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Miniclip Announces Evolution of Web Gaming Platform After 21 Years as it Deepens Focus on Mobile

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Miniclip, a global leader in digital games, is celebrating its 21st anniversary and the evolution of the Miniclip.com this summer. The iconic game developer and publisher will continue its focus on bigger and better mobile first experiences for its global audience, while fan favourites 8 Ball Pool and Agar.io will continue to be accessible for web players.

Miniclip.com, which will continue in its current format until summer 2022, has been an important part of Miniclip’s legacy and laid the foundation for the company to grow into the influential position it finds itself in today, with a global audience of 250 million mobile monthly active users.

Launched by President and Co-Founder Rob Small and Tihan Presbie in 2001, the site first hosted a single title, Dancing Bush, programmed by the duo in their apartment. During its time, Miniclip.com has hit many industry defining milestones, such as:

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  • Dancing Bush became one of the first viral interactive game hits and is one of the most successful and longest running viral game campaigns of all time.
  • com was the originator of the mass free rich media content syndication model, with no paid advertising, instead bringing players in purely through word of mouth.
  • com became the #1 online games website in 2005, with more users than any other domain in the world.

In the following years the site grew into a thriving international community and a beloved home for a wide variety of content, from games to animation. Following changes to Miniclip.com in the summer, the website will become a destination for potential partners, prospective candidates and other business interests to access news and information about the brand.

Miniclip’s mobile focus began in 2010, with the company quickly finding a large audience for its wide variety of titles. In the following years, Miniclip’s growth has continued rapidly, tripling revenues over the last three years. To strengthen development capacity, this year saw the expansion of operations in Portugal with a brand-new studio.

In March 2022, Miniclip announced that it had surpassed a cumulative total of over 4 billion downloads across a catalogue of games that include Agar.io, Soccer Stars, and 8 Ball Pool. 8 Ball Pool was recently announced to have hit a milestone of 1 billion downloads and holds the Guinness World Records title for the “most downloaded mobile pool game”. Both 8 Ball Pool and Agar.io will still be available to online players following the new direction for the site.

Now an industry leader publishing and developing their games for mobile, Miniclip has completed multiple key acquisitions to extend their portfolio and help talented studios release chart topping titles. Puzzling.com, Green Horse Games, and GameBasics, the most recent newcomers to the ever-expanding Miniclip Group, have seen continued growth across their games while working cooperatively and with support from Miniclip’s considerable industry expertise.

To share the legacy of Miniclip.com and thank the players that made the company a success, Miniclip has planned celebrations over the next few months, with more details to be announced soon.

Robert Small, President and Co-Founder at Miniclip, said: “Miniclip has been such an important part of my life, from the early days of frantic development on Dancing Bush to the global company it is today. It’s impossible to sum up the pride and gratitude I feel seeing how much we have grown since our humble start. Under the fresh leadership of Saad as CEO, Miniclip has an even brighter future ahead of it as we maintain our mobile focus, and our players around the world will have so much to look forward to.”

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10-15% Of Gamers In Florida Show Signs Of Gaming Addiction: Here Are 10 Signs Your Kid Is Suffering From It (And How You Can Help)

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Recent studies indicate that 10-15% of young gamers in Florida exhibit signs of gaming addiction. These findings underscore the need for early identification of symptoms to prevent negative impacts on children’s mental and physical health. Gaming addiction, if not dealt with, can lead to poor academic performance, social withdrawal, and even health problems.

Marin Cristian-Ovidiu, CEO of FreezeNova, discusses key indicators of gaming addiction and offers practical advice for parents.

Recognizing Early Signs

“Early recognition of gaming addiction is crucial in preventing long-term negative outcomes,” Marin explains. The following signs can help parents identify if their child might be developing an addiction:

Exhaustion and Irritability

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Constant tiredness and grumpiness during the day could indicate late-night gaming sessions interfering with sleep.

Gaming Obsession 

If gaming dominates your child’s thoughts and conversations, and they plan their day around it while neglecting other responsibilities, it could be a sign of addiction.

Decline in Academic Performance and Lost Interests

A noticeable decline in academic performance or loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities may suggest your child is prioritizing gaming over more important tasks.

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Emotional Volatility

Extreme emotional reactions to in-game outcomes, such as uncontrolled anger, known as ‘Gamer Rage’, or intense celebrations, could indicate an unhealthy attachment to gaming.

Physical Strain

Signs of repetitive strain injuries like ‘Gamer’s Thumb’ or ‘Nintendo Neck’ from prolonged screen time are warning signals.

Neglecting Basic Needs 

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If your child is neglecting basic needs like eating, sleeping, or hygiene to keep playing, gaming has likely taken an unhealthy control over their life.

Creating a Supportive Environment

While video games can be a great source of entertainment and connection, around 70% of people with signs of gaming addiction also experience social disorders. Marin recommends a few tips for building a supportive and open environment for your child.

Teamwork and Setting Boundaries

“Parents and children should work together to create a healthy gaming environment. Gaming addiction requires a holistic approach,” Marin advises. Start by setting clear boundaries on gaming time to ensure there’s room for schoolwork, chores, and quality family time.

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Revisit activities your child once loved, like football practice or exploring new hobbies together. It’s vital for your child to take breaks from screens, so create a balanced daily routine that includes homework, chores, exercise and just some gaming time. This allows your child to enjoy their games without neglecting other aspects of their life.

Open Communication

Maintain open communication. Discuss the games your child enjoys and any concerns you might have. By understanding their world, you can work together to find solutions.

Remember, you’re not alone. If you feel overwhelmed, seek professional help from specialists in gaming addiction. Marin concludes, “By working as a team, setting clear boundaries, and fostering open communication, we can help your child develop a healthy relationship with gaming and thrive in all areas of life.”

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Compliance Updates

SYNOT Games Officially Certifies Over 140 Games in Brazil

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SYNOT Games has announced that more than 140 of its games have now been officially certified in Brazil.

“We are delighted to announce that more than 140 of our games have now been officially certified in Brazil. This significant achievement allows us to expand our reach and introduce a diverse selection of games to this dynamic market. Brazil represents a key opportunity for growth, and we are committed to delivering exceptional gaming experiences to the Brazilian audience,” the Company said.

“We are thrilled to introduce our portfolio in Brazil, offering innovative and engaging gameplay that promises to captivate and entertain players,” Martina Krajci, CCO at SYNOT Games, said.

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SPGA Introduces Code of Conduct to Highlight Member Commitment to Compliance and Safety in Social and Promotional Gaming

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The Social and Promotional Gaming Association (SPGA), an organization dedicated to providing stakeholder education and advocating for the responsible operation of social games offering promotional sweepstakes prizes, today announced the implementation of a Code of Conduct for its operator members.

The Code of Conduct is designed to spotlight the processes and technologies already in place at both SPGA member sites and the majority of social casinos offering promotional sweepstakes, also referred to as social sweeps games.

Social sweeps games combine the established social casino model, on which Americans have spent over $40 billion in the last decade, and add promotional prizes. No purchase is necessary to win prizes, and the vast majority of users play for free.
The foundational pillars of the Code of Conduct include the application of regulation-grade suppliers, technology, or policies to ensure: 
  • Age verification to limit real money play to users 18 and older

  • Proper identity verification (Know Your Customer or KYC) 

  • Location verification of customers 

  • AML policies to ensure proper transaction monitoring

“The pillars of the SPGA Code of Conduct highlight the technology and processes already in place at most social sweeps operators to ensure that the millions of adults who enjoy these games do so in a safe and reliable environment,” said Camilla Wright of Red Knot Communications, a spokesperson for the SPGA. 
“The standards of the Code of Conduct go above and beyond the accepted best practices for traditional social casinos.”
In the months ahead, the SPGA will release more details on the Code of Conduct, introduce additional pillars, and engage an external firm to certify member compliance with the Code.  
“We look forward to continuing to develop the Code of Conduct to further strengthen the commitment of SPGA members to compliance and player protection while providing consumers with a highly social and engaging experience that is always free to play,” said Wright.      
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