Leading iGaming content provider Spinomenal has officially kicked off the new year with the launch of Kami Reign Ultra Mode. The latest addition to the studio’s popular Mythology Series, the game transports players to a mystical twilight forest governed by ancient Japanese spirits.

Set against a backdrop of blooming cherry blossoms and traditional torii gates, the 5×4 reel slot is elevated by an atmospheric oriental soundtrack and a narrative centered on four powerful entities: Kitsune (the Fox Spirit), Raijin (the Thunder Demon), Jorōgumo (the Spider Woman), and Amaterasu (the Sun Goddess).

A Four-Stage Spiritual Journey

The game’s core innovation lies in its progressive Free Spins feature. Triggered by landing three Japanese Maple Tree symbols, the bonus round advances players through four distinct modes, each representing a different spirit:

1. Kitsune’s Guaranteed Wins: Any losing spin triggers a respin that guarantees a winning combination.

2. Raijin’s Sticky Wilds: Sticky Wilds appear and remain on the reels until the end of the round. In Ultra Mode, a multiplier starts at x2 and increases with every respin, resetting only after a win.

3. Jorōgumo’s Synced Reels: Two random reels are synchronized to display identical symbols. In Ultra Mode, this expands to three synced reels.

4. Amaterasu’s Stacked Wilds: Landing a full Stacked Wild triggers a respin. In Ultra Mode, Stacked Wilds are guaranteed on every spin across reels one to five.

The Power of Ultra Mode

Players can drastically enhance their gameplay by landing the Ultra Scatter—represented by a Divine Cherry Blossom Tree. This “Ultra Mode” boosts the mechanics of each free spin stage, offering increased multipliers, more synced reels, and guaranteed stacked Wilds.

In the base game, players can also benefit from random win multipliers of x2 or x3, while five Wild symbols on a payline offer a payout of x300 the bet.

“Kami Reign Ultra Mode takes players on an awesome Asian adventure alongside four Japanese spirits,” commented Omer Henya, CO-CEO of Spinomenal. “Stunning graphics, rich storytelling, and progressive features all help build an experience that players will adore.”

The post Spinomenal Rings in 2026 with Japanese-Inspired “Kami Reign Ultra Mode” appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Groove Technologies, the award-winning B2B iGaming solutions provider, has announced its high-profile participation in ICE Barcelona 2026. Taking place from January 19–21 at the Fira Barcelona Gran Via, the event marks a significant milestone as the world’s premier gaming trade fair moves to its new Spanish home.

Groove Technologies will join over 600 exhibitors and 65,000 industry professionals to demonstrate how its “plug-and-play” growth ecosystem is helping operators navigate the complexities of a maturing global market.

Mastering the Next Wave of iGaming Trends

As the industry looks toward 2026, the focus has shifted from mere content volume to sustainable, data-driven growth. Groove’s platform is designed to address this shift, offering a single, powerful engine that consolidates:

• Massive Content Library: Access to over 15,000 games from 150+ top-tier providers.

• Streamlined Integration: A single API that reduces technical debt and speeds up time-to-market.

• Growth-Focused Tools: Built-in analytics, marketing automation, and localization features to engage players in diverse regulatory environments.

Leadership Insights: Partnership as a Catalyst for Growth

The Groove leadership team will be on-site to discuss strategic scaling and market entry.

“The industry is moving beyond just offering games; it’s about delivering the right localized content with the right tools,” said Rachel Tourgeman, Head of Partnerships at Groove Technologies. “ICE is the definitive venue to connect face-to-face with partners who are serious about scaling their business intelligently.”

Giusy Campo, Business Development Director, emphasized the importance of networking: “Our entire platform is built to be a growth catalyst. I’m looking forward to discussing the specific mechanics of success with current and future partners. Let’s transform potential into performance.”

Yahale Meltzer, Co-Founder and COO, added that the platform serves as a “comprehensive growth ecosystem,” allowing operators to launch fast and adapt to local player preferences with minimal friction.

Key Trends to Watch in 2026

Groove’s participation is informed by the critical trends set to dominate the iGaming landscape in 2026, including:

1. Hyper-Personalization: Real-time tailoring of the player experience.

2. Safer Gambling & Compliance: Automated, proactive player protection tools.

3. Social & Mobile Integration: Features that build community and leverage mobile-first habits.

Operators and prospective partners can visit the newly launched domain at www.groovetech.com to book a meeting with the team in Barcelona.

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Stretch Network is finishing 2025 on a high note by launching its second major wave of platform updates this month. The latest enhancements focus on deepening player loyalty through gamification and streamlining the user experience across its poker vertical.

The release introduces three core improvements: a versatile Mission System, the Button Blind game structure, and a revamped Run It Twice (RIT) functionality.

1. New Comprehensive Mission System

To help operators drive retention, Stretch Network has integrated an in-game Mission System. This allows for the creation of specific objectives across various poker formats, rewarding players for their activity. Operators can now configure missions from the Poker Back Office (BO) for:

• Cash Games & Sonic Tables: Objectives can be based on generated rake, total bet amount, hand count, or cashout milestones.

• Tournaments & Spin & Go: Objectives track tournament participation, rake contribution, and total bets.

2. High-Action “Button Blind” Option

In a move to accelerate gameplay and increase pot sizes, Stretch Network has introduced the Button Blind option. Instead of the traditional Small and Big Blinds, a single blind is posted by the player on the dealer button. This format is a favorite in Shortdeck (6+ Hold’em) and high-stakes circles, as it encourages more aggressive pre-flop action and simplifies the blind structure.

3. Optimized “Run It Twice” (RIT) UX

Responding to player feedback and data, the network has overhauled the Run It Twice feature. Previously, the RIT toggle was permanently visible, which cluttered the interface and led to lower adoption rates.

The feature is now contextually dynamic, appearing only when a relevant “all-in” situation occurs. This improvement makes the decision-making process more intuitive and convenient for players, ensuring the feature is used when it matters most.

“These updates are aimed at improving gameplay and engagement for the players, and Stretch Network will continue delivering meaningful platform improvements in the coming year,” the company stated regarding the rollout.

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