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YAHAHA Studios steals the show at GDC with AI Generated-Content Co-Pilot

Published

3 years ago

March 30, 2023

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Game Developer Conference (GDC) 2023 saw YAHAHA taking over the convention from March 20th – 24th, drawing more than 2,700 participants to its in-booth speeches, over 5,000 people to its networking party, and supporting the creation of nearly 800 games during GDC. All games were created by attendees during YAHAHA’s live events and supported by YAHAHA’s code-free data-oriented design (DoD) engine. The company also revealed its upcoming features plan, including an AI generated-content (AIGC) Co-pilot feature, multiplayer mobile creation, one-click art style changes, VR adaptation, and more.

YAHAHA demonstrated its pioneering Text2Game AIGC Co-Pilot tool – YAI – in an exclusive demo at GDC 2023. With this application, game developers will be able to streamline the creation process even further, generating locales, environments and worlds with just a few text prompts. Utilising YAHAHA’s ever-growing asset library, its cutting-edge inbuilt virtual assistant builds environments seamlessly and with speed. The platform’s DoD engine’s capabilities include the ability to save the entire game state, as well as a novel design approach tailored to less-experienced developers, enabling creators to develop game concepts which may have previously been too complex. With the introduction of AIGC, an intended key feature of YAHAHA which will launch soon, YAHAHA aims to lower the barrier to entry even further for developers, as well as reduce the overall cost of game creation.

Also revealed was the mobile co-creation feature, supported by the DoD engine, which will make YAHAHA the world’s first platform to support multiplayer game creation on mobile devices.

The upcoming one-click art style switcher will enable creators to bring their changing visions to life in an instant. Whether it be a Chinese ink painting, soft, dreamy watercolours, or an impactful cartoon style: with just a single click, YAHAHA users can experiment with different visual styles in their creations.

YAHAHA also announced its VR device adaptation milestone, which will adapt any game created on YAHAHA for VR devices – at no extra cost to developers. Not only will this allow developers to reach an even wider audience, but all of these features will work in tandem with YAHAHA’s new industry solutions, incorporating educational and metaverse initiatives, to form a seamless B2B, B2C, and commercial experience for all.

YAHAHA Studios also ran a series of in-booth and featured talks, attended by more than 2,700 people, where they discussed current applications of the platform and upcoming product releases to continue to widen access in game development. YAHAHA’s core ethos is to make game development easier and more intuitive for creators. This has led to its provision of an education program based on its own code-free gene development, incorporating courses which can be both embedded into campus curriculum systems and taken by individuals.

Adam Ardisasmita, Vice President of AGI, said, “[The] low code game development engine by Yahaha is effortless to use and powerful. It will be a very useful tool to bridge more players into game developers. Especially in Indonesia, YAHAHA can be a platform to create more talent in the game industry, which is why we’re excited to have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with YAHAHA to collaborate further with their community, creator programs, and educational outreach.”

Pengfei Zhang, COO at Yahaha Studios, said, “It’s been a pleasure to see so many people learning about and creating with YAHAHA at this year’s GDC. There’s been a real buzz around YAHAHA, and knowing that nearly 800 games were created at our booth is amazing. With the reveal of our new Text2Game generative AI tool, and following the release of Asset Ovi earlier this year, 2023 is set to be a year of launching even more powerful new features to enable game developers to realise their creative visions in YAHAHA.

The announcement of our B2B Metaverse solution is also an exciting opportunity to bring the Metaverse to more and more businesses and help them reach customers in new and ever-engaging ways. We remain committed to empowering creators with world-first tools, and aim to make YAHAHA the single best game development platform for developers of all backgrounds.”

YAHAHA, a community-focussed user-generated content (UGC) platform, continues to open up no-code and low-code creation to growing numbers of developers through its Metaverse project. Creators at the booth had access to YAHAHA’s Asset Library, which provides over a million ready-to-use 3D assets. Novice game developers were guided through the creation of their first game in just 15 minutes. All of the games created on YAHAHA’s 300MB app at GDC are now available to play online, as just some of the tens of thousands of UGC games supported by its servers.

BetMGM

BetMGM and FashionTV Gaming Group Bring Luxury Lifestyle to North American iGaming

Published

18 hours ago

January 6, 2026

Wladimir P.

betmgm-and-fashiontv-gaming-group-bring-luxury-lifestyle-to-north-american-igaming

BetMGM, a leading iGaming and sports betting operator, has officially partnered with FashionTV Gaming Group to launch a curated portfolio of luxury-branded games. This strategic collaboration marks the entry of FashionTV’s iconic aesthetic into the North American iGaming market, exclusively through BetMGM’s platforms.

The partnership merges FashionTV’s global prestige in the worlds of fashion and high-society entertainment with BetMGM’s award-winning digital casino infrastructure.

Immersive Luxury Table Games

The initial rollout features two high-gloss table games designed to provide players with an “immersive, lifestyle-driven” experience that mirrors the sophistication of the FashionTV brand.

FashionTV Blackjack: A premium take on the casino classic, featuring refined visual assets and high-end production values.
FashionTV Roulette: A sleek, stylized version of the iconic wheel, bringing a “fashion-forward” energy to every spin.

The titles are currently live in Michigan, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, with a wider rollout planned for all jurisdictions where BetMGM Casino is active.

Strategic Vision and 2026 Roadmap

For BetMGM, the partnership is part of a broader “branded content” strategy that includes previous successes with major TV and movie franchises.

“At BetMGM, we have redefined what it means to deliver entertainment in iGaming,” said Oliver Bartlett, VP of Gaming at BetMGM. “By partnering with FashionTV Gaming Group, we’re creating experiences that go beyond gameplay and connect players to the brands they love.”

Moshe Cohen, Founder & President of FashionTV Gaming Group, added: “BetMGM’s leadership and scale make them the perfect partner to transform our vision into a North American success story.”

Looking ahead, BetMGM has confirmed that additional FashionTV-branded titles—including slots and potentially live dealer variants—will be released throughout 2026 as part of an expanding content pipeline.

The post BetMGM and FashionTV Gaming Group Bring Luxury Lifestyle to North American iGaming appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Brazil Betting Law

2026 iGaming Regulatory Roadmap: Key Compliance Deadlines

Published

21 hours ago

January 6, 2026

Wladimir P.

2026-igaming-regulatory-roadmap:-key-compliance-deadlines

As the industry gathers for ICE Barcelona 2026, the regulatory landscape has shifted into a high-execution phase. The following roadmap outlines the critical compliance dates for three of the most influential markets currently undergoing major transitions: the United Kingdom, Brazil, and the Philippines.

Date	Jurisdiction	Regulatory Milestone	Action Required for Operators/Suppliers
Jan 19, 2026	United Kingdom	LCCP Social Responsibility Code 5.1.1 Update	Ban on Mixed-Product Incentives: Offers like “Bet £10, get 20 free spins” are now prohibited. Wagering Caps: Bonus wagering is capped at a maximum of 10x.
Jan 19-21, 2026	Global / EMEA	ICE Barcelona 2026	Flagship event for showcasing 2026 compliance technology and real-time auditing solutions.
Mar 19, 2026	United Kingdom	LCCP Condition 15.2.1 Reporting	Key Event Reporting: Threshold for reporting operator status/shareholder changes raised from 3% to 5%. All loans must be reported regardless of written agreements.
Mar 31, 2026	Philippines	PAGCOR B2B Accreditation Deadline	Final Compliance Date: All B2B providers (studios, aggregators, affiliates) must be accredited. Unaccredited foreign content will be blocked from licensed platforms.
Apr 6, 2026	United Kingdom	DMCC Act 2024 Alignment	Fair & Transparent Terms: Consumer Protection regulations replaced by the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024. Terms must align with new definitions of “misleading actions.”
June 30, 2026	United Kingdom	RTS 12 (Financial Limits)	Technical changes to Remote Technical Standards (RTS) regarding how customers set and view financial limits on their accounts.
H2 2026	Brazil	Betting Deposit Tax Vote	Proposed 15% tax on gambling deposits is expected to return to the Senate for a final vote after being pushed back in late 2025.

Regional Deep Dive: Strategic Compliance

1. United Kingdom: The “Safety & Simplicity” Era

The UKGC’s January 19th update is the most immediate challenge for marketing teams. By decoupling sports betting from casino bonuses, the regulator aims to reduce “cross-product friction” that could lead to unintended gambling harm.

Strategy: Pivot toward product-specific loyalty programs (e.g., “Bet £10 on Football, Get a £5 Free Bet”) to maintain compliance while driving retention.

2. Brazil: Sustaining the .bet.br Ecosystem

Following the January 1, 2025 launch of the regulated market, 2026 is about operational maturity. The focus has shifted to the mandatory use of the .bet.br domain and rigorous AML/KYC reporting to the Secretariat of Awards and Betting (SPA).

Strategy: Ensure all advertising features the mandatory license logo and that all protagonists in marketing materials are visibly over 21 years of age.

3. Philippines: The B2B Supply Chain Lockdown

PAGCOR’s new framework is a move to professionalize the region, mirroring the supplier-licensing models seen in Ontario and Malta.

Strategy: Foreign studios that missed the December 2025 “early bird” three-year accreditation window must expedite their applications before March 31st to avoid a total blackout on Filipino-facing sites.

The post 2026 iGaming Regulatory Roadmap: Key Compliance Deadlines appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

AI in Gambling

2026 iGaming Outlook: Regulation, AI Personalization, and the Return of “Originals”

Published

21 hours ago

January 6, 2026

Wladimir P.

2026-igaming-outlook:-regulation,-ai-personalization,-and-the-return-of-“originals”

The iGaming industry has officially entered a new era of discipline. As we move through the first quarter of 2026, the “wild west” growth of previous years has been replaced by a focus on sustainability, hyper-localization, and AI-driven player protection. From the finalization of the PROGA framework in India to the massive turnover records set by World Pool, the market is no longer just growing—it is maturing.

The Rise of “Explainable AI” in Player Retention

In 2026, AI has moved beyond simple game recommendations. Leading operators are now utilizing “Explainable AI” (XAI) to bridge the gap between engagement and compliance. Unlike traditional “black box” algorithms, XAI allows operators to understand why a player is being flagged for risky behavior or why a specific loyalty nudge was triggered.

This transparency is critical for maintaining trust in highly regulated markets like the UK and Ontario, where the UKGC’s 2026 Social Responsibility updates now demand more rigorous evidence of proactive player interaction.

“Originals” and the Rebirth of Video Poker

While high-volatility slots like Joker’s Jewels Hold & Spin continue to dominate headlines, a significant shift is occurring in the “non-slots” vertical.

The PowerPoker Revolution: Strategic partnerships, such as the recent QTech Games and Speedy Tomatoes deal, are revitalizing video poker. By adding features like “Swap-A-Card,” these games are capturing high-value player segments who prioritize skill and strategy.
Branded Originals: Platforms like MINT are proving that “Originals” (Mines, Crash, and Plinko) are no longer secondary products. Fully brandable house games are now a core foundation for crypto-first and Web3 operators, driving session frequency through provably fair mechanics.

Brazil and Ontario: The Battle for Market Supremacy

The geographic focus for 2026 remains firmly on Brazil and Ontario.

Brazil’s Advertising Evolution: With the newly regulated market in full swing, groups like Esportes Gaming Brasil joining IAB Brasil signal a shift toward responsible communication. Advertising is now a tool for helping consumers identify licensed platforms, moving away from aggressive acquisition tactics.
Ontario’s Content War: The region has become North America’s most dynamic hub. Agreements like the Peter & Sons and Casino Time deal highlight the demand for “indie-inspired” content that stands out in a saturated market.

Conclusion: The “Champion Mindset” for 2026

Success this year isn’t about volume; it’s about coherence. As highlighted by GR8 Tech’s “Champions Club” initiative for ICE Barcelona, the operators winning in 2026 are those who treat technology as a performance ecosystem. By aligning real-time data with compliant storytelling, brands are finding that “trust” is the most valuable currency in the modern iGaming world.

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