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Layer AI raises $1.8m to supercharge game art production!

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Layer, the AI-powered productivity tool of choice by the world’s top gaming companies, raises a $1.8M seed round by top ad-tech and gaming angels, and VC funds. 
 
The creator-first, enterprise-ready tool for professional art creation, Layer AI, today announced the successful closing of their first seed round. Round included top serial entrepreneurs and industry legends like Jim Payne, gaming angels like Akin Babayigit, Michele Attisani, and Dilpesh Parmar and gaming VCs like The Games Fund, The Games Syndicate, GFR Fund, Laton Ventures along with other AI/Tech VCs and angels like 500 Global, Elena Silenok, Taimur Rashid. Additionally, the team also got a strategic investment from the US-based top art production and talent house Devoted Studios.
 
Getting to know the team 
 
Layer, based in San Francisco, is founded by a team of passionate professionals with decades of experience in AI, Gaming, and Computer Vision. Volkan Gurel is the CEO, with a background in engineering and management from MIT, Hunch and Coinbase. Burcu is the CRO and served in multiple client-facing roles across multiple products from ads to game services at Unity & LoopMe. Kuo-chin, PhD is the CTO who recently joined bringing 20 years of experience in Computer Vision from Appen and XMotors. Finally, Mehmet is a self-taught technical artist and game developer who co-founded and sold Gram Games to Zynga in 2018. 
 
The team strongly believes a compact elite team can outcompete larger players and will expand by staying selective and laser focused on gaming. They believe in driving significant value to many businesses is critical to their own success, whether they are garage startups or industry giants. They are now hiring for their founding team positions: https://www.layer.ai/careers 
 
What makes Layer unique? 
 
Layer is simply unmatched when it comes to seamless integration into art pipelines and intuitive creator workflows, providing a great user experience and productivity boost. As proven by customer testimonials and detailed case studies, Layer leads the race as the tool of choice for game creators of all skill levels whether they are just starting their journey or have mastered game development. Layer proves any creator can go beyond their imagination and experiment with brand new ideas and art styles. A lot of AI tools today focus on either general use cases and foundational model training, or offer standalone cool features but don’t actually serve the everyday use cases. Most of them are either too complicated or are not designed for multi-disciplinary teams and certainly not enterprise ready. 
 
“Layer supercharges artist teams’ productivity by 240% and helps expedite the delivery of art to meet deadlines” says Production Lead, Games United 
 
“Layer AI supercharged Tripledot’s art creation, 3Xing our production speed and elevating quality. By reducing our reliance on outsourcing studios, we’ve not only saved significant costs but also brought the magic of art production in-house. We’re incredibly excited about this technology and eagerly await further updates. VP of Creative at Tripledot Studios. 
 
Creators not only can go faster but can also supercharge their imagination. “Our art pipeline is not only faster, the variations Layer provides has been super helpful in increasing our creative potential and exploring brand new ideas”‘ says the Artist at APPS Teknoloji. (more quotes will be available on our website by 10th of November) 
 
Layer already empowers many artists to generate images based on their own art styles, allowing them to seamlessly iterate on these images through its premier AI-assisted canvas. Layer is the only generative AI solution that has been adopted by the teams of world’s largest mobile gaming studios. Layer has a clear direction in style-consistent output quality, speedy generation, and an intuitive interface that’s committed to solving game artists’ challenges using AI. 
 
Volkan Gurel, the CEO believes “Just like Web 2.0, Cloud computing or mobile unlocked novel applications that beat incumbents and other startup competitors based on a great product experience, we believe the AI revolution will be no different. AI has unlocked many new applications that will be built on top of this new tech stack and we plan to win by building the best product experience for artists in the enterprise leveraging the power of all the great foundational models and tools released by OpenAI, Meta, Stability AI and others. We’re creator-first, enterprise-ready and will remain model-agnostic”. 
 
What’s ahead? 
While Layer is focusing on perfecting 2D generation in games for mobile, then AAA studios, the team is already looking ahead. In the near future, Layer will generate both spine and sprite animations from text, images and other animations and further expand to 3D workflows. Layer will also build integrations into non-gaming workflows like marketing and advertising.
 
Layer will continue its dedication to style-consistent output quality, seamless workflow integrations that empower and free artists from redundant workflow overheads. “AI unlocked many opportunities for gaming and we want Layer to be the easiest tool to get onboard with and the fastest to ROI “ says Burcu Ozcengiz, the CRO. Layer is already serving numerous top tier clients like Tripledot, Sciplay, Mag Interactive and hundreds of professional artists since launching in February 2023. Layer is also working to shore up their compliance program and will achieve SOC 2 and ISO certification to further cement the security and reliability of their offering for the enterprise. 
 
“Being deeply rooted in game development we see pivotal changes coming to production with Gen-AI tools coming into play. We are not big fans of the idea of flooding the market with soulless content and Layer.AI sets itself apart by aiming to enhance, not replace, human artistry, liberating creators from mundane tasks. That is what we all believe in. We also like that their focus is on enterprise clients and their real needs for seamless integration into existing production pipelines.” – comments Maria Kochmola, General Partner at The Games Fund.

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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Will Bolton named ‘David Orrick Journalist of the Year’ at ICE Barcelona

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Will Bolton, Editor of G3 has been named the first ‘David Orrick Journalist of the Year’. Presented at ICE Barcelona by Clarion Gaming Managing Director Stuart Hunter, the Award has been created in memory of respected gambling industry writer David Orrick who passed in September 2024 aged 75.

Making the presentation, Stuart Hunter said: “Last year the industry sadly lost one of its most ardent and articulate supporters with the passing of David Orrick. David worked in the industry first as a journalist editing trade title EuroSlot and then heading-up PR and media relations for a raft of internationally recognised gambling brands.

“From the moment he joined the industry in 1995 he participated in our events first as a journalist and then as an exhibitor handling comms for many of the land-based sector’s best known manufacturers.

“David was a formidable personality steeped in the industry, highly knowledgeable and internationally respected. When David shared his opinion you listened and took note of his insights. He was a true ‘critical friend’ and made important contributions to the success of our brands not least ICE which he supported with a passion. He is greatly missed by everyone who knew him.

“In David’s honour and having consulted with his family we decided to launch a special award which carries his name. The David Orrick Journalist Of The Year Award recognises the talent and dedication which exists within the community of writers who report on the industry. Often overlooked, they provide an essential service helping to bring together games creators and providers with consumer-facing brands.

“To launch the David Orrick Award we invited publishers to nominate one of their star writers. From what was an extremely high quality short list a judging panel comprising members of the Clarion team identified our inaugural winner. Described by our judges as being extremely talented, diligent, easy to build a rapport with incisive and knowledgeable. I am delighted to confirm G3’s Will Bolton as the winner of the inaugural David Orrick Journalist of the Year.”

David’s son James Davidson reflected: “David lived and breathed the industry with everything that he had. It wasn’t a job , it was a way of life and something that he cherished dearly. David is hugely missed but he would be undoubtedly proud of the fact that his work and commitment to the industry has been valued. This Award would be something he would have hugely endorsed and shared avidly with the winners. Thank you for creating an award that shares and recognises David’s work.”

 

The post Will Bolton named ‘David Orrick Journalist of the Year’ at ICE Barcelona appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Toshi.bet Expands in Crypto Gambling Market with Instant Withdrawals and Privacy-Focused Gaming

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Toshi.bet introduces a streamlined crypto gambling experience with instant transactions, no KYC requirements, and tailored deposit bonuses.

Toshi.bet, a growing cryptocurrency casino, is expanding its presence in the online gambling industry with a focus on instant withdrawals, privacy, and a broad selection of gaming options. Operating as a no-KYC platform, Toshi.bet provides players with an alternative to traditional online casinos by leveraging blockchain-backed security and provably fair gaming.

Key Features of Toshi.bet

  • Notable Growth in the Crypto Casino Sector – Toshi.bet has seen an increase in its user base, with thousands of players engaging in its gaming platform daily.
  • Instant Deposits & Withdrawals – The platform supports Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), USDT, and various other cryptocurrencies, enabling near-instant, fee-free transactions.
  • Privacy-Focused Gaming – With no KYC requirements, Toshi.bet offers users the ability to place bets while maintaining their anonymity.
  • Deposit Bonuses & Reward Programs – Players can access tailored deposit bonuses of up to 200%, free spins, and rakeback rewards.
  • Diverse Game Selection – The platform features a variety of gaming options, including slots, live casino, Plinko, dice, and other blockchain-optimized games.

 

The post Toshi.bet Expands in Crypto Gambling Market with Instant Withdrawals and Privacy-Focused Gaming appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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PopOK Gaming Introduces Poly Live Casino Studio by Alec Monopoly, Featuring Poly Blackjack & Poly Roulette

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PopOK Gaming, a leading innovator in the iGaming industry, is pleased to announce the launch of the groundbreaking Poly Live Casino Studio by world-renowned street artist Alec Monopoly.

This one-of-a-kind live casino experience merges the excitement of classic table games with Monopoly’s signature artistic flair, offering an electrifying new dimension to online gaming.

The Poly Live Casino Studio introduces two premium live dealer games – Poly Blackjack and Poly Roulette – delivering an unparalleled fusion of art, entertainment, and immersive gameplay. Featuring exclusive designs by Alec Monopoly, the studio is set to captivate players with its bold visuals and dynamic atmosphere, transforming traditional casino gaming into a work of art.

A Live Casino Experience Like No Other

The Poly Live Casino Studio is a fully interactive, high-energy gaming environment where players can engage with professional dealers in real time. Designed to reflect Alec Monopoly’s iconic street art style, every element of the studio – from the tables to the backdrops – exudes creativity and luxury.

  • Poly Blackjack: A fresh take on the timeless classic, featuring a customized table design with bold, colorful artwork and dynamic visuals that elevate the traditional roulette experience. Players can enjoy all the standard inside and outside bets, complemented by an electrifying atmosphere inspired by Monopoly’s signature art.
  • Poly Roulette: This exclusive Blackjack table offers a seamless combination of strategy and style. With a fully immersive studio setting and high-quality streaming, players can engage in classic Blackjack gameplay while surrounded by a unique artistic backdrop. The game maintains all standard rules while offering an elevated, collector’s edition feel.

A Collaboration That Redefines Gaming

Alec Monopoly, known for his vibrant and unconventional artistic expressions, brings his signature touch to the live casino space in collaboration with PopOK Gaming. This partnership pushes the boundaries of iGaming by blending fine art with cutting-edge technology, offering players a gaming experience that is as visually striking as it is thrilling.

Elevating the Future of Live Casino Gaming

The launch of the Poly Live Casino Studio marks a new era for live dealer games, where creativity and gaming converge to create a uniquely engaging atmosphere. With PopOK Gaming’s cutting-edge technology and Monopoly’s artistic brilliance, this live casino experience is set to redefine industry standards.

The Poly Live Casino Studio is now available for operators worldwide, bringing a visually stunning and highly interactive gaming experience to players across multiple platforms.

For more information about Poly Blackjack, Poly Roulette, and the Poly Live Casino Studio, visit popokgaming.com.

 

The post PopOK Gaming Introduces Poly Live Casino Studio by Alec Monopoly, Featuring Poly Blackjack & Poly Roulette appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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