Latest News
Opera buys owner of GameMaker and starts a Gaming division
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.”
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Games Global
Games Global and Nailed It! Games launch Raging Gods: Olympus 2 POWER COMBO
Greek mythology slot sequel adds new modifiers and keeps a 5,000x maximum win
Games Global, working with exclusive studio partner Nailed It! Games, has released Raging Gods: Olympus 2 POWER COMBO
, a Greek mythology-themed slot sequel. The title uses a 5×3 reel layout with 20 paylines and features a maximum win potential of 5,000x, according to the companies.
The game builds on the original with an expanded POWER COMBO
bonus game and new feature modifiers. Games Global said the new additions include Prize Double, which multiplies all Prize Symbol values on the board by 2x, and the Power Symbol, which upgrades individual prize values as spins continue.
The POWER COMBO
bonus game can be unlocked by any bonus symbol, with all symbols that land on the feature-activating spin awarding their respective modifiers. Returning mechanics include Prize Booster (increasing Prize Symbol values by up to 5x), Extra Collect (gathering all visible cash values without removing symbols), and Instant Jackpot (awarding one of four fixed jackpots).
A SUPER collection can also open access to the POWER COMBO
feature, activating two or more mechanics at the same time once completed. During the feature, Jackpot Gem Symbols contribute towards four fixed jackpots — Mini at 10x, Minor at 20x, Major at 200x and Mega at 5,000x — with multiple jackpots available within a single round.
Paweł Piotrowski, Co-Founder at Nailed It! Games, said: “Raging Gods: Olympus 2 POWER COMBO
builds on the original by giving the POWER COMBO
bonus game more flexibility.
“Adding Prize Double and Power Symbol allowed us to expand how features combine, which brings more variation to each round.”
David Reynolds, Director of Games Strategy and Partner Management at Games Global, said: “With Raging Gods: Olympus 2 POWER COMBO
, Nailed It! Games have taken a well-performing concept and pushed it further – adding depth, energy, and new ways for players to engage.
“It’s a clear step up for the series and reinforces the strength of this theme within the Games Global portfolio.”
The post Games Global and Nailed It! Games launch Raging Gods: Olympus 2 POWER COMBO appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Conferences
Blokotech and Evoverse sign on as presenting sponsors for iGaming Real Talk at BiS SiGMA South America
Blokotech and Evoverse have joined as presenting sponsors of iGaming Real Talk’s content series recorded live at BiS SiGMA South America in Brazil.
According to iGaming Real Talk, the Brazil edition follows its AIBC Eurasia Dubai coverage and focuses on the LatAm iGaming market “especially since the market was regulated.” The partnership covers the full series, which iGaming Real Talk said delivered 11 in-depth interviews and more than 30 short-form video clips filmed on the expo floor.
The series includes interviews with executives and founders, including Heathcliff Farrugia (SiGMA World), Miranda Guliashvili (SOFTSWISS) and Dominic Sawyer (TEQUITY), among others.
Surya Palli, Founder of iGaming Real Talk, said: “BiS SiGMA South America has quickly become a key meeting point for the LatAm iGaming ecosystem. Partnering with Blokotech and Evoverse allows us to scale the reach of these conversations and continue building a platform that showcases real insights from across the industry.”
iGaming Real Talk said the Brazil edition is part of its “Real Roadshow 2026” content plan and is positioned around the region’s post-regulation market evolution.
The post Blokotech and Evoverse sign on as presenting sponsors for iGaming Real Talk at BiS SiGMA South America appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
game-mechanics
Microgaming rolls out Link & Merge mechanic with three-slot launch on 29 April
Microgaming is launching a new slot mechanic, Link & Merge, on 29 April via the simultaneous release of three titles: Almighty Zeus Wilds Link&Merge, Lucky Twins Wilds Link&Merge and 123 Soccer Link&Merge.
The Link&Merge feature is positioned as a variation on Hold & Spin-style gameplay. When five or more adjacent Coin symbols land, they link and merge into a single higher-value symbol. The merge then triggers one of three bonus outcomes: Jackpot, Multiply or Spread, with the potential for additional Coin symbols to land and create further merges.
Microgaming is pairing the mechanic with three themes at launch: Almighty Zeus Wilds Link&Merge, Lucky Twins Wilds Link&Merge and 123 Soccer Link&Merge. The supplier said each title uses the Link&Merge bonus within a shared core framework that includes cluster wins, Wild Meter progression, Free Spins and Multiplier Trail functionality.
A Microgaming spokesperson said: “Link&Merge gives us a mechanic with real forward momentum. Each merge has the potential to change the shape of the feature, open up new opportunities and keep the round moving in a way that feels both familiar and fresh. By launching three games around it simultaneously, we are able to give the mechanic a much bigger stage from day one and show the range it can bring to the Microgaming portfolio.”
The post Microgaming rolls out Link & Merge mechanic with three-slot launch on 29 April appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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