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UK Gaming Charity SpecialEffect to Receive Special Award at 20th BAFTA Games Awards
BAFTA has announced that UK gaming charity SpecialEffect, will receive the prestigious Special Award at the 20th BAFTA Games Awards. The award, which recognises outstanding contributions to games, film and television, is one of the highest accolades bestowed by BAFTA. Dr Mick Donegan MBE, founder and CEO of SpecialEffect, will pick up the Special Award at the annual BAFTA Games Awards ceremony on Thursday 11 April.
In 2007, Mick Donegan founded SpecialEffect to help people with even the most severe physical challenges to access video games. The organisation uses specialised technology to enhance access to video games and creative self-expression for people with a wide range of Disabilities.
SpecialEffect’s success began as a result of the collaboration between Mick, a specialist in assistive technology and his son Bill, a keen gamer with a background in product design. Since its creation, the charity has grown to thirty employees, raising all their own funds, and has provided specialist one-to-one assessments and support to severely disabled people throughout the UK and beyond.
Dr Mick Donegan MBE, SpecialEffect founder and CEO, said: “With a background in special education, I realised how much people with severe physical disabilities were missing out by not being able to play. I started SpecialEffect not only to help individuals to play video games but also to collaborate with the games industry to make their games more accessible ‘at source’. Since then, we have been privileged to be invited to share our ideas with more and more developers all over the world. Now, 17 years since SpecialEffect began, it’s an absolute honour for SpecialEffect’s work to be recognised by BAFTA.”
Emma Baehr, BAFTA executive director of awards and content, said: “SpecialEffect’s work is essential to the games world and is hugely deserving of a BAFTA Special Award. Their innovative and supportive approach to making games accessible drives progress within the industry, collaborating with developers and studios on new technologies to make games within reach to more people. We look forward to honouring their contribution to games at the ceremony on Thursday 11 April.”
Throughout the years, SpecialEffect has been involved in collaborating with Xbox, Sony and Logitech, to help design accessible controllers and a switch kit, enabling thousands more severely disabled players to access their games using a wide range of control devices. They have also worked with games studios and developers to help make their games more accessible. The organisation also developed EyeMine, a freely downloadable gaze-controlled interface to enable players to enjoy Minecraft through gaze-control alone.
Later this year will see the rollout of their EyeGaze Games (currently available on PC only) onto Android and iOS, games designed to be fully accessible for people with physical disabilities, whether they use gaze control, joysticks, switches or gamepads.
The post UK Gaming Charity SpecialEffect to Receive Special Award at 20th BAFTA Games Awards appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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iGP launches GamePark and PayLab to enhance offering provided to partners
The post iGP launches GamePark and PayLab to enhance offering provided to partners appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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The World of Esports Unites: 136 Nations Registered for 2025 Season
The International Esports Federation (IESF) is thrilled to announce a major milestone as 136 nations have officially registered for the National Qualifiers of the 2025 esports season. This record-breaking level of participation underscores the remarkable growth and global appeal of esports, uniting athletes and fans from every corner of the world under one shared passion.
The National Qualifiers, which commenced on January 15, 2025, mark the start of an exciting journey for millions of athletes. Competing across a diverse range of PC, mobile, and console titles, these athletes are fighting for the opportunity to represent their nations on the largest stage of esports.
Highlighting the significance of this achievement, IESF General Secretary Boban Totovski stated:
“The participation of 136 Member Federations in this year’s National Qualifiers is an extraordinary accomplishment. It reflects the deep passion, dedication, and unity within the global esports community. We eagerly anticipate witnessing the emergence of this year’s national champions and the incredible talent that will define the 2025 season.”
As IESF celebrates its 16-year legacy, the 2025 season is another step forward in showcasing esports as a powerful unifying force. The federation remains committed to supporting the growth of the esports ecosystem, encouraging the next generation of athletes, and celebrating the diversity within the global esports community.
The 2025 season will bring nations together to honor the competitive spirit and creativity of esports. With 136 nations involved, IESF reaffirms its dedication to fostering collaboration, inspiring excellence, and showcasing the exceptional talent of athletes from all over the world.
The journey to an unforgettable year in esports has begun, as IESF continues to bring the world closer through the shared passion for competitive gaming.
The post The World of Esports Unites: 136 Nations Registered for 2025 Season appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Exclusive Collaboration: Digitain and Museum LEGENDS: The Home of Football Presented by LALIGA
Digitain announces an extraordinary partnership with the Museum LEGENDS
Digitain, is proud to announce an extraordinary partnership with the Museum LEGENDS, presented by LaLiga, debuting at ICE Barcelona 2025. As pioneers of this unique concept, Digitain is bringing football history to life by hosting an exclusive pop-up museum right at the heart of its stand 5J30.
For the first time ever, visitors will have the opportunity to marvel at iconic memorabilia from football legends and timeless icons, including Pele, Maradona, Messi, Ronaldo, Figo, and many more. This once-in-a-lifetime experience will showcase treasured items that define the legacy of the world’s greatest footballers.
The Museum area at Digitain Stand will be open to the public from January 20th to 22nd, 2025. Whether you’re a fan or simply curious, this exhibit is must-see.
Laura Valdeolivas, CEO of LEGENDS: “We are thrilled to partner with Digitain for this groundbreaking initiative. Bringing the rich history of football legends to life at ICE Barcelona 2025 aligns with our mission to celebrate the beautiful game and its icons. This collaboration with Digitain represents an innovative way to connect fans and industry professionals with football’s storied past.”
Aregnaz Hakobyan, CMO of Digitain Group: “Digitain has always been at the forefront of innovation, and this exclusive partnership with the Museum of Legends powered by LaLiga exemplifies our vision of creating unique, memorable experiences. Hosting this pop-up museum is not just about showcasing history; it’s about inspiring fans and celebrating the legacy of football legends. We can’t wait to welcome visitors to our stand at ICE Barcelona.”
Don’t miss out on this groundbreaking collaboration and the opportunity to explore the magic of football history.
The post Exclusive Collaboration: Digitain and Museum LEGENDS: The Home of Football Presented by LALIGA appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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