Latest News

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.”

Latest News

CoinPoker Debuts New App with Rake Free Poker, Signs Abby Merk and Papo MC

Published

15 minutes ago

March 10, 2026

Master Editor

Online poker site CoinPoker launched a new software client and mobile app in March 2026 alongside rake-free poker games and the signing of new sponsored players.

Joining the site’s ambassador team – already including some of the top names in poker, such as three-time Triton Series champion Mario Mosböck and WSOP Online main event champion Benjamin ‘Bencb’ Rolle – are Abby Merk and Alejandro ‘Papo MC’ Lococo.

https://x.com/CoinPoker_OFF/status/2030009912424849452

United States pro Abigail ‘Abby Poker’ Merk is an award-winning poker content creator from Chicago, ranked among the top female players in Illinois. With a background in volunteering, tutoring, and mentorship, Abby has also trained women in leadership skills and strategic thinking through the game of poker.

Freestyle rapper Papo MC has over $15 million in live tournament earnings – the #2 ranked player in Argentina behind Nacho Barbero – and a World Series of Poker bracelet.

Other household names of poker, such as Jean-Robert Bellande, Faraz Jaka, Mariano, YoH ViraL, Nik Airball, and Brantzen Wong have also recently announced partnerships with CoinPoker.

https://x.com/mariomosboeck/status/2030247270378020932

Rake-Free Poker Games

Throughout March, CoinPoker is hosting rake-free poker games – players receive all cash game rake and tournament fees back daily, in the form of various promotions. In the first half of the month, players can potentially earn 100% flat rakeback credited to their accounts at 08:00 UTC each day.

In the second half of March, CoinPoker is returning all rake to players in the form of Splash Pot cash drops, CoinRaces leaderboards, and a Level Up Series of tournaments with boosted prizepools and refunded buy-ins – making for free poker tournaments until March 31.

Level Up Series

The Level Up tournament series debuts the site’s new multi-day tournaments and features such as bubble protection, blind rollback, final table deals and more. These events run alongside the site’s regular freerolls and MTTs, with added value in the prizepool and a full rebate on the rake.

That free poker event made headlines on PokerStrategy, and the 100% rakeback promotion was featured on Esports Insider.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/BKGIzgG3_Jo (embedded video)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKGIzgG3_Jo

Following its new software rollout, CoinPoker has also been rated among the best poker apps by the likes of Card Player Magazine and Gambling Insider and seen record traffic, rivalling the likes of GGPoker with over 7,000 players online for launch day.

The new poker app and desktop client include in-built player stats powered by PokerIntel, new games like PLO6, All in or Fold, and Bomb Pot formats, and new features like EV cashouts, Interactive Emojis, and Throwables at the tables. No Limit Hold’em, Pot Limit Omaha and PLO5 are also available, now with an improved lobby and table interface.

Throughout March, all of its poker games are essentially free to play to debut the new software, and its welcome bonus offer of 150% up to $2000 also returns in April onwards.

About CoinPoker

CoinPoker is an online poker site available for download on Windows, Mac, iOS or Android, alongside an in-browser web client for free poker on mobile.

The platform’s tournaments and cash games are played in stablecoin Tether (USDT). Other major cryptocurrencies are also accepted such as Bitcoin, Ethereum and USDC, and 25+ countries can also deposit by bank transfer.

Alongside free poker action against real opponents around the world, the site also has an attached crypto casino and sportsbook.

Website: https://coinpoker.com/

Contact

Coinpoker

[email protected]

GR8 Tech

GR8 Tech and Ready to Fight Launch The Champions Club Drop—A Limited 3-Piece Capsule

Published

34 minutes ago

March 10, 2026

Wladimir P.

gr8-tech-and-ready-to-fight-launch-the-champions-club-drop—a-limited-3-piece-capsule

GR8 Tech and Ready to Fight unveil The Champions Club limited drop, a focused 3-piece capsule that captures the collaboration in its most refined form. Available now, this exclusive release is limited to a single production run with no restock planned.

The Champions Club capsule centers on three essentials: a heavyweight hoodie engineered for comfort and presence, paired with two distinctive tees, each interpreting the collaboration’s visual language in its own way. Together, the trio makes a bold statement—minimal in count, maximal in design intent. Built for movement. Worn with purpose. Recognized instantly.

This drop continues the creative partnership between GR8 Tech and Oleksandr Usyk’s Ready to Fight platform, rooted in the shared belief that performance is a culture, not a campaign. Every detail—from material selection to finishing—reflects that standard. The Champions Club isn’t for everyone; it’s a badge for those who embrace the mindset and wear it proudly.

The Champions Club Drop is available exclusively online. Once sold out, the capsule closes permanently.

GR8 Tech. Platform for Champions

GR8 Tech is an award-winning provider of high-performance sportsbook and iGaming solutions, empowering operators to lead and win in competitive markets. Its portfolio includes Crypto Turnkey and Hyper Turnkey solutions, ULTIM8 Sportsbook, Infinite Casino Aggregation, and the proprietary affiliate management platform Aff.Tech.

With a geo-specific approach, practical innovation, and an operator-first mindset, GR8 Tech delivers measurable results quickly and efficiently. Trusted by leading operators worldwide, the company boasts over 100 successful deployments and multiple accolades, including Platform Provider of the Year at the SBC Awards 2025.

The post GR8 Tech and Ready to Fight Launch The Champions Club Drop—A Limited 3-Piece Capsule appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Big Time Gaming

BTG Launches the High-Stakes Thriller, Millionaire Megapots™

Published

34 minutes ago

March 10, 2026

Wladimir P.

btg-launches-the-high-stakes-thriller,-millionaire-megapots

Step into the Hot Seat and chase life-changing wins in Millionaire Megapots, the latest prime-time release from Big Time Gaming.

This isn’t a game for the faint-hearted. Players take centre stage on the studio floor, facing the electrifying reels where every spin could change everything.

The tension ramps up when six or more Coin symbols land anywhere on the reels, triggering the thrilling Hold and Spin feature with three respins to start. Each symbol position becomes its own reel, revealing additional Coins holding prize amounts, multipliers, or coveted Megapots icons. Every time new Coins land, respins reset to three, keeping the stakes high as the total prize climbs. At the end of the respins, total prizes are multiplied by all revealed multipliers. Collect three matching Megapots icons to win the corresponding jackpot.

For the ultimate thrill, if every reel position reveals a Coin, the Hold & Win bonus doubles the total prize—delivering a show-stopping finale. The Mini, Midi, and Mega Megapots, displayed above the reels, showcase dynamic jackpots that change with every spin and can only be won during the Hold and Spin feature.

Inspired by the iconic Hot Seat from Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, the Hot Seat Free Spins Gamble replicates the same heart-pounding risk-versus-reward excitement. Players can climb the ladder for up to 50 Free Spins, with unsuccessful gambles risking lost spins. Rungs two and seven act as safety nets, guaranteeing 10 and 20 Free Spins, while classic Lifelines—50:50, Phone a Friend, Ask the Audience—offer support at every stage.

Free Spins are triggered by landing three or more Millionaire Scatters, awarding 10 spins and entry to the Hot Seat Gamble ladder. Each Scatter moves players up the ladder, and during Free Spins, win multipliers start at 1x and increase with every Coin that lands. Additional Scatters extend spins, building tension and potential.

For instant intensity, Bonus Buy offers direct access: Hold and Spin for 65x stake, 12 Free Spins for 125x, or 20 Free Spins for 250x. Power Play, available for 8x stake, guarantees at least 10,000 Megaways per spin.

With up to 200,704 Megaways, high volatility, and a maximum win of 91,000x the stake, Millionaire Megapots delivers the drama, spectacle, and life-changing ambition of the Hot Seat—all powered by BTG’s signature gameplay innovation.

Nik Robinson, Founder and CEO of Big Time Gaming, said:
“With Millionaire Megapots, we wanted to capture the raw, edge-of-your-seat tension of the Hot Seat. By combining our Megaways engine with Megapots and the Hot Seat Free Spins Gamble, players truly feel the heat of the studio floor. It’s all about the big risk, rising stakes, and life-changing reward.”

The post BTG Launches the High-Stakes Thriller, Millionaire Megapots™ appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.