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Games Lift Incubator 2021: Preparing five Teams for the Challenges of the Games Industry
Five up-and-coming game developer teams from Hamburg convinced the awarding committee with their project ideas, pitching their way into the Games Lift Incubator 2021. The incubator program starts on September 9 and aims to prepare the teams for the challenges of developing and marketing their games projects in the international markets – through start-up funding of 15,000 euros per team and an intensive three-month workshop and mentoring program under the guidance of international industry experts. With the support of the Games Lift Network, consisting of experts in marketing, pitching, business development, product development, and PR, the teams will further develop their ideas and concepts for marketable games projects. The teams will be provided with workspaces in the Hamburg co-working location “Code Working Space”. The Games Lift Incubator is organized by Gamecity Hamburg, the location initiative for the games industry, funded by the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg.
A total of 17 teams and solo devs applied to be taken in into the second run of the Games Lift Incubator.
The five participating teams were chosen by the awarding committee, consisting of Anne Beuttenmüller (Director Marketing EMEA Niantic, Inc.), Ole Schaper (CEO & CTO Sviper), Wolf Lang (CEO Super Crowd Entertainment), Margarete Schneider (Project Manager Gamecity Hamburg) and Jens Unrau (Head of Department Media and Digital Economy at Hamburg’s Ministry of Culture and Media).
The five teams and projects in the Games Lift Incubator 2021:
- The Invitation by tool1
- Monstersongs VR by Denise Koch
- PROSPECTOR by Koriol Games
- supernightshift by consider it
- The Treepoids by SUPERNATURAL GAMES
Anne Beuttenmüller, Director Marketing EMEA Niantic, Inc, is impressed with the wide range of projects genres from Hamburg’s developer scene: “It’s great to see the versatility and high quality of this year’s Games Lift participants. The developers and teams bring a great passion for their game ideas and concepts. In the incubator, these five teams now have a unique opportunity to work on their skills and take away valuable tips for their further path into the industry. I am very excited to see the further development of our participants.”
The five projects in detail:
The Invitation is an action-packed multiplayer loot shooter set in a future scenario of Earth in the year 2081. The team tool1 also successfully applied for prototype funding by Gamecity Hamburg.
Monstersongs VR by Denise Koch combines a graphic novel with a playable VR rock musical that takes players into a colorful world full of monsters, puzzles, and music.
In the narrative sci-fi adventure PROSPECTOR by Koriol Games, players uncover the mystery of a planet where masks are essential for survival and the game’s heroes have to build important relationships through a novel dialogue system.
In the mobile game supernightshift, the team consider it turns the city of Hamburg itself into a digital playing field in which the players have to find the best way through the city using different means of transport.
The Treepoids by developer/designer duo SUPERNATURAL GAMES puts nature in the focus of an entertaining strategy adventure, with hand-drawn 2D graphics and lots of colorful characters on a mysterious island.
The workshop, mentoring, and coaching program of the Games Lift Incubator is put together according to the needs of the participating teams. In addition to game development topics, it covers areas such as marketing, founding a company, or project management.
In a public pitch event in December, the participating developers present the progress they have made in the incubator. Following the intensive phase of the program from September to December, the participants are supported for another year with individual coaching sessions and by an international PR agency specializing in indie games. In 2020, five teams went through the first round of the incubator program. The program is aimed at developers and founders who develop digital game ideas in Hamburg.
Among many others, these industry experts have agreed to share their knowledge as coaches and mentors in the Games Lift Network:
Heather Chandler shares her experience from over 25 years in the international games industry, during which she worked as a senior producer on the hit game Fortnite, with the participants of the Games Lift Incubator in a workshop on producing and project management.
Simon Carless – is one of the best-known consultants in the video game industry and deals primarily with marketing and business development. For the Games Lift participants, he will hold the workshop “Perfecting your Game Hook & the 10 commandments of discoverability”.
Further information on the funded projects, the Games Lift Incubator program and the experts involved are available at https://www.gamecity-hamburg.de/incubator/.
More funding opportunities through Gamecity Hamburg
In addition to the Games Lift Incubator, Gamecity Hamburg also supports developers and games companies from Hamburg through its Prototype Funding program. Each year, a total of 400,000 euros are available for games projects from Hamburg, individual projects can be funded with up to 80,000 euros as a non-repayable grant. For the first time, there will be a second round of Prototype Funding in 2021. From August 30, developers, teams, and SMEs from Hamburg are called to apply.
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DuelBits says UFC creator campaign delivers 122m verified video views
DuelBits has published results from its JUSTIN2026 marketing campaign, saying the UFC-focused activation generated more than 122 million verified video views and contributed to one of the company’s strongest MMA betting events “in recent years.”
The crypto sportsbook and casino operator said the campaign launched ahead of UFC event Freedom 250 at the White House and centred on former UFC lightweight champion Justin Gaethje. DuelBits framed the partnership as an early bet on Gaethje, before broader commercial interest.
According to the company, the campaign set a KPI to exceed 100 million impressions across owned, paid and partnered media, and ultimately delivered more than 122 million verified clip views via a network of more than 140 creators. The asset mix included a hero film, six short-form cutdowns, behind-the-scenes content and still imagery, distributed via DuelBits’ social channels, MMA publishers, creator partnerships and clipping pages.
DuelBits said the hero content was also integrated into Gaethje’s “Art of Violence” YouTube series. The operator added that the activation drove promotional code engagement and helped convert attention into sportsbook activity.
Jasper Hoekert, Chief Marketing Officer at Duelbits, said: “We wanted to support Justin before everyone else recognised the opportunity. Instead of following the hype once he has already achieved greatness, we wanted to back a champion before anybody else did.
“The campaign wasn’t measured purely on views. Of course, surpassing 122 million verified views and exceeding our 100 million KPI was a huge achievement, but the real success was seeing that attention convert into one of our strongest UFC betting nights in recent years.
“It also reinforced something that’s key to DuelBits as a brand, which is that we don’t do small campaigns. Whether it’s the production quality, creator network, or distribution strategy, we want every activation to show what’s possible when sportsbook marketing is treated like premium entertainment.”
The post DuelBits says UFC creator campaign delivers 122m verified video views appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
iGaming
Slotegrator now provides native app experience for iGaming platforms with PWA function
Slotegrator’s platform solution now offers progressive web app (PWA) functionality, enabling operators to provide installable casino apps with push notifications, flexible branding, and seamless access across changing domains.
The Casino Builder module in Slotegator’s platform solution has been upgraded with a Progressive Web Application (PWA) feature that allows casinos to deliver an app-like experience without relying on the App Store or Google Play.
Native apps are powerful tools for building customer loyalty and enhancing engagement. However, iGaming brands face serious obstacles, such as strict marketplace policies, long review processes, geographic restrictions, and the constant threat of app removal. Slotegrator’s PWA functionality eliminates these barriers, allowing players to install a casino app directly from their browser and enjoy many of the same benefits as a native app.
After installation, the PWA opens from the user’s home screen, loads fast, and supports push notification integration that enhances player engagement and retention.
“Mobile is still the leading channel for user acquisition and retention; however, it’s difficult to distribute native apps in iGaming,” says Olga Ivanchik, COO at Slotegrator. “Our new PWA feature gives operators an alternative that will be familiar to their players, while eliminating the complications related to conventional app stores. Operators can launch quickly, retain full control over updates, and ensure a perfect mobile gaming experience for any market.”
Within the next 2 months, operators will also have the ability to determine when the PWA install bar will be visible to the player. For example, displaying the install bar immediately after the first deposit, as part of a broader retention strategy, helps drive long-term player LTV. The operator can also set up frequency of the install offer — daily, weekly, just once, etc.
Some operators have to consider UX for multiple frontends. Luckily, the installation widgets are highly flexible, helping them drive maximum conversion without sacrificing user experience. Operators can select a top bar or a top banner installation widget, both of which are fully customizable with branded icons, messaging, and backgrounds.
Operators can limit the visibility of their installation campaigns to specific devices — desktop, mobile, Android, or iOS — thanks to special targeting options. Operators can also design acquisition strategies specific to each platform, driving installs only where they offer the best user experience.
When players install the PWA, operators can connect it to push notification services, so they can re-engage them even when the application isn’t actively open.
Mirror domain compatibility addresses a common operational challenge in restricted markets. If an operator has to change domains due to licensing or regulatory requirements, players who have already installed the PWA will be able to continue using it without reinstallation.
Unlike native applications, PWAs don’t require App Store or Google Play approval, effectively eliminating possible delays and the risk of removal from the market. Instead, operators can deploy updates instantly to every user.
The new PWA functionality is now available in Slotegrator’s Casino Builder module, alongside other tools for improving mobile acquisition, engagement, and player retention.
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 Slotegrator now provides native app experience for iGaming platforms with PWA function appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
iGaming
Slotegrator now provides native app experience for iGaming platforms with PWA function
Slotegrator’s platform solution now offers progressive web app (PWA) functionality, enabling operators to provide installable casino apps with push notifications, flexible branding, and seamless access across changing domains.
The Casino Builder module in Slotegator’s platform solution has been upgraded with a Progressive Web Application (PWA) feature that allows casinos to deliver an app-like experience without relying on the App Store or Google Play.
Native apps are powerful tools for building customer loyalty and enhancing engagement. However, iGaming brands face serious obstacles, such as strict marketplace policies, long review processes, geographic restrictions, and the constant threat of app removal. Slotegrator’s PWA functionality eliminates these barriers, allowing players to install a casino app directly from their browser and enjoy many of the same benefits as a native app.
After installation, the PWA opens from the user’s home screen, loads fast, and supports push notification integration that enhances player engagement and retention.
“Mobile is still the leading channel for user acquisition and retention; however, it’s difficult to distribute native apps in iGaming,” says Olga Ivanchik, COO at Slotegrator. “Our new PWA feature gives operators an alternative that will be familiar to their players, while eliminating the complications related to conventional app stores. Operators can launch quickly, retain full control over updates, and ensure a perfect mobile gaming experience for any market.”
Within the next 2 months, operators will also have the ability to determine when the PWA install bar will be visible to the player. For example, displaying the install bar immediately after the first deposit, as part of a broader retention strategy, helps drive long-term player LTV. The operator can also set up frequency of the install offer — daily, weekly, just once, etc.
Some operators have to consider UX for multiple frontends. Luckily, the installation widgets are highly flexible, helping them drive maximum conversion without sacrificing user experience. Operators can select a top bar or a top banner installation widget, both of which are fully customizable with branded icons, messaging, and backgrounds.
Operators can limit the visibility of their installation campaigns to specific devices — desktop, mobile, Android, or iOS — thanks to special targeting options. Operators can also design acquisition strategies specific to each platform, driving installs only where they offer the best user experience.
When players install the PWA, operators can connect it to push notification services, so they can re-engage them even when the application isn’t actively open.
Mirror domain compatibility addresses a common operational challenge in restricted markets. If an operator has to change domains due to licensing or regulatory requirements, players who have already installed the PWA will be able to continue using it without reinstallation.
Unlike native applications, PWAs don’t require App Store or Google Play approval, effectively eliminating possible delays and the risk of removal from the market. Instead, operators can deploy updates instantly to every user.
The new PWA functionality is now available in Slotegrator’s Casino Builder module, alongside other tools for improving mobile acquisition, engagement, and player retention.
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 Slotegrator now provides native app experience for iGaming platforms with PWA function appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
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