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Exclusive interview with Steve Rogers – Founder and CEO at Playbook Fusion
We recently sat down with Steve Rogers – Founder and CEO at Playbook Fusion and talk about several important aspects that shape the game studios industry.
What made you want to launch a game studio given the incredibly competitive nature of the market?
Because we have identified a gap in the market in which we can offer something truly unique. There is a large audience of players who enjoy sports-themed video and mobile games, and the ownership and skill required to master titles such as FC Ultimate Team, and who also like to place a bet on their favourite sports, teams and players. Right now, there isn’t a game format that brings these two worlds together, but Playbook Fusion is allowing them to collide to provide an entirely new experience that these consumers will absolutely want to engage with.
The addressable audience for our games will be broad but it is currently one that operators are struggling to engage. This goes beyond those who bet on sports to include those who are simply sports fans, gamers who enjoy management format titles and who are light-touch gamblers, virtual sports players looking for ownership over their teams and fantasy sports players seeking round the clock action.
In all instances, our strongest appeal will likely be among the next generation of players – those who are unlikely to walk into a retail betting shop or have a bet on the Grand National, but who are engaging with mobile and video games, social media and streaming.
How will you leverage your industry experience to lead Playbook Fusion to success?
I have more than 20 years of experience in the industry, and this has enabled me to amass a deep understanding of key factors required in bringing successful betting products to market, such as regulation, compliance, content deployment and ultimately what goes into making a hit game. I have been delivering RNG sports games to operators for various companies for a long time now and have good relationships with the right people within most of the major tier one and tier two brands, opening up a clear path to deploying our games with the biggest operators in the business. My experience has also taught me what a good game looks like and has allowed me to identify the gap in the market that Playbook Fusion has an ambition to fill.
Where I lack experience or in-depth understanding, I have brought in experts including video and mobile games veteran, Santiago Jaramillo. Santiago has more than 13 years of AAA gaming experience and has previously worked as Creative Director for EA Sport’s FIFA Franchise and was Executive Producer of MonopolyGo! He was also Head of Sports at Dapper Labs where he conceived and created NBA Top Shot, an award-winning, first-of-its-kind product anchored in blockchain technology.
Our complementary skillsets will absolutely be key to ensuring the future success of Playbook Fusion.
How will you stand out from your rival studios? How will your content offer something new to operators and players?
The level of ownership, the persistent progression within the games and the ability for skill development that each of our titles will offer will set Playbook Fusion apart from its competitors. We are working on a range of innovative mechanics that will allow players to boost the capabilities of their teams, which in turn will increase the chance of them winning. Gameplay will include acquiring or earning packs that players can open to strengthen their lineup before they decide what kind of contest they want to engage with. There’s really nothing like this in the sports betting space at this point and this strong, clear point of difference is what is already allowing Playbook Fusion to stand out and catch the attention of sportsbook operators.
Bringing together the worlds of gambling and video/mobile gaming is a tough task. How have you approached this?
It comes down to building a team of the brightest minds and creative talents from both industries. From the gambling sector, we have sought to hire dynamic individuals with a passion for sports and who understand what the next generation of sports bettors are looking for. Then, from the gaming sector, we have Santiago and a growing team of designers and developers who have an in-depth understanding of the mechanics behind successful video games. We are bringing the edges of these industries together and creating an environment in which everyone can learn from each other. I truly believe that we have a game-changing concept and with the team we have in place, we can bring it to life and disrupt the industry.
Can you share some insights into your first game? What will it look like? How will it play? Who has it been developed for?
Our first game will be a football title. Football is the biggest sport globally and will allow us to hit the ground running with a game that has mass market appeal. It will take the football manager format, with players able to build a team by acquiring and trading players. They can also do things like buy packs and reveal cards that all help in strengthening their team. They then compete with others across several game types including seasons, player vs player and in contests with friends. Players earn points based on the performance of their team, which are posted to a real-time leaderboard. The more points players accumulate, the more league levels they clear and the more rewards they earn. Betting is a core part of the game loop but, unlike more traditional virtual sports games, the bettor will have a much greater sense of ownership over the team they are betting on, just like in real sports betting. We plan to replicate this format for other sports including basketball and cricket.
Why should sportsbook operators partner with Playbook Fusion?
Our games will enable operators to generate incremental revenues from existing player groups, particularly Virtual Sports and Fantasy players, by offering a more engaging betting experience on a 24/7/365 basis. Also, our games will allow them to tap into a new, lucrative but hard-to-reach audience. These are not traditional sports bettors, but rather the next generation of customers looking for social, fast-paced gameplay where they can improve and display their skills and strategy with the chance of winning money – the YouTube, Fortnite, tech-savvy generation that will become a sportsbook’s core player base in the coming years.
The post Exclusive interview with Steve Rogers – Founder and CEO at Playbook Fusion appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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GR8 Tech and Ready to Fight by Usyk Unite to Bring Boxing and iGaming Closer Together
Ready to Fight by Oleksandr Usyk and GR8 Tech have joined forces in a technological partnership that bridges the worlds of sports and innovation.
As Ready To Fight’s exclusive Partner in Tech, GR8 Tech combines its UNrivaled expertise in iGaming with RTF’s experience as the UNdisputed champion’s team to deliver solutions that push boundaries and achieve extraordinary results.
“The iGaming industry is a highly fluid environment, very similar to boxing as a competitive sport: The winners in it are strategic thinkers, relentless in preparation and flawless in execution. These qualities unite GR8 Tech and Ready to Fight by Oleksandr Usyk and serve as the foundation of our partnership, empowering GR8 Tech to help its clients achieve UNdisputed success in their own rings,” said Sergey Ghazaryan, CRO at GR8 Tech.
“Our partnership with GR8 Tech is about bringing the boxing world closer through technology and creating something new for fighters, fans, and industry leaders. We’re combining GR8 Tech’s expertise in iGaming with our vision to build a stronger, smarter platform. Together, we’ll be rolling out new features and innovations to bring people together and make the boxing experience better with great tech,” said Oleksandr Usyk, Co-Founder of Ready to Fight.
GR8 Tech’s top-tier Sportsbook and iGaming platform stands out for its scalability, precision, and exceptional performance – qualities that align with Usyk’s UNwavering drive and UNstoppable track record. Just as Ready To Fight by Usyk wins the global boxing market, GR8 Tech excels with UNparalleled event coverage, sophisticated margin management, and a geo-specific approach, providing everything operators need to achieve extraordinary success in any market.
Ready to Fight’s mission to merge technology with boxing comes to life through GR8 Tech’s advanced platform. By leveraging GR8 Tech’s technological expertise, RTF meets the high operational standards of iGaming leaders. Both brands share a data-driven, innovative approach, empowering their audiences to break boundaries and achieve UNprecedented success at the intersection of sports and technology.
This UNdisputedly GR8 partnership marks the start of an exciting 2025, bringing digital activations, exclusive merch, and a groundbreaking product tech collaboration. Stay up-to-date with all the latest news by following GR8 Tech on its website and LinkedIn.
The post GR8 Tech and Ready to Fight by Usyk Unite to Bring Boxing and iGaming Closer Together appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Fandoms and Passions: New SuperAwesome Research Demystifies Gen Alpha and Gen Z for Brands
– Study of almost 4,000 Gen Alpha/Z respondents reveals how brands can best engage the vital but elusive kid and teen audience –
SuperAwesome, the leading youth technology and insights provider, has launched a groundbreaking in-depth study into the passions and fandoms that enable brands and IP owners to forge deeper connections with young audiences.
Kids and teens remain a vital but elusive audience. They shift across a hyper-fragmented media landscape, immersed in (and defining) cultures that move faster than ever before. The long-standing challenge of data scarcity relating to under-18 audiences makes connecting meaningfully with them incredibly difficult for brands.
Conducted among 3,750 under-18s and their parents across the US, UK and Germany, the new research provides critical insights to help brands decode the passions and fandoms that fuel youth audiences. Launched today at the London Toy Fair, ‘Fandoms & Passions: The Antidotes to Hyper-Fragmented Youth Audiences’ reveals that meaningful and lasting relationships are developed throughout childhood and teenhood that impact brand loyalty in this timespan and beyond.
Kate O’Loughlin, CEO of SuperAwesome, said: “The fragmentation of kids’ and teens’ digital behaviors continues to grow, yet the insights on how to engage them have been limited to rudimentary observations of what they interact with online – without understanding the WHY. We conducted this research to uncover the complex drivers of how brands can build real resonance with young audiences.”
Fandoms and Passions – What’s the Difference?
Passions are hobbies or interests (think gaming, sports, or music). They’re important for self-discovery and shaping individual perspectives, and are primarily focused on the personal connection with an activity or interest. Tapping into passions gives an instant connection to young audiences on a personal level.
Fandoms can elevate this further by adding a social dimension. They’re built around community or consumable content that unites people (think particular video games, film franchises, or a musician, for example). They allow kids to be part of a collective, creating a sense of community and belonging. This shared experience strengthens their connection to the fandom and the brands that interact with them authentically.
How Important Are Fandoms and Passions Really?
3 in 5 kids engage with their passions daily, and 56% of kids engage with their fandoms daily. On average, young people have 4 passions but only 2 fandoms at any given time due to the social and potential financial investment fandoms require. More than half (55%) of those surveyed said their top fandom had an enormous influence on their daily lives, rating its impact at least 9 out of 10.
How Do Fandoms and Passions Translate Into Engagement Opportunities with Gen Alpha & Gen Z?
Young audiences are naturally drawn to brands that reflect their values: 74% say they feel more connected to brands that share their passions, while 73% feel more positive about brands that collaborate with something or someone they’re a fan of. Not every brand can create a fandom, but it is possible to leverage passions and collaborate with fandoms to maximize the potential of understanding and connecting with young people.
Kate O’Loughlin, CEO of SuperAwesome added: “With this research, making safe connections to Gen Alpha and Gen Z can be as sophisticated as they are. The ability to take an audience-based approach with youth – rooted in a comprehensive understanding of their values, passions and emotions – is a necessary leap forward to meet the challenge of engaging kids and teens as they rapidly evolve.”
The research highlights that brands that are looking to connect with youth audiences cross-platform can begin with understanding their deep interests, emotional engagement and commitment. 47% of respondents watch content (like on YouTube) and shows (on streaming platforms) related to their fandoms, plus 22% also play games, use apps or buy merchandise related to the fandoms too.
Far from trying to exclude brands from their fandoms and passions, the research shows that 67% of young people think brands could do more to connect with them. It’s up to brands to make sure they do this with a deep understanding of their audience, enabling them to engage with meaning and authenticity.
Download the full report at this link: superawesome.com/identities-fandoms-and-understanding-youth-audiences/
The post Fandoms and Passions: New SuperAwesome Research Demystifies Gen Alpha and Gen Z for Brands appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Latest News
iGX and Optimove Announce Report on the Transformative Impact of Gamification and AI in the iGaming Industry
iGX, a leading voice in the iGaming industry, and Optimove, the #1 CRM Marketing platform for iGaming and sports betting operators, announce the release of a report exploring the transformative role of gamification and Generative AI (Gen AI) in the iGaming industry. This comprehensive study highlights the trends, strategies, and innovations shaping the future of iGaming, providing valuable insights for operators navigating this rapidly evolving landscape.
Methodology:
iGX Insights surveyed 100 Heads of Marketing, CMOs, Brand Directors, and similar executives from iGaming organizations across Europe to find out how the industry is continuing its gamification efforts and the impact AI is having on iGaming.
Key Findings Previewed
The forthcoming report reveals critical insights into how gamification and AI are revolutionizing player engagement, retention, and overall gaming experiences:
- Gamification’s Universal Adoption: The report highlights that 100% of surveyed iGaming operators have implemented gamification strategies, underscoring its universal adoption. Popular elements such as achievements, tournaments, and personalized challenges have proven effective in driving player activity and loyalty.
- Generative AI’s Growing Role: With 61% of operators already deploying Gen AI solutions and 39% planning to do so, AI is reshaping iGaming. Applications such as personalized promotions, automated content creation, and predictive analytics are driving hyper-personalization and streamlining operations.
- Data-Driven Personalization: The study emphasizes the increasing importance of player data in tailoring experiences. Organizations that leverage data insights effectively can deliver highly targeted content, predict player behavior, and optimize engagement strategies.
Industry Implications
The report positions gamification and AI as pivotal to the future of iGaming, enabling operators to deliver immersive, personalized experiences. By integrating these technologies, organizations can foster deeper player loyalty, enhance lifetime value, and remain competitive in a dynamic market. However, the study also addresses the challenges of data analytics and ethical use, which will be critical for sustained success.
As noted by Pini Yakuel, CEO of Optimove, “Gamification and Generative AI are no longer optional strategies—they are essential for operators looking to thrive in today’s competitive iGaming landscape. This report provides a roadmap for leveraging these tools to enhance player engagement and deliver meaningful, data-driven experiences.”
Added Gabriela Martins da Silva, Content Director iGX, “It’s important to note that implementing Generative AI solutions successfully also requires a strong data foundation. Any gaps in data can lead to inaccurate results, introducing potential risks when deploying these technologies. That said, it’s clear that AI is poised to become a cornerstone of the gaming industry, and the number of companies leveraging Generative AI will only increase in the coming years.”
The post iGX and Optimove Announce Report on the Transformative Impact of Gamification and AI in the iGaming Industry appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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