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Zitro: Combining science and art to achieve gaming synergy
Reading Time: 5 minutes
As the varied sectors of the global gaming industry prepare to meet at this year’s ICE London, the world leading developer, Zitro Gaming highlights the importance of creative content experiences and teamwork regardless of whether its for land-based, online or social verticals. Talking ahead of the company’s showcase on Stand: N6-160 in London, Johnny Ortiz, founder of Zitro, explores the relationship between technology and ideas, the power of passion and why being one big family continues to drive Zitro’s success…
Zitro is a long term supporter of ICE London – how do you use the event to gain maximum benefit and what products are you bringing to the show?
Without a doubt ICE London is one of the most important events in our industry, and for us in particular, to show our current and future customers our full range of proven products as well as brand new releases. Visitors can see first-hand how well designed and executed our offering is and how it stands out compared to our competition, even to the most established suppliers. ICE also allows us to reiterate to the industry a compromise of delivering first-class service, adapted to our constant growing offering.
You have interests in both land-based and online – do you have separate creative teams for each sector or do they overlap and share ideas?
At Zitro we create gaming experiences. We then distribute the content through the various possible channels to reach the maximum amount of players, whether it’s land-based, online or social – the essence is the same, we just need to make the necessary adjustment required for each channel. For example, the gamification varies between social and land-based and we have people who create the experiences and then we have experts that adapt them to the channels. I don’t like to talk about different creative teams, as we are all one team. Zitro is one big family and we are all in the same boat rowing towards the same objective of becoming a global gaming leader.
How do you recruit the right talent to the various teams and where do you recruit from?
Despite the technical capacities of the personnel we recruit, we like to identify if a future employee shares our core values: Passion, Compromise, Team Spirit, Quality and Innovation. If a person has these values in their DNA, his or her adaptation to our organization will be much easier. In terms of how and where we recruit, it obviously depends on the country and the position we are trying to cover. Our experienced HR team figures out the best solution based on each vacancy we want to fill.
Can you describe a ‘normal’ day for the people working at Zitro?
The international growth means each and every one of us wakes up in the morning knowing about the progress that our colleagues have made on the other side of the oceans, allowing us to prioritize better and help each other. It provides true satisfaction to see how teamwork and compromise helped us to accomplish, in just a few years, what other companies took decades.
What’s more important technology or ideas?
This is a very interesting question, although not easy to respond to. A gaming experience is created based on science and art. Two components that can’t work without each other. Now, if you want to measure for every single game which one is more important, that is where it becomes very tricky. Experiences are based on emotional connections to human beings and this is where the limits between science and art become blurry. Now clearly, between ideas and technology one can’t work without the other, you first need an idea… without that, even the best technology can’t help. However, if you have a good idea and combine it with cutting edge technology, this is when you convert them into something great and this is where we put our focus at Zitro.
On a personal level where do you get your inspiration from – which personalities outside of the gaming sector would you describe as being inspirational and why?
During my career I had the privilege to get to know a lot of people that have inspired me along my journey, and who have motivated me in a way or another, but aren’t necessarily famous. To name a person that everybody can refer to due to his popularity worldwide and who has deeply affected me as a business person, I would name Steve Jobs. Two of our core values are also values that have marked his life: Passion and Innovation. His story is truly amazing, the way that he believed in and pushed innovation, even when others would call him crazy, has taken his companies to incredible levels of success. However, everything he has done, the things which went extremely well, as well as the ones that didn’t as much, he did with passion. He truly believed and felt the things he was doing and has fought for them, even when things were extremely complicated. I believe his passion acted as the engine of his success and is the real reason for it. I relate to him in this sense very much.
How has the industry changed over the years – are their fewer big personalities? Is it more or less entrepreneurial in its outlook?
The leading suppliers of this industry have changed during the last decades, however we can identify a pattern that repeats itself: a dynamic company with solid leadership can be very successful until it is absorbed by a big corporation, as this is when the company’s culture and leadership gets diluted. At Zitro our challenge is to maintain a firm and clearly defined path, with a solid leadership that allows us to keep growing without the distortion that a lot of companies, victims of a consolidation, are suffering.
The gaming industry is the second fastest adopter of new technology, how do you keep ahead of the curve in terms of the advances that are being made and that are available?
As a manufacturer it is part of our obligation to be always on top of the latest and identify the best to make our products stand out from the rest. That includes technology of course. Nothing however can replace the science or the art I mentioned earlier to create a great game. However, a great game can be an extraordinary experience thanks to the technology we have available nowadays.
Would you say that delivering choice and variety represent the cornerstones of your game development strategy and if so what are the key demographics that you design for?
Offering a variety of options provides our customers the certainty that his or her investment is secure. But more than the variety, what really matters is the quality and if the products and that the content is adapted to the end user, or player, if you will. For example, whether it’s a product for a local player or for casinos with a higher component of occasional visitors.
How difficult is it to engage with Generation Z?
The casinos face the challenge of being accepted by Generation Z as an attractive option for entertainment and not to be considered only a place for mature people. We as manufacturers have the obligation to help the casinos during this transformation by designing products that connect emotionally with the younger generations. At Zitro this is something that we always have in mind when creating products.
You put a lot of emphasis on customer service and attention – how does a growing international company deliver this on a consistent basis?
For an international company to be successful it needs to work as a local company in each country where it is present. This doesn’t mean necessarily that a physical office is needed in each country, but that you connect on a cultural level with your customers and speak their language. In addition, putting the necessary technical and human resource available to be able to attend the needs of the customers.
Source: Latest News on European Gaming Media Network
This is a Syndicated News piece. Photo credits or photo sources can be found on the source article: Zitro: Combining science and art to achieve gaming synergy
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Red Bull WOLOLO 2026 Takes Over London As Tickets Go On Sale For Eighth Edition: ‘Londinium’
Reading Time: 2 minutes
- Red Bull Wololo returns for its eighth edition, Red Bull Wololo: Londinium, taking place from April 1st – 6th, 2026.
- The tournament brings together elite Age of Empires strategists from around the globe to battle across Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition and Age of Empires IV.
- London itself has been transformed into a living Age of Empires spectacle today, with a citywide takeover that lets fans experience the spirit of Age of Empires firsthand.
- Tickets for the Playoffs are available on eventbrite.co.uk/e/red-bull-wololo-playoffs-tickets-1974965913211?aff=oddtdtcreator,
- Tickets for the Grand Final are available on royalalberthall.com/tickets/events/2026/red-bull-wololo-londinium, giving fans the chance to witness the world’s top Age of Empires players compete in iconic London venues.
The call of “Wololo” rings across the capital of the UK today as tickets officially go on sale for Red Bull Wololo: Londinium, the grandest chapter in Age of Empires competitive history. Taking place from April 1st – 6th, 2026, the renowned esports tournament will not only bring elite RTS competitors to London but transform the city itself in a landmark takeover celebrating the return of Red Bull Wololo for its eighth edition.
To mark the launch of ticket sales, Red Bull Wololo has staged a special takeover across London today, bringing Age of Empires to life in three iconic locations. From Leicester Square and Tower Bridge, to Hyde Park with the Royal Albert Hall rising in the distance, the streets have come alive with performers dressed as iconic characters from the game. Wielding medieval-style flags emblazoned with the Red Bull Wololo emblem, they offered passersby and fans a glimpse into the tournament and the chance to join the action as London beheld the spirit of Age of Empires.
In 2026, across six days of competition, Red Bull Wololo: Londinium will see the world’s best Age of Empires strategists battle for supremacy in Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition and Age of Empires IV, culminating in a historic Grand Final at the Royal Albert Hall – the first-ever Age of Empires orchestrated esports final, with a 40-piece orchestra performing the game’s legendary soundtrack live for over 2,500 fans.
Red Bull Wololo: Londinium Key Dates
- Group Stages: April 1st – 3rd, 2026 – Red Bull Gaming Sphere, Shoreditch
- Playoffs: April 4th – 5th, 2026 – The Odeon Luxe Cinema, Leicester Square
- Grand Final: April 6th, 2026 – Royal Albert Hall
The action kicks off at the Red Bull Gaming Sphere with the Group Stages before moving to the Odeon Luxe in Leicester Square for the Playoffs, where top competitors from the Age of Empires II and Age of Empires IV qualifiers battle under the spotlight in one of London’s most iconic entertainment venues. The tournament will then reach its crescendo within the historic walls of the Royal Albert Hall, where players who have proven themselves worthy will face off for ultimate glory and a place in Age of Empires competitive history.
Tickets are now on sale for the Playoffs and Grand Final of Red Bull Wololo: Londinium. Secure your Playoff tickets (eventbrite.co.uk/e/red-bull-wololo-playoffs-tickets-1974965913211?aff=oddtdtcreator) and Grand Final tickets (royalalberthall.com/tickets/events/2026/red-bull-wololo-londinium) . Don’t miss the chance to see elite esports players from around the world compete across Age of Empires titles in historic venues, as London itself becomes a stage for strategy and conquest.
Fans across the globe will be able to tune into the action for every stage of the tournament via the Red Bull Gaming Twitch and YouTube channels.
The post Red Bull WOLOLO 2026 Takes Over London As Tickets Go On Sale For Eighth Edition: ‘Londinium’ appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Konami Digital Entertainment and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Have Signed a Partnership Agreement
Reading Time: 2 minutes
Konami Digital Entertainment pleased to announce the signing of a partnership agreement with the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
Konami Digital Entertainment B.V. (Konami) announces a partnership agreement with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has been signed. CAF is the continental federation governing football associations in the African region, currently comprising 56 member countries and regions. CAF organises numerous tournaments, including the Africa Cup of Nations, which determines the continent’s top football team, significantly contributing to the sport’s development.
In recent years, football has enjoyed overwhelming popularity in Africa, with interest in national and club teams rapidly increasing. Furthermore, interest and enthusiasm for eFootball are also growing, leading to the signing of this new licensing agreement with CAF.
To commemorate this partnership, a special AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS 25 Campaign will be held within eFootball. Tournament events and African star players will appear in the game, allowing players to experience the excitement of the actual tournament.
Koji Kobayashi, Senior Executive Officer, Konami Digital Entertainment commented: “We are delighted to announce the establishment of a partnership with the Confederation of African Football (CAF). This partnership brings new possibilities to the gaming experience, and we are truly excited to deliver the passion of the African region-home to some of the world’s most powerful footballing nations – to fans around the globe through eFootball, and this partnership opens up exciting new possibilities for the gaming experience. Through this initiative, we look forward to adding new African star players and tournament licenses such as TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, further enhancing the realism and excitement of eFootball.”
Véron Mosengo-Omba, General Secretary of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) adds: “The TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 will be one of the most exciting and widely followed editions of our flagship competition. Our partnership with KONAMI reflects CAF’s commitment to innovation, global fan engagement, and creating new opportunities for African youth in both football and digital spaces.”
Konami Digital Entertainment will continue to expand its licenses and provide authentic soccer experiences to fans worldwide through eFootball.
The post Konami Digital Entertainment and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Have Signed a Partnership Agreement appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Reading Time: 2 minutes
- G2 has named Betpanda, a leading online crypto casino, as its official CS global betting partner
- Starting in 2026, Betpanda will appear on G2’s CS2 team jerseys
- Throughout the year, fans can take part in tournaments, giveaways, sweepstakes, and a variety of video and social content designed to enhance the fan experience
G2, one of the world’s leading entertainment and esports brands, has entered into a partnership with Betpanda, a leading online crypto casino, as the official global betting partner for the organisation’s Counter-Strike team. The collaboration will roll out a series of initiatives worldwide, including giveaways, sweepstakes, content, tournament activations, and more. As part of the collaboration, Betpanda branding will appear as the main logo on G2’s CS team jerseys from 2026.
Throughout 2026, fans will be able to experience the partnership first-hand at multiple esports tournament activations throughout the year, featuring creators and teams, offering exclusive in-person opportunities.
With a shared commitment to innovation and community, G2 and Betpanda aim to provide engaging experiences for fans throughout the year. The partnership will also extend to a range of digital activations, featuring exclusive video and social content, giveaways, and other initiatives.
“Betpanda joins us at an exciting moment for the organisation,” said Alban Dechelotte, CEO of G2. “This alliance allows us to build fresh, meaningful touchpoints for our fans throughout the year. We hope to create moments that will entertain and connect with fans all around the world.”
“G2 has set the standard for excellence in esports, and we’re proud to collaborate with a team that consistently pushes the boundaries of what the industry can be,” says Betpanda. “Their view on innovation and creativity goes perfectly hand-in-hand with our way of breaking boundaries and reaching new fans and audiences. Thank you to EMW Global for helping us to make this partnership possible. We’re excited to see the impact we can create alongside G2 in 2026”
The post G2 Announces Betpanda as Official CS Global Betting Partner Ahead of 2026 Season appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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