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The boom of virtual gaming tournaments


The global gaming industry is undergoing rapid change and is seeing significant growth year on year. It is currently worth around £116 billion, and it is expected to grow by a Compound Annual Growth Rate percentage of 12.9% between now and the year 2027.
There are a number of key factors that are driving this, including the availability and advancement of technology. Both the hardware and software of games consoles, computers and gaming accessories are improving greatly in terms of efficiency, innovation and usability.
Increased access to internet services with decent connection and speed has also influenced this, as well as the relatively new development of influencer marketing through streaming platforms. Of course, it is also undeniable that recent global events have meant that people have had to spend more time at home social distancing and have found themselves playing more games. Gaming has provided entertainment and social engagement to people who may have been too busy to play regularly before. There are game types to suit everybody, from action and adventure games to strategy and puzzle games. All gaming sectors have seen an increase of gameplay during this period and one in particular is the casino industry. In the last several months, many people have signed up to one of many casino sites to play their favourite games like blackjack and poker. The increase of players has been forced by the closure of land-based casinos meaning people had to move online to access casino games. And it was not just normal casino games that had to take place online, many large gambling events like the World Series of Poker tournament also had to move online due to the recent pandemic. Many events and competitions were already taking place virtually, however this year has seen more events than ever make the transition online, is this phenomenon going to stay?
Virtual Competitions
There has also been a boom in virtual gaming tournaments, or esports tournaments, during this time. The number of tournaments has skyrocketed in comparison to previous years, so too has the audience numbers on streaming sites such as Twitch and YouTube. As conventional tournaments across the sports and entertainment industries have faced cancellations or postponements, virtual competitions have acted as their replacements.
There are three main types of esports that are run as virtual gaming competitions. One is first person shooters (FPSs), these can be player v player or team games, with popular examples including Call of Duty, Doom and Counter-Strike. There are also fighter gaming competitions, such as those held for Super Smash Bros or Street Fighter. However, some of the most anticipated tournaments are those in the Multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) category, with League of Legends and DOTA 2 being the big names in this area.
Many players participate in these events due to their financial incentives. Large corporations sponsoring these events draw in professional players with the promise of huge cash prizes. Pros train for these events all year round, gaming to them is a career choice as they fund their passion through prize winning and sponsorship deals scored through their streaming channels. DOTA 2 is by far one of the biggest tournaments in terms of the amount of prize money it gives out. Since the game was released in 2013, there have been 54 tournaments and the average prize has been a hefty sum of $111,111 US dollars. This year’s prize money hase totalled $6 million.
Replacing Sporting Events
Virtual gaming tournaments this year have acted as a good replacement for some of the major sporting events.
After F1 was forced to postpone earlier this year, Torque Esports’ All-Star Esport Battle took over in March. Racers from a variety of motorsports joined in on the action, including the legendary Max Verstappen. Verstappen found victory at the Redline’s Real Racers Never Quit competition series when he won the first qualifier, however the final saw Rudy Van Buren take home the top prize after he dropped out. Van Buren actually holds the title of ‘World’s Fastest Gamer’ in 2017.
There was also the virtual Formula One Grand Prix which attracted both pro gamers and champion F1 stars. This was the second time the event ran and this year it was based on Albert Park circuit in Melbourne. Competitors included Ben Stokes, an England cricketer, and racing driver Alex Albon. The trophy was won by two time Grand Prix winner Charles Leclerc.
Another high-profile esports tournament was the Fortnite World Cup. In the summer of 2019, the Fortnite finals were streamed across Twitch, Youtube, Twitter, Facebook and within the game itself. Weekly online tournaments started in April, with players from each region competing to qualify for the finals and be in for a chance of winning a cut of the $1,000,000 prize pool. The overall winner was 16 year old Kyle “Bugha” Giersdorf, who lifted the trophy at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York. This year however, Epic Games have had to put a stop to the World Cup this year due to the cross-region nature of the event. They instead moved all over competitions exclusively online this year, including the Fortnite Champion Series and the Fortnite Cash Cups.
Virtual Gaming Industry is Growing
At the rate that the virtual gaming industry is growing, in the future we may see the same kind of media coverage and attention for these tournaments as we do some of the major traditional sports competitions. Huge audiences already enjoy watching these events via live streams, and many also place bets too. As stadium events around the world continue to be cancelled and postponed, virtual gaming tournaments are continuing to become a more mainstream form of entertainment for fans of competitive sports.
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 boom of virtual gaming tournaments

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Spinmatic launches Pinky Plinko Deluxe
Following the success of its original release, Spinmatic’s Pinky Plinko returns with a beautifully reimagined Deluxe edition. The innovative B2B provider elevates the beloved game with refined mechanics, enhanced visuals and immersive sound design for a high-performing addition to any operator’s content portfolio.
Set during a mythical Japanese matsuri – a spirited festival where the human and spirit worlds briefly collide – the game invites players to join Pinky, a cheerful half-human, half-cat spirit, on a joyful journey through lantern-lit streets and supernatural surprises.
The core mechanic of the game remains the classic Plinko format, but the Deluxe version introduces a completely reworked Hold & Drop system. Players can now choose to release 1, 5, 10, 25, 50 or 100 balls at once, with each drop visualised through a fluid, lottery-style counter that enhances anticipation and immersion.
This new edition also offers a more visual and accessible approach to risk levels. The game now makes it easier for players to read the volatility of each session at a glance.
One of the most exciting additions is the introduction of Prize Multipliers – magical glowing bands that appear on the board and double the value of any ball that lands within them. These appear in one zone in the 8-line mode and two zones in the 16-line setup. Each winning drop is accompanied by bespoke visual and audio effects that scale with the prize’s value, creating a celebratory atmosphere that mirrors the game’s festive theme.
To support long-term engagement, a live results tracker has been integrated into the interface, sitting discreetly in the top-left corner. This feature allows players to monitor their recent outcomes and keep track of lucky streaks without disrupting the rhythm of play.
Beyond mechanics, Pinky Plinko Deluxe delivers a complete sensory upgrade. The background art and game board have been redesigned with intricate detail, enhancing the depth and richness of the game’s world. Every element has been refined to evoke the spirit of the festival and elevate the player experience.
The sound design also adapts dynamically, with subtle sparkles for small wins and full-scale fireworks when larger prizes are secured.
The result is an atmospheric and polished experience designed to delight players and perform strongly across a wide range of markets.
The post Spinmatic launches Pinky Plinko Deluxe appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Boomerang Partners and AC Milan summarize the results of the first year of strategic partnership
Boomerang Partners, an affiliate marketing agency, is proud to announce that Boomerang and the legendary AC Milan celebrated the first anniversary of their strategic partnership. This collaboration has redefined how brands and clubs engage with fans, partners, and global sports audiences.
Over the past 12 months, this alliance has made significant strides both on and off the field. From global exposure to affiliate program growth, this partnership has become the benchmark for what a meaningful brand-club partnership in iGaming can look like.
During the year of Boomerang’s partnership with AC Milan, Boomerang Partners became one of the best sports affiliate marketing programs in the industry:
- +194% growth in sports traffic across Boomerang’s affiliate ecosystem
- +81% increase in audience interest in sports
- +23% boost in Boomerang brand loyalty
- 30+ exclusive partner campaigns were powered
- 1,000+ media mentions with a total global reach of 320M+
- 1M+ impressions on Boomerang’s platforms from AC Milan-related content
The Boomerang’s partnership with AC Milan has also influenced the brand recognition and prestige of Boomerang Partners. Some of the most prominent achievements and news were:
- Hosting the ceremony of the second annual Golden Boomerang Awards 2025 global affiliate tournament at Milan’s iconic San Siro stadium;
- Participation in Boomerang Partners events by AC Milan Legends such as Andrea Pirlo, Serginho, and Massimo Ambrosini;
- More than 200 Boomerang’s partners visited San Siro during the season (the most attended match was the derby between AC Milan and Inter FC on February 2, 2025);
- Over 500 merchandising items were donated to guests and brand partners.
Anton Eshtokin, Chief Marketing Officer at Boomerang Partners, said: “For Boomerang, the collaboration with AC Milan is a top-level achievement. During the year of our partnership, we won three prestigious industry awards: ‘Rising Star in Sports Betting’ (Operator) at the SBC Awards 2024, ‘Best Player Engagement’ at the SiGMA Europe Awards 2024, and ‘Unique Gaming Company of the Year’ at the International Gaming Awards 2025. The Club has shown itself to be an ideal partner, ready to meet our needs in joint projects. We are grateful to AC Milan and its representatives for their professionalism. I’m sure that there are many more bright activities ahead of us that will surprise the sports world and the affiliate marketing industry.”
Boomerang’s partners have also greatly benefited from the brand’s strategic partnership with AC Milan. These include unique promotional and engagement opportunities, cool campaigns and creatives, and, of course, the chance to visit the legendary San Siro stadium in Milan.
For AC Milan, the collaboration with Boomerang is an opportunity to enhance fan engagement across Europe, offering unique experiences that celebrate their shared passion for sports. Fans from all over the world were given access to special giveaways, allowing them to attend the football Club’s matches and meet its legends.
Boomerang and AC Milan have entered their second year of strategic partnership. The parties are confident that their alliance will enable them to achieve numerous successes and solidify their status as one of the most effective partnerships in the industry. Stay tuned.
About Boomerang
Boomerang Partners is a rapidly growing global brand offering a wide range of services. Boomerang is the Official Regional Partner of AC Milan. In 2024, it launched the inaugural Golden Boomerang Awards — a global tournament for affiliate teams. More than 400 affiliate teams participated in the second season of the tournament in 2025. Boomerang launched six new products in 2024, which contributed to an almost 1.5-fold increase in product users.
Boomerang’s portfolio contains 17+ brands offering affiliate and entertainment services across 40+ markets in compliance with local regulations. These products provide personalized bonuses and 24/7 multilingual support.
The post Boomerang Partners and AC Milan summarize the results of the first year of strategic partnership appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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InnoGames Unveils Cozy Coast, a Heartwarming Beach Adventure Featuring Relaxed Gameplay and a Captivating Story
InnoGames, one of Germany’s leading developers and publishers of mobile and browser games, is announcing Cozy Coast, an adventure game that combines an emotional storyline, richly developed characters, and engaging puzzle mechanics based on the popular Merge-2 system. The game will launch later this year on iOS and Android. Pre-registration is already available in selected regions.
With Cozy Coast, the studio highlights its versatility by introducing a new genre to its portfolio, which includes internationally acclaimed strategy games like Forge of Empires, Tribal Wars, and Heroes of History. The game combines a sunny, feel-good atmosphere with diverse entertainment, targeting discerning casual gamers who appreciate relaxing gameplay just as much as an engaging story.
Adventures Featuring Building Mechanics and Puzzle Challenges
In Cozy Coast, players accompany best friends Mia and Elara on a journey across the picturesque Mediterranean island of Calista. For Mia, the island holds treasured memories of a carefree childhood, yet the once idyllic place has somehow lost its charm. Together, the two young women set out on a mission to restore the original beauty of Calista.
Merging items is the central gameplay mechanic in Cozy Coast. By skillfully combining items, players fulfill the wishes of island residents while gathering resources to repair buildings and unlock new areas. Along the way, Mia and Elara encounter other characters and gradually uncover the island’s secrets. With its lovingly crafted environments, Cozy Coast invites players to explore every hidden corner of Calista.
“With Cozy Coast, we’re creating an inviting game world that offers players a break from everyday life while delivering challenging gameplay. For the first time in InnoGames’ history, we’re introducing a title that combines emotional storytelling with strategic merge mechanics. We look forward to welcoming players from around the world to Cozy Coast very soon,” says Christian Reshöft, Chief Product Officer at InnoGames.
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: Discover hidden places together with your best friend 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 daily, weekly, and seasonal events like exploration quests, puzzle collections, and special story-driven missions to receive exciting rewards and enjoy lasting gameplay
- Unwind in a Mediterranean setting: Experience stress-free gameplay paired with a captivating story of friendship, courage, and hope
- Free to play without restrictions: Launching soon worldwide on iOS and Android
Cozy Coast was already launched in selected regions on iOS and Android, with players giving it an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars. Pre-registration on the App Store and Google Play is now available in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. More regions to follow soon.
The post InnoGames Unveils Cozy Coast, a Heartwarming Beach Adventure Featuring Relaxed Gameplay and a Captivating Story appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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