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Game pioneers establish studios in Boden
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This week, Boden Business Park is excited to announce that gaming veterans Peter Zetterberg and Thomas Lindgren are opening a new studio, Wanderword, in Boden, Sweden that will develop interactive audiobooks for mobile devices and smart speakers.
In 1993, Zetterberg founded one of Sweden’s first gaming companies, Unique Development Studios (UDS), best known for their racing title, Ignition. In 2007, Zetterberg began work on Microsoft’s Xbox team and has been there ever since eventually working his way up to Director of Operations & Integrations. Thomas Lindgren brings over 20 years of experience working within the Swedish video game industry to the table and currently serves as the chairman for Fatshark, publisher and developer of the successful video game series, Warhammer: Vermintide, as well as for Glorious Games Group and Wanderword.
Born out of passion for video games and storytelling, in 2012, Zetterberg began working on Wanderword whenever he found free time. Wanderword is a patented mobile platform for interactive audiobooks. A Wanderword story can be played on any mobile device or in-home voice enabled device, such as an Amazon Echo or Google Home. Utilizing speech synthesis, advanced speech recognition, rich sound effects, and branching narratives, Wanderword empowers writers to sell or share their stories with active listeners around the world. This excitingly innovative medium reflects Boden’s vision to become a new hub for the digital entertainment and video gaming industry.
“Wanderword fuses the concept of audio books with the immersion of video games. The studio in Boden will spearhead our efforts in this new business. The team will work closely with international and published authors, design engineers and music composers to create immersive interactive audiobooks,” says Zetterberg.
In addition to Wanderword, the Seattle-based game company, House of How, founded and led by former Microsoft engineer, Russ McMackin, will also establish itself in Boden. House of How has been a partner of Microsoft’s Minecraft Marketplace for quite some time. Among many other products and services, McMackin had a hand in the development of Microsoft’s HoloLens. A total of 15 interns are expected to join the two studios in January next year with plans to expand in the near future.
“I grew up in a small town before there was an established game developer industry in Sweden. I know how much talent there truly is outside our larger cities, be it in music, games, art and film. I want to make sure Team Wanderword taps into that pool of passionate talent and help young and aspiring game developers grow and eventually, build their own companies. Giving back to my country is the least I can do at this stage of my career” says Zetterberg, who has been working for Microsoft since 2007 as Director of Studios Operations.
“These establishments are the proof that we are working in the right direction” says Erik Svensson, CEO of Boden Business Agency.
Boden municipality’s tech trip began in 2011 with a major effort focused on the electricity intensive industry. This was followed in 2015 by the construction of Studio Nord. In the following year, a decision had been made to turn Boden into the next big city for the gaming industry. In the fall of 2017, classes in game design and development were being offered at Boden Business Park, in hopes of turning the business park. into a talent factory where young stars can grow, and companies within the gaming industry can develop and expand.
“We notice that the interest increases to establish game studios in Boden and Northern Sweden and that there is a curiosity in the market about what we are creating here,” says Mattias Bergqvist, business developer game industry at Boden Business Agency.
Thomas Lindgren, a veteran in the gaming industry, is also involved in the game initiative that is taking place in Boden. He has also played a huge part in attracting Zetterberg and McMackin.
“To be able to establish a local industry, it must be possible to arrange internships on site and to get support in starting companies, but also to attract experienced game developers to the area. With this establishment, the opportunity is given to all three, says Thomas Lindgren.
“Thomas and Peter are some of the most senior Swedes that we have in the gaming industry and their names together give enormous credibility to what we are building up here,” Mattias Bergqvist concludes.
Source: Latest News on European Gaming Media Network
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Join ACR Poker’s Freeroll to WSOP Qualifiers this Sunday and secure your chance to win a free ticket to the $50 Million GTD WSOP Super Main Event in the Bahamas
The countdown to the $50 Million GTD WSOP Super Main Event in the Bahamas is on, and ACR Poker is offering players a chance to win their way to this monumental event for free. On Sunday, December 1st, players can join the Freeroll to WSOP Qualifiers and claim one of 100 free $95 satellite tickets, putting them one step closer to winning a coveted $30K WSOP Paradise Package.
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“The Freeroll to WSOP Qualifiers is your chance to turn a $0 investment into a $30K package in paradise and a poker journey of a lifetime,” said 2003 WSOP Main Event Champion and ACR Pro Chris Moneymaker. “Every poker player dreams of moments like this, and with just one freeroll and one $95 Satellite, you could be heading to the Bahamas to compete for huge stakes in poker’s biggest live tournament ever.”
Winners of the premium $30,000 package will receive a luxurious 14-night stay at the 5-Star Atlantis Paradise Island Resort (December 6th-19th) with complimentary lunch and dinner, a $26,000 buy-in to the WSOP Super Main Event, access to an exclusive players’ lounge and entry to the $1 Million Super Save Gold Bracelet Freeroll.
For those looking to increase their chances of earning their $95 Beast ticket, Daily Super Satellites will continue through this Saturday, with five daily freerolls awarding $11 Super Satellite tickets and five $11 Turbo tournaments guaranteeing five $95 seats. This Sunday will also feature two freerolls leading to $11 Super Satellites, plus a Mega Super Satellite at 10:10am ET with 30 guaranteed $95 tickets.
For more details on the Freeroll to WSOP Qualifiers, visit ACRPoker.eu.
The post ACR POKER IS AWARDING 100 FREE SEATS TO FINAL WSOP QUALIFIER, WITH FIVE GUARANTEED $30K PACKAGES TO PARADISE appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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The MEGA FREEBUY tournaments feature a €5,000 prize pool guarantee, with a €0 buy-in and rebuys available for just €1. Taking place on 30 November, 7, 14, and 21 December at 16:00 (UTC+0), each tournament accommodates up to 4,000 players.
For media partners, these tournaments highlight the capabilities of Stretch Network’s industry-leading online poker software and its ability to drive player retention and acquisition. By offering such tournaments, poker platforms powered by Stretch Network can set themselves apart in the competitive online gaming market.
Our solutions are designed for B2B poker providers seeking innovative tools to deliver exceptional gaming experiences. The World Poker League and the MEGA FREEBUY tournaments serve as a testament to the scalability, reliability, and engagement opportunities our platform provides.
We welcome our media partners to collaborate with us in promoting this exciting series, further establishing Stretch Network as a trusted name in online poker solutions.
The post Stretch Network Unveils MEGA FREEBUY Tournaments in World Poker League Season 3 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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SuperGaming’s highly anticipated Indo-futuristic Battle Royale game, Indus, has achieved a significant milestone, surpassing 5 million downloads on the Google Play Store and over 100,000 installs on the iOS App Store. This remarkable feat solidifies its position as one of India’s fastest-growing games. The title has also been recognized as the Best Made in India Game by Google Play in their prestigious Best of 2024 awards.
Indus has captivated players with its distinctive Indo-futuristic world setting that seamlessly blends Indian culture with futuristic aesthetics, immersive gameplay, and community-driven innovation. Key gameplay features like the Cosmium Clutch, Grudge Mechanic, and culturally inspired avatars and weapons have particularly resonated with players, offering strategic depth and adrenaline-filled matches.
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“Surpassing 5 million downloads is more than a milestone—it’s a reflection of the enthusiasm our players have for Indus,” said Roby John, Co-Founder and CEO of SuperGaming. “Hosting our first international playtest at the YGG Play Summit was another defining moment for us, and a reminder of what gaming can achieve—bridging cultures and bringing people together. We’re driven to keep breaking new ground and taking Indus to even greater heights, reaching newer players across the world,” he adds.
Furthermore, in a move to strengthen India’s esports ecosystem, SuperGaming has also announced its year-long Clutch India Movement. The initiative kicks off with the Indus International Tournament, running from October 2024 to February 2025, featuring a massive prize pool of INR 2.5 crores. The tournament will bring together top Indian and international teams across four competitive phases.
SuperGaming remains committed to keeping Indus fresh with regular updates based on player feedback, ensuring the game continually improves. These efforts demonstrate the studio’s commitment to creating a gaming experience that reflects its players’ needs and aspirations while redefining the global perception of Indian gaming.
The post SuperGaming’s Indus Battle Royale surpasses 5 million downloads; concludes first international playtest in Manila appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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