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Zynga Acquires Echtra Games Team Led by Developers of Diablo and Torchlight Franchises

Published

5 years ago

March 4, 2021

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Zynga Inc., a global leader in interactive entertainment, announced that it has acquired Echtra Games, a cross-platform game studio composed of a development team whose core members have previously shaped the world of action role-playing games through their work on genre-defining titles including Diablo, Diablo II, the Torchlight franchise and more.

The Echtra Games team strengthens Zynga’s cross-platform play future by adding talented developers with extensive cross-platform play experience as well as proprietary cross-platform development tools and technologies that have been built on top of the Unreal Engine. Specifically, the Echtra Games team will be developing a new, yet to be announced RPG for cross-platform play in partnership with Zynga’s NaturalMotion studio.

“Max and his team at Echtra Games are responsible for some of the most legendary game properties ever created, and they are experts in the action RPG genre and cross-platform development. I’m excited to welcome the Echtra Games team into the Zynga family,” said Frank Gibeau, Chief Executive Officer of Zynga. “This acquisition will be instrumental in growing our iconic licenses and brands from mobile to PCs and consoles, while helping to further expand Zynga’s total addressable market.”

“Echtra Games is delighted to be joining the Zynga family,” said Max Schaefer, Chief Executive Officer of Echtra Games. “We share Zynga’s vision that cross-platform play is an essential part of the future of RPGs and interactive entertainment and are eager to apply our vast experience and talents to this effort.”

Echtra Games was founded in 2016 and is led by an experienced group of industry veterans. Max Schaefer and his leadership team co-founded companies such as Blizzard North, Flagship Studios and Runic Games, and have strong development experience on titles such as Diablo, Diablo II, the Torchlight franchise, The Sims 4 and more. Echtra Games’ veteran employees have worked with companies such as Blizzard, Disney, Electronic Arts, Runic Games, Kabam and Undead Labs. Echtra Games’ development team has published and run live services on mobile, PC, Playstation 4, XBox One and the Nintendo Switch.

Damjan Stamenkovic CEO of Expanse Studios

QTech Games signs Expanse Studios to distribute 60+ games via aggregator platform

Published

28 minutes ago

April 28, 2026

Wladimir P.

qtech-games-signs-expanse-studios-to-distribute-60+-games-via-aggregator-platform

QTech Games has signed a supplier partnership with Expanse Studios, the iGaming development division of Meridian Holdings Inc., to integrate and distribute Expanse content through QTech’s aggregation platform.

Under the deal, QTech customers will gain access to 60+ Expanse proprietary titles spanning crash games, slots and table games. The companies said the content is designed for mobile-first play and includes “retention features and sticky mechanics,” alongside a wider range of scratch, number and card-based titles.

Expanse Studios also said it has made its slot portfolio compatible with the social casino segment, adding to table games and other titles it already positions for social operators. The rollout forms part of Expanse’s broader strategy to strengthen its position in North and South America.

QTech Games CEO, Philip Doftvik, said: “We’re committed to rolling out more and more high-class content and product innovation that drives revenue for our partners. So, this deal with Expanse Studios extends our impressive sequential pipeline for the year – and showcasing our flexible array of content which solves for fine-grained, local requirements in countries where light, rapid-load games are a must. Furthermore, by intelligently introducing social casino versions of its popular games, new modern audiences are now at our partners’ fingertips.”

Damjan Stamenkovic, CEO of Expanse Studios, added: “As QTech’s platform is a gateway to more and more global audiences, and new distributional efficiencies for Expanse. So, we can’t wait to see how our highly engaging games perform across this largely greenfield landscape of emerging markets.”

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BIS

Legality of Brazil’s betting platforms to be a central theme at BiS Brasília

Published

9 hours ago

April 27, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

legality-of-brazil’s-betting-platforms-to-be-a-central-theme-at-bis-brasilia

Betting sector moves forward amid regulatory debate and reinforces the need for clear rules and a safe environment in Brazil

The advancement of sports betting regulation in Brazil has placed the sector at the center of important discussions regarding legal certainty, tax revenue, and economic development.

Amid recent debates over possible market restrictions, the postponement of new projects such as the launch of Caixa Econômica Federal’s betting platform, and the ban on prediction markets, specialists continue to emphasize the importance of consolidating a regulated, transparent, and sustainable environment for the industry.

More than just a trend, the legalized betting market is increasingly being viewed as a strategic opportunity for the country, with the potential to generate jobs, attract international investment, and significantly boost public revenue.

Regulation is also seen as an essential path toward ensuring consumer protection and combating informality.

In this context, BiS Brasília, confirmed to take place on June 2 and 3, positions itself as the leading discussion forum for the sector in Latin America.

The event will bring together authorities, operators, regulators, and experts to debate the future of the industry at what is considered a decisive moment for its consolidation in Brazil.

“It is not simply about allowing or banning betting, but about how to structure a responsible market that creates value for the entire chain—from operators to consumers—while remaining under effective public oversight,” said Alessandro Valente, chairman of BiS Brasília.

“Legality brings predictability, attracts serious companies, and creates more effective control and enforcement mechanisms.”

Another key point is the role of regulation in promoting responsible gaming. With clear rules in place, it becomes possible to implement stronger policies to prevent risky behavior, while also ensuring greater transparency in operations.

“Brazil has the opportunity to build one of the most relevant regulated markets in the world. Events such as BiS are essential to align expectations, share international best practices, and accelerate this process responsibly,” he added.

Held in Brasília, the center of the country’s main political and economic decisions, the meeting reinforces its strategic role by bringing together the different stakeholders involved in shaping this new scenario.

Expectations are that this edition will go down in history as a milestone in the maturing debate over the legality of betting in Brazil.

BiS Brasília

Now in its second edition, BiS Brasília is an iGaming and betting industry event dedicated to fostering dialogue between the private sector, government authorities, and society on the development of the regulated gaming, casino, and lottery market in Brazil.

Held in the federal capital, the event gathers business leaders, authorities, and experts to discuss strategic topics such as regulation, integrity, innovation, taxation, and responsible gaming.

BiS SiGMA South America is part of the SiGMA World group’s portfolio of events, a global leading brand in organizing B2B events and a business platform for the gaming and betting ecosystem worldwide.

The post Legality of Brazil’s betting platforms to be a central theme at BiS Brasília appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

iGaming

PokerStars sets $50m+ guaranteed Anniversary Series for May 10–June 3

Published

13 hours ago

April 27, 2026

Wladimir P.

pokerstars-sets-$50m+-guaranteed-anniversary-series-for-may-10–june-3

Online festival spans 461 tournaments and includes three Main Events on May 24 plus a $500,000 GTD Sunday Storm PKO final on May 10.

PokerStars will run an online Anniversary Series with more than $50m in guarantees from May 10 to June 3, 2026, the operator said on April 27. The schedule includes 461 tournaments and is positioned to mark PokerStars’ 25th anniversary, alongside the 15-year milestone for Sunday Storm.

The festival’s buy-ins range from $5.50 to $15,000, with qualifiers starting at $0.55, according to the company. PokerStars said it will also distribute more than $650,000 in Anniversary Series Lucky Dip tickets during the series.

PokerStars is headlining the series with three Main Events on May 24:

a $109 tournament with a $1.5m guarantee,
a $1,050 Main Event with a $2.5m guarantee,
and a $5,200 Main Event with a $2m guarantee.

Weekly Sunday events include Sunday Million, Sunday High Rollers, and Mystery Bounty specials, with Second Chance Main Events (PKO) scheduled for May 31.

The operator is also running a Sunday Storm 15th anniversary Progressive Knockout tournament with a $500,000 guarantee for an $11 buy-in. Phase 1 events are underway, with Phase 2 set for May 10.

“We’re proud to celebrate 25 years of PokerStars bringing big money poker tournaments safely to players around the world,” said Steve Clarricoats, Associate Director of Online Scheduling. “Putting $50 million up in guarantees shows our focus remains on bringing the best of PokerStars to more players in a variety of tournaments.”

More relevant data as follows:

PokerStars: https://www.pokerstars.com/ Official operator site for tournament schedule and eligibility by market.
PokerStars Blog: https://www.pokerstars.com/poker/news/ Company’s news hub where the full Anniversary Series details and formats are typically published.
PokerStars Power Path: https://www.pokerstars.com/poker/promotions/power-path/ Source for information on the $0.50+ qualification routes referenced in the announcement.

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