Connect with us
Prague Gaming & TECH Summit 2025 (25-26 March)

gaming

Trail Redefines the Future of Gaming with Zero-friction Gaming Platform for the Browser

Published

on

Reading Time: 4 minutes

 

Trail releases developer tools to bring accessible, high-quality gaming to the browser. No downloads, no installs, no paywalls – just play.

Trail, the game distribution platform that makes meaningful and engaging play ultra-accessible, today officially came out of stealth mode to publicly launch its SDK, enabling game developers to deliver studio-quality games, with a focus on those created in Unity, to the browser. Trail’s mission is to bring down the barriers to gaming by providing creators with tools to make their games more accessible, easily discoverable and virally shareable – with games just one click away from billions of potential players. Downloads and installations get in the way of fun; Trail removes those obstacles to make zero-friction gaming a reality. No hassles, just play.
Leveraging WebGL 2.0 and WebAssembly, Trail is the first to streamline professional game development for the web to make more games available anytime, anywhere. This next-generation technology platform enables Unity game developers to take advantage of all the benefits of the browser, while providing players an exceptional gaming experience that’s rich, engaging and satisfying.
“The recent explosion in game creation has given rise to tons of new innovative content, but the existing platforms for distributing games lack the tools developers need to break new ground and connect with entirely different audiences. Meanwhile, continuous improvements in microprocessing have made even common laptops into gaming-capable devices,” explains Willem Demmers, founder and CEO of Trail. “Trail aims to bridge this gap between developing for native platforms and WebGL, where creators can reach billions of untapped potential players. Developers struggle to be heard above the noise; Trail simplifies how they can share their games, from creation and distribution to performance and analytics.”
Trail redefines the gaming landscape with its developer-first ethos and belief that games should be easily accessible to all, without the hassle of installations and paywalls or a need for professional-grade equipment.

 

Create, Share, Play…with Trail
Games are fun, and Trail believes they should be easier to access, but billions of would-be gamers are getting left behind by burdensome log-ins and exclusive subcultures. Trail makes it possible for anyone to enjoy new gaming experiences with a single click, and to invite and play with friends simply by sending them a link – it’s as easy as watching and sharing a funny video. And for the first time, professional games can be embedded directly onto a webpage.
“The major edge Trail has is the simplicity it brings to trying out a game with instant shareability through links and embedding,” comments gamer Erveon, managing director at Oddshot Games, developer of Slapshot: Rebound, which has grown to nearly 500k active players in the past year. “It’s very difficult to get people to go to a website, find our game, download it, start it up and so on. Every hurdle is another point for them to drop off. Trail makes it so much easier – give them a link, they click and they’re in the game. It’s very nice to give players immediate access to Slapshot without any of the barriers. It’s got massive potential.”
By enabling slick, latency-free gameplay in the browser, Trail brings the full commercial potential of under-served games to a vastly bigger demographic, while giving developers the tools they need to market and grow their audience. Using the Trail Unity SDK Extension, creators can easily port new and existing Unity games into the platform, be they mobile games seeking new audiences on desktop, indie PC games looking to reach more players, or an entirely new gaming concept that is ripe for going viral. No remote or cloud streaming needed.

 

A Vision for Developers First
Trail envisions an online gaming platform that is as much by the developer as it is for the developer, with favorable revenue splits and incentives that reward creators for their influence and innovation. With Trail, developers can take control of their destiny and break free from industry gatekeepers, gaining better access to players and insightful analytics to drive engagement.
Demmers comments, “While in stealth mode, we’ve worked with a small number of Unity developers who are excited to be a part of Trail’s growth. With this launch, we encourage others to join us in building a community where developers can gain independence from distribution channels that control their player acquisition process, enforce unfair revenue splits, and limit engagement with their own playerbase.”
Being in-browser gives Trail full attribution, making it far easier to understand the player journey as compared to other game distribution platforms. These insights will soon be available to Trail developers via an analytics dashboard, which will help them understand and learn more about their players – where new traffic comes from, and even where players are dropping out or having a negative experience. These insights will enable developers to make quick fixes and even better long-term decisions. And because Trail games are browser-based leveraging WebGL 2.0, developers can iterate quickly and even run sophisticated A/B tests to deliver highest-quality performance without having deep pockets or overextending resources.
Trail offers developers a holistic approach to making games for the web with tools that overcome the problem of a not yet mature or reliable ecosystem, leveling the playing field and making the web, with its intrinsic accessibility and shareability, a viable alternative for professional game development. From start to finish, the game creation process in Trail empowers developers at every step, ensuring games are fully optimized for the web, with a global payment solution, file-streaming, performance-enhancing post-processing, player authentication and account management, adaptive quality, and more customizable settings that developers have been searching for.

 

Advertisement
European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)
For more information and to get started developing on Trail, visit https://trail.gg/.
Continue Reading
Advertisement

gaming

Portside Game Assembly: Studios behind Dead Cells, Dungeon Clawler, Dorfromantik, Blasphemous on board and ticket sales for brunch and party launched

Published

on

portside-game-assembly:-studios-behind-dead-cells,-dungeon-clawler,-dorfromantik,-blasphemous-on-board-and-ticket-sales-for-brunch-and-party-launched
Reading Time: 2 minutes

 

With Portside Game Assembly, Gamecity Hamburg is welcoming studio heads and directors from successful indie game studios on a conference ship and other extraordinary locations in Hamburg on June 27. Benjamin Laulan, Co-Founder of Evil Empire, (Dead Cells, The Rogue Prince of Persia) will give a keynote on the Triple-i Initiative started by the French studio. At the Triple-i Showcase 2024, over 30 “iii games” were announced in 45 minutes, and 150,000 views were achieved on YouTube alone. Further speaker on board is Philomena Schwab, Founder of Stray Fawn Studio (Dungeon Clawler, The Wandering Village).

Portside Game Assembly celebrates its premiere as B2B-conference for international indie game leaders on June 27. There will be no direct ticket sales for the conference; instead, a curated list of participants will ensure that only studio heads and decision makers attend the conference on board a ship sailing through the port of Hamburg.

At the same time, the Networking Brunch and the Games Industry Party are open as networking events for interested contacts from the games industry to bring platform holders, publishers, and game companies into contact with the international conference participants. Studio leads from Denmark, Sweden, Switzerland, the UK, France, Spain, Canada, the USA, and Germany are already on board for the conference.

Advertisement
European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

Portside Game Assembly is set to be a platform for decision makers and studio leads to exchange ideas, learn from each other, and face the challenges of the games industry through collaboration.

As the first announced talk of the conference, Benjamin Laulan (Co-Founder of Evil Empire) will present a keynote on the Triple-i Initiative and how to create your own announcement space and talk directly to your audience when you can’t really relate to other existing showcases. In addition, Philomena Schwab (Founder of Stray Fawn Studio & Publishing) will give a short talk about ways for game idea validation.

The program of the Portside Game Assembly will consist of keynotes, short talks, and roundtables.

 

Selection of already confirmed participants:

Advertisement
European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)
  • Evil Empire (Dead Cells, The Rogue Prince of Persia) / France
  • Stray Fawn Studio (Dungeon Clawler, The Wandering Village) / Switzerland
  • The Game Kitchen (Blasphemous I & II) / Spain
  • Toukana Interactive (Dorfromantik)/ Germany
  • Ghostship Publishing (Deep Rock Galactic) / Denmark
  • Landfall Games (Content Warning, Totally Accurate Battle Simulator) / Sweden
  • Chasing Carrots (Halls of Torment) / Germany
  • Foulball Hangover (Hydroneer) / UK
  • Siege Camp (Foxhole) / Canada

The post Portside Game Assembly: Studios behind Dead Cells, Dungeon Clawler, Dorfromantik, Blasphemous on board and ticket sales for brunch and party launched appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Continue Reading

Fourth Star

Fourth Star Launches Immersive Media Streaming Platform

Published

on

fourth-star-launches-immersive-media-streaming-platform

Fourth Star, the cutting-edge virtual reality immersive media streaming platform, is officially available to the public. This innovative platform transforms traditional entertainment by enabling users to seamlessly watch standard 2D, 180 and 360 immersive media content and movies. Fourth Star redefines how audiences engage with immersive storytelling, offering an unparalleled first-person centric perspective on entertainment.

“Fourth Star is more than just a platform – it’s a revolution in entertainment,” said Greg Simon, Co-Founder & CEO of Fourth Star. “We’ve created an immersive experience where users can not only consume content but also actively participate in it. Our vision is to transform how people experience media content and movies in a way that has never been done before.”

A New Era of Interactive Entertainment

The largest immersive media streaming platform available on Sidequest, users can explore nearly forty unique environments, interact with AI-driven crew, and experience entertainment in an entirely new way. Fourth Star offers a groundbreaking approach to digital engagement, whether socializing in the Cafe, customizing avatars in private Apartments or Ships, or stepping directly into a movie’s storyline.

“The combination of VR, AI, and blockchain in Fourth Star sets a new standard for immersive entertainment,” said Craig Wiltshire, CTO of Fourth Star. “Our vision is to seamlessly integrate all three technologies into the user experience. We are redefining the entertainment experience from passive observation to active creation.”

Advertisement
European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

Built for Content Partners

Fourth Star is a self-serve platform designed for content partners of all sizes, from individual creators to blockbuster studios. Content partners can set up an account, create content channels, and begin monetizing their work immediately. No integration is required, allowing for seamless onboarding and instant access to a global audience. The Creator Portal empowers partners to distribute and profit from their immersive media with ease, making Fourth Star a truly open and accessible metaverse for digital entertainment.

Key Features of Fourth Star

  • VR Streaming Platform – Users can access nearly forty environments and own their own luxury apartments and ships all equipped with an immersive media streaming entertainment hub.
  • Social & Customization – Connect with others in dynamic social hubs, personalize your avatar, and invite your friends to your own luxury apartment and ship.
  • Player Portal – Users can access the web-based marketplace to explore content, invite friends,
  • Creator Portal – Set up an account, create content channels, and begin monetizing your work immediately. No integration is required, allowing for seamless onboarding and instant access to a global audience.
  • Blockchain Integration – The FSTR token, built on the Polygon blockchain, powers the ecosystem, providing secure transactions and exclusive rewards.
  • AI-Powered Companions – Coming soon

 

FSTR: The Utility Token Powering Fourth Star

FSTR serves as the primary ecosystem currency within the Fourth Star platform, enabling users to purchase Apartments, Ships, AI Companions, and exclusive content. Token holders benefit from:

Advertisement
European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)
  • VIP Access – Exclusive events, early screenings, and red carpet experiences.
  • Discounts – 25% savings on in-app purchases (IAPs) and entertainment content.

A New Paradigm in Entertainment

Fourth Star is designed to deliver the future of entertainment through merging cinematic storytelling with interactive gaming, offering:

  • A seamless transition from passive to interactive experiences.
  • A thriving community for players, creators, and investors.
  • Advanced AI integration for interactive AI characters.
  • Don’t just watch the star in the movie, become the star.

Availability and Access

Fourth Star is now live and available for users worldwide on Sidequest. Whether you’re an explorer, content creator large to small, storyteller, or entertainment enthusiast, Fourth Star provides an immersive space to experience digital entertainment like never before.

The post Fourth Star Launches Immersive Media Streaming Platform appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

Continue Reading

gaming

Flexion partners with King to launch Candy Crush Solitaire© simultaneously across platforms

Published

on

flexion-partners-with-king-to-launch-candy-crush-solitaire-simultaneously-across-platforms
Reading Time: < 1 minute

 

Significant industry first will see game launch from day one across 5 alternative stores in addition to Apple and Google.

Flexion, the games marketing company, announces a partnership with preeminent developer King to market new game Candy Crush Solitaire© in alternative app stores.

Expected to be one of the exciting game announcements of the year, Candy Crush Solitaire© will be available on the Amazon Appstore, Samsung Galaxy Store, Huawei App Gallery, Xiaomi GetApps and ONE store from the get-go thanks to Flexion’s expertise and technology. The game launches globally across platforms on 6 February and is already available for preregistration in all the stores.

Advertisement
European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

Flexion has had a partnership with King since June 2024 to market Candy Crush Saga© on the alternative stores. With this latest deal, both companies are breaking new ground with concurrent launches, taking them to the leading edge of games marketing.

“This is the first time King will launch simultaneously across such a wide range of platforms,” says Jens Lauritzson, Flexion’s CEO. “King has recognised that mobile audiences come from a more diverse range of markets these days, and we are thrilled to be able to help them reach those markets. Flexion has brought to the partnership the tech, experience and expertise to ensure the ultimate in user choice.”

Commenting on the deal, Benjamin Pommeraud, General Manager of Strategic Initiatives at King, says: “We’re excited to partner with Flexion to make Candy Crush Solitaire available to more players. As our first expansion of the Candy universe into a new genre, this collaboration reflects our ongoing commitment to delivering high-quality experiences that are accessible to everyone, no matter where they choose to play.”

The post Flexion partners with King to launch Candy Crush Solitaire© simultaneously across platforms appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Advertisement
European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)
Continue Reading

Trending