Studio requires little to zero coding skills. Due to its extensive functionalities and ease of use Game Maker Studio lowers the barriers to entry and empowers a variety of creative people to make their games come alive and share them with the world.

Kolondra explained further: “Performance is essential to even 2D gaming, and sustaining that performance across mobile devices and laptops as well as variable bandwidth and connectivity requires thinking outside of traditional application silos. The line between building good games and good browsers has been eroding for years – with gaming interactivity across internet connections ramping up and browsers growing more multi-function and sophisticated. Traditionally the two types of technology compete for hardware and bandwidth resources. But as Opera GX proved, there was a better way to address that competition and improve the experience across both functionalities. YoYo Games’ team, development expertise and studio relationships lay the groundwork for turning the Opera GX vertical into a new kind of horizontal. This horizontal opportunity is why we’re building Opera Gaming and its infrastructure – so that we can further integrate gaming and browsing in ways beneficial to both in terms of not only monetization, but also experience.”

BePlay

REEVO Enters into a New Partnership with BePlay

Published

22 minutes ago

July 15, 2026

Wladimir P.

reevo-enters-into-a-new-partnership-with-beplay

REEVO has entered into a new partnership with BePlay, an innovative game studio recognised for combining handcrafted design, proprietary technologies and data-driven game mechanics to deliver engaging player experiences. This collaboration further strengthens REEVO’s aggregation ecosystem, adding a portfolio of high-performing content built to maximise engagement, retention and operator success.

Through this partnership, BePlay’s portfolio is now available on the REEVO aggregation platform, giving operators seamless access to a growing collection of distinctive slot experiences through a single integration. The addition reinforces REEVO’s commitment to continuously expanding its content offering with studios that bring originality, innovation and measurable performance.

At REEVO, building a world-class aggregation platform means partnering with providers that challenge convention and deliver content that stands out. BePlay has earned a reputation for creating games powered by custom technologies, advanced mechanics and its unique SMART DATA MODE approach, helping operators deliver experiences that resonate with players and drive commercial results.

As REEVO continues to grow its global network, partnerships like this play an important role in strengthening the diversity and quality of content available through the platform. By bringing together innovative studios under one ecosystem, REEVO empowers operators with greater choice, stronger engagement opportunities and scalable growth.

Daniel Cuc, Head of Account Management at REEVO, said: “Partnering with BePlay is another exciting step for REEVO as we continue to strengthen our aggregation platform with studios that bring a fresh perspective to game development. BePlay’s focus on innovation, technology, and player engagement aligns perfectly with our vision of delivering content that creates real value for operators. We are committed to building an ecosystem where quality content and seamless distribution come together, and BePlay is a fantastic addition to that journey.”

Sam Mamedov, Business Development Manager at BePlay, said: “Reevo has always stood out to me as an aggregator with genuinely top-tier standards, both in how they run their processes and how they do business. What really sets them apart is the warmth of their team. It’s something many companies lose as they grow, but REEVO has managed to maintain that human approach while operating at the highest level. I’m genuinely happy our partnership is taking off, and I think everyone will see the results of it very soon.”

The post REEVO Enters into a New Partnership with BePlay appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Dagmar Händler

NOVOMATIC Takes a Strong Stand on Employee Health and Workplace Safety

Published

22 minutes ago

July 15, 2026

Wladimir P.

novomatic-takes-a-strong-stand-on-employee-health-and-workplace-safety

NOVOMATIC has held its annual Health Day at its Lower Austrian headquarters, underlining its consistent commitment to workplace health promotion and an attractive working environment.

The diverse range of activities focused on health, fitness and safety delighted more than 1000 employees at the 7th NOVO-Company Day at the headquarters in Gumpoldskirchen. The event is part of the “Enjoy Working With Us” initiative and underscores the international gaming technology group’s ongoing commitment to a healthy and motivated work environment.

This year’s Health Day was officially opened with a warm welcome from the entire Executive Board of the NOVOMATIC AG Group.

“The health, safety, and well-being of our employees are a central pillar of our company’s long-term success. That is why we make targeted investments in measures that promote a healthy, motivating, and supportive work environment. The NOVO-Company Day brings this commitment to life in a special way year after year and underscores the high priority NOVOMATIC places on these issues,” said Stefan Krenn, Member of the Executive Board of NOVOMATIC AG.

Dagmar Händler, Mayor of Gumpoldskirchen, said: “NOVOMATIC is a major employer and economic driver for Gumpoldskirchen as well as for the entire region. It is all the more gratifying that the company is once again sending such a clear signal this year regarding the well-being of its employees.”

The varied programme included, among other things, health screenings, blood tests, lung function tests and individual consultations on nutrition, ergonomics and smoking cessation. The offerings were complemented by various exercise and sports stations, including basketball, darts and e-bike test rides. Practical safety training sessions, such as a fire extinguisher drill and the “Coffee with Cops” event featuring police experts, rounded out the diverse programme.

The post NOVOMATIC Takes a Strong Stand on Employee Health and Workplace Safety appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

B2B

Gamingtec signs on as headline partner for Midnight Mayhem at ICE Barcelona

Published

22 minutes ago

July 15, 2026

Wladimir P.

gamingtec-signs-on-as-headline-partner-for-midnight-mayhem-at-ice-barcelona

Gamingtec has been named Headline Impact Partner of Midnight Mayhem Fight Night, a charity boxing event run by Behind The Gloves and scheduled alongside ICE Barcelona on 19 January 2027.

Behind The Gloves said the campaign is targeting €150,000 in fundraising and will follow 16 industry figures as they prepare to box.

According to the organisers, Gamingtec’s support will cover elements including a six-month training programme, event fundraising, fighter storytelling and post-event impact reporting. The partnership will also support a WBC Adaptive Boxing showcase and reporting on how proceeds are distributed to charities nominated by fighters and partners.

Sapar Karyagdyyev, Founder of Gamingtec, said: “At Gamingtec, we believe the strongest partnerships create value beyond business, so supporting Midnight Mayhem was a natural fit for us. The initiative brings together people from across our industry to raise money for important causes while highlighting the positive impact the sector can have when it comes together behind a shared goal.

“We’re proud to support Behind The Gloves as Headline Impact Partner and look forward to growing the event, amplifying its fundraising mission and celebrating the participants throughout their journey to ICE Barcelona.”

Lee McFarland, Founder of Behind The Gloves, said: “A target like €150,000 isn’t achieved through enthusiasm alone – it’s achieved through commitment. Gamingtec’s decision to become our Headline Impact Partner strengthens every part of Midnight Mayhem and gives us the platform to create an even greater impact for the charities and communities we’re supporting.

“But more importantly, it sends a message. When a company of Gamingtec’s standing backs an initiative like this, it shows what our industry can achieve when businesses come together behind a shared purpose. That’s how one fight night becomes something much bigger, and I couldn’t ask for a better partner to have in our corner.”

The post Gamingtec signs on as headline partner for Midnight Mayhem at ICE Barcelona appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.