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Fast Company ranks Fnatic in the most innovative gaming firms

Published

5 years ago

March 11, 2021

Reading Time: 4 minutes

Every generation of video-game consoles ushers in faster, more realistic titles. This year’s releases by Sony and Microsoft continue that trend. The PS5 and the Xbox Series X deliver unprecedented levels of realism, with graphics processors that simulate shimmering reflections on puddles, controller vibrations that evoke the feeling of running through sand, and game worlds that are as large and detailed as actual cities. But games didn’t simply become more lifelike in 2020. They also became more intertwined with our everyday lives. In the year where everyone sheltered at home, escapism was accessible to more kinds of people than ever, whether you dreamt of the fashion runways in Paris, a quiet pastoral island life, or literal escape (from Zombies, aliens, enemy soldiers, the list goes on). And gaming companies further worked their way into pop culture, from sports to fashion to movies.

1. MICROSOFT

For subscribing to an anywhere, anytime gaming lifestyle

Microsoft is increasingly becoming the everyman’s gaming system. The company aims to empower Xbox fans to play any game, on any device, anywhere, anytime. In the past year, the software giant didn’t just launch its next-generation console, the Xbox Series X, it upgraded infrastructure, introduced new services, and made a sizable acquisition to bring its vision of gaming ubiquity closer to reality. Games on the Xbox Series X load faster than ever thanks to a screaming-fast solid state drive. Subscribers to Game Pass, Microsoft’s “Netflix for Games,” can now play over 100 Xbox games from any Android-powered mobile phone or tablet by tapping into the company’s xCloud streaming service. A feature called Smart Delivery upgrades games automatically and installs them on the owner’s new console—ready to resume play at the moment a player left off. In September, the company announced they paid $7.5 billion to acquire Zenimax Media, bringing games franchises like Elder Scrolls, Fallout, and Doom in house. For more on why Microsoft is a 2021 Most Innovative Company, click here.

2. SONY INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT

For leveling up yet again

Long the gaming industry’s paragon of polish and ingenuity, Sony’s gaming division burnished its reputation with new hardware and software in 2020 that built on what games can do—and who can play them. Its next generation console, the PlayStation 5, employs top-notch graphics processors that enhance how the game looks, its new controller employs haptic technology that changes how the game feels—making it possible for players to distinguish between the touch of a sandy surface versus a shiny metallic one. Games like Last of Us Part II, developed by Sony subsidiary Naughty Dog, added accessibility options to make the game playable and fun for players of any ability level, including those who are partially or fully blind (sonar-like pings relay the approach of menacing zombies). Meanwhile, Dreams, a game developed by Media Molecule (another Sony entity) makes it possible for players to crate anything from games to gadgets to puzzles and paintings with the title’s game-making toolbox and social network. For more on why Sony Interactive Entertainment is a 2021 Most Innovative Company, click here.

3. NVIDIA

For enabling auteurs with cinematic graphics

Graphics in video games have always lagged behind Hollywood CGI for a simple reason: time. Movie studios can spend weeks rendering each shadow and reflection in a given frame with intense attention to realism and detail; games have to render graphics on the fly, some 60 times every second, as the player moves through virtual space. NVIDIA’s RTX 30 series graphics chips close the quality gap between games and movies using a supremely clever chip design that combines traditional graphics processing with ray-tracing, a computationally intense process that can simulate how light beams reflect and refract off smoke, shimmering water, or high-sheen chrome. Meanwhile an AI-dedicated processing core finds shortcuts and workarounds to speed the process up to game-appropriate speeds.

4. NINTENDO

For crossing into everyday companionship

If quarantining during the COVID-19 pandemic had an official pastime, it would be Animal Crossing: New Horizons. The easy-going, wholesome and social game, in which players plant a garden and decorate a home while making friends with a collection of friendly anthropomorphic animals, was exactly the kind of virtual escape many millennials and kids alike were looking for as they sheltered in place. The game’s social elements—users can visit one another’s island and pass the time with meditative, outdoorsy activities like chopping wood and fishing—provided a way for real-life friends to hang out with one another and feel a little close without violating social distancing rules.

5. DAPPER LABS

For putting collectibles on the blockchain

The blockchain-based game developer behind CryptoKitties launched NBA Top Shot, a blockchain-based collectible game, in 2020. The game offers a blockchain twist on sports cards collectibles, by allowing users to buy, collect, and trade video-clip “packets” of top NBA players and moments—pointing toward a new future for sports memorabilia. This year one such blockchain-encrypted video, also known as a “moment”, of the Milwaukee Bucks power forward Giannis Antetokounmpo charging to the basket, sold from one collector to another for $1,999.

6. FNATIC

For upgrading esports teams into elite status

The esports organization is building a lifestyle brand that is synonymous with gaming excellence while selling every aspect of it: Its stable of professional esports players win championships in massively popular games ranging from League of Legends to CS:Go, while using Fnatic’s line of performance gaming equipment (keyboards, mice, chairs) and wearing the company’s co-branded apparel and accessories, which it makes in partnership with fashion houses like Gucci. The company’s CEO, Sam Matthews, sees Formula One as an inspiration; in fact he made Nick Fry, the former CEO of the Mercedes AMG Formula One team, the company’s head of commercial strategy.

7. FAZE CLAN

For elevating video games into pop culture

Rivals may deride the sprawling collective of content-makers and gamers as a Gen Z mashup, but the company’s massive reach is undeniable: FaZe Clan members play video games professionally in tournaments, stream their lives on platforms like Twitch, and make short-form videos for sites like YouTube. The company, led by Lee Trink, a music executive who was once president of Capitol Records, is expanding into novel and traditional forms of content alike, from podcasts on Spotify and clips on TikTok to film and television projects, such as Crimson, which was released in October. The collective is also making its talent for Zoomer whispering available to mass-market brands from Verizon to Nissan to Venmo.

8. HERMAN MILLER

For fashioning the gamers’ throne

9. HOLLOW PONDS

For killing us softly with its quirky creations

10. DREST

For dressing up high fashion into a video game

game launches

Spinomenal releases 3 Magical Genies slot with Hold & Hit bonus

Published

47 minutes ago

May 5, 2026

Wladimir P.

spinomenal-releases-3-magical-genies-slot-with-hold-&-hit-bonus

Spinomenal has released a new slot title, 3 Magical Genies, expanding its content portfolio with an Arabian-themed game built around a Hold & Hit-style Bonus Game.

The supplier said the game’s Wild symbol substitutes for all symbols except the Bonus, Boost, Collect, Multi and Jackpot symbols, with five Wilds on a winning line paying x10 the bet.

3 Magical Genies includes four Special Bonus symbols—Bonus, Boost, Multi and Collect—designed to affect symbol values during the Bonus Game. Spinomenal said a Mystery symbol can also appear in the feature, transforming into a Boost, Multi, Collect or Jackpot symbol.

According to the company, landing six or more qualifying symbols triggers the Bonus Game with three bonus spins and locked triggering symbols. During the feature, prizes can range from x1 to x10 multipliers of the total bet, alongside a Mini Jackpot (x20), Minor Jackpot (x50) or Major Jackpot (x150). Filling the grid awards the Grand Jackpot, set at x3,000 the total bet, Spinomenal said.

Spinomenal CO-CEO, Omer Henya commented: “3 Magical Genies brings the magic of the Arabian world to life, where riches are within reach for those with luck on their side. The Hold & Hit mechanic, alongside the four Special Bonus symbols, makes this a magical ride full of golden promise.”

The post Spinomenal releases 3 Magical Genies slot with Hold & Hit bonus appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

iGaming

Predictor by Slotegrator, a prediction market engine for iGaming brands, available for pre-order

Published

47 minutes ago

May 5, 2026

Wladimir P.

predictor-by-slotegrator,-a-prediction-market-engine-for-igaming-brands,-available-for-pre-order

Predictor by Slotegrator is a prediction market engine packaged for iGaming operators that will bring the booming trend of event betting to any platform. Currently available for pre-order to a select group of Slotegrator’s clients, Predictor is a true prediction market, using a P2P model and updating odds after every bet. This model captures the appeal of the vertical while protecting operators’ margins.

Predictor by Slotegrator, a prediction market engine developed by leading iGaming software and business solution provider Slotegrator, is available for pre-order. By integrating Predictor, operators will allow their players to buy binary contracts on real-world events using a P2P exchange model. Odds are updated automatically, and operators earn a fixed commission on bets, providing zero-risk revenue.

“Predictor is a natural extension of our product philosophy. At Slotegrator, we believe that technology doesn’t follow trends but shapes them,” said Olga Ivanchik, COO. “The prediction market model is still in its early stages in iGaming, and we are among the first to package this mechanism for casino and sportsbook operators in a scalable, product-ready format. It marks a step toward a more adaptive and diversified operator offering.”

Prediction markets are a massive global trend. Bloomberg reported in February that Kalshi was handling more than $2 billion per week in bets, with Polymarket close behind. Players can bet on everything from sporting events to politics, the price of crypto, and celebrity tweets.

Sportsbook operators who are losing bettors to Polymarket, and want to bring them back by offering unorthodox bets, have the perfect solution in Predictor. Additionally, while classic sportsbooks carry risk on every bet, the P2P exchange model means they will earn on commission. It’s also fast and flexible, with new bets going live in 30 seconds.

Predictor is also ideal for online casino operators looking to increase retention by offering their players betting opportunities beyond traditional casino games, and new operators seeking to capitalize on the global prediction market trend will also benefit from the solution.

Predictor operates on an AMM/LMSR protocol, making it a true prediction market. The pressure created when increasing numbers of bettors select “yes” or “no” directly influences the odds, just like major platforms like Polymarket or Kalshi — and quite different from fixed-odds betting.

Prediction markets are popular not only for the vast array of bets available, but for their real-time data collection; more often than not, the favored outcome on Polymarket or Kalshi in fact comes to pass. This so-called “wisdom of the crowd” has a huge draw for bettors, and carries a huge part of prediction markets’ appeal.

“With Predictor, we are going beyond the usual ways of betting to a model where users actively shape the market. We are giving operators a new way to offer dynamic, event-driven experiences via a single iframe, and completely risk-free,” explained Product Owner Maksym Shtun. “Operators can also create completely unique betting experiences tailored to their own platform — the possibilities are endless.”

Slotegrator will present a demo of the solution at this year’s iGB L!VE, on 1-2 July.

ABOUT THE COMPANY

Since 2012, Slotegrator has been one of the iGaming industry’s leading software and business solution providers for online casino and sportsbook operators.

The company’s main focus is software development and support for online casino platforms, as well as the integration of game content and payment systems.

The company works with licensed game developers and offers a vast portfolio of casino content: slots, live casino games, poker, virtual sports, table games, lotteries, casual games, and data feeds for betting.

Slotegrator also provides consulting services in gambling license acquisition and business incorporation.

The post Predictor by Slotegrator, a prediction market engine for iGaming brands, available for pre-order appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

ATG

ATG Casino goes live with Fantasma Games slots via EveryMatrix in Sweden

Published

47 minutes ago

May 5, 2026

Wladimir P.

atg-casino-goes-live-with-fantasma-games-slots-via-everymatrix-in-sweden

ATG Casino has gone live in Sweden with slots from Fantasma Games via EveryMatrix, extending an earlier agreement to integrate aggregated content from the supplier.

ATG’s Swedish customers now have access to Fantasma titles including Explosive Banana X, Thundra Hydra Coins Max and Mission Coinplete, among others. Fantasma Games is part of the EveryMatrix Group.

The rollout includes EngageSuite Jackpots. EveryMatrix said the product uses real-time, customisable in-game widgets and allows operators to configure up to four jackpots per game without impacting base bets, with built-in simulation tools to estimate win frequency.

Carl Gatt Baldacchino, Account Management Casino, EveryMatrix, said: “Expanding the ATG® Casino deal with Fantasma Games titles was the natural next step of our partnership. By combining our aggregated and in-house content with our premium jackpot solution, ATG® will deliver a more engaging and differentiated experience to its players.”

Jan Sonnevi, Head of Casino, ATG, said: “Partnering with EveryMatrix has allowed us to introduce high-quality content and innovative engagement features to our players. We already saw how successful these additions were thanks to the record-breaking win registered by one of our players in January.” EveryMatrix noted ATG previously recorded a 1.4 million MEGA Jackpot win earlier this year using EngageSuite Jackpots.

The post ATG Casino goes live with Fantasma Games slots via EveryMatrix in Sweden appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.