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The Synergy of Esports and Education: Destigmatising Gaming and Unleashing Potential

Published

1 year ago

August 2, 2024

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Esports, once dismissed as a frivolous pastime, has evolved into a dynamic intersection of entertainment, technology, and education. This transformation is not only reshaping perceptions but also providing significant benefits across educational levels. From primary schools to universities, esports offer a unique blend of engagement and learning, preparing learners to be future ready in the 4IR. Esports Educational Specialist, Adam Thomas-James, explores how esports complement education, fostering skills and social connections that are often overlooked in traditional learning environments.

A Gateway to Technology and Coding

For many underprivileged schools, esports serves as an engaging introduction to internet technology and coding. By integrating gaming into the curriculum, schools can captivate students’ interests and channel them into productive avenues. This approach is particularly effective in primary schools, where students are naturally curious and quick to adapt to new technologies. Engaging with esports at a young age not only demystifies technology but also encourages early development of digital literacy skills.

Key Benefits:

Introduction to Coding: Games often involve programming elements, providing a fun entry point to learning coding.
Digital Literacy: Students gain familiarity with technology, which is crucial for future academic and career opportunities.

Teamwork and Cognitive Skills

Esports provides an alternative to traditional sports, promoting teamwork, decision-making, problem-solving, sportsmanship, responsibility, and fast reaction times. These skills are vital in both personal and professional settings, making esports a valuable addition to the educational landscape.

Enhancing Cognitive Abilities:

Problem-Solving: Games frequently present complex challenges that require strategic thinking and quick decision-making.
Hand-Eye Coordination: Fast-paced gaming improves reaction times and motor skills, translating to better performance in various physical activities.

Social Integration and Leadership

One of the most profound impacts of esports in education is its ability to foster social integration. Gaming bridges gaps across different grades and social backgrounds, creating a common ground for students to connect. Teachers have observed that students who are typically quiet and reserved in the classroom often come alive in an esports environment. These students not only participate actively but also take on leadership roles, showcasing talents and confidence that might otherwise remain hidden.

Social Benefits:

Friendship Formation: Shared passion for gaming encourages friendships across diverse student groups.
Leadership Opportunities: Esports provides a platform for students to lead and organise, fostering leadership skills.

An Outlet for Learning Disabilities

Esports can be a powerful tool for students with learning disabilities. Anecdotal evidence suggests that these students can gain new skills and confidence through gaming. The interactive and visual nature of games often aligns well with their learning styles, providing an engaging way to develop various competencies.

Benefits for Learning Disabilities:

Skill Development: Games can help improve focus, memory, and cognitive skills in a fun, engaging way.
Confidence Building: Success in gaming can boost self-esteem and encourage further academic participation.

Competitive Growth and Specialisation

As students progress to high school and university, the competitive nature of esports intensifies. High school students begin to compete more seriously, and at the tertiary level, they often specialise in specific gaming titles. This competitive environment not only enhances their gaming skills but also teaches valuable lessons about dedication, perseverance, and goal setting.

Competitive Advantages:

Skill Specialisation: Students develop expertise in specific games, which can lead to opportunities in professional gaming and related fields.
Perseverance and Goal Setting: The competitive nature of esports teaches students to set goals, work hard, and handle both success and failure.

Overcoming Obstacles

Despite its many benefits, integrating esports into education is not without challenges. Access to stable internet and uninterrupted power can be significant obstacles, particularly in underprivileged areas. However, innovative solutions such as utilising malls as venues can provide the necessary infrastructure, making esports more accessible to students from informal settlements.

In terms of infrastructure utilisation, malls can offer stable internet and power, creating suitable venues for esports activities. From a spectator perspective, tournaments such as the HYPROP MTN SHIFT Gaming Experience, also offer an opportunity for local businesses and communities to support esports programs, providing resources and facilities.

Esports and education are not mutually exclusive; rather, they complement each other in ways that traditional educational methods may not. By incorporating esports into the educational framework, schools can engage students in meaningful, skill-building activities that foster both personal and academic growth. As we continue to destigmatise gaming, it is essential to recognise and promote the myriad benefits it offers, creating an inclusive, dynamic, and forward-thinking educational environment.

The post The Synergy of Esports and Education: Destigmatising Gaming and Unleashing Potential appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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From ‘Mummyverse’ to Crash Games: Belatra Reviews a Landmark 2025

Published

3 hours ago

December 23, 2025

George Miller

Editor’s Take

Why this matters: Belatra has been a steady hand in the slots world for a long time, but 2025 marked a distinct shift in strategy. By entering the Crash vertical with Goose Boom Bang and winning big at SiGMA Africa, the studio is clearly pivoting to capture the high-growth, high-frequency players in emerging markets. They are no longer just a “classic slots” developer; they are diversifying the portfolio to ensure relevance in regions like LatAm and Africa.

The Full Story

Belatra Games, the specialist online slots developer, has issued a strategic review of its 2025 operations, celebrating a 12-month period defined by entry into new game verticals, significant franchise expansion, and high-profile industry recognition.

The year was characterized by a dual strategy: deepening engagement in established markets while aggressively expanding its content portfolio to suit local preferences in emerging territories.

Portfolio Evolution: Crash and Battles 2025 saw Belatra move beyond its traditional slot roots. The company made its debut in the high-demand Crash game vertical with the launch of Goose Boom Bang, a title designed to tap into the fast-paced gameplay preference of younger demographics.

Additionally, the studio introduced a fresh game concept with the launch of Battles, a new format unveiled for the first time in 2025, with further development planned for 2026.

The ‘Mummyverse’ Expands For fans of classic slots, the highlight of the year was the aggressive expansion of the Mummyverse. Belatra nearly doubled the size of this franchise over the year, making it the most extensive game universe in their entire catalog.

The developer also focused on B2B localization, releasing a number of exclusive bespoke games created specifically for selected operator partners to meet specific local market tastes.

Awards and Recognition The company’s strategic shifts were validated by industry accolades. Belatra secured over 30 nominations throughout the year, with standout wins including:

Best Slot Provider (awarded by BitStarz).
Most Played Game of 2025 for Make It Gold at the SiGMA Africa Awards.
Player’s Pick Award.

Management Commentary Misha Voinich, Head of Business Development at Belatra, commented on the studio’s momentum:

“This year has truly defined who we are as a studio – ambitious, creative and focused on building long-term partnerships. We’ve expanded our universes, launched new ones and entered exciting new markets that will all help us carry this momentum into the New Year.”

The post From ‘Mummyverse’ to Crash Games: Belatra Reviews a Landmark 2025 appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.

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‘Chaos and Soul’: Ebaka Games Plots Global Expansion After Viral Launch

Published

3 hours ago

December 23, 2025

George Miller

Editor’s Take

Why this matters: The “Instant Game” vertical (Crash, Plinko, Mines) is becoming crowded, but Ebaka Games is cutting through the noise with a distinct brand personality. By securing BMM Testlabs certification so quickly after launch, they are signaling to Tier 1 operators that despite their “chaotic” marketing vibe, the math underneath is solid and compliant. The backing of industry veteran Dmitry Belianin also adds immediate commercial credibility to the startup.

The Full Story

Ebaka Games, the fledgling studio that promises to bring “chaos and soul” to the iGaming sector, has outlined an aggressive growth strategy for 2026 following a landmark launch period in late 2025.

The studio, which officially debuted in November, reports that its initial rollout reached more than five million people worldwide. The launch saw its portfolio go live with the operator Menace, serving as the initial testbed for its mechanics and “Ebaka modes.”

The Product: Instant Games with Personality Ebaka is bypassing traditional slots to focus on the high-growth vertical of fast-paced, instant-win games. Their initial lineup includes:

Plinko
Mines
Tower
Limbo
Crash

Differentiation is achieved through unique mascots and signature gameplay tweaks designed to offer high win potential and distinct visual identities, moving away from the generic interfaces often found in this genre.

Regulatory Milestone Crucially for its 2026 roadmap, Ebaka Games has confirmed it has secured certification from BMM Testlabs. This accreditation validates the fairness and integrity of its RNG (Random Number Generator) and game engines, removing a major barrier to entry for regulated markets. With this certification in hand, the studio plans to launch with a number of “major brands” in the coming year.

Management Commentary Vitalii Zalievskyi, CEO of Ebaka Games, commented on the studio’s unorthodox approach:

“It’s only been a few weeks since we first introduced Ebaka Games to the world. The feedback has been breathtaking, and it vindicates the decision for us to take a different path to the rest of the industry. You don’t need huge marketing budgets to grab people’s attention if you are building something truly innovative.”

Industry Backing The studio describes itself as being “created by players for players” but boasts significant industry firepower in its corner. The team includes Dmitry Belianin, a well-known figure in the sector who is the co-founder of Blask and Menace, as well as Managing Partner at Already Media.

The post ‘Chaos and Soul’: Ebaka Games Plots Global Expansion After Viral Launch appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.

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Racing Meets Nightlife: SBK Backs ARC’s New ‘Friday Night Live’ Series

Published

3 hours ago

December 23, 2025

George Miller

Editor’s Take

Why this matters: British racing has a well-documented demographic problem; its core audience is aging. “Friday Night Live” is a direct attempt to fix this by blending high-stakes racing with the “experience economy” (DJs, nightlife vibes) that appeals to Gen Z and Millennials. Bringing SBK on board—a mobile-first, app-only sportsbook—is a perfect demographic fit, while the Racing Post adds the necessary credibility to ensure the actual racing product remains the focus.

The Full Story

Arena Racing Company (ARC) has unveiled the strategic commercial lineup for its upcoming Friday Night Live series, confirming SBK as the Exclusive Betting Partner and The Racing Post as the Official Media Partner.

Set to launch in January 2026, Friday Night Live is a new initiative created in collaboration with youth-focused events company INVADES. The series is designed to overhaul the traditional race day experience, featuring fast-paced fixtures under floodlights, DJ sets, and significant entertainment elements sandwiched between races.

The Commercial Deal

SBK: As the exclusive betting partner, the Smarkets-owned sportsbook will take naming rights and on-course branding for all 35 races. Crucially, these races will be broadcast live on mainstream television via ITV Racing as well as Sky Sports Research.
The Racing Post: As the Official Media Partner, the publication will provide content, coverage, and promotion across its digital platforms, aiming to bridge the gap between established racing purists and the new audience ARC hopes to attract.

A High-Stakes Experiment The series is not just a marketing exercise; it carries serious sporting weight. Each of the five scheduled nights will feature over £200,000 in prize money. The fixtures will rotate across three of ARC’s all-weather tracks: Wolverhampton, Newcastle, and Southwell.

Management Commentary David Leyden Dunbar, Group Director of Commercial Strategy at ARC, was clear about the target audience:

“We have been very clear that one of the aims of Friday Night Live is to engage the next generation of racing fans… Both [partners] have shown real enthusiasm to work with us… as well as using the platform that these fixtures will offer them to also engage with more established racing and sports fans.”

Adam Baylis, Marketing Director at SBK, added:

“Friday Night Live [is] a fresh and engaging concept that brings a new energy to British racing. SBK has always been built around sport… our focus is on enhancing the live race day experience in a fun, social and responsible way.”

The 2026 Schedule The series kicks off immediately in the new year: