Press Releases
Winners from Industry best Mobile Games Awards Announced; Tencent win big

MiHoYo’s Genshin Impact took home the biggest prize as it scooped Game of the Year at Steel Media’s fourth annual and industry-leading Pocket Gamer Mobile Games Awards, supported by Game Insight, held last week.
The ceremony saw the action role-playing title also awarded Best Audio/Visual Accomplishment, while Tencent and TiMi Studio Group secured Best Publisher and Best Developer, respectively.
Innovation of the Year went to Niantic for its ingenious reworking of augmented reality hit Pokémon Go for the 2020 lockdown, Pollen VC was voted Best Service Provider, and Supercell’s Clash Royale conquered the opposition to the Best Live Ops trophy.
As ever the event, which in this pandemic-affected year took place later than its traditional January slot and adopted a hybrid live/digital format hosted by London’s Ham Yard Hotel, aimed to shine a spotlight on the work of the top mobile games companies over the previous year.
Further highlights from the night included the Rising Star award, shared – an event first – by Jana and Sham Al Bdour of Sakura Games, Unity continuing its Best Game Engine dominance with a fourth win in as many years, and Jam City CEO Chris DeWolfe joining the ranks of Mobile Legend.
The coveted People’s Choice Award, nominated for and voted on by readers of Steel Media’s leading consumer site, PocketGamer.com, went to Tilting Point’s SpongeBob: Krusty Cook-Off.
“We believe the MGAs have a vital role to play in recognising the efforts and achievements of the entire ecosystem that makes mobile gaming the best industry in the world,” said Steel Media CEO, Chris James.
“This is doubly important considering the forced disconnects of the last 16 months and also the incredible role that the mobile games industry has paid not just in contributing to the economy and keeping people in jobs, but moreover in keeping billions of citizens feeling a little more connected and engaged.”
As the full winner breakdown below demonstrates, the 22 categories (including three new additions this year) represent firms spanning the whole industry, from the games developers and publishers to the tools companies, service providers, support agencies, investors and recruiters that all contribute towards this $90 billion sector being the largest and most pervasive in gaming.
After the lobbying and shortlisting phases – the biggest and most complex to date – which took place from March to May, the finalists were subsequently voted on throughout June by our panel of 100-plus mobile games experts from every corner of the industry.
Steel Media is hugely grateful to everyone who took the time to submit themselves, their colleagues, company, or contemporaries, as well as everyone who attended the ceremony itself during these tricky times – whether in person or digitally.
Additionally, we would like to thank main sponsor Game Insight, together with Admix, Huawei Ads, Jam City, Scopely and Tilting Point for coming on board as category sponsors – their support helped make the event a success in a particularly challenging year.
And last but by no means least, congratulations to all the finalists – it really was a hard-fought affair this year – and, of course, the heartiest of praise to the winners themselves.
More info on all things PG Mobile Games Awards at the official website: www.mobilegamesawards.com
//Full Pocket Gamer Mobile Games Awards 2021 Winners List
Pocket Gamer People’s Choice – SpongeBob: Krusty Cook-Off (Tilting Point)
Best Advertising & UA Service – Unity Ads
Best Analytics / Data Tool – AppsFlyer
Best Developer – TiMi Studio Group
Best GAAS Tools & Tech – Azure PlayFab
Best Audio/Visual Accomplishment – Genshin Impact (miHoYo)
Best Game Engine – Unity
Best Storytelling – Alba: A Wildlife Adventure (ustwo games)
Rising Stars – Jana and Sham Al Bdour (Sakura Games)
Best Tools Provider – Game UI Database
Best Games Industry Law Firm – Sheridans
Best Service Provider – Pollen VC
Best Live Ops – Clash Royale (Supercell)
Best QA and Localisation Service Provider – Amber Studio
Best Indie Developer – Innersloth
Best PR / Marketing Team – Scopely
Best Influencer Marketing Agency – Game Influencer
Investor of the Year – Play Ventures
Best Publisher – Tencent
Best Innovation – Niantic (Pokémon GO lockdown reworking)
Game of the Year – Genshin Impact (miHoYo)
Mobile Legend – Chris DeWolfe (Jam City)
//notes for editors//
ABOUT THE POCKET GAMER MOBILE GAMES AWARDS
The Pocket Gamer Mobile Games Awards are the UK’s leading mobile games awards, established to celebrate the very best businesses and individuals who are driving the $90 billion mobile games industry forward. They shine a light on every part of the ecosystem, from the game developers and publishers through the advertising and monetisation companies, to the tool-makers and support companies that enable the magic to happen. They also pay homage to true industry legends who have made their mark on this industry.
The PG Mobile Games Awards have been created by the Steel Media Ltd, a consumer and b2b technology publisher and events company based in the UK which has over 16 years’ experience covering and connecting the mobile games industry with leading media such as PocketGamer.com and PocketGamer.biz. Steel Media Ltd also organises numerous international events, including the world-renowned Pocket Gamer Connects conference series and the developer-focused Big Indie Pitch competitions.
https://www.mobilegamesawards.com
https://twitter.com/MobileGameAward
For enquiries, please contact [email protected].
Latest News
GR8 Tech Launches CRM Bonus Shop to Boost Player Engagement and Retention

GR8 Tech has rolled out CRM Bonus Shop—a fully integrated player-facing feature designed to drive engagement, increase retention, and optimize bonus budgets through gamified rewards.
The Bonus Shop enables operators to offer various virtual and real rewards, including free spins, free bets, gamification items, even physical items, spins in Wheel of Fortune, and more, in exchange for custom-branded artificial currency. Players earn coins through behavioral triggers like deposits or email verification, then choose their preferred rewards from a personalized shop interface.
Built directly into GR8 Tech’s CRM, the Bonus Shop offers full back-office control, real-time player wallet tracking, and complete front-end customization to match any brand’s tone, style, and language.
Key Benefits of GR8 Tech’s Bonus Shop for Operators
- Enhanced Player Choice & Satisfaction: Players select rewards they actually want, increasing perceived value and engagement compared to traditional fixed bonuses.
- Cost-Effective Bonus Management: Artificial currency provides greater value to players while reducing operator costs compared to traditional cash bonuses.
- Behavioral Motivation: Automated currency distribution encourages specific player actions, improving key performance indicators.
- Strategic Flexibility: A/B testing capabilities enable operators to compare traditional bonuses against gamified approaches and optimize strategies across different markets.
“Personalization is at its core. By tailoring offers to custom player segments, we ensure every user sees and can purchase the bonuses they truly want, boosting engagement significantly,” said Kateryna Schevchenko, CRM Product Manager at GR8 Tech. “Additionally, the platform gives operators full control over the in-game economy by allowing them to set custom ‘prices’ for products using virtual currencies. This flexibility helps optimize retention costs, manage bonus budgets effectively, and maximize ROI.”
With advanced segmentation tools and engagement elements like gamification, GR8 Tech’s CRM transforms player interactions into engaging, value-driven experiences. The company’s approach has led to impressive results, including a 25% uplift in first-time deposits, an average 80% retention rate, and 75% monthly active users interacting with gamified tools. GR8 Tech’s CRM is a strategic asset for operators aiming to deliver highly personalized and performance-oriented player journeys.
GR8 Tech. Platform for Champions
GR8 Tech is an award-winning provider, delivering high-performance sportsbook and iGaming solutions that empower operators to lead and win in competitive markets. Key elements of GR8 Tech’s comprehensive portfolio include the Hyper Turnkey solution, ULTIM8 Sportsbook iFrame, Infinite Casino Aggregation, and Platform Acceler8 suite, featuring its proprietary affiliate management platform, Aff.Tech.
With a geo-specific approach to solutions, a focus on practical innovations, and an operator-first mindset, GR8 Tech helps its clients achieve measurable results in their target markets quickly and efficiently. Trusted by top operators worldwide, GR8 Tech has over 100 successful cases and earned multiple recognitions, including the title of the Best Sports Betting Provider in CEE by GamingTECH Awards 2025.
The post GR8 Tech Launches CRM Bonus Shop to Boost Player Engagement and Retention appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
AI-driven gaming analytics
Chris Barranco Joins Quick Custom Intelligence as Director of Business Development

Quick Custom Intelligence (QCI), a leading provider of AI-driven analytics and enterprise solutions for the gaming and hospitality industry, today announced the addition of Chris Barranco as Director of Business Development.
Barranco brings 25 years of experience leading high-performing teams, driving revenue, and building durable client relationships. He is adept at solution-selling methodology and full sales-cycle management, with a proven track record of mentoring top-tier account executives, delivering high-impact presentations, and retaining key accounts. Known for a tenacious approach to new-business development and customer loyalty, Barranco will focus on expanding QCI’s market footprint, strengthening the partner ecosystem, and advancing go-to-market execution across QCI’s product portfolio.
“I’m excited to join the clear market leader and work with the exceptional team at QCI,” said Chris Barranco, Director of Business Development at QCI. “QCI’s commitment to turning data into action aligns perfectly with my approach to helping customers achieve measurable revenue impact. I look forward to working closely with our clients and partners to accelerate growth and deliver exceptional outcomes.”
“We’re delighted to welcome an industry veteran of Chris’s caliber to the QCI team,” said Andrew Cardno, CTO and Co-Founder of QCI. “His leadership, mastery of solution selling, and passion for customer success will further strengthen our ability to scale, deepen client relationships, and deliver the operational results our customers expect.”
As Director of Business Development, Barranco will lead initiatives to expand QCI’s presence across key markets, refine sales enablement programs, and collaborate with product and customer success teams to ensure a seamless path from discovery to measurable value realization.
The post Chris Barranco Joins Quick Custom Intelligence as Director of Business Development appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
Press Releases
Soft2Bet’s MEGA Shortlisted for Product Innovation of the Year at Global Gaming Awards Americas 2025

Soft2Bet has been shortlisted in the Product Innovation of the Year category at the Global Gaming Awards Americas 2025, highlighting the innovative impact of its proprietary gamification engine, MEGA (Motivational Engineering Gaming Application). The solution’s first full-scale North American deployment with ToonieBet in Ontario has redefined the gaming experience by enhancing player engagement and retention.
ToonieBet uses the full range of MEGA’s innovative gamification features and data-driven iGaming solutions for player retention, including achievements, collectibles, long-term missions, and segmented rewards, to create personalized and localized experiences for every player.
Since launching, the brand has seen increased session frequency, stronger loyalty and sustained growth in lifetime value. These results have been further strengthened by ToonieBet’s partnerships with the Ottawa Senators and the Canadian Football League, where MEGA features prominently on rink-side LED boards and during broadcasts. This visibility highlights Soft2Bet’s highly focused approach, built around standout customer experience, performance and clean, adaptable design.
Already proven across Europe with brands , MEGA has consistently driven player retention and engagement. In Ontario, ToonieBet is seeing similar results by leveraging MEGA’s flexible tools, customizable UX/UI design and segmented features to deliver a deeply localized and highly personalized experience that attracts high-value players and supports sustainable profitability without disrupting daily operations.
“We are proud to be shortlisted for Product Innovation of the Year, as MEGA continues to enable us to deliver engaging, locally tailored player experiences, clearly demonstrated by ToonieBet’s success in Ontario. This nomination indicates that our approach is delivering big high performance results,” highlighted Martin Collins, Chief Business Development Officer at Soft2Bet.
In January 2025, during the Global Gaming Awards EMEA, MEGA won Product Launch of the Year and Soft2Bet was named Platform Provider of the Year, confirming B2B excellence in the industry.
About Soft2Bet
Soft2Bet is a leading provider of iGaming turnkey solutions, delivering high-quality products and services to online gambling operators. Soft2Bet is known for its Motivational Engineering Gaming Application (MEGA), proven to enhance retention and engagement. Soft2Bet has deployed numerous successful iGaming brands and holds more than 19 global licenses.
About Soft2Bet’s MEGA
Soft2Bet’s MEGA (Motivational Engineering Gaming Application) is a standalone, complete solution for integrating casino and sportsbook operator brands with gamification. MEGA provides a range of gamification engines and allows operators to customise gamification engines by setting rewards, bonus triggers, user segmentation, level of difficulty, and more.
The post Soft2Bet’s MEGA Shortlisted for Product Innovation of the Year at Global Gaming Awards Americas 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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