Latest News

GOQii to launch Health Metaverse, announces investment from Animoca Brands

Published

2 years ago

March 29, 2022

GOQii to launch Health Metaverse, announces investment from Animoca Brands

Reading Time: 2 minutes

GOQii Inc. announced that it has raised $10 million in an extended Series C Equity round of funding from Animoca Brands.

GOQii is a smart tech-enabled healthcare platform that brings together the entire preventive healthcare ecosystem to its users. GOQii’s offerings include fitness tracker, app, coaching, healthstore, insurance and many others. GOQii has been a pioneer in bringing evolving technologies in the field of preventive healthcare.

Animoca Brands is a global leader in gamification and blockchain with an extensive portfolio of over 170 investments in NFT-related companies and decentralized projects contributing to building the open metaverse.

GOQii will collaborate with Animoca Brands and its ecosystem companies and projects to develop various offerings that leverage blockchain tokens and gamification in preventive healthcare.

GOQii’s metaverse ecosystem will be powered by a unique virtual token program, the Token. Consumers will receive the virtual token, which powers the GOQii metaverse ecosystem that incentivizes healthy behaviors and gamified fitness actions. These tokens can then be used to unlock products ,services, purchase NFTs, participate in special events and game modes, and access curated and discounted health-focused goods, medical services and insurance products.

GOQii launched ‘GOQii Cash’ in 2018, a virtual rewards program for completing steps taken targets and other health goals. GOQii Cash can be redeemed at the GOQii Health Store for discounts. The GOQii Health Store is a healthcare marketplace with over 200 brands and 6,000+ products including supplements, ayurveda products, healthy snacks, fitness equipment and many other offerings from brands such as Kapiva, Sri Sri Tatvaa, TGL, Yoga Bar, Sleepy Owl, Neemans and others.

GOQii’s metaverse is committed to driving innovation within the healthcare industry, as the company seeks to address the complex challenges of healthcare accessibility and affordability. With the launch of India’s National Digital Health Mission, India is set to bring healthcare into the digital sphere, and GOQii’s metaverse is well poised to benefit consumers across the spectrum of healthcare requirements.

Vishal Gondal, Founder and CEO of GOQii, commented: “We are excited to onboard Animoca Brands to the GOQii journey. Animoca Brands is one of the most prestigious names when it comes to gamification and blockchain. Web 3.0 is going to change the way companies interact with consumers. This investment from Animoca Brands and the close partnership will help GOQii bring best-of-class products to consumers and further keep them motivated to #betheforce in their journey of fitness.”

Yat Siu, the executive chairman and co-founder of Animoca Brands, commented: “Animoca Brands is delighted to invest in GOQii and support its mission to make people healthier. GOQii has built a platform that leverages the power of gamification to make the preventive healthcare journey enjoyable for the masses, and we look forward to leveraging its synergies with OliveX and other companies in our portfolio.”

GOQii recently announced a $50 million Series C round which included participation from investors including Sumeru Ventures, Modality (Digality), 9 Unicorns, Venture Catalysts and others. The funding from Animoca Brands comes in the form of an extended Series C fund raising.

GOQii’s existing investors include Mitsui, funds managed by MegaDelta, DSG Consumer Partners, Galaxy Digital, Denlow Investment Trust, Edelweiss, Cheetah Mobile, GWC, Mr. Ratan Tata, Mr. Vijay Shekhar Sharma, Mr. Pravin Gandhi, Mr. Amit Singhal and others.

Latest News

RubyPlay Enters Italian Market with Expanded PokerStars Partnership

Published

14 mins ago

November 29, 2023

Alan Campbell

Reading Time: < 1 minute

Deal follows milestone signing and direct integration earlier in 2023

RubyPlay, an innovative B2B iGaming development studio, is making its first direct integration within the Italian market after signing with leading operator and Flutter Entertainment brand PokerStars.

The expanded agreement follows a successful launch with the operator earlier in 2023, which saw RubyPlay’s top-performing titles such as Shake Shake Money Tree and Diamond Explosion 7s go live.

The provider is set to create further bespoke titles for PokerStars in the near future, with Italian players now able to discover these alongside the rest of RubyPlay’s dynamic, forward-thinking portfolio.

Italy is a key market for many in the iGaming industry and a significant development for RubyPlay. It comes after the recent launch of its acclaimed Immortal Ways franchise, which has seen the provider exceed its own records for retention and engagement.

The move underscores the provider’s commitment to strategic growth in regulated markets worldwide and follows a year full of considerable growth. RubyPlay plans to extend its reach to the likes of Romania and Spain in 2024, continuing its strides in global expansion.

“We are proud to announce our expansion into the Italian market following a highly successful period with PokerStars,” the Chief Product Officer for RubyPlay, Dr Eyal Loz, said. “This strategic move marks our first direct integration in Italy, a key market with a dedicated player base eager to explore our diverse content.

“Our commitment to global growth in regulated markets continues as we look forward to introducing our titles in Italy and soon in Romania and Spain, furthering our significant strides in the industry.”

Latest News

JOIN THE HUNT FOR HIDDEN GEMS IN PRAGMATIC PLAY’S LIVE GAME SHOW TREASURE ISLAND

Published

2 hours ago

November 29, 2023

Adrienn Sarkany

Reading Time: < 1 minute

Pragmatic Play, a leading supplier to the iGaming industry, is taking players on an action-packed adventure in its latest Live Casino game show, Treasure Island.

Guided by a treasure map, players will discover an ancient wheel lined with gems, bonus games, and instant bonuses, each varying in frequency across the 54 sectors. Bets can be placed on one or more of these segments landing before the wheel spins up and the treasure hunt begins.

Topaz, Emerald and Ruby gems, along with two instant bonuses, Wild Collector and Great Scavenger, can award instant prizes.

Boasting seven games in one, Treasure Island also includes four bonus games: John Silver’s Loot, Ben’s Lost Marbles, Billy Bones’ Map, and Captain Flint’s Treasure. Each adds its own unique atmosphere, mechanics, and rewards to the gaming experience.

Treasure Island pairs a popular and familiar exploration theme with exciting live entertainment. It joins player-favourite game shows such as Vegas Ball Bonanza and Sweet Bonanza CandyLand in Pragmatic Play’s leading Live Casino portfolio.

Irina Cornides, Chief Operating Officer at Pragmatic Play, said: “Treasure Island is an epic addition to Pragmatic Play’s Live Casino range. Combining seven games in one with a popular theme and fast-paced gameplay, it’s an expansive, immersive, and highly energetic game show that delivers a truly cinematic experience with rolling waves, shifting clouds, swaying trees, and other superb visual effects. Treasure Island is pure adventure.”

Pragmatic Play currently produces up to eight Slot titles a month, while also delivering Live Casino, Virtual Sports and Bingo games as part of its multi-product portfolio, available through one single API.

Gaming

VTuber Awards 2023 Finalist List Revealed

Published

2 hours ago

November 29, 2023

Adrienn Sarkany

Reading Time: 2 minutes

The VTuber Awards, the prime award show celebrating VTubing culture and community worldwide, is excited to present the finalists of this year’s event. The shortlist was carefully put together based on over 30,000 submissions to ensure that every submission was considered. Any VTuber, regardless of audience size, language, genre, or gender, was eligible to apply to ensure fairness and openness of the competition.

The next stage of the VTuber Awards, open voting, has already started! Fans can vote for their favorite VTuber from the list of finalists and thus bring them closer to victory. More votes mean more chances of winning. Voting deadline is December 11, 2023. To vote, please visit the official VTuber Awards website.

In total, winners must be selected in more than 20 categories. Below, you can see the nominees fighting for victory in their respective categories. The full list of the Awards finalists is also available on the website.

Best Art VTuber:
Yuniiho
Ninomae Ina’nis
Anny
Yoclesh

Best FPS VTuber:
Selen Tatsuki
Froot (Apricot)
Shu Yamino
Shishiro Botan

Best Music VTuber:
Nihmune
Mori Calliope
Hoshimachi Suisei
OBKatiekat

Best Minecraft VTuber:
Ceres Fauna
Henya the Genius
Kaela Kovalskia
Pomu Rainpuff

Best Tech VTuber:
Zentreya
Vedal987
CodeMiko
Projekt Melody

Funniest VTuber:
Chibidoki
K9Kuro
Zentreya
MurderCrumpet

Most Chaotic VTuber:
Chibidoki
Trickywi
Pipkin Pippa
Kobo Kanaeru

Best RolePlay/ASMR VTuber:
CottontailVA
Ceres Fauna
Sinder
Vox Akuma

LewdTuber of The Year:
Projekt Melody
FeFe
CottontailVA
Saruei

Hidden Gem:
Omi
Fufu
Caelum
Kaichinzu

Best Just Chatting/Zatsu VTuber:
Shylily
Takanashi Kiara
MataraKan
Gosegu

VTuber Clipper:
Cooksie
LowEffortClips
RoachChan
Sakasandayo

VTuber Parent of The Year:
Dyarikku
Jjinomu
Iron Vertex
2wintails

Most Dedicated Fan Base:
Chumbuds (Gawr Gura)
Kindred (Vox Akuma)
Guildies (Shxtou)
Noombas (Nihmune)

Rising VTuber Org:
Vchiban
Phase Connect
V-Dere
3:00 AM

Best VTuber Organization:
Vshojo
Hololive
Idol
Nijisanji

Best Philanthropic Event:
Vexoria’s Survivors.org Charity Stream
Mika Melatika’s 60 Hour Charity Marathon
Vox Akuma’s SAVE Charity Stream

Best Concert Event:
Candy Pop Explosion
Connect the World
Isegye Festival

Best Streamed Event:
Hololive Sports Festival
Vsaikyo
Ironmouse Subathon

Stream Game of The Year:
Suika Game
Holocure
Only Up
Baldur’s Gate 3

Miss VTuber:
Ironmouse
AmaLee
Silvervale
Elira Pendora

Rising Star:
Sinder
Camila
Bbyruthless
Henya the Genius

League of Their Own:
Onigiri
Fuwamoco
Zentreya
Houshou Marine

Gamer of The Year:
Selen Tatsuki
Kuzuha
Rainhoe
Koseki Bijou

VTuber of The Year:
Ironmouse
Hyakumantenbara Salome
Usada Pekora
Shylily

The winners will be announced during the gala evening on December 16, 2023. The VTuber Awards will be produced by WePlay Studios and hosted live at the WePlay Esports Arena Los Angeles, with an open broadcast on Filian’s Twitch channel.

The VTuber Awards is the first major award show dedicated exclusively to virtual creators and their contribution to streaming culture. Hosted by Filian in collaboration with Mythic Talent, the event is intended to celebrate all VTubers worldwide.