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Pocket Gamer Awards 2021


PocketGamer.com – the leading and longest-running site for mobile gamers – revealed the winners of this year’s Pocket Gamer Awards.
The top game of the year prize went to Genshin Impact, whilst Rovio’s seminal Angry Birds picked up the prestigious Hall Of Fame gong.
Other winners across the 16 categories included platform games like Little Orpheus, hypercasual titles like Clusterduck, big-name RPGs like Knighthood and AAA franchises like Pokemon and Call Of Duty. Riot Games, famous for League Of Legends, picked up the best developer category. The full list of winners is below. This year, the Pocket Gamer Awards are sponsored by RedMagic.
The Pocket Gamer Awards are a celebration of the best in mobile games. Organised and hosted by industry experts but voted on by gamers themselves, the Pocket Gamer Awards reward the passion and effort that developers pour into making games. Over 350,000 votes were cast in the last two months, a phenomenal outpouring of love for the best iOS and Android games of the last 12 months.
A new Hall Of Fame category celebrates landmark titles that have had a major impact on the mobile games industry over the years. It’s the only category picked by the editorial experts rather than put to a public vote. Angry Birds, Rovio’s classic franchise first launched in 2009, is the first recipient. Editor of PocketGamer.com, Dann Sullivan, said of Angry Birds: “No IP has done more for mobile games than Angry Birds, and while we might remember it as a lightning-strike for touch controls, over the years Rovio’s flagship franchise forged the way into social gaming and was one of the first mobile games to pioneer major licensing deals in the mobile space. The birds have also had more movies and TV episodes than Mario and Sonic combined.”
Sullivan continued: “While some of these milestones might not have anything to do with the small touchscreen, it’s impossible to deny that Rovio’s Red & Co managed to become a cultural powerhouse, and played a critical role in getting mobile gaming to where it is today.”
The award ceremony itself took place this evening, March 16, on Twitch and PocketGamer.com and broadcast across YouTube and the Enthusiast Gaming network of sites.
Launched by Steel Media, Pocket Gamer has been delivering news, reviews, tips, guides and features that inform and entertain mobile and handheld gamers since 2006.
Enthusiast Gaming, the largest gaming network in North America, has owned Steel Media and Pocket Gamer since 2019. Since 2020, Pocket Gamer has hosted quarterly LaunchPad online events celebrating new and updated mobile games to an audience of three million viewers on Twitch.
For more information, visit https://www.pocketgamer.com/pgawards2021/ now. A recording of the Pocket Gamer Awards ceremony will be available soon on the site and also on the official YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/c/PocketGamerVideo/videos.
Winners
Best Platform Game: Little Orpheus
Best Simulation Game: Transport City: Truck Tycoon
Best Sports Game: Retro Bowl
Best Game Narrative: There Is No Game: Wrong Dimension
Best ‘Quick Play’ Game: Clusterduck
Best Mobile Conversion: Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night
Best Apple Arcade Game: Alba: a Wildlife Adventure
Best Educational Game: Dish Life: The Game
Best Strategy Game: Company of Heroes
Best RPG: Knighthood
Most Innovative Game: HoloVista
Best Gaming Accessory: Razer Kishi Controller
Best Gaming Tablet: Apple iPad Pro
Best Battle Royale Game: Garena Free Fire
Best AR Game: LEGO Hidden Side
Best Puzzle Game: Pokemon Cafe Mix
Best Racing Game: Dirt Bike Unchained
Best Google Play Pass Game: Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
Best Mobile Publisher: Garena
Best Action Game: Pascal’s Wager
Best Digital Board Game: The Game of Life 2
Best Gaming Phone: Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max
Best Multiplayer Game: EVE Echoes
Best Shooter: Warface: Global Operations
Best Game We’re Still Playing: Call of Duty Mobile
Best Mobile Developer: Riot Games
Hall Of Fame: Angry Birds
Mobile Game of the Year: Genshin Impact
Additional Quotes
Editor of PocketGamer.com, Dann Sullivan, added: “We’re overjoyed with the reaction from the fans in the voting process. Just looking at the sheer variety of games that have been championed by their players and communities really cements how diverse and rapidly-evolving the mobile games sphere is. The development speed and growth of the mobile games industry is truly amazing – every year is a milestone year, as can be seen from the amazing selection of winners.”
Chris James, CEO of Steel Media, said: “We’re genuinely thrilled by how many people voted in this year’s awards, and how many tuned in to watch the ceremony streamed live. When we launched Pocket Gamer 15 years ago, mobile gaming was still niche. But now – thanks to the success of games like Hall Of Fame inductee Angry Birds – mobile is THE dominant force in the games industry. Over the last 12 months, iOS and Android titles saw further huge surges in popularity as people hunted for experiences to keep them occupied during lockdown. And the quality has never been higher. Games like Genshin Impact prove that the device in your pocket can match the addictiveness and playability of the best consoles have to offer.”
James added: “As well as celebrating the best of the current crop of games, we’re always on the lookout for the next generation of blockbuster mobile titles. That’s why we’ve invented activities like the Big Indie Pitch and Pocket Gamer LaunchPad to champion new arrivals. So if you want to get an inside track on the next hidden gaming gem in 2021, there’s really nowhere else to go!”

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SOFTSWISS Deepens Safer Play as Platinum Partner of Responsible Gambling Summit 2025
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SOFTSWISS, an international technology provider with over 15 years in the iGaming sector, has partnered with South African entities for the Responsible Gambling Summit 2025, reinforcing its commitment to safe, sustainable play in one of its key growth regions. The two-day summit, organised by the South African Responsible Gambling Foundation, brings together regulators, operators, and experts to advance harm minimisation and industry collaboration.
The Responsible Gambling Summit 2025 will take place from 13 to 14 November in Johannesburg, South Africa, and will include an awards gala dinner recognising initiatives in safer gambling. The programme spans policy, compliance, innovation, and public education, with sessions on illegal market impacts, regulatory development, and technology’s role in prevention and intervention. A SOFTSWISS representative will join the panel discussion ‘Innovation, Technology, and Responsible Gambling’, which explores emerging risks and mitigation strategies in digital environments.
“Industry partnership is essential to keep responsible gambling and player protection visible, effective, and evidence-based across channels. We greatly value the commitment and partnership of prominent international companies, such as SOFTSWISS, whose support brings expertise and resources to these important initiatives in South Africa,” said Sibongile Simelane-Quntana, Executive Director at the South African Responsible Gambling Foundation.
“South Africa is a priority market for SOFTSWISS, and we are proud to support this summit’s mission to advance safer play through collaboration and technology,” said Miranda Guliashvili, Head of Regional Growth at SOFTSWISS. “We continuously apply responsible gambling best practices in our products to help operators build sustainable, compliant growth.”
Building on this commitment, the SOFTSWISS Anti-Fraud team has delivered measurable results: from January to August 2025, it prevented over 15 million euro in fraudulent transactions, resolved more than 56,000 tasks, and processed 70 player complaints submitted to gaming regulators and forums. As fraud tactics evolve – including attempts to use AI-generated deepfakes during verification – SOFTSWISS is strengthening its tools and processes to help operators maintain a secure, transparent environment.
About SOFTSWISS
SOFTSWISS is an international technology company with over 15 years of experience in developing innovative solutions for the iGaming industry. SOFTSWISS provides comprehensive software for managing iGaming projects. The company’s product portfolio includes the Casino Platform, the Game Aggregator with over 35,000 casino games, Affilka Affiliate Platform, the Sportsbook Software and the Jackpot Aggregator. The expert team, based in Malta, Poland, and Georgia, counts over 2,000 employees.
The post SOFTSWISS Deepens Safer Play as Platinum Partner of Responsible Gambling Summit 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Week 42/2025 slot games releases
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Here are this weeks latest slots releases compiled by European Gaming
PG Soft, a world-class digital mobile games company, has released its powerful new title, Kraken Gold Rush. PG Soft’s game invites players to embark on the perilous high seas and navigate past The Kraken’s monstrous tentacles, desperate to drag ships into the abyss. Sticky Wilds and multipliers reaching x100 help players hunt down a legendary haul of 10 million gold coins.
Evoplay has launched Velvet Gems, a glamorous slot filled with sparkling stones, seamless gameplay, and high reward potential. The game immerses players in a luxurious realm of shimmering rubies, emeralds, and sapphires, where each spin radiates opulence. Striking visuals and a refined soundtrack create a premium atmosphere, making it a perfect choice for players seeking an elegant, feature-rich experience.
The authorities thought they’d finally locked away The Syndicate, the most notorious crew of fugitives in history. But in Nolimit City’s latest release, Breakout, not even a maximum security prison can hold them. This jailbreak-themed slot adds to the list of this year’s releases; Dead Men Walking, Tsar Wars and Kill Em All.
Think you are brave enough to return to the Castle of Terror? This lab experiment-horror sequel from Big Time Gaming is a bone-chilling adventure packed with electrifying features designed to give you the fright of your life. This is a slot where players find themselves in a spooky lab where they must brace themselves for Bonus Respins that are triggered by landing Scatters.
BGaming brings the party to the reels with the release of its latest slot, Fiesta Clusters. This vibrant, highly volatile slice of action combines the celebratory spirit of Cinco de Mayo with the expressive artistry of Día de los Muertos, delivering vibrant thrills for players and a seasonal spike potential for operators around Halloween.
Push Gaming is set to deliver twice the thrills this Halloween with the release of two new seasonal titles, Tarot Treasures and Tricky Treats. Both games highlight the recent launch of Push Gaming’s new product segmentation. Push Action delivers titles with enhanced layers of mechanics and player interaction, a category which Tarot Treasures proudly joins.
Spinomenal has launched Buffalo Rampage – Hold & Hit 3×3, a 3×3 reel, 5 lines video slot. Buffalo Rampage – Hold & Hit 3×3 unfolds across a sun-scorched desert at dusk, framed by towering cacti and brought to life with a slow-paced and Western-inspired soundtrack that immerses players in the action.
TaDa Gaming, has added some dark magic to its TriLuck slots series with its five reels, three rows and 50 fixed paylines new game, 3 Witch’s Lamp. Green, Purple and Blue Potion Pot Scatters can trigger the bonus game’s free spins, five fixed jackpots, ignite coins for wins and increase the bonus prizes.
Blueprint Gaming has introduced a new four pots mechanic and enlarged 5×3 grid to its latest release, Cash Strike Power Force 5, marking an innovative double debut for the internationally recognised series. With various iterations from the Cash Strike family consistently ranking in the supplier’s top 10 revenue-generating markets, the new title builds on the impressive momentum from its predecessors.
Play’n GO invites players underwater in Bubblin’ Riches, a 6×4 slot where golden coins and greedy fish collide for submerged surprises. Set in a playful underwater reef, Bubblin’ Riches brings a burst of colour and charm to the reels. At the heart of the action is a bloated Goldfish with a hoarding habit – every Coin Scatter that lands could feed its fortune, or set off a surprise payout.
Playson turns up the heat in its scorching new release Flaming Bells: Hold and Win, where nostalgic gameplay is reinspired with a 5,000x Grand Jackpot, Extra Bonus Game and valuable Multipliers. Collect symbols gather all visible cash values from the reels, including other Collect icons and the three in-game Jackpot symbol values.
ELA Games beckons players to step into a shadowy realm of sorcery and mystery with its newest release: Witches’ Book. Bathe in the magic as a powerful coven of three witches conjures their spells across the reels, revealing mysterious rewards and surprises. Each spin is a step toward ultimate strength, where massive riches and bubbling magic await.
Amusnet has released its latest online video slot, 27 Wild Shots. This vibrant slot game blends the style of classic fruit games with the charm of a fairytale twist, led by none other than the Little Red Riding Hood herself. The three reels burst with familiar symbols of juicy fruits, reimagined in a lively forest theme.
The post Week 42/2025 slot games releases appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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S8UL creating history as the first Indian organization to secure four nominations at Esports Awards 2025.
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In a landmark moment for Indian esports, S8UL, a global powerhouse in gaming and esports content, has made history by becoming the first Indian organization to secure four nominations at the prestigious Esports Awards 2025, set to take place in Las Vegas on November 19, 2025.
Equivalent to the Oscars of gaming, the Esports Awards are the most esteemed global recognition platform for excellence in the esports and gaming ecosystem. Each year, they celebrate the players, creators, organizations, and innovations shaping the future of gaming worldwide.
This year, S8UL has earned nominations across four major categories, marking another milestone for India on the world esports map:
Esports Content Group of the Year – S8UL Esports
Having won this award three years in a row (2022, 2023, and 2024), S8UL returns as a frontrunner in the category that has established it among the most decorated organizations in Esports Awards history. The nomination further reinforces its dominance as a content powerhouse and community leader.
Esports Personality of the Year – Animesh Agarwal (8Bit Thug)
As the driving force behind S8UL, Animesh Agarwal has been recognised for his immense contributions to India’s gaming ecosystem and his leadership in bridging the worlds of esports, entertainment, and brand partnerships. Under his guidance, S8UL has become one of the most influential organizations in global esports.
Esports Content Creator of the Year – Raj Varma (Snax)
Raj Varma, one of India’s most beloved creators, has been nominated for his engaging storytelling, skill-based content, and influence in shaping the next generation of gamers. A former esports athlete, he is now among the country’s biggest gaming creators, with over 2.15 million subscribers on YouTube and 1.1 million followers on Instagram.
Streamer of the Year – Payal Dhare (PayalGaming)
One of India’s most prominent gaming personalities, Payal Dhare has been recognized for her trailblazing journey that continues to inspire millions of women gamers. Known for curating diverse gaming content, she remains the only female gamer from India to win an international award, paving the way for more women to pursue gaming professionally.
This recognition follows a landmark year for S8UL, which represented India at the Esports World Cup 2025 in Riyadh after becoming the first and only Indian organization selected for the prestigious Club Partner Program by the Esports World Cup Foundation. Last year, Naman Mathur (Mortal) brought further pride to India by winning ‘Esports Content Creator of the Year,’ marking a first for an Indian creator on such a global platform.
As the world gears up for the Esports Awards 2025, all eyes are now on S8UL and its creators to once again make India proud on the world’s biggest esports stage.
Voting for the Esports Awards 2025 is now live at www.esportsawards.com/vote, and will remain open until November 12, 2025.
The post S8UL creating history as the first Indian organization to secure four nominations at Esports Awards 2025. appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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