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New Study Shows Gamers & Game Developers Eager for a Free Market Virtual Item Economy
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86% of Game Developers Believe Tradeable Virtual Items Will Be Even More Important in Future Games
Video gaming has become much more than a hobby for players worldwide. From professional eSports teams to lucrative streaming careers, the gaming industry has evolved tremendously over the past decade. Today, there are roughly 2 billion global gamers who spend over $100 billion on gaming every year, and the majority of this revenue stems from the purchase of in-game items. For example, Fortnite has generated $1 billion in revenue entirely from in-game purchases. While the amount of money players spend on these digital items is staggering, in most cases, the game creators retain ultimate control over what players can and cannot do with the items they purchase. For example, many prohibit the transfer of item ownership and restrict item’s use to a certain game or platform. They can also revoke or ban access to the gamer’s items at their discretion – regardless of how much money the player spent on them. In the end, gamers do not truly own the content that they purchase.
True Ownership – A Future that Appeals to Both Players and Game Creators
To examine this ecosystem in-depth, Worldwide Asset eXchange
(WAX) commissioned a study of 500 game developers and 1,000 video gamers in the United States. WAX’s study found that the video gaming community wants more freedom and flexibility over their in-game virtual items, a concept known as true ownership of in-game items. Interestingly, it is not just gamers – game developers want this future too.
True ownership of in-game items – defined as allowing players to buy, sell, trade and use their items with no restrictions from third parties – enables a free-moving virtual items market.
Blockchain Technology Makes True Ownership Possible – and Billions of Dollars’ Worth of Items Even More Valuable
Thankfully, the inception of blockchain technology is radically changing the status quo of video gaming and outdated ownership protocols. And the WAX Blockchain is purpose-built to make true ownership of in-game items a reality. WAX’s study found that game creators are currently missing out on a valuable market segment by failing to enable true ownership of digital items.
For example, 68% of gamers said that they feel players deserve to truly own the items they purchase. Combine that with the 66% of game developers who said virtual items are a pivotal component of their game’s monetization strategy and item value is being suppressed by publisher or developer control. While in-game items currently play a key role for game developers, 86% believe tradeable virtual items will be even more important in future games than they are today.
Gamers and game developers alike see the benefits of allowing players to freely buy, sell and trade their virtual items. According to the survey, 69% of game developers believe when items are freely tradeable, it increases the value of those items, and 62% of gamers feel having the flexibility to transfer virtual items from game-to-game would make spending money on those items more worth it.
And, nearly three-fourths of gamers said they would purchase virtual items if they could use them in multiple games – which is made possible by true ownership. Of game developers surveyed, 84% would create cross-compatible in-game items if the technology allowed them to do so.
“True ownership of digital items is the future of video games. Players and game developers are both eager for a free-moving virtual item market, and the community’s interest will shift towards games that offer this,” said William Quigley, CEO of WAX. “By enabling cross-compatibility, which is made possible by true ownership, game developers can stand out from the millions of free-to-play games created every month and attract the most valuable segment of players to try out their game.”
The Future of True Ownership
WAX found that over half of game developers cited marketing as the highest unforeseen expense in game development. Developers are starting to see true ownership of items for what they could be in the future – the perfect customer acquisition tool. Developers of free-to-play games that enable cross-compatibility of items will attract players who are already proven to purchase in-game items. Since they’re proven to be purchasers of in-game items, they have a much higher propensity to buy more from a new game than players who never spend money on in-game items.
Moving forward, as companies search for new ways to keep their community engaged, it is clear their adoption of blockchain technology and true ownership will play a key role in their success. WAX’s study shows that the emerging market for true ownership of digital items is too important to ignore and the video game community is looking for platforms that offer these opportunities. With WAX’s purpose-built blockchain technology, this future is finally becoming a reality.
About WAX (Worldwide Asset eXchange)
WAX is the world’s first blockchain built for global e-commerce. WAX’s patent-pending blockchain e-commerce platform is the safest and most convenient way to create, buy, sell, and trade virtual items – to anyone, anywhere in the world. The world of digital ownership today is defined by its restrictions. WAX is building a future to where it will be redefined by its freedom. WAX is creating a full suite of blockchain-based tools that allows anyone to trade digital or even physical items instantly and securely, to anyone, anywhere. Participants of the Worldwide Asset eXchange gain access to a global community of collectors and traders, buyers and sellers, creators and gamers, merchants and game developers.
Worldwide Asset eXchange
, WAX are trademarks and the sole property of Worldwide Asset eXchange. All other registered or unregistered trademarks are the sole property of their respective owners.
Source: WAX
Source: Latest News on European Gaming Media Network
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13 gambling company executives in appeal against ATG’s proposal to raise gambling tax in Sweden
BOS – The Swedish Trade Association for Online Gambling – is today submitting a letter to the government. The letter is signed by 13 gambling company executives and BOS’s secretary general. In the letter, the signatories urge the government not to support the gambling company ATG in their proposal to raise the general gambling tax in favour of a reduction in the tax on horse racing.
As a main argument, the signatories highlight the fact that the level of the gambling tax affects the proportion of consumers who choose to gamble on the legal licensed gambling market, and that too many consumers are already opting out of the safety of the licensed market with its extensive consumer protection.
“Horse betting has a channelisation rate of between 98-99 percent. Online casino, according to the most optimistic estimates, has a channelisation rate of between 72-82 percent. The higher the tax, the greater the risk that the consumer will choose unlicensed gambling, where neither gambling tax nor consumer protection exists. To then lower the gambling tax for horse betting, which already has a very strong channelisation, and raise it for online casino, which has a very weak channelisation, would be completely incomprehensible. At least for those who prioritize consumer protection,” says BOS Secretary General Gustaf Hoffstedt.
You can read the full letter here: Letter to Government on ATG gambling duty
The post 13 gambling company executives in appeal against ATG’s proposal to raise gambling tax in Sweden appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.
FBMDS proudly unveils the Momentum Series, a crash gaming collection built to deliver fast-paced thrills, immersive visuals, and strong retention for online casino operators worldwide with the Piñata Rush, Magical Garden and Arctic Jumper titles.
Designed “for emotions” and “born to captivate”, the Momentum Series includes three high-performing titles — Piñata Rush, Magical Garden, and Arctic Jumper — that redefine the crash genre with dynamic gameplay, deep personalization, and stunning 3D environments.
The Momentum Series was created to give players more control, excitement, and emotional connection while providing operators with games designed for longer sessions and better retention metrics. Each title combines intuitive gameplay with high volatility, 97%+ RTP, and a responsive, mobile-first design, ensuring performance across devices and browsers. Players can personalize their experience with auto bets, double bets, and auto cashouts, adapting each round to their individual risk strategy.
Piñata Rush offers a colorful, multiplayer crash gaming experience set in lively Mexican-inspired streets. Players can track others’ progress in real time and enjoy a community-driven atmosphere that keeps engagement levels high. With 97.06% RTP and features such as Multiplayer, Auto Play, Auto Cash-Out, and a configurable Max Bet from 100x to 1000x, this crash game provides vibrant entertainment across Android, iOS, Mac OS, and Windows.
Magical Garden immerses players in a lush 3D fantasy world where serenity meets suspense. This single-player experience blends calm and thrill through Auto Play and Auto Cash-Out functions, allowing personalized strategies and a Max Bet configurable from 100x to 1000x. With 97% RTP, it offers operators a high-performing product with wide cross-platform compatibility.
Arctic Jumper brings adrenaline to the frozen north with a fully 3D single-player experience. Its immersive visuals and smooth performance are enhanced by Auto Play, Auto Cash-Out, and customizable betting options that match each player’s risk profile. Operating at 97% RTP, this title delivers consistent engagement and retention potential for competitive markets.
“The Momentum Series represents FBMDS’ evolution into crash gaming — a genre built on emotion, timing, and control,” said Renato Almeida, Director at FBMDS. “With Piñata Rush, Magical Garden, and Arctic Jumper, we’re delivering fast, flexible, and emotionally charged experiences that empower both players and operators.”
FBMDS brings a winning portfolio of innovative iGaming solutions, blending tradition with cutting-edge technology to deliver engaging, reliable, and profitable gaming experiences for operators worldwide. With a focus on slots, table games, video bingo, and now crash games, FBMDS empowers partners to scale and succeed in competitive markets.
The post Momentum Series: A Crash Gaming collection crafted for emotions in your online casino appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.
- Sunny feel-good vibes for everyone: Cozy Coast now available for iOS and Android
- New trailer highlights entertaining storytelling, merge-2 puzzles, and diverse gameplay elements
- Upcoming updates with new events and challenges for long-lasting fun
A beach adventure with heart: InnoGames, one of Germany’s leading developers and publishers of mobile and browser games, today launches Cozy Coast worldwide, bringing sunny feel-good moments to smartphones and tablets. The game is now available for free on the App Store and Google Play Store. Players in selected regions have already explored the Mediterranean island of Calista and experienced the captivating story of the two protagonists Mia and Elara. The unique mix of merge-2 puzzles, exploration, and heartfelt moments is clearly resonating with players, earning 4.8 on the App Store and 4.6 on Google Play out of 5 stars.
With today’s launch, InnoGames expands the game’s language support. Alongside the existing languages German, English, and French, Cozy Coast is now also available in Italian, Polish, Portuguese, and Spanish.
New Features, More Events: Regular Updates for Lasting Fun
In Cozy Coast, players accompany best friends Mia and Elara on a journey across the picturesque Mediterranean island of Calista. For Mia, the island is filled with childhood memories, but its former charm has faded. Together, they set out to restore the island. The gameplay centers on merge-2 mechanics: By skillfully combining items, players fulfill the wishes of island residents, collect resources, and restore buildings to unlock new areas of Calista. Along their journey, Mia and Elara encounter interesting characters, discover secrets, and explore the environment.
Check out the trailer on youtube: youtube.com/watch?v=hpacBlPfio4
Since the initial launch of Cozy Coast in selected regions, the development team has steadily expanded the merge-2 adventure. Customizable portraits, 3D decoration events, special quests with unique rewards, and advanced challenges for experienced players ensure there’s always something new to discover. The holiday season has also arrived: players can earn daily rewards, including the festive avatar “Winter Elara”.
Key Features of Cozy Coast
- Merge items: Strategically combine items to create new and higher-value objects
- Restore the seaside promenade: Renovate abandoned buildings to unlock new areas
- Adventure in paradise: Follow best friends Mia and Elara as they discover hidden places and uncover the secrets of a corporation with questionable intentions
- Characters with personality: Meet fascinating characters. Every encounter comes with a story – sometimes touching, sometimes mysterious, but always full of emotion
- Fresh challenges every day: Participate in competitive, daily, weekly, and seasonal events like exploration quests, puzzle collections, decoration and special story-driven missions to receive exciting rewards and enjoy lasting gameplay
- A personal touch: Use portrait customization to bring individuality and personality to every adventure.
- Unwind in a Mediterranean setting: Experience stress-free gameplay paired with a captivating story of friendship, courage, and hope
- Free to play without restrictions: Available worldwide on iOS and Android (except in Russia and China)
Cozy Coast is available on the App Store for iOS and on Google Play for Android.
For the latest news about the game, visit the official website or follow Cozy Coast on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.
The post Cozy Coast Launches Worldwide: Beach Adventure from InnoGames Now Available appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.
13 gambling company executives in appeal against ATG’s proposal to raise gambling tax in Sweden
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