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Videogame culture provides overlooked opportunity to engage with climate change, says new report

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Organisations wishing to have an impact on climate change shouldn’t overlook the opportunities presented by working with the breadth of videogame culture, according to a report from the global entertainment and research charity OKRE and commissioned by UKRI.

Ahead of COP26, Iain Dodgeon, Director of OKRE, said: “Videogames are a global cultural force. Relentless technological and creative innovation alongside the core consideration of the player in the game design process has propelled the sector’s expansion. No other media exhibits quite such a mutability of form and purpose.”

And indeed as videogames have evolved, so too has how people engage with them – not just playing videogames, but playing with them in other media and in other areas of our lives.

Iain Simons, co-author of the report and curator-at-large for the National Videogame Museum, said: “Because so much of the industry marketing around them is about technology – ‘faster! more realistic! better than last year’s model!’ – it’s tempting to think that games are just hardware and software. The most interesting and important part of videogames is how we live with them. They’re a fantastically rich place for public engagement, both in the games themselves and in the cultures we build around them.”

As games such as Fortnite have become social destinations in their own right, they provide a significant and mostly untapped opportunity for public engagement. However rather than focusing on developing a single game with climate themes, the report, Playing With Videogame Culture, identifies seven broader strategic opportunities for public engagement with climate science through videogames

These opportunities include embracing the breadth of videogame culture in both digital and non-digital spaces. This culture includes streaming, fan communities, fan-fiction and cosplay, and provides a rich and collaborative space that can reach diverse audiences.
Harnessing interest in videogames to inspire engagement with a wide array of STEAM skills and careers is another area of focus, and the report says practitioners should particularly try to understand their potential applications in other sectors, such as future innovation around climate change.

Enabling a more diverse range of communities to creatively explore opportunities for climate action is also key, and one recommended way to go about this is by utilising no-code game design tools to open up participation and creative expression, removing a requirement for technical skills. Organisations should also prioritise local and hyper-local engagement, focusing on social and environmental concerns of more direct relevance to these communities who are often underrepresented in public engagement work.

One opportunity for doing this is through the creation of site and time-specific games – projects that are uniquely relevant to different communities and calendar events, and which can enable people to interact with their area in new and exciting ways.

Digital exclusion is a key concern, and OKRE’s report recommends that both digital and non-digital access points should be included in any programme, with public engagement practitioners embracing board games, card games and other physical games alongside videogames to maximise engagement and access.
Iain Dodgeon said: “By embracing the breadth of opportunities available to engage with videogame culture, organisations can create lasting impact in their public engagement work. This is an area that has been overlooked until now, and so there is really exciting potential for organisations to work in fresh ways.”

The report brings to light past and present examples of videogames engaging with climate change and work being done within the industry in a bid to mitigate its own carbon footprint. It concludes that engagement with climate change should not focus on the development of a single game with climate themes, but rather consider the opportunities available within wider videogame culture to engage diverse communities and increase impact.

OKRE is a new charity providing a global centre for collaboration and knowledge exchange across research, the entertainment industry, and the social impact sector. The charity runs the OKRE Network, which connects professionals across sectors, as well as curating events such as the OKRE Development Rooms, and providing funding and resources to catalyse the creation of entertainment that benefits from alternative insights brought via research and lived experience.

George Miller (Gyorgy Molnar) started his career in content marketing and has started working as an Editor/Content Manager for our company in 2016. George has acquired many experiences when it comes to interviews and newsworthy content becoming Head of Content in 2017. He is responsible for the news being shared on multiple websites that are part of the European Gaming Media Network.

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Evoplay stokes the flames with Belfry Bliss Hold and Win

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Evoplay, the award-winning game development studio, has launched Belfry Bliss Hold and Win, a fiery 5×3 slot that blends retro-inspired visuals with a darker twist on the fan-favourite Hold and Win mechanic.

Set against a backdrop of flames and ringing bells, the game reintroduces Evoplay’s mischievous Devil character, not as a foe, but as a Wild symbol, lighting the way to potential wins. Classic slot icons like sevens, bars and cherries return, but the real action begins when the bells drop.

Landing six or more bonus symbols triggers the Hold and Win Bonus Game, initiating three spins, where the goal is to collect 15 special symbols to win the ULTRA jackpot, offering 1,000x the bet.

Additionally, the title comes with two smaller jackpots, SUPER and MINOR, adding to the excitement and win potential.

For those eager to jump straight into the action, a Bonus Buy feature provides direct access to the Bonus Game.

With its bold design, atmospheric soundtrack and fast-paced gameplay, Belfry Bliss Hold and Win adds a distinctive edge to Evoplay’s growing Hold and Win portfolio.

Ivan Kravchuk, CEO at Evoplay, said: “Belfry Bliss Hold and Win takes the familiar charm of classic slots and turns up the heat. We’ve given it a bold, fiery personality that blends nostalgia with a darker, more playful twist.

“The Hold and Win mechanic coupled with the three jackpots takes this game to the next level, with all features designed to keep the energy high and the experience engaging.”

The post Evoplay stokes the flames with Belfry Bliss Hold and Win appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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NOVOMATIC Africa Launches Local Assembly for Panther LPMs, Driving Innovation and Growth

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NOVOMATIC Africa has announced that it has reached a major operational milestone: the local assembly of its popular Panther FV623D and FV624D Limited Payout Machines (LPMs) is now fully underway in South Africa. This strategic development marks a critical step in the company’s commitment to regional growth, operational agility and technological excellence.

The initiative was born out of post-pandemic global supply challenges, where machine delivery lead times were significant. To address this, NOVOMATIC Africa made the strategic decision to localise certain production capabilities—shortening timelines, reducing dependency on international shipments, and contributing to the local economy and empowerment.

At the helm of the project is Mohamed Abdullah, Technical & Operations Manager, who leads a team of highly skilled, internationally trained technical professionals.

After extensive planning and cross-border collaboration, NOVOMATIC Africa equipped a dedicated assembly area within its new Midrand facility. The space was enhanced with the necessary tooling, shelving and safety systems to handle high-volume pre-assembly processes, including monitor and bill validator modules.

This ambitious three-year journey—culminating in South Africa’s first locally assembled Panther LPMs—was not only a triumph of logistics and innovation but also a testament to human expertise, resilience and visionary leadership.

To ensure full compliance and alignment with both NOVOMATIC AG (Austria) and local regulatory standards, the project included:

• Acquisition of an Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) Safety Test Machine

• Establishment of robust quality control protocols

• Integration with the NAG central database

• Development of a structured pre-assembly line for key components

• Empowering Local Talent

“Investing in people has been the most important part of this journey. Yes, we’re building machines. But more importantly, we’re building capability—equipping our team here in South Africa with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to meet global benchmarks,” said Mohamed Abdullah.

NOVOMATIC Africa’s investment in local production is more than a tactical solution—it’s a long-term strategic move aimed at strengthening the company’s footprint across the continent.

As demand continues to grow, the company remains focused on building a resilient, skilled local workforce and continuing its mission to deliver high-quality, technically advanced gaming machines for Africa’s evolving gaming landscape.

The post NOVOMATIC Africa Launches Local Assembly for Panther LPMs, Driving Innovation and Growth appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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TaDa Gaming Releases Golden Bank 2

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TaDa Gaming has released Golden Bank 2, a sequel to the popular Golden Bank slot. With a 10,000x max win and exciting features, Golden Bank 2 engage players with its immersive gameplay and the potential for substantial payouts.

Set in a golden vault, Golden Bank 2 combines the simplicity of classic slots with the thrill of modern mechanics. With vibrant graphics and a dynamic soundtrack, the game immerses players in an exciting, high-stakes atmosphere. Players can take advantage of Unlimited Bonus Game, expanding wilds and Super Bonus Features to boost their chances of winning big.

Golden Bank 2 offers players thrilling opportunities with its Wild High Rewards, Unlimited Bonus Game and Super Bonus features. Wild symbols appear on all reels, substituting for all symbols except the Bonus and can transform into 2x, 3x or 5x multipliers, up to 625x when multiple Wilds land on the same payline. The Unlimited Bonus Game is triggered by three Bonus symbols, unlocking the Bonus Accumulation Box where prizes accumulate based on Bet x Total Multiplier. Super Bonus symbols boost the multiplier of all accumulation boxes by up to 10x. With a 10,000x max win, medium volatility and unlimited bonus gameplay, Golden Bank 2 offers thrilling rewards and big win potential.

Sean Liu, Director of Product Management at TaDa Gaming, said: “Golden Bank 2 takes the best elements of classic slots and amplifies them with new, innovative mechanics, which offer players multiple ways to win while keeping the gameplay fresh and engaging. We’re excited to see how our clients respond to this high-reward game.”

The post TaDa Gaming Releases Golden Bank 2 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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