Asia

QTech Games unveils new cryptocurrency currency feature for its games

Published

3 years ago

January 27, 2022

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Leading distributor continues its breakthrough work with crypto to underpin more games for clients across emerging markets

QTech Games, the leading games distributor across Asia and emerging markets, has unveiled its latest upgraded cryptocurrency tool kit which supports a unique crypto-to-game currency feature.

The leading platform is now able to arm its partners and their players with all the inherent crypto benefits of lower transaction costs and faster withdrawals across a wide variety of cryptocurrencies, including but not limited to: BTC (Bitcoin), ETH (Ethereum), XRP (Ripple), LTC (Litecoin), BCH (Bitcoin Cash), USDC and DAI. These cryptocurrencies, attended by a widening range of stablecoins, alt-coins and even virtual tokens, will attract and empower a host of new players who hold and want to play in these popular alternatives to fiat, underpinned by a responsive real-time exchange mechanism.

European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

Accordingly, players can now both keep their wallet in cryptocurrency, and also play in traditional fiat money. As a result, most games on the QTech platform are now available for play, not only those games which support crypto.

The move tracks surging underlying demand and a buoyant atmosphere in the crypto community, whose optimistic outlook has been bolstered by further recent gains. Indeed, QTech clients are now finding that those crypto customers who have accrued capital gains are more eager to take chances across the gaming verticals.

QTech Games’ backend that provides operators with the ability to manage player registrations, payments, promotions, marketing, and other key functions, is supported by one of the strongest technical teams in the industry, making the back-office a scalable tool which grows with the operator.

Ulf Norder, CCO at QTech Games, said: “This is a timely crypto-to-game currency innovation, including the possibility to create virtual currencies as well. It’s essentially two features in one: players can deposit into their wallets as normal, convert their balance into any currency (coin, token, or play games which aren’t bespoke crypto games) and then play as usual, safeguarded by our unique real-time exchange mechanism.

“The gambling industry was one of the original pioneers in the use of crypto, and opportunities still abound, both for our partners and their players. By this, I naturally refer to the recognized advantages around speed and security, but also the savings our clients can then pass on to the consumer for a better experience all round. Players can benefit from fairer margins compared to fiat-money operators, who have to pay substantial costs for conventional payment-processing and chargebacks. On sportsbook, that might mean better margins – or, on casino, better promotions. Everyone benefits.

“As the leading distributor across developing territories, we want to help educate our partners, improve adoption rates, and unpack the day-to-day needs of the customer, so we can service them. They want speed, flatter learning curves, and tighter security. As a result, we’re now giving it to them. It’s as straightforward as that.

“Our commitment to rolling out high-quality content remains undimmed, but crypto is a progressive ally in driving revenue for our partners. So, it’s a real thrill to partner with more and more ambitious digital casinos, who are looking to disrupt the space through cryptocurrency innovation, underscored by QTech’s quality product line. This is just the beginning.

“Of course, none of this means going all-in and converting everything into blockchain. But an edge and an understanding can be secured by simply integrating crypto as a new payments pathway. Ultimately, every scarce asset will be “blockchain-ified” – be it a stock, a fungible dollar or a non-fungible token (NFT). It all goes on chain and can take traditional banks and charges out of the equation. Blockchains are radically egalitarian because every user becomes a root user.”

Asia

Former Thai Police Chief Torsak Faces Investigation for Bribery

Published

6 days ago

December 18, 2024

Niji Narayan

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Thailand’s National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has initiated an investigation into former Royal Thai Police commissioner-general Pol General Torsak Sukvimol and seven others for alleged bribery linked to illegal gambling operations.

According to Thai media, this decision follows accusations that Torsak demanded money and assets from 18 gambling websites and other illicit businesses during his tenure as national police chief from October 2023 to September 2024.

NACC secretary-general Sarote Phuengramphan stated that sufficient evidence, including witness testimonies, has been gathered to justify the investigation, with the commission overseeing the inquiry.

In addition, the NACC is examining separate allegations against former deputy national police chief Pol General Surachate Hakparn, who is accused of accepting bribes from gambling sites and involvement in money laundering. Sarote indicated that more information is needed before proceeding with this case.

Torsak had been suspended in March due to conflicts with Surachate but returned to duty in June until his replacement by Pol General Kitrat Phanphet on October 1. Surachate, known as “Big Joke,” was removed from his position by royal command.

The post Former Thai Police Chief Torsak Faces Investigation for Bribery appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Asia

DigiPlus Celebrates Double Victory at the Asia Pacific Enterprise Awards

Published

7 days ago

December 17, 2024

Niji Narayan

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Reading Time: < 1 minute

DigiPlus Interactive, the brand behind popular gaming platforms BingoPlus, ArenaPlus and GameZone, announced its double recognition at the Asia Pacific Enterprise Awards (APEA) 2024. DigiPlus was honoured with the Corporate Excellence Award and the Fast Enterprise Award, reinforcing its role as a leader in digital entertainment.

The awards ceremony, held on December 11 at Hilton Manila, celebrated businesses and individuals who have demonstrated exceptional achievements, leadership and innovation. The Corporate Excellence Award recognises DigiPlus’ commitment to sustainable growth, innovative leadership and exemplary business practices. The Fast Enterprise Award acknowledges the company’s rapid growth and adaptability in an ever-evolving and competitive market.

“DigiPlus was born from a vision to redefine digital entertainment in the Philippines. This recognition is a celebration of the incredible passion, ingenuity, and dedication of our team. It is also a tribute to our stakeholders, whose trust empowers us, and the communities we serve, who inspire us to continue pushing boundaries and elevating entertainment experiences for all,” said Celeste Jovenir, VP of Investor Relations, Corporate Communications and Sustainability.

The post DigiPlus Celebrates Double Victory at the Asia Pacific Enterprise Awards appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Asia

Government support, medals, and global recognition define a landmark year for Indian esports and video gaming in 2024

Published

1 week ago

December 16, 2024

Wladimir P.

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Reading Time: 5 minutes

The Indian video gaming and esports industry witnessed exponential growth in 2024, breaking into the mainstream. According to the recently published ‘India Gaming Report,’ the Indian pure-play gaming industry is valued at INR 6,715 crore and is on track to grow at a CAGR of 24%, reaching INR 10,487 crore by 2026. With a staggering 13.85 crore gamers and an annual growth rate of 11.82% projected until 2026, the sector shows no signs of slowing down.

This year was marked by several historic milestones. India showcased its esports prowess on the global stage by securing a silver medal in Tekken 8 at the BRICS Esports Championship and a bronze medal in eFootball at the Asian Esports Games 2024. Adding to the excitement, the International Olympic Committee’s announcement of the Olympic Esports Games 2025 has opened new doors for India to achieve further international acclaim in esports.

Government and state support for the industry also saw remarkable growth. The Union Cabinet announced the establishment of the National Centre of Excellence for AVGC-XR in Mumbai, while the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting is backing the inaugural WAVES Esports Championships 2025. States like Bihar introduced esports tournaments in schools, and Meghalaya became the first Indian state to sponsor an esports team. Nagaland also joined the momentum by hosting its first esports tournament, reflecting the growing grassroots movement across the country.

In addition to government initiatives, one of the industry leaders driving this transformation was NODWIN Gaming, a leader in new-age youth entertainment, gaming, and esports whose initiatives elevated Indian gaming to new heights. The company’s flagship esports IP, the BGMI Masters Series, not only brought esports to national television for the third consecutive year but also facilitated the entry of high-profile brands like Garnier Men and Android into the Indian esports ecosystem.

NODWIN Gaming also created one of the nation’s biggest youth entertainment events of the year by hosting DreamHack India alongside Hyderabad Comic Con. Internationally, the company acquired leading European esports company Freaks 4U Gaming and Turkey-based esports firm Ninja Global, while also partnering with the Global Esports Federation. Domestically, NODWIN Gaming expanded its footprint by acquiring Trinity Gaming and Comic Con India and collaborating with JSW Sports, reinforcing its position at the heart of youth entertainment.

Akshat Rathee, Co-founder and Managing Director, NODWIN Gaming believes that in 2024, games became an integral part of the cultural zeitgeist, with creators and influencers amplifying their appeal among youth. The year witnessed significant strides in institutional support, with government recognition playing a pivotal role in legitimising esports as a sport.

“This rapid growth of gaming and esports has allowed NODWIN Gaming to evolve into a holistic youth-focused entertainment company. By focusing on curating entertainment platforms that go beyond esports, we have managed to build a comprehensive ecosystem that includes content production, event management, and community engagement, enabling us to connect with youth across multiple touchpoints. We believe that our philosophy of timeshare of mindshare has driven our strategy to reach audiences where they live, play, and engage, ensuring sustained growth and relevance,” he explains.

A significant highlight this year was the acknowledgment of the gaming industry by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. For the first time ever, the PM met with leading Indian gamers like Animesh Agarwal (8Bit Thug), Naman Mathur (Mortal), and Payal Dhare (PayalGaming) to discuss the sector’s various aspects and its potential.

Creating even more history, S8UL Esports, India’s leading esports and gaming content organization, co-founded by Mortal and Animesh, completed a hat-trick of awards at the global Esports Awards, with Mortal also winning ‘Esports Content Creator of the Year.’ S8UL secured back-to-back victories at MOBIES 2024, with PayalGaming becoming the first Indian female to win ‘Streamer of the Year,’ further elevating India’s global esports reputation.

“2024 was a landmark year for S8UL, filled with milestones that cemented our position as leaders in global esports. In the past year, esports has solidified its position as a mainstream cultural phenomenon. The distinction between competitive esports and gaming became clearer, helping audiences and stakeholders better understand the ecosystem. At the same time, esports, traditional sports, and influencer-driven content began working more cohesively, creating synergies that enhanced fan experiences and industry growth. Brands now view esports not just as a sponsorship opportunity but as a platform for deep, authentic engagement with Gen Z and Millennials. This evolution underscores the industry’s maturity, making esports a dynamic and indispensable part of modern culture,” states Animesh Agarwal aka 8Bit Thug, Co-founder, S8UL Esports.

While India has long been a mobile-first gaming market, 2024 saw developments aimed at diversifying the landscape, with CyberPowerPC, a global leader in custom gaming computers, making its debut in the Indian market. Along with its groundbreaking configurator tool, the company introduced the EZPC module, allowing gamers to build PCs tailored to their favorite titles.

CyberPowerPC recently demonstrated its commitment to expanding the PC gaming community by awarding two premium gaming PCs, each valued at over INR 1 lakh, to two gamers at one of India’s largest gaming festivals in Mumbai. The initiative aimed to showcase the potential of custom gaming PCs while fulfilling the dreams of these gamers for an unparalleled gaming experience.

Vishal Parekh, Chief Operating Officer, CyberPowerPC India, notes “2024 has been a year of unprecedented growth for the Indian gaming and esports ecosystem. Gaming has evolved into a mainstream cultural phenomenon, fueled by India’s expanding digital economy and government initiatives like ‘Digital India,’ which have provided fertile ground for the industry’s growth. The focus on Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities has unlocked new demographics, driving demand for high-performance gaming rigs. At CyberPowerPC India, we have strengthened our engagement with the gaming community through partnerships with esports organizations, and our focus remains on delivering systems that combine high performance with affordability.”

Another notable development in the Indian gaming sector was 88 Pictures, the Indian animation and VFX studio behind Emmy-winning shows launching its game development division called 88 Games. With three premium titles in development, the studio aims to showcase India’s rich folklore and history to a global audience. This aligns with Prime Minister Modi’s Independence Day call for Indian developers to make their mark internationally, positioning 88 Games as a leader in India’s growing presence in the global gaming landscape.

“In 2024, we witnessed a surge of homegrown studios and games, including our own, highlighting the immense potential for the industry’s growth. The rapid growth of gaming and esports has transformed them into viable career paths. Awareness has increased, not just about being a gamer or creator but also about the wide array of roles in the industry. While the industry is currently mobile-centric, there’s a massive opportunity in PC and console gaming. At 88 Games, we aim to fill this gap by focusing on premium titles for these platforms, contributing to a more balanced and diverse gaming ecosystem,” says Milind D. Shinde, Founder & CEO of 88 Games.

As the year closes, it is evident that Indian esports and gaming have not only grown but transformed into a cultural and economic powerhouse. Given the rapid pace of growth, the industry is all set to shape the future of entertainment both at home and on the global stage.

The post Government support, medals, and global recognition define a landmark year for Indian esports and video gaming in 2024 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.