gaming
Zynga Games Announces Halloween Spooktacular Event
Zynga Games, a global leader in interactive entertainment, has announced the Halloween Spooktacular event. This will be a selection of new in-game events across four of Zynga’s titles – Empires & Puzzles, Farmville 2: Country Escape, Farmville 2: Tropic Escape and Puzzle Combat.
Players can celebrate the spooky season with chilly challenges, eerie activities and sweet treats to help them get into the Halloween spirit. The events will vary by title and begin to emerge on October 1 before vanishing by November 7.
It is the season for Return to Morlovia! This recurring Halloween quest in Empires & Puzzles is updated with special rewards and new hero costumes that grant exclusive powers to help players boost their attacks or fortify their defenses. During the event, players can battle or summon seven exclusive characters, including Vlad the Vampire Lord, Francine Frankenstein and Halloween Jack. Returning to the event for a limited time is the Pumpkin Bombs feature that invites players to match pumpkins before they explode. Mystery offers and free treats will be handed out every day of the spooky event.
Empires & Puzzles successfully blends approachable match-3 battles with deeper gameplay elements including hero collection, base building and social alliances. Since its launch in 2017, Empires & Puzzles has reached the #1 grossing games position in over 70 countries on the App Store and over 30 countries on Google Play. Empires & Puzzles is available to download for free on iOS and Android.
Something spooky is coming to the farm! Heidi and Johnny play pranks on each other all the time. But this Halloween in FarmVille 2: Country Escape, Johnny is planning something big for Heidi – a playhouse packed with loads of spooktacular scares! Help Heidi traverse the haunted house while completing fangtastic phases to win exclusive rewards such as Golden Gloves. Finish all six stages to win the final farmhand reward – Hazel, the bewitching cat.
FarmVille 2: Country Escape lets players experience the world of farming, friends and fun! Players can raise animals and grow their farms with friends where everyone can trade and share. FarmVille offers a unique experience that lets players customise and build their farms just how they wish while going on incredible adventures to collect rare goods and craft new recipes. FarmVille 2: Country Escape is available on iOS and Android.
Mortie, the young son of the Grim Reaper, is back for the second year in a row. This time, he will take players on his version of a haunted house adventure. Mortie doesn’t just live in any old house – haunted houses are so last century. His home is the underworld itself! Players must keep their exploration spells and wits about them as they compete with other participants to see who can explore the farthest reaches of the netherworld with Mortimer Reaper. Players can win Halloween decorations, guides, an undead mermaid and lots of other rewards.
FarmVille 2: Tropic Escape is a part of one of the most beloved farming franchises – FarmVille. Escape to an island getaway filled with adventure, mystery and fun new mini-games in this colorful free-to-play game. FarmVille 2: Tropic Escape is available on the iOS and Android.
Brace yourself for 31 nights of fun and fright. During the month of October, Puzzle Combat will feature a special event comprising 60 playable quest stages packed with valuable rewards like terrifying avatars and unique items to enhance battles or help characters level up. Players can summon five exclusive heroes in the event, including Ichika the Vengeful Spirit, Blaire the New Wave Witch and Strawman. A Trick or Treat gameplay mechanic is also available to unlock special Halloween boosts and attacks.
Launched in April 2021, Puzzle Combat is a mobile match-3 action role-playing game (RPG) where players recruit heroes, build bases and compete in player-vs-player (PvP) battles in a zombie-themed setting. Puzzle Combat is available for iOS and Android as a free download.
Xsolla, a leading global video game commerce company, is deepening its commitment to mobile game developers through a strategic partnership with Pocket Gamer Connects (PGC) in 2025. As the industry leader in Web Shop development and management, with over 500+ Web Shops generating revenue, Xsolla is also leading the way in direct-to-consumer monetization in the video game industry. Xsolla will showcase its latest innovations in mobile game monetization, user acquisition, and cross-platform analytics throughout key global PGC events.
Supporting Mobile Developers at PGC Events Worldwide
Xsolla will sponsor Pocket Gamer Connects events in 2025, bringing its expertise in direct-to-consumer monetization and engagement strategies to the following locations:
- PGC San Francisco (March 17-18)
- PGC Dubai (May 7-8)
- PGC Barcelona (June 3-4)
- PG Summit Shanghai (July 30)
- Mobile Games Awards at Gamescom (August)
- PGC Helsinki (October 7-8)
Xsolla will engage with developers at each event through thought leadership sessions, panel discussions, and networking opportunities. It will offer data-driven insights and solutions to help mobile developers maximize revenue beyond traditional app stores.
Advancing Web Shop Monetization with AppsFlyer Integration
A key component of Xsolla’s presence at PGC will be its partnership with AppsFlyer, the global leader in mobile measurement and data analytics. Together, they have developed a first-in-the-industry integration that solves cross-platform attribution challenges, giving mobile game developers the tools to:
- Measure Web Shop purchases as in-app events for accurate LTV and ROAS tracking.
- Seamlessly attribute Web Shop revenue to mobile user acquisition, re-engagement, and retention campaigns.
- Optimize ad spending across mobile and Web Shops with real-time analytics, all without requiring coding from developers.
Xsolla’s Web Shop solution has already transformed mobile game monetization, enabling 500+ developers to generate direct-to-consumer sales online while pushing players to pay on their mobile devices. By integrating AppsFlyer’s measurement tools, Xsolla ensures that mobile developers gain a complete, end-to-end understanding of the user journey across platforms, allowing them to make smarter business decisions and improve ROI.
“Xsolla’s Web Shop has revolutionized how mobile game developers monetize online, and our integration with AppsFlyer takes it to the next level,” said Berkley Egenes, Chief Marketing & Growth Officer at Xsolla. “By bridging the data gap between Web Shops and mobile applications, we empower developers with the insights they need to optimize performance, increase revenue, and engage players more effectively. We look forward to engaging directly with the community and hearing from the Pocket Gamer community throughout the year at each event around the world.”
Strengthening the Global Mobile Gaming Ecosystem
Xsolla’s continued investment in mobile game commerce solutions aligns with Pocket Gamer Connects’ mission to support and connect game developers worldwide. With the combined power of Web Shop, AppsFlyer integration, and a direct presence at major industry events, Xsolla is committed to helping mobile game creators navigate monetization challenges and drive sustainable growth.
“Pocket Gamer Connects is the world’s leading event series for mobile game developers (and others) and we’re thrilled to have Xsolla as a key partner in 2025,” said Chris James, CEO at Steel Media, Pocket Gamer’s parent company. “Xsolla’s expertise in mobile commerce, cross-platform engagement, and Web Shop monetization makes them an invaluable resource for developers looking to scale their businesses.”
By partnering with Pocket Gamer Connects, Xsolla ensures mobile developers worldwide can access the latest technology, insights, and business models to thrive in today’s competitive gaming market.
For more information on Xsolla Web Shop and its integration with AppsFlyer, visit: xsolla.blog/xsolla-appsflyer
Join us at Pocket Gamer Connects 2025 to connect, learn, and explore new opportunities in the gaming industry.
The post XSOLLA PARTNERS WITH POCKET GAMER CONNECTS TO EMPOWER MOBILE GAME DEVELOPERS IN 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
gaming
Portside Game Assembly: Studios behind Dead Cells, Dungeon Clawler, Dorfromantik, Blasphemous on board and ticket sales for brunch and party launched
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.
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:
- 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.
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.”
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:
- 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.
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