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modl.ai unveils Puzzle Maker – an AI-based development tool uniquely designed to support the demand for Match-3 puzzle levels

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4 years ago

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modl.ai’s latest AI-based development tool gives match-3 level designers the ability to generate hundreds of ready to use game levels overnight, removing a major time and resource bottleneck

Danish AI company modl.ai has unveiled Puzzle Maker, a new game development tool that uses AI and Machine Learning to help the developers of match-3 puzzle games meet the ongoing challenge of creating enough new levels to keep players engaged. Whereas a specialist level designer might be able to design one or two levels in a day, Puzzle Maker can generate hundreds of levels in just a few days, hugely reducing the human time and cost of supporting these games.

Match-3 games are some of the world’s most popular games – particularly on mobile – with examples like Candy Crush Saga, Gardenscapes and Bejeweled Blitz downloaded hundreds of millions of times. According to game analytics company GameRefinery, match-3 games are so popular that they make up 16% of all mobile game revenues on the US Apple app store.

To give some idea of how important level creation is to these games, Candy Crush Saga currently has more than 9000 levels – with more added on a weekly basis. Any ability to automate the level design and creation process therefore has the potential to save developers considerable time and money.

Unlike other types of puzzle, match-3 games don’t have a single solution – meaning they are very hard to create using automated software. modl.ai’s approach was to create two AI-based tools: a content generator and a level tester that, when used together, solve many of the challenges of creating a constant flow of game levels.

Puzzle Maker’s content generator is based on procedural content generation via machine learning (PCGML), meaning that it learns from existing levels and also improves the more levels it creates, with as few as 100 levels needed to complete the training phase. Each level the tool creates can be customised through a dashboard where the level designer can set a variety of parameters, from the size of the playing canvas to the kinds of puzzle pieces and challenges in each level.

Once levels have been generated, Puzzle Maker tests each level with AI bots to understand how many moves it takes to complete a level, the time it takes to complete, the number of reshuffles required and even the predicted likelihood that players will win the level – a key part of keeping players engaged over time. This data provides developers with insights into each level’s difficulty and provides characterisations of the structural level features such as the ratios of piece types and their distribution. All of this information is displayed to the level designer, who can review each one and decide if they are good enough to be included in the actual game. If they are, the code for the level is generated ready to be added.

“Match-3 games are often seen as simple and only for casual gamers, but in reality they are very clever and complex. This means that developers have relied on skilled level designers to keep coming up with fresh designs, and the only way to make more levels is to hire more level designers. We saw an opportunity to bring a new approach,” said Christoffer Holmgård, CEO at modl.ai. “By giving level designers a tool like Puzzle Maker, they get to use their expertise to know what their audience will love, but without the hours of trial and error work that we’ve automated. By solving the quantity problem, developers can focus on the quality.”

modl.ai was founded by a talented and diverse team of game developers, engineers and AI experts who saw the opportunity to use AI to automate and improve aspects of the game development process. Between them, the company founders have been involved in the development and launch of more than 30 games. Despite being less than three years old, modl.ai ranks second in the world among private companies for the number of technical game publications its team has authored.

You can find out more at www.modl.ai.

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Portside Game Assembly announces talks and roundtables for June 27th’s premiere of the conference for indie game leaders

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6 hours ago

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May 5, 2025

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Gamecity Hamburg is setting sail with the premiere edition of Portside Game Assembly – a dedicated B2B conference for international indie game leaders – taking place aboard a ship cruising Hamburg’s famous harbour on June 27. With a carefully curated program of keynotes, impulse talks, and roundtables, the conference offers a rare opportunity for studio directors and decision makers to connect in a focused and collaborative setting. Designed to spark fresh perspectives and actionable insights, the event brings together voices from acclaimed indie studios worldwide like Benjamin Laulan (COO & Co-Founder Evil Empire), Philomena Schwab (Founder Stray Fawn Studio), Søren Lundgaard (CEO Ghost Ship Games), Mauricio García (Studio Director The Game Kitchen), Kevin Zuhn (Creative Director & Co-Founder Young Horses Inc.), and more speakers. Tickets for the full conference experience, including a Networking Brunch and the Games Industry Party, are available at portsideassembly.com.

As the premiere of the Portside Game Assembly on June 27 is approaching, the laser-focused program for indie game leaders takes shape.

 

Keynotes, impulse talks and roundtables: This is the program

By offering a confidential setting for studio directors, the Portside provides value through relevant conversations and strategic networking, which is also reflected in the diverse yet focused conference program. These are some of the program highlights:

  • Keynote: Benjamin Laulan (COO & Co-Founder Evil Empire): The “Triple-i Initiative Deep Dive” keynote on how to create your own announcement space and talk directly to your audience when you can’t really relate to other existing showcases.

Impulse Blocks:Impulse Blocks consist of two to three impulse talks, all of which relate to an overarching topic, followed by an open discussion about the perspectives shown and an opportunity for participants to share their own experiences. The discussions will be moderated by Mariève Beauchemin (Programs Director & Co-Founder Indie Asylum) and Andreas Suika (Creative Director & Game Designer).

 

  • Mining for Your Next Gem – How to Decide which Games to Develop

A defining and crucial decision for every indie game studio is: what of the (probably many) game ideas should be pursued? Where should studios allocate their resources – and what game will help a studio prevail? Three speakers will share their approaches to these questions in 10-minute impulse talks:

    • Philomena Schwab (Founder Stray Fawn Studio): Game Idea Validation
    • Jonas Tyroller (Founder Grizzly Games): You Don’t Need a Hook
    • René Habermann (Director bippinbits): Don’t Ship the Wrong Game

 

  • Games Are Made by People – How to Foster a Good Company Culture

Founding and maintaining an independent game studio and managing a small to mid-size team comes with a lot of responsibility: from growing or having to downsize a team to maintaining a company culture where talent is nurtured, developed, and kept long-term.

    • Mauricio García (Studio Director The Game Kitchen): Keeping the Indie Mindset while Going Big
    • Kevin Zuhn (Creative Director & Co-Founder Young Horses Inc.): Hold Your Horses: Why Slow is How We Grow

 

  • From Dev to Dev – Why to Invest in Other Studios

More and more indie studios take the leap to market not only their own games but also put their resources and experiences on games from other developers. Two speakers will share their motivations and learnings from investing in games and studios that are not their own:

    • Søren Lundgaard (CEO Ghost Ship Publishing): Developer by Day, Publisher by Night
    • Christian Nyhus Andreasen (COO Fair Games): How to Lose 50% and Still Prosper – Angel Investment Lifestyle

 

Roundtables:

Roundtables have a more interactive concept than impulse blocks and encourage participants to discuss all aspects of the overarching question from the very beginning

  • Roundtable 1: Mobile Ports – When, Why & How? Moderated by Ali Farha (Senior Producer Star Stable Entertainment)
  • Roundtable 2: Stronger Together – Business Cooperations Between Indies. Moderated by Manny Hachey (Creative Director Positive Impact Games)
  • Roundtable 3: (Self-)Publishing – The Good, the Bad, the Ugly. Moderated by Sophie Atkin (Director & Founder Secret Sauce)
  • Roundtable 4: Longtail FTW – How to Make the Most out of Your Game. Moderated by Leonie Wolf (Associate Art Director Maschinen-Mensch)

The Portside Game Assembly website offers a detailed view on speakers, program topics and participating studios: https://portsideassembly.com/program/

The premiere of the Portside Game Assembly is supported by these great sponsors and partners: Photon and Twin Harbour Interactive!

 

Selection of already confirmed participants:

More than 60 studios from over 15 countries have already registered for the Portside Game Assembly conference on board the MS Princess. Besides already announced participants like Evil Empire, Stray Fawn Studio, The Game Kitchen, Toukana Interactive, Ghostship Publishing, and others, further acclaimed studios join the conference:

  • Digital Sun (Moonlighter, Cataclismo) / Spain
  • Keen Games (Enshrouded) / Germany
  • Young Horses Inc. (Bugsnax, Octodad) / USA
  • Gamious (Lake, Turmoil) / Netherlands
  • Color Gray Games (The Case of the Golden Idol) / Latvia
  • Massive Damage (Star Renegades) / Canada
  • Beam NG (BeamNG.drive) / Germany

Further participating studios can be found on the Portside Game Assembly.

The post Portside Game Assembly announces talks and roundtables for June 27th’s premiere of the conference for indie game leaders appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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The Only Tremor That Mattered: Indie Creativity Shook the Room The Very Big Indie Pitch!

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8 hours ago

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May 5, 2025

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The Very Big Indie Pitch (VBIP), a high-energy, speed-dating-style pitching competition held alongside Pocket Gamer Connects, returned to San Francisco for its second post-COVID edition. Developers had just five minutes to impress a room full of expert judges with their games: Refining their pitches and gaining invaluable feedback. But the biggest shock of the day wasn’t the earthquake that rattled the venue, but the sheer creativity and innovation on display from a diverse group of indie developers.

With over 100 entries spanning open-world adventures, fast-paced arcade games, and competitive multiplayer battlers, this year’s submissions covered an astonishing range of genres. The winners stood out for their bold, fresh takes on gaming:

  • The first place went to Hawk Shaw: Private Eye by Exit 73 Game with its point-and-click adventure game with unique artwork inspired by Pink Panther. The judges praised the well organised pitch and stylized pitch deck.

  • In second place came Purrfect Employee by Second Way Studios for its unique VR game concept where players act as a cat trying to cause chaos in an office while not losing one’s job. The joyful concept really impressed the judges.

  • In third place was Blocks for Babies by BunkSoft Interactive LLC a merge of Tetris and Doom made for a new and completely different mash-up of two classic games, proving that indie games continue to push boundaries.

 

The judges also praised NAME OF THE WILL for its stunning Hong Kong-style artwork and unique story as well as Detective Dotson. A unique storyline about a detective who wants to be a Bollywood star.

“The Very Big Indie Pitch had a fantastic showing this year!” Said Jupiter Hadley, The Big Indie Pitch lead and Staff Writer. “There were so many indie games, all taking the time to pitch their projects and see what our judges said. In the deliberation, the judges spent a lot of time giving positive feedback and commented on how strong this year’s showing was.”

The winning teams earned press packages, expert feedback from judges across PR, journalism, publishing, marketing, and live ops, and valuable industry recognition; giving their games a powerful visibility boost.

 “One of the things I liked best about the VBIP is it was a chance to “battle test” our deck,” said winner Greg Lane, Exit 37 Games.  “If you’re emailing it out to people, you never truly know if your deck is telling the story you intend. It was very exciting to have an event where you got to the heart of what the game is and could explain it in person.”

This year’s Very Big Indy Pitch combined Console, PC, Mobile and rare VR entries, showcasing the vibrant diversity of indie development. The earthquake may have been a fleeting surprise, but the aftershocks of creativity will be felt for a long time.

Steel Media and Big Indy Pitch are already gearing up to deliver even more developers and experts next time for even more insight and excitement.

“We loved doing the Very Big Indie Pitch! Not only was it a great challenge to pare down our pitch to the essentials, it also helped us prepare for a week of quick introductions and elevator pitches.” said Noah Ritz, BunkSoft Interactive LLC

The post The Only Tremor That Mattered: Indie Creativity Shook the Room The Very Big Indie Pitch! appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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AGS Ignites IGA 2025 with Next-Level Slot & Table Game Innovations

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1 month ago

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March 31, 2025

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AGS (NYSE: AGS), a global leader in gaming solutions, is set to showcase a dynamic array of new products at the 2025 Indian Gaming Association (IGA) trade show, April 2-3, in San Diego. From premium slot cabinets and innovative new games to industry-leading table progressives and real-money online gaming solutions, AGS is redefining the gaming experience. With deep roots in tribal gaming, AGS remains committed to advancing technology, enhancing casino floors, and delivering unforgettable player experiences.

Premium Cabinets & Featured Games: The Spectra Experience

  • Spectra™ SL49+ Premium & SL75+: A Premium Gaming Experience
    • Known for its dynamic game mechanics and visually stunning display, the Spectra™ SL49+ Premium offers a top-tier gaming experience built for high-performance play.
    • A large-format cabinet designed for maximum versatility and flexibility, the Spectra™ SL75+ allows operators to access the entire Spectra game library, making it adaptable for diverse floor setups. This cabinet is available in both pod and inline configurations, giving operators multiple options for customizing their game floors.
  • New Games on Spectra™
    • Available on both the Spectra SL49+ Premium and Spectra SL75+, Lion Cash™ introduces vibrant visuals and exciting gameplay, with massive payout potential that adds another thrilling option to AGS’ premium game lineup.
    • AGS introduces its first multi-play experience with So Hot Super 4 Legends™ and So Hot Super 4 Ultimate™, bringing together popular titles like So Hot Frenzy™ and Monkey in the Bank™ on four windows at once. Players get more action with every spin, offering a fresh way to enjoy the beloved So Hot® series.
    • In addition, AGS will showcase more game families on Spectra, including Fortune Frenzy™, Mariachi Fortunes Trio™, Da Da Da Jin Bao™, Kraken’s Fortune™, Cash Chain™, Dragon Diamond™, and Rakin’ Bacon Triple Oink™.

Step Into the Action: Video Mechanics Meet Classic Stepper Play

  • Revel™ Mech Reel Cabinet
    • Since its debut at IGA 2024, the Revel™ mechanical stepper has made waves, ranking #3 among mechanical reel cabinets in the latest Eilers & Krejcik Gaming cabinet performance report. Its first four titles–Triple Treasure®, Liberty Diamond®, Flaming Reels™ and Diamond Reels™–all landed in the top 7 for new core mechanical games in the most recent Eilers & Krejcik Gaming game performance report. With its strong performance and enduring appeal, Revel continues to captivate and dazzle players.
  • New Games: Diamond Nudge™ & Straight Cash Triple Double Spin™
    • Diamond Nudge™ premiered on March 17 at Graton Resort & Casino and is the first AGS stepper game with a reel nudge feature, shifting reels by 2 or 3 positions based on diamond sub-symbols.
    • Straight Cash Triple Double Spin™ is the stepper version of AGS’ popular 3-reel video game and real-money online game, Straight Cash®. It introduces individual reel play in a concatenation-style game. The four-tier progressive scales by denomination and is awarded with max bet symbol combinations.
  • So Hot Grand™ Link
    • The So Hot Grand™ progressive jackpot system can link select mechanical reel stepper and 3-reel video games like Mega Diamond®, Gold Nudge™, and Rakin’ Bacon! Jackpots Bonus Board™, creating faster-growing jackpots and keeping excitement high across the floor.

Table Games That Pay Off: Progressives & Big Payouts

  • Bonus Spin Xtreme™ Red Dragon for Baccarat
    • Tailored for high-stakes baccarat players, Bonus Spin Xtreme™ Red Dragon features a stacked wheel, with the smallest prize starting at $588, alongside fast-growing jackpots. Designed for big-reward thrills, it can link across an entire table game pit, amplifying excitement and jackpot potential.
  • Bonus Spin Xtreme™ for Poker Rooms
    • AGS brings its award-winning table game progressive, Bonus Spin Xtreme™, to the poker room, offering operators the opportunity to earn incremental gaming revenue. The system links all progressives within the poker room and can extend across the entire table game pit, driving faster-growing and larger jackpots.

Real-Money Online Gaming: Winning on Every Front

  • Leading the Pack in Online Gaming
    • AGS continues to dominate the online gaming space, holding the #1 new overall supplier spot in the latest Eilers & Krejcik Gaming U.S. online game performance report for five consecutive months and the #1 new slots supplier for eight straight months. Additionally, in the same report, AGSi ranked #1 indexing slot supplier, further solidifying its leadership in the U.S. online gaming market.
  • Award-Winning Online Slot: 3x Ultra Diamond
    • AGS recently took home the Top Performing New Online Slot Game award at the 2025 EKG Awards for its hit game 3x Ultra Diamond™, solidifying its place at the top of the online gaming industry.
  • Expanding Horizons: AGSi in Brazil
    • With its recent launch in Brazil, AGS is gaining momentum in international markets, further expanding its reach and strengthening its global footprint.

Visit AGS at booth 741 to check out the latest slot cabinets, exciting new games, revolutionary table progressives, and industry-leading real-money online products. AGS is setting the stage for the future of gaming with technology that keeps players engaged and delivers real results for operators.

The post AGS Ignites IGA 2025 with Next-Level Slot & Table Game Innovations appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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