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How the Gaming Industry Utilises the Power of Football

Published

6 years ago

September 6, 2018

George Miller

Barca V Milan never looked so good! Photo Credits: BagoGames, CC BY

Reading Time: 3 minutes

After a glorious FIFA World Cup summer, we once again make the return to domestic matters with all of Europe’s elite leagues now underway. Yes, the football season has resumed in all its relentless glory, and while not all of us can be top players, earning millions and enjoying the Instagram lifestyle, we can, in part, join in. How? Through video games where football isn’t just about pretending to be Mo Salah or Pep Guardiola—it’s about so much more.

Following the success of the World Cup-based, free-to-play competition, the “$100 MILLION Challenge”, The Stars Group rebooted their Spin & Go games into Spin & Goals—and their game Football Star is just the latest example of the gaming industry piggy-backing off of football’s popularity to promote its products. However, when it comes to video games, there are two staples of any new football season, the first of which is Football Manager. This year’s management sim is released on November 2 and will be titled “Football Manager 2019”. Evolving over the last 25 years from the original title “Championship Manager”, this game created—and then defined—the genre, and since its conception, no one else gets remotely close. For those of you looking for the ultimate football management experience, you need Football Manager 2019 in your life.

This game covers everything from on-field tactics to squad management. You must ensure that you keep rested players happy while working with the medical staff to maintain peak squad fitness. The real beauty of the game, though, comes from the transfer market where you get to scout, buy, and, of course, sell players in order to construct your winning team. Makers Sports Interactive have produced a game so definitive that scenarios mirror real-life situations that today’s managers have to deal with. It also comes with an accurate global database so massive that it contains pretty much every player in every league around the world. The only major league that the game didn’t hold the licence rights for was Germany’s Bundesliga, but that, too, will now be added in this year’s edition.

Play the Real Thing

The other staple of a new football season is EA Sport’s FIFA 19 (as it will be titled this year). The makers spare no expense, and it shows. It’s expensive and luxurious and it is unquestionably the “football game of football games”. Popular the world over, and now considered to be an e-sport, FIFA 19’s graphics are so accurate that you feel like you could be watching a live match. And the commentary comes off as real and authentic, too. Thanks to the related mini-game, FIFA Ultimate Team, the game also encourages you to purchase in-game Panini-style stickers to build up your dream team. This feature also works on mobile. Also popular is the “journey mode” that puts you in control of an aspiring pro’s career; it’s your job to turn him in to an international superstar. FIFA 19 is due out on September 28, and, for the first time, it will include the full Champions League licence.

The other sim, very much in FIFA’s shadow but still very much loved, is Pro Evolution Soccer 2019. There was a time when Pro Evolution Soccer (PES) and FIFA were going head-to-head, but this feels like a long time ago now, as FIFA has pulled away in such style. This is largely due to budgets, as Konami never had all the licences that its richer rival had. Whereas FIFA offered all teams, PES offered “North London Reds” and “Man Blue”. They do, however, have Barcelona and Liverpool (whom they sponsor) on their books so it’s not all bad. And, for the record, the gameplay is not bad either—thanks to the silkiness of its passing system and the on-pitch feel— which is why PES still has many fans. PES 2019 is already available for the loyalists among you.

90’s Arcade Classic

Sensible Soccer ruled the nineties. Photo Credit: Gary Denham, CC BY

Speaking of loyalists, back in the 90’s there was a cherished classic, pixel-heavy, no-frills football game that gained an army of fans, thanks to its vastly different offering. Back then, Sensible Soccer was considered to be the king of football games, even when considered among better-looking releases. Now, almost 25 years on, the arcade-style game will soon be making a return under the name Sociable Soccer. And, comfortingly, this will be released using 3D tools from Jon Hare’s Tower Studios, the studio that brought us its beloved predecessor. However, this is very much a “watch this space” matter at the moment, as Sociable Soccer is currently only available via Steam Early Access for PC. One early teaser to look out for is a player-card in-game feature similar to FIFA’s Ultimate Team, and while it looks as though it will initially be a PC game, console versions are also planned. These new releases and rebooted, old favourites just go to prove that there remains a healthy appetite for football games and, quite frankly, long may that continue.

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Stakelogic Wraps Up Deal with Bet25.dk

Published

29 seconds ago

November 18, 2024

George Miller

Reading Time: 1 minute

Industry-leading casino content provider Stakelogic has enhanced its presence in the Danish market by signing a partnership with leading operator Bet25.dk. This new integration, facilitated by Light & Wonder, will allow the site full access to Stakelogic’s in-demand online slot portfolio.

Players at Bet25.dk will now be able to enjoy cutting-edge online slot action in games like Snowflake Sorcery, Emperor’s Champion, and The Watcher, all of which showcase Stakelogic’s commitment to innovation and excitement.

Bet25.dk is an extremely popular online casino with years of experience in the Danish market. The addition of Stakelogic’s slot portfolio will only amplify the top-quality service the casino already offers players.

As per the deal, an exciting promotion based around Stakelogic’s industry-first Super Wheel bonus will be part of the launch campaign. Super Wheel combines the excitement of online slots with the immersive environment of a live casino.

The optional side-bet gives players the chance to be whisked away to a live studio setting where they can spin the Super Wheel to win prizes or trigger additional bonuses.

Robert Stoyanov, Account Manager at Stakelogic, said: “The Danish market is an extremely important one for Stakelogic, and working with brands like Bet25 will only help us strengthen our position there. The company’s reputation speaks for itself.

It has a history of bringing exciting and unique online slot experiences to its players, and we are excited to become a part of its slot catalogue.”

Lasse Larsen, Casino Product Owner at Bet25.dk, said: “We pride ourselves on delivering the most innovative online slot experiences to our players, and the integration of Stakelogic’s award-winning slot portfolio only reinforces that position.

When players log in to Bet25, they expect to find the best online slots on the market, and this new partnership ensures that this is exactly what happens.”

Balkans

CT Interactive Shortlisted in Two Categories at BEGE Awards 2024

Published

18 mins ago

November 18, 2024

Niji Narayan

Reading Time: < 1 minute

CT Interactive has announced that it was shortlisted in two categories for the upcoming prestigious BEGE Awards 2024. The company has been recognised for its exceptional contributions to the online gaming industry by being among the finalists for Online Game of the Year for the innovative and engaging game Doctor Winstein Buy Bonus and Online Provider of the Year.

The BEGE Awards, which celebrate excellence and innovation in the gaming and entertainment industry, will be held on November 27, 2024, at the Club Black & White in the Grand Hotel Millennium, Sofia.

This year’s nominations reflect CT Interactive’s dedication to creating top-tier gaming experiences and its continuous efforts to push boundaries in the online gaming world.

“Being recognised in these two categories is a testament to the hard work and creativity of our entire team. We are thrilled to be among the industry’s finest at the BEGE Awards once again,” said Monika Zlateva, CCO at CT Interactive.

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Golden Whale announce multi-year extension with Stadtcasino Baden Group

Published

21 mins ago

November 18, 2024

George Miller

Golden Whale announce multi-year extension with Stadtcasino Baden Group

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Fast-growing data science company renews deal with Swiss casino group to further drive retention and provide ML-based gamification optimisation to its B2B arm, Gamanza Group AG

Golden Whale Productions, the innovative data science company specialising in AI-powered solutions and machine learning for the iGaming industry, has announced it has signed a multi-year extension to its current agreement with Stadtcasino Baden Group.

Having previously worked with the Swiss casino group to drive customer retention and thereby increase its market share, Golden Whale will continue to support the business in this capacity while also cooperating more intensively with the Stadtcasino Baden Group’s B2B arm, Gamanza.

A subsidiary of Stadtcasino Baden Group, Gamanza has a strong track record for creating software for the iGaming industry and counts GamanzaEngage – Switzerland’s leading software suite for online casinos – among its recent success stories. Now supported by Golden Whale, the B2B brand will be able to draw on powerful ML-based optimisation to further enhance its offering.

One of the main aspects Golden Whale will focus on as part of the extended deal is using its advanced, data-driven technologies to turbo-charge Gamanza’s existing gamification suite, with this empowering the group to offer an even more comprehensive promotional toolkit to its clients.

As such, the renewed partnership offers considerable strategic importance for both Gamanza and the Stadtcasino Baden Group brand, while also offering Golden Whale the opportunity to deploy its ML systems and predictive optimisation tools among a large and highly-engaged customer base.

Eberhard Dürrschmid, Chief Executive Officer at Golden Whale, said: “Golden Whale is delighted to announce we’ve agreed a multi-year extension to our current deal with Stadtcasino Baden Group that will see us assist the company with both player retention and increasing market share.

“As part of the agreement, we’ll continue the strong work we’ve done with the brand over the past couple of years while also cooperating more closely with its main B2B arm, Gamanza, to bring our pioneering form of ML-based optimisation directly onto the latter’s gamification suite.”

Christian Aumüller, Chief Executive Officer at Stadtcasino Baden Group, said: “As one of the gaming industry’s true trailblazers, Stadtcasino Baden Group is very happy to renew its partnership with Golden Whale Productions – a company that, like us, now sits at the very forefront of iGaming innovation.

“The decision to extend the deal was made with a view to drive customer retention and further increase our market share, while also optimising the products and services we offer to B2B clients through Gamanza. With AI and machine learning both having a big role to play in the future of iGaming, the collaboration will hold great strategic importance for us going forward.”