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GameRefinery unveils the finalists for its annual Mobile GameDev Awards, celebrating the best in mobile game design

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The 2022 Mobile GameDev Awards finalists announced in seven categories covering different aspects of mobile game innovation and feature design, in USA, Japan and China.

Today, mobile game analytics specialist GameRefinery, a Liftoff company, is excited to announce that its jury has decided on the finalists for its second annual Mobile GameDev Awards. The awards recognise and celebrate innovation in mobile game design amongst developers in the USA, China and Japan.

The seven categories are:

Innovation and Excellence in Core Gameplay, (all regions)

Most Promising Soft Launch Game, (all regions) Biggest Evolver individually in USA, Japan, China Best Newcomer individually in USA, Japan, China

Best Feature Innovation, Best Event individually in USA, Japan, China and

Best Use of IP in Collaboration Events (all regions).

GameRefinery will announce the winners on the 24th of May 2022.

The 2022 Mobile GameDev Awards finalists have been selected by a panel of GameRefinery analysts, drawing on their extensive experience and expertise in games analysis.

GameRefinery’s platform tracks over 100,000 mobile games for market research, competitor intelligence, and player insights while providing more than 2,500+ in-depth game feature deconstructions and analyses.

 

Mobile GameDev Awards 2022 Finalists

Innovation & Excellence in Core Gameplay

The most innovative and well-executed core gameplay seen in 2021:

  • 无尽的拉格朗日 (Infnite Lagrange, China)
  • Gold and Goblins: Idle Merge
  • 哈利波特:魔法觉醒 (Harry Potter Magic Awakened, China)
  • Kingdom Guard: Tower Defence
  • ウマ娘 プリティーダービー (Umamusume Pretty Derby, Japan)
  • The Ants: Underground Kingdom
  • League of Legends: Wild Rift

 

Most Promising Soft Launch Game

The 2021 soft launch game most likely to be a breakout launch success based on gameplay:

  • Apex Legends
  • Clash Mini
  • Star Blast
  • Tower of Fantasy
  • Diablo Immortal
  • Honkai: Star Rail
  • Star Wars: Hunters

 

Biggest Evolver

The game that has developed the most during 2021 in terms of gameplay:

USA Finalists:

  • Merge Dragons!
  • Clash Royale
  • Garena Free Fire
  • Lords Mobile: Tower Defense
  • Rise of Kingdoms
  • Yahtzee® with Buddies
  • Cookie Run: Kingdom

 

Japan Finalists:

  • ステート・オブ・サバイバル (State of Survival)
  • Shin Sangokushi
  • ドラゴンクエストタクト (Dragon Quest Tact)
  • パズル&ドラゴンズ (Puzzle & Dragons)
  • プロ野球スピリッツA (Pro Yakyuu Spirits A)

 

China Finalists:

  • 植物大战僵尸2 (Plants vs. Zombies 2)
  • 谕 (Revelation)
  • 原神 (Genshin Impact)
  • 跑跑卡丁车官方竞速版 (PopKart Mobile)
  • 魂斗罗:归来-特战集结 (Contra Returns)

 

Best Newcomer

The best new entry into the market during 2021:

 

USA Finalists:

  • Beatstar
  • The Ants: Underground Kingdom
  • Royal Match
  • Kingdom Guard: Tower Defence
  • Family Farm Adventure
  • Zen Match – Relaxing Puzzle
  • The Lord of the Rings: Rise to War
  • No Limit Drag Racing 2
  • Idle Lumber Empire
  • League of Legends: Wild Rift

 

Japan Finalists:

  • ウマ娘 プリティーダービー (Umamusume Pretty Derby)
  • 二ノ国:Cross Worlds (Ni No Kuni: Cross Worlds)
  • ガーディアンテイルズ (Guardian Tales)
  • グランサガ(Gran Saga)
  • Nier Re[in]carnation

 

China Finalists:

  • 哈利波特:魔法觉醒 (Harry Potter: Magic Awakened)
  • 王牌竞速 (Ace Racer)
  • 幻塔 (Tower of Fantasy
  • 无尽的拉格朗日 (Infnite Lagrange)
  • 英雄联盟手游 (League of Legends: Wild Rift)
  • 重返帝国
  • 铲铲之战 (Battle of the Golden Spatula)

 

Best Feature Innovation

The most innovative new feature introduced in a game during 2021

  • 松松总动员 (Song-song Zong-dong-yuan, China) – Login calendar meets IAP offers
  • 松松总动员 (Song-song Zong-dong-yuan, China) – Innovative limited-time gacha event
  • Garena Free Fire – Special PvP modes
  • Cooking Diary – Social hangout areas
  • Yahtzee® with Buddies – Kingdom feature
  • Rise of Kingdoms – MOBA mode
  • Puzzle & Dragons (Japan) – Synchronous PvP mode
  • PUBG MOBILE – RP Activity Packs in Battle Pass
  • Highrise – NFT cosmetics
  • XFLAG’s Kotodaman and Monster Strike (Japan) – New gacha type with a social twist
  • Ensemble Stars!! Music (Japan) – Music co-op newcomer tasks

 

Best Event

 

The best in-game event held during 2021:

 

USA Finalists:

 

  • Yahtzee® with Buddies – Derby event

 

  • POP! Slots™ Vegas Casino Games – Win Zone event

 

  • Gardenscapes – Klondike Expedition event

 

  • Genshin Impact – Midsummer Island Adventure

 

  • Call of Duty®: Mobile – Anniversary event

 

  • Garena Free Fire – Pet Mania event

 

  • Mobile Legends: Bang Bang – Aspirants Unite event

 

  • State of Survival – 2nd Anniversary Airship Building event

 

Japan Finalists:

 

  • プロジェクトセカイ カラフルステージ! 初音ミク (Project Sekai Colorful Stage feat. Hatsune Miku) – New Year’s event

 

  • ドラゴンボール レジェンズ (Dragon Ball Legends) – Legends Festival

 

  • 妖怪ウォッチ ぷにぷに (Youkai Watch Punipuni) – Collaboration event with Neon Genesis Evangelion

 

  • 二ノ国:Cross Worlds (Ni No Kuni: Cross Worlds) – General events

 

  • NieR Re[in]carnation – Collaborations events with the earlier titles in the series (NieR Automata (launch), NieR Replicant and Drakengard 3)

 

China Finalists:

 

 

  • 松松总动员 (Song-song Zong-dong-yuan) – June 2021 Gacha event

 

  • 龙在天 (Legend of Yulong) – Fight the Landlord-card game event (doudizhu) in Jan

 

  • 神武4 (Shén wǔ 4) – Event with a real-life map to beat monsters and get points

 

  • 阴阳师 (Onmyoji) – recurring event with event-only customizable character

 

  • 富豪麻将 (Fuhao Majiang) – collaboration event with China Mahjong Masters Tournament

 

Best Use of IP in a Collaboration Event

 

Finalists:

 

  • 跑跑卡丁车官方竞速版 (PopKart Mobile) & Ali the Fox (China)

 

  • 肠派对 (Sausage Man) & Pizza Hut (China)

 

  • Top War: Battle Game & Transformers

 

  • 江南百景图 (Canal Towns) & Kentucky Fried Chicken (China)

 

  • Mobile Legends: Bang Bang & Hello Kitty (Sanrio Characters)

 

  • Roblox & 24kGoldn Concert Experience

 

  • PUBG MOBILE & Arcane (League of Legends)

 

  • 獅子の如く~戦国覇王戦記~ (Shishi no Gotoku – Sengoku Haousenki) & Rurouni Kenshin (Japan)

 

  • State of Survival & The Walking Dead (US)
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ARK: Survival Ascended

Best Game Server Hosting (2025): Nitrado Ranked Top Across Leading Games by Software Experts

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Software Experts has recognized Nitrado as the leading choice in its 2025 feature on the best game server hosting platforms. Nitrado was ranked highly across major titles such as Minecraft, ARK: Survival Ascended, and DayZ.

Nitrado delivers scalable and reliable server hosting solutions for a wide range of online multiplayer games. The demand for high-quality game server hosting has increased as online multiplayer games have grown in scale and complexity. Expansions, downloadable content (DLC), and frequent updates have placed pressure on server infrastructure, requiring providers to deliver stability, fast updates, and community integration. For players of ARK, Minecraft, or DayZ, server downtime can result in lost progress, interruptions to group play, and diminished gaming experiences.

This trend underscores why a strong hosting partner is essential. Servers are not only responsible for keeping games online but also for supporting the evolving needs of large player communities. Nitrado has consistently aligned its platform with these expectations, offering infrastructure that adapts to both technical requirements and user demand.

Recognition Across Key Games

Software Experts noted that Nitrado has demonstrated consistent support for popular titles through timely hosting updates and tools designed for specific gameplay environments.

Minecraft hosting: With the release of the Minecraft 1.21 Tricky Trials update, Nitrado provided immediate server support, allowing players to explore new dungeons and mechanics without interruption.

ARK hosting: Nitrado servers were prepared for the Ragnarok Map in ARK: Survival Ascended and are optimized for the upcoming Aquatica DLC, ensuring survival experiences remain stable even with expansive maps and mods.

DayZ hosting: Survival titles demand persistence and uptime. Expansions such as Frostline and the upcoming Badlands were supported rapidly on Nitrado servers, enabling players to adapt to environmental changes without server disruption.

Expansion to Broader Multiplayer Titles

The recognition also emphasized Nitrado’s versatility beyond the most popular titles. In 7 Days to Die, the recent Storms Brewing update was supported on Nitrado servers at launch, giving players stable access to new weather and survival mechanics. For Conan Exiles, the platform has offered guidance on server setups such as best base locations, combined with reliable performance during intensive multiplayer sessions. In Enshrouded, Nitrado integrated the Melodies of the Mire update directly into its hosting framework, ensuring smooth adoption of new classes and gameplay features.

By covering a range of genres, Nitrado provides infrastructure that extends beyond traditional survival titles, positioning itself as a multi-game hosting solution.

Tools and Community Integrations

Software Experts also highlighted Nitrado’s focus on server management tools and community features. The platform’s web interface and mobile applications allow administrators to adjust settings with minimal technical complexity, from rolling back Minecraft worlds to tuning difficulty levels in ARK.

Support for mods and plugins further enhances gameplay. Communities can integrate texture packs, maps, and total conversions without complicated manual setups. This has proven especially useful in titles with active modding cultures, including ARK and Minecraft.

Nitrado also integrates with platforms such as Discord, creating a unified environment where players can coordinate matches, share updates, and stay connected. These integrations have become increasingly important as multiplayer gaming extends beyond gameplay into community interaction.

Performance and Reliability

Reliability remains a core measure of success in server hosting. Software Experts reported that Nitrado’s global infrastructure of data centers reduces latency for players across regions. Built-in protections such as DDoS mitigation ensure that servers remain stable against external threats.

Performance is measured in player experiences rather than technical specifications. Large Minecraft builds, ARK raids with high player counts, or DayZ survival sessions all require servers capable of managing demand without lag or interruption. Nitrado has consistently met these requirements, providing stability for both small private groups and larger multiplayer communities.

The recognition comes at a time when server hosting has become critical to the success of modern games. The rise of live-service models, frequent DLC releases, and growing player bases has made infrastructure a competitive differentiator. Hosting platforms that can update quickly, manage new expansions, and support community tools are essential for maintaining engagement.

For players, this translates into uninterrupted sessions and reliable access to content. For developers, it ensures that game updates are supported with minimal disruption. Software Experts’ analysis noted that Nitrado’s approach positions it well within this broader industry context.

Nitrado’s recognition by Software Experts as the leader in best game server hosting reflects its consistent performance across multiple titles, timely integration of expansions and updates, and investment in tools that support both administrators and communities.

As online communities expand and games evolve, the importance of reliability, performance, and community integration will only increase. Nitrado’s ability to address these needs underscores why it was recognized as a top choice for 2025.

The post Best Game Server Hosting (2025): Nitrado Ranked Top Across Leading Games by Software Experts appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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Valicy Gaming Launches as New Brand in Land-Based Gaming, Evolving from Grover Gaming

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The former Founder and CEO of Grover Gaming has officially launched a new brand in land-based gaming. Named by combining the names of his daughters, Valicy Gaming was unveiled during a recent company launch party held in Greenville, North Carolina.

Evolving from Grover Gaming—which was recently sold to Light & Wonder for a total consideration of $1.05 billion —Valicy will now focus on becoming a major manufacturer in land-based gaming across North America. Retaining a majority of the employees from the acquisition, Valicy will continue forward with a veteran team that will have a sharper focus on game development and hardware design.

Despite the name change, Valicy continues under the same experienced executive leadership team and remains dedicated to providing best-in-class customer service and technical support—qualities customers have come to depend on. The company’s values, represented by its CARE triangle—People, Company, and Work—are deeply rooted in its culture and will remain central to its mission moving forward.

The public debut of the Valicy brand will take place at the Global Gaming Expo (G2E) in Las Vegas, October 6–9, at the Venetian Expo, Booth #1623, where the team will showcase its new identity and game offerings to casino partners and operators from across the industry.

“This is an exciting time for our teams,” said Garrett Blackwelder, Founder and CEO of Valicy. “We have the opportunity to do big things in new markets, which gives us energy and enthusiasm. As we grow Valicy, we will focus on relationships, excellence, and innovation.”

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Monster Energy and Call of Duty Unite Again with Exclusive In-Game Rewards and Expanded Program Timing

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Monster Energy is teaming up once again with Call of Duty to deliver bonus in-game rewards, bonus 2XP and an expanded promotional window that gives fans even more opportunities to fuel up and power their gameplay.

Gamers and Monster fans can start collecting codes to stockpile rewards ahead of the highly anticipated release of Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 on November 14. Following the record-breaking success of the last year’s program – the 2025 campaign has been extended and will run through March 31, 2026, with code redemption available until April 30, 2026.

Players who purchase specially marked Call of Duty cans of Monster Energy, Monster Zero Sugar, or Monster Zero Ultra can find a unique code under the tab and redeem it online at callofduty.monsterenergy.com. Every can unlocks bonus in-game items and double experience points.

2025 in-game rewards include:

• 1 Can = “Energy Flash” Large Decal + 15 min 2XP

• 2 Cans = “Peacekeeper MK1 – Hyper Green” Weapon Blueprint + 15 min 2XP

• 3 Cans = “Green Fury” Operator Skin + 15 min 2XP

• 4 Cans = “VS Recon – Green Thunder” Weapon Blueprint + 15 min 2XP

• 5 Cans = “Daylight Ripper” Operator Skin Recolor + 15 min 2XP

In addition, select retailers will feature specialty bonus in-game content such as Emblems, Charms, Weapon Stickers, and Dual 2XP.

And as an added bonus, fans who create an account on callofduty.monsterenergy.com before October 31 will score a Black Ops 6 in-game skin – no purchase required.

“Monster Energy is built on fueling competitive spirit and our collaboration with Call of Duty continues to push that to new levels. With expanded timing, bonus rewards and the unmatched value of Double XP in every can, this year’s program is our biggest and most exciting yet,” said Dan McHugh, Global Chief Marketing Officer at Monster Energy.

“We’re proud to continue building on the success of our partnership with Monster Energy. Monster is the go-to fuel of gamers and they are going to drink up these exciting in-game rewards,” added Cody Neal, Associate Director of Global Partnerships, Call of Duty.

The limited-edition Monster Energy Call of Duty cans are available in 16oz in Original Monster Energy, Monster Zero Sugar and Monster Zero Ultra. Special 4, 12, and 15 can Monster Energy Call of Duty multipacks are on shelves now.

The post Monster Energy and Call of Duty Unite Again with Exclusive In-Game Rewards and Expanded Program Timing appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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