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Zynga Acquires Echtra Games Team Led by Developers of Diablo and Torchlight Franchises
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.
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Book of Sobek
Hölle Games Releases Book of Sobek
Hölle Games has released its latest online slot, Book of Sobek. This 5×3, 10 payline slot invites players to dive deep into the magical Nile and enter the aquatic temple of the ancient Crocodile God.
With every spin, the mighty Sobek may rise from the depths to bless the reels. When players manage to uncover 3 or more sacred Books, the temple chambers swing open, granting entry into the Free Games. Within this inner sanctum, a special expanding symbol is chosen; should it land, it will stretch across the reels like the flooding Nile, paving the way for monumental wins of up to 5000x. Featuring both Feature Buy and Fire Stake options, the game is available now for MGA with other markets coming soon.
The post Hölle Games Releases Book of Sobek appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Hub88
Hub88 and Odds88 Enters into Strategic Partnership with MINT
Hub88 and Odds88 have entered a strategic partnership with MINT, the advanced iGaming platform built on Web3 infrastructure, seeking to expand the new operator’s position at the forefront of iGaming innovation.
MINT is designed as a next-generation gaming ecosystem, set to provide tier-one iGaming and sportsbook expertise with the agility of Web3 technology. Backed by industry heavyweights including Hero Gaming, the platform will bring credibility, technical reliability and a premium user experience to a rapidly evolving market.
Through the partnership, Hub88 will provide MINT with seamless access to its portfolio of more than 12,000 titles, while supporting efficient platform development, streamlined integration and long-term scalability through a robust API. Odds88 will provide the operator’s sportsbook platform, with a highly customisable front-end, access to multiple odds feeds, with coverage of more than 1.5 million sports fixtures, and industry-leading risk management.
By leveraging both brands’ expertise, MINT will be able to focus on delivering consistency across verticals, frictionless onboarding and UX innovation – helping bridge the gap between traditional iGaming standards and emerging technological capabilities.
Ollie Castleman, Managing Director at Hub88, said: “MINT represents a new generation of iGaming platforms that are approaching Web3 with the maturity and high standards the industry expects.
“Alongside Odds88, this partnership aligns with our focus on supporting innovative operator brands that prioritise scalability, reliability and user experience.”
Will Fyler, Managing Director at Odds88, said: “We’re thrilled to partner with MINT along with Hub88 as we raise the game. Our vision to disrupt the industry and deliver a truly forward-facing proposition make this collaboration truly exciting.
“The operator is driven by exceptional talent, and we can’t wait to go live this quarter. Let’s get minted.”
Zak Manhire, CEO at MINT, said: “MINT is all about redefining expectations. We will not only push the limits of Hub88 and Odds88 and challenge what’s possible, but in doing so, we’ll grow together, champion innovation, and deliver a platform that surprises players in the best possible way.”
The post Hub88 and Odds88 Enters into Strategic Partnership with MINT appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
ACMA
ACMA: Six Wagering Providers Breach Gambling Self-Exclusion Rules
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has concluded six more investigations into licensed wagering providers for breaches of self-exclusion rules.
The ACMA investigations found Tabcorp, LightningBet, Betfocus, TempleBet, Picklebet and BetChamps all failed to comply with rules that protect people who registered with BetStop – the National Self-Exclusion Register.
The facts of each investigation are different but the breaches across the investigations included allowing registered individuals to open wagering accounts and to access wagering services, or marketing to registered individuals.
ACMA member Carolyn Lidgerwood said these breaches undermine the protections from gambling harm that self-exclusion offers.
“The national self-exclusion register is designed to help people who are trying to avoid gambling services and stop gambling, but self-exclusion only works if wagering providers follow the rules,” Ms Lidgerwood said.
“These rules have been in place for more than two years and wagering providers should be taking their responsibilities seriously.
“When people decide to self-exclude from online and telephone gambling, they trust the system to protect them from gambling harm. These investigations have found that these companies broke that trust and let people down.
“All licensed wagering providers need to be aware that the ACMA is investigating compliance and enforcing the rules. Gambling companies must have effective systems in place to ensure self-excluded people cannot gamble with them.”
The investigations identified that the providers did not ensure that their underlying systems and processes were operating as intended and failed to adequately identify and protect people who had self-excluded.
In response to these findings, the ACMA has used a range of different enforcement tools available under the Interactive Gambling Act 2001, having regard to the different facts arising under each investigation.
The ACMA has issued remedial directions to each of Betfocus, LightningBet and TempleBet. Under these remedial directions each of the providers will be required by law to commission an independent audit of their systems and implement any resulting recommendations.
This type of enforcement action is corrective and directed at future compliance with the rules. Failure to comply with a remedial direction is an offence and can result in civil penalties.
Tabcorp Holdings paid a penalty of $112,680 and agreed to enter into a court-enforceable undertaking requiring the company to commission a third-party review of its customer verification processes and train staff on their obligations around the Register. If not complied with, such an undertaking can be enforced in the Federal Court, with the Court being able to make such orders as it considers appropriate.
BetChamps was given a formal warning and the ACMA is currently finalising enforcement action for Picklebet.
All contraventions were found to have occurred in 2024. If these companies fail to comply with self-exclusion rules in the future, the ACMA may take stronger enforcement action, potentially including commencement of Federal Court proceedings to seek civil penalties.
The post ACMA: Six Wagering Providers Breach Gambling Self-Exclusion Rules appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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