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The state of the gaming industry
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The video game industry made $108.9 billion in 2017, more than six times the profit turned by the music industry. In fact, in the UK, the BBC reports that gaming is “worth more than video and music combined” –despite the fact that it is the youngest of the three mediums.
The UK is not alone. Around the world revenue is being driven, profits are being turned and billions of dollars are being made – predominantly by the sale of video games.
The top 10 gaming markets, as of October 2018, are as follows:
1. China – $34.4 billion
2. USA – $31.5 billion
3. Japan – $17.7 billion
4. South Korea – $5.7 billion
5. Germany – 4.9 billion
6. United Kingdom – $4.7 billion
7. France – $3.3 billion
8. Canada – 2.4 billion
9. Spain – $2.2 billion
10. Italy – $2.1 billion
Figures are courtesy of Newzoo.com’s top 100 report, with VGsales.wikia consulted as well.
Digital is the way forward
Say goodbye to the big cardboard boxes of old. Digital is the new revenue driver for games.
Statista notes that US digital sales were up to 79% in 2017 versus 20% in 2009. In the UK, the trend is similar: a Eurogamer report notes that 80% of all sales are now digital.
In fact, investment management firm Piper Jaffray predicts that physical copies of games will disappear by 2022.
What do the 50 best-selling games of all time have in common?
The insights that follow are based on an analysis of the 50 best-selling video games of all time, as of 16 January 2019.
1. 62% of the games are preoccupied with action/violence in one form or another
2. 0% of the games feature a female-only protagonist
3. 38% of the games feature male-only leads
4. Only 9% of the games on the list feature a Hollywood A-lister
Diversity in gaming: Not a single game in the top 50 features a female-only protagonist
- 0% of the games focus on a female-only story
- By contrast, 38% of the games feature male leads
48% of the games allow you to choose your sex/gender - 1 game on the list (2%) has an “unknown” protagonist (Need for Speed: Most Wanted) and 6 games (12%) don’t feature a human protagonist at all.
Games with female leads, like Horizon Zero Dawn, fall short of the top 50 despite outstanding results. In February 2018, Horizon was confirmed to have sold more than 7.6 million copies. The best-selling Tomb Raider game – 2013’s reboot – is closer to the top 50 still, netting 11 million sales in its lifetime so far.
Still, the lack of diversity is disappointing, and the results mirror a trend propagated by movies. Of the 50 biggest box office hits, only Frozen (Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel) and Beauty and the Beast (Emma Watson) afford a woman top billing.
But the situation is improving…
…The new Star Wars films heavily focus on the story of Rey (Daisy Ridley) and from a video game standpoint, developers are trying to redress the imbalance.
In terms of upcoming releases:
- The Last of Us Part II will focus entirely on Ellie (she was a playable character in the 2013 original).
- Gears 5 from the popular Gears of War franchise will put you in the shoes of Kait, bucking the trend of male leads in Gears games past.
- Control, the next title from Alan Wake and Max Payne developer Remedy, will also have a female protagonist.
Violence remains a key selling point
62% of the games on the list are based around the central conceit of action, or violence.
The most popular genres all deal with it in one capacity or another:
- Action-adventure – 30% (15 out of 50)
- Shooters – 18% (9 out of 50)
- Role-playing– 14% (7 out of 50)
“Action-adventure” encompasses a mix of open world titles like Grand Theft Auto and more tightly-constructed fare like The Last of Us – both styles are preoccupied with violence.
Shooters emphasise violence even more – this a genre in which you’re literally looking down the sights of a gun.
Finally, role-playing blurs the line, but conflict is at the heart of the Pokemon games (albeit in cartoon form) and Skyrim sees players battling otherworldly creatures with swords, bows and magic.
Need for Speed might be a big-name franchise, but only one game from the series makes the top 50
Five racing games make the top 50, but four of them are Mario titles.
The one that isn’t – 2005’s Need for Speed: Most Wanted – followed on the heels off the chintzy and celebrity-heavy Need for Speed Underground games and emerged at a time when sentiment towards the franchise was at an all-time high.
Most Wanted also arrived in a year populated with an unusual number of platforms. The game was released for the Nintendo DS, Game Boy Advance, GameCube, PC, PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, Xbox, Xbox 360. This would have helped its sales performance.
The five lowest-ranking genres in the top 50 are:
- Arcade – 1 / 2%
- Puzzle – 2 / 4%
- Simulation, Virtual life – 2 / 4%
- Miscellaneous – 4 / 8%
- Driving, Racing – 5 / 10%
Hollywood lite: games don’t need well-known actors and actresses to sell well
In additional research on the top 50 best-selling games, we looked at how many involved a high-profile cast and whether this is a key selling point. It turns out, that while movies rely on big-name actors to make a splash, games are less dependent on star power to drive their wheels.
Only 15% of the 50 on the list feature a well-known gaming voice actor (a Nolan North or Troy Baker, for instance). This number drops to 9% when you tighten the net to Hollywood A-listers, who include:
- Cara Pifko (Kinect Adventures!, 2010)
- Ricky Gervais (Grand Theft Auto IV, 2008)
- Keith David (Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, 2009)
- Samuel L. Jackson, Ice-T, James Woods, Danny Dyer, William Fichtner, (Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, 2004)
- Michael Madsen, Michael Rapaport, Kyle MacLachlan (Grand Theft Auto III, 2001)
Rockstar’s recent titles, like Grand Theft Auto V and Red Dead Redemption 2, have purposefully steered clear of Hollywood talent.
“[W]e don’t bring in name actors anymore,” Dan Houser, Rockstar co-founder, revealed to Vulture, “because of their egos and, most important of all, because we believe we get a better sense of immersion using talented actors whose voices you don’t recognize.”
Both Grand Theft Auto V and Red Dead Redemption 2 rely on relatively unknown actors, and given their incredible sales success, it hasn’t hurt them.
6 games could potentially ship 10 million copies or more in 2019 and 2020
The top 50 Smash Hit Success list demonstrates one thing loud and clear: franchise names sell well. And with the PlayStation 5 and the next Xbox likely around the corner, game-makers will have yet more platforms to make money on.
In theory, something like FIFA 20 could appear on the PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5; the Xbox 360, Xbox One and the next Xbox.
Expect 2019 and 2020 to be bumper years for this fast-growing industry.
Likely best-selling games on the horizon:
- Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (based on the success of Nintendo first-party releases)
- 2019’s Call of Duty (based on prior Call of Duty success)
- FIFA 20 (based on the success of FIFA 18)
- The Last of Us 2 (based on the success of The Last of Us)
- Cyberpunk 2020 (based on the success of RPG fantasy games like Skyrim)
- Metroid Prime 4 (based on the success of Nintendo first-party releases)
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: The state of the gaming industry
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QCI Heatmap: A Modern Evolution of Classic Data Visualization with Cutting-Edge Technology
Quick Custom Intelligence (QCI) is revolutionizing data exploration and visualization with the launch of QCI Heatmap, an advanced contour heatmapping tool that transforms the way casinos interact with slot performance data.
This release represents a unique modernization of classic data visualization techniques, reimagined using state-of-the-art graphics processing, machine learning, and QCI’s proprietary intellectual property.
A Modern Take on a Proven Approach
Heatmapping has long been a valuable tool for understanding gaming floor performance, but traditional implementations were often limited by static visualizations, sluggish responsiveness, and an inability to scale dynamically. With QCI Heatmap, we have re-engineered these foundational techniques using modern high-performance rendering technology, GPU acceleration, and AI-driven insights, enabling real-time, interactive exploration at a level never seen before.
According to Andrew Cardno, QCI’s CTO and a two-time Smithsonian Laureate for Heroism in Information Technology: “The fundamental principles of heatmapping have remained relevant for decades, but previous implementations lacked the speed, depth, and interactive flexibility needed for modern, data-driven decision-making. With today’s powerful graphics processing engines, we can now dynamically render images at over 60 frames per second, making QCI Heatmap the most responsive and flexible data exploration tool I’ve ever built. This new approach seamlessly integrates with the QCI Enterprise Platform, offering unparalleled real-time insights.”
Patented IP Meets High-Speed Data Exploration
QCI Heatmap is built on a unique combination of proprietary intellectual property (IP) and modern visualization technology, setting it apart from legacy heatmapping tools by:
- Leveraging GPU Acceleration: for real-time heatmap rendering, eliminating lag and increasing user engagement.
- Integrating Machine Learning Algorithms: to enhance pattern detection and predictive slot performance analysis.
- Enhancing Customization & Flexibility: allowing casino operators to interactively explore multiple data layers and adjust visual perspectives instantly.
Replacing QCI Slots View & Expanding Capabilities
With the introduction of QCI Heatmap, QCI is retiring the legacy QCI Slots View module and elevating data visualization to the next level. This tool provides:
- Full Gaming Floor Visibility: Real-time interactive overlays of slot performance, customer behavior, and revenue patterns.
- Seamless Multi-Platform Use: Optimized for both desktop and iPad, ensuring a fluid experience across devices.
- Advanced Metric-Driven Exploration: Deep integration with the QCI Enterprise Platform, unlocking multi-dimensional analysis for decision-makers.
To ensure customers can fully leverage this next-generation tool, QCI College will offer specialized training courses on QCI Heatmaps, covering both desktop and iPad applications.
Industry Leaders Praise QCI Heatmap’s Unprecedented Performance
The impact of QCI Heatmap is already being felt across the industry. Tony Toohey, CEO of Gaming Dynamics, shared his experience: “The ability to see and interact with an entire gaming floor through a dynamic heatmapping tool is game-changing. Our Australian deployments have seen an overwhelmingly positive reception, and working alongside the QCI development team has ensured this tool delivers maximum impact upon release.”
Pioneering the Future of Casino Data Visualization
QCI Heatmap is more than just an update—it’s a paradigm shift in how casinos leverage visualization technology. By combining time-tested heatmapping concepts with modern rendering engines, AI, and proprietary QCI innovations, Quick Custom Intelligence has redefined what’s possible in gaming data exploration.
The future of casino intelligence is visual, interactive, and powered by QCI Heatmap.
The post QCI Heatmap: A Modern Evolution of Classic Data Visualization with Cutting-Edge Technology appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Betblast Launches New Features for Bigger Wins and Faster Payouts
In the competitive world of online gambling, players are always looking for platforms that deliver not just entertainment but also real, tangible rewards.
One name that keeps surfacing in discussions about the biggest wins and lightning-fast payouts is Betblast. The buzz surrounding this platform has reached new heights in 2024, with countless players sharing their experiences of hitting life-changing jackpots and enjoying withdrawals that are processed faster than the industry norm.
In this comprehensive press release, we’ll dive deep into what makes Betblast stand out, uncovering the stories behind the biggest wins, the unmatched payout speeds, and why Betblast has become a household name among online casino enthusiasts.
The Biggest Wins: Stories That Inspire
When it comes to online casinos, nothing grabs attention quite like a big win. Betblast has become synonymous with massive payouts, with players across the globe sharing their jackpot stories.
Real Stories of Life-Changing Wins:
- James P. from the UK: “I couldn’t believe my eyes when I hit a $250,000 progressive jackpot on Betblast. The payout was processed within hours, and the money was in my account the next day. This platform changed my life!”
- Maria S. from Spain: “Winning €50,000 on a single spin felt surreal, but what impressed me the most was how fast Betblast processed my withdrawal. No delays, no excuses—just fast, reliable payouts.”
- Liam K. from Australia: “I’ve played on many platforms, but Betblast is different. I won $75,000 on a poker tournament, and my winnings were in my crypto wallet the same day. That’s what I call service!”
These stories are not just marketing hype—they’re real testimonials that reflect Betblast’s commitment to providing a fair, rewarding gaming environment.
Fastest Payouts in the Industry
While big wins are exciting, they mean little if players face endless delays when trying to cash out. This is where Betblast truly shines. According to multiple testimonials, Betblast has set a new standard for payout speeds in the online casino industry.
What Makes Betblast’s Payouts So Fast?
- Streamlined Withdrawal Process: Betblast has eliminated unnecessary verification steps that slow down payouts on other platforms. Their system is designed for efficiency, allowing players to withdraw their winnings quickly and hassle-free.
- Crypto-Friendly Transactions: Betblast fully supports cryptocurrency transactions, enabling instant deposits and withdrawals. Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other major cryptos are processed within minutes, giving players near-instant access to their funds.
- Dedicated Payment Team: Betblast’s finance team works around the clock to process payouts promptly. Unlike other casinos that batch process withdrawals once a day, Betblast handles requests continuously, ensuring faster turnaround times.
- Transparent Policies: No hidden fees, no unexplained delays. Players know exactly what to expect, as Betblast maintains full transparency in its payment processes.
How Betblast Compares to Other Casinos
Many online casinos claim to offer fast payouts, but Betblast’s track record speaks for itself. Here’s how it stacks up against typical industry standards:
- Feature Betblast Industry Average
- Crypto Withdrawal Time Within 1–2 hours 24–48 hours
- Traditional Bank Withdrawal 1–3 business days 3–7 business days
- Bonus Winnings Withdrawal No extra delays Often delayed for review
- Verification Process Instant for verified accounts Up to 5 days
Based on multiple player testimonials, it’s clear that Betblast outperforms competitors when it comes to getting players their money quickly and securely.
The Role of Crypto in Speeding Up Payments
In today’s fast-paced world, players expect instant gratification—not just in gameplay but also in payments. Betblast has embraced this by becoming a crypto-friendly platform. The integration of blockchain technology means transactions are processed faster, with fewer intermediaries involved.
Benefits of Using Crypto on Betblast:
- Instant Deposits and Withdrawals: No more waiting for banks to process transactions.
- Enhanced Privacy: Crypto transactions provide an extra layer of anonymity, which many players appreciate.
- Lower Fees: Traditional banking methods often involve transaction fees. Crypto minimizes these costs, ensuring players keep more of their winnings.
According to many players, the ability to deposit and withdraw with crypto has been a game-changer, especially for high-stakes players who move large sums of money.
Betblast’s Commitment to Fair Play and Transparency
Big wins and fast payouts are exciting, but they wouldn’t mean much without the foundation of fairness and trust. Betblast operates with complete transparency, using Random Number Generators (RNGs) certified by independent auditors to ensure fair gameplay.
Key Trust Factors:
- Independent Audits: Regularly reviewed to maintain fairness and integrity.
- Responsible Gaming Tools: Players can set limits to control their gambling habits.
- Licensed and Regulated: Betblast holds licenses from reputable gaming authorities, adding an extra layer of credibility.
Players consistently mention that they feel safe and secure, knowing the games are fair and the company operates with integrity.
Exclusive Bonuses That Boost Your Winning Potential
While the focus here is on big wins and fast payouts, it’s impossible to ignore the generous bonuses that Betblast offers. From welcome packages to reload bonuses and VIP rewards, there’s always an opportunity to boost your bankroll.
Popular Bonuses Include:
- Welcome Bonus: A generous package for new players to get started with a bang.
- Free Spins Galore: Regular promotions offering free spins on popular slots.
- VIP Program: Tailored rewards for loyal players, including cashback, exclusive bonuses, and personal account managers.
Many players emphasize how these bonuses have helped them turn small deposits into significant wins, adding to the platform’s overall appeal.
What Players Are Saying: More Real Testimonials
- Olivia M. from Germany: “I deposited €100, claimed my bonus, and walked away with €10,000 after a few lucky spins. The withdrawal was processed in under 3 hours—unbelievable!”
- Daniel H. from Canada: “The crypto payouts are insane. I requested a Bitcoin withdrawal, and it hit my wallet in 30 minutes. Betblast is the real deal.”
- Sophia G. from Italy: “I’ve won big on other sites, but none processed my payouts as fast as Betblast. Plus, the customer support is top-notch!”
Final Thoughts: Why Betblast Is the Best Choice for Big Wins and Fast Payouts
When you combine massive winning potential, lightning-fast payouts, top-tier security, and exceptional customer service, you get Betblast. It’s no surprise that players continue to share stories of life-changing jackpots and hassle-free withdrawals.
Ready to Experience the Thrill?
Visit Betblast today and join the thousands of players who’ve already discovered the winning advantage!
Disclaimer: The information provided in this press release is not a solicitation for investment, nor is it intended as investment advice, financial advice, or trading advice. It is strongly recommended you practice due diligence, including consultation with a professional financial advisor, before investing in or trading cryptocurrency and securities.
The post Betblast Launches New Features for Bigger Wins and Faster Payouts appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Aristocrat Interactive’s NeoGames Studio Launches eInstant Games in Hungary Through New Deal with Hungarian National Lottery (Szerencsejáték Zrt.)
The agreement marks Aristocrat Interactive’s 18th iLottery deal across Europe
Aristocrat Interactive’s iLottery content studio, announced today the launch of its eInstant games with Szerencsejáték Zrt. (SzZrt) – the largest gambling operator in Hungary, providing offerings to players including draw games, scratch cards and sports betting.
The five-year agreement will see Aristocrat Interactive’s NeoGames Studio deliver meaningful expansion to SzZrt’s offerings to its players.
The deployment of NeoGames Studio’s content comes to life via direct integration into SzZrt’s existing iLottery platform, bringing a new category of lottery product to Hungary in eInstant games. The deal marks Aristocrat Interactive’s 18th iLottery partnership in Europe and 31st globally.
The launch of eight new games with SzZrt marks a significant step forward, with each title carefully selected to align with their players’ preferences. From immersive graphics to innovative mechanics and engaging themes, these eight games represent a diverse mix of features from the Studio’s portfolio, showcasing unique gameplay experiences that highlight the strengths of various offerings.
In addition to the eight games already launched, five more titles are planned for release soon. Each new title will be designed to maintain player interest and provide fresh, exciting content.
“We are committed to providing our players with the best possible portfolio of gaming options, something NeoGames Studio has built a strong reputation on having proved in Hungary again their ability in developing high-quality eInstant games,” said Sándor Uszkay-Boiskó, Director of Strategy at SzZrt. “Their localized content and innovative approach will help us continue to further expand our capabilities and engage our players in new ways, while strictly adhering to responsible gaming principles, ultimately strengthening our position as the leading responsible gambling provider in Hungary.”
“We’re thrilled to be able to continue fueling the growth of iLottery on a global scale, as we introduce our best-in-class eInstant games to Hungarian lottery players through the country’s largest gambling operator,” said Chris Shaban, Managing Director of Aristocrat Interactive iLottery. “This deal with SzZrt will introduce Hungarian players to new, exciting game titles and localized content.”
NeoGames Studio, a leading developer in eInstant gaming, has been delivering innovative gaming options and visually compelling titles for lotteries since 2005. NeoGames Studio enters its second year as part of Aristocrat Interactive’s iLottery division, bringing over 17 years of industry experience and a comprehensive content portfolio to lotteries worldwide.
The post Aristocrat Interactive’s NeoGames Studio Launches eInstant Games in Hungary Through New Deal with Hungarian National Lottery (Szerencsejáték Zrt.) appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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