Latest News

Videogame culture provides overlooked opportunity to engage with climate change, says new report

Published

4 years ago

October 29, 2021

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Organisations wishing to have an impact on climate change shouldn’t overlook the opportunities presented by working with the breadth of videogame culture, according to a report from the global entertainment and research charity OKRE and commissioned by UKRI.

Ahead of COP26, Iain Dodgeon, Director of OKRE, said: “Videogames are a global cultural force. Relentless technological and creative innovation alongside the core consideration of the player in the game design process has propelled the sector’s expansion. No other media exhibits quite such a mutability of form and purpose.”

And indeed as videogames have evolved, so too has how people engage with them – not just playing videogames, but playing with them in other media and in other areas of our lives.

Iain Simons, co-author of the report and curator-at-large for the National Videogame Museum, said: “Because so much of the industry marketing around them is about technology – ‘faster! more realistic! better than last year’s model!’ – it’s tempting to think that games are just hardware and software. The most interesting and important part of videogames is how we live with them. They’re a fantastically rich place for public engagement, both in the games themselves and in the cultures we build around them.”

As games such as Fortnite have become social destinations in their own right, they provide a significant and mostly untapped opportunity for public engagement. However rather than focusing on developing a single game with climate themes, the report, Playing With Videogame Culture, identifies seven broader strategic opportunities for public engagement with climate science through videogames

These opportunities include embracing the breadth of videogame culture in both digital and non-digital spaces. This culture includes streaming, fan communities, fan-fiction and cosplay, and provides a rich and collaborative space that can reach diverse audiences.
Harnessing interest in videogames to inspire engagement with a wide array of STEAM skills and careers is another area of focus, and the report says practitioners should particularly try to understand their potential applications in other sectors, such as future innovation around climate change.

Enabling a more diverse range of communities to creatively explore opportunities for climate action is also key, and one recommended way to go about this is by utilising no-code game design tools to open up participation and creative expression, removing a requirement for technical skills. Organisations should also prioritise local and hyper-local engagement, focusing on social and environmental concerns of more direct relevance to these communities who are often underrepresented in public engagement work.

One opportunity for doing this is through the creation of site and time-specific games – projects that are uniquely relevant to different communities and calendar events, and which can enable people to interact with their area in new and exciting ways.

Digital exclusion is a key concern, and OKRE’s report recommends that both digital and non-digital access points should be included in any programme, with public engagement practitioners embracing board games, card games and other physical games alongside videogames to maximise engagement and access.
Iain Dodgeon said: “By embracing the breadth of opportunities available to engage with videogame culture, organisations can create lasting impact in their public engagement work. This is an area that has been overlooked until now, and so there is really exciting potential for organisations to work in fresh ways.”

The report brings to light past and present examples of videogames engaging with climate change and work being done within the industry in a bid to mitigate its own carbon footprint. It concludes that engagement with climate change should not focus on the development of a single game with climate themes, but rather consider the opportunities available within wider videogame culture to engage diverse communities and increase impact.

OKRE is a new charity providing a global centre for collaboration and knowledge exchange across research, the entertainment industry, and the social impact sector. The charity runs the OKRE Network, which connects professionals across sectors, as well as curating events such as the OKRE Development Rooms, and providing funding and resources to catalyse the creation of entertainment that benefits from alternative insights brought via research and lived experience.

Latest News

7777 gaming gains certification for Italian iGaming market

Published

1 hour ago

July 8, 2025

George Miller

Reading Time: 2 minutes

7777 gaming is proud to announce that it has successfully obtained the required certification to offer its iGaming content in Italy, marking a significant step forward in the company’s continued expansion across regulated European markets.

This milestone underlines 7777 gaming’s strategic vision of building a global presence through compliance, innovation, and strong partnerships. The Italian market, known for its mature regulatory framework and discerning player base, presents an ideal environment for the company’s next-generation games to thrive.

“Italy is an essential milestone in our international roadmap. With certification secured and partnerships already signed with well-established local companies, we’re bringing our fresh and distinctive portfolio to one of Europe’s most mature gaming markets,” said Elena Shaterova, Chief Commercial Officer at 7777 gaming. “We’re excited to build on these strong collaborations and deliver gaming experiences that truly stand out.”

The certified game package for the Italian market showcases 7777 gaming’s signature diversity in format, theme, and gameplay innovation. It includes a robust lineup of slot games, such as Crazy 100 Bucks, Cash 100, Thracian Treasures, and Vault Looter – titles built to deliver consistent performance and broad appeal. The portfolio also features instant win games like Sea of Treasures and Bloody Stakes & Riches, offering fast-paced mechanics. Additionally, 7777 gaming introduces its distinctive “Innovative” – a category reserved for titles that push creative and technical boundaries. Among them, Devil’s Deal Soul for Sale stands out with its unique storytelling, visual style, and experimental gameplay, reflecting the company’s bold approach to modern iGaming entertainment.

All games are designed with a strong focus on player engagement, featuring popular functionalities such as multipliers, bonus rounds, free spins, gamble features, expanding reels, and buy bonus options.

With this new certification, Italy becomes the 14th consecutive market in 7777 gaming’s global expansion. Over the past three years, the company has extended its reach worldwide, establishing a presence across diverse regions and regulated markets. Since the beginning of 2025 alone, 7777 gaming has secured entry into Peru, Brazil, Colombia, Croatia, and Italy underlining its commitment to growth and trusted partnerships. The team remains dedicated to bringing high-performing, regulation-ready content that resonates with players and operators everywhere.

About 7777 gaming:

7777 gaming is an innovative and data-driven B2B igaming provider, founded in 2020 with the mission to revolutionize and challenge the status quo in the industry by offering 360-degree platform, state-of-the-art online casino games, iLottery, Jackpot, and marketing solutions, draw-based games, scratch cards, and much more.

The product is built by a dedicated team of visionaries with over 20 years of experience. The games and the RNG are tested and compliant in several highly regulated jurisdictions worldwide. Besides, the company achieved and maintained ISO 27001 certification. 7777 gaming holds a gambling license in Bulgaria and Romania and an MGA Certificate to provide its online casino games to these markets.

7777 gaming is already partnering with the leading aggregators and platform providers in the igaming industry.

Contact us:

[email protected]

https://www.7777gaming.com

Social Media:

The post 7777 gaming gains certification for Italian iGaming market appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Latest News

Heavyweight Club by GR8 Tech Signals New Era of Operator Ambition at iGB L!VE

Published

2 hours ago

July 8, 2025

George Miller

Reading Time: 3 minutes

The iGaming industry got a taste of heavyweight ambition at iGB L!VE London 2025, where GR8 Tech unveiled its Heavyweight Club—an exclusive community that takes domination in iGaming markets as seriously as world champion Oleksandr Usyk takes defending his undisputed heavyweight title.

“iGB L!VE London was the ignition point for the Heavyweight Club. We showcased top-tier tech and connected with operators ready to lead, scale, and dominate. The energy, the conversations, the demand for real performance confirmed what we’ve always believed: the iGaming industry is hungry for heavyweight solutions and GR8 Tech is here to deliver,” said Sergey Ghazaryan, GR8 Tech’s CRO.

Industry Response Points to Market Appetite

With increased competition making differentiation more challenging, speed-to-market pressure intensifying as new markets emerge, and technology debt from legacy systems hindering operators’ growth, the industry is at a critical juncture. In 110 meetings with the sales team and over 65 conducted demos, operator feedback consistently centered on these exact challenges.

This shift is evident across the ecosystem. Mariia Shmelova, CEO of Aff.Tech—GR8 Tech’s proprietary affiliate management platform—observed similar patterns: “One major trend is the demand for greater transparency and performance accountability. Operators want to see exactly what’s driving traffic, conversions, and ROI. That’s why we’ve been doubling down on data—not just analytics, but actionable insights that affiliates and operators can use in real time. We’re also seeing growing interest in multi-geo, multi-brand campaigns, and our platform is built to support those kinds of complex setups with ease. Flexibility, automation, and smart integrations are the future.”

The conversations revealed a clear understanding: champion ambitions require champion tools. Operators emphasized the need for high-performance solutions that deliver geo-specificity for local market domination and margin mastery that turns competitive pressure into profit advantage. The response highlighted how operators are seeking partners who understand that every champion needs exactly the right tools for their specific fight.

GR8 Tech’s approach resonated because it addresses this reality with three key solutions designed for different use scenarios:

Hyper Turnkey, which delivers fully managed casino and sportsbook operations that scale with ambition;
ULTIM8 Sportsbook iFrame with its lightning-fast integration and market-specific customization capabilities;
Infinite Casino Aggregation, offering premium gaming experiences with an operator-first flexibility.

This comprehensive approach ensures every operator gets precisely what they need to overcome their unique market challenges and achieve championship-level performance.

Heavyweight Club Momentum Builds Toward Next Championship Round

The “Fight for Greatness” collection drew significant attention on the show floor. Attendees’ enthusiasm for the showcased apparel and accessories, paired with strong performance of the online store, confirmed that the Heavyweight Club resonates far beyond technology—it’s a mindset people want to embody and a philosophy they want to wear.

GR8 Tech’s AR experience featuring Oleksandr Usyk became a magnet for attendees, with over 80 participants stepping into the champion’s world in one of the most memorable activations on the show floor. Winners of the AR experience didn’t just walk away with impressive pictures—they earned tickets to witness Usyk defend his undisputed heavyweight title against Daniel Dubois this July.

Just as Usyk will defend his title at Wembley, the Heavyweight Club will continue its championship journey beyond iGB L!VE. The next epic edition awaits at SBC Summit in September, where the movement will expand with new challenges and opportunities for operators ready to dominate their markets.

Ready to fight for greatness? Connect with GR8 Tech and step into the ring.

GR8 Tech. Platform for Champions

GR8 Tech is an award-winning provider, delivering high-performance sportsbook and iGaming solutions that empower operators to lead and win in competitive markets. Key elements of GR8 Tech’s comprehensive portfolio include the Hyper Turnkey solution, ULTIM8 Sportsbook iFrame, Infinite Casino Aggregation, and Platform Acceler8 suite, featuring its proprietary affiliate management platform, Aff.Tech.

With a geo-specific approach to solutions, a focus on practical innovations, and an operator-first mindset, GR8 Tech helps its clients achieve measurable results in their target markets quickly and efficiently. Trusted by top operators worldwide, GR8 Tech has over 100 successful cases and earned multiple recognitions, including the title of the Best Sports Betting Provider in CEE by GamingTECH Awards 2025.

The post Heavyweight Club by GR8 Tech Signals New Era of Operator Ambition at iGB L!VE appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Latest News

FBMDS introduces Piñata Rush – A Thrilling Twist on Crash Gaming Innovation

Published

2 hours ago

July 8, 2025

George Miller

Reading Time: < 1 minute

FBMDS proudly announces the upcoming launch of Piñata Rush, the newest entry in the Momentum Series of crash games. Built with multiplayer engagement in mind and backed by seamless cross-platform performance, Piñata Rush is set to become a standout experience in the evolving crash category. Designed for operators seeking flexible, feature-rich crash content, Piñata Rush combines classic single-multiplier crash mechanics with innovative social elements and refined gameplay systems.

Unlike traditional crash games, Piñata Rush introduces Bet Rankings, a real-time leaderboard mechanic that highlights player bets and cashouts during each round. This dynamic layer fosters social competitiveness and increases player visibility — two key factors in improving session depth and repeat play.

With the ability to place up to two simultaneous bets per round, configurable Auto Cashout, and both manual and automatic betting options, Piñata Rush offers players tactical freedom and operators a new way to appeal to diverse user profiles.

Key Product Highlights:

Multiplayer crash format with shared rounds and real-time Bet Rankings
Configurable maximum multiplier from 100x to 1000x
Manual and Auto-Bet functionality
Auto Cashout starting from 1.01x for strategic control
Support for dual betting in every round
Optimized for Desktop, Tablet & Mobile
RTP: 97.06%

Operators also benefit from a built-in Tournament Tool, allowing regionally tailored competitions with multilingual support, flexible prize types, and custom campaign configuration. Combined with in-game history tracking, streamlined settings, and full visual customization options, Piñata Rush is engineered to drive engagement while offering operational versatility. As part of FBMDS’ growing Momentum Series, which also includes Magical Garden and Arctic Jumper, Piñata Rush continues the brand’s commitment to delivering high-performing, modular crash content designed for today’s dynamic player profiles in emerging markets.

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