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Escape Studios partners with Epic Games and leading European animation schools to deliver world’s largest training programme in Unreal Engine

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Mark Flanagan, Education Partner Manager, Epic Games said: “The Summer of Unreal is an incredible opportunity that is open to professionals in animation and VFX all across Europe, and we couldn’t be happier to invite the industry to participate. Escape Studios is a wonderful partner who, along with a number of Europe’s best animation schools, are running this programme, which is set to be the biggest Unreal Engine training that we’ve undertaken to date. We’re excited to help all learners find new ways to tell awesome stories and express their creativity using Unreal Engine.”

Saint Walker, Deputy Dean of Escape Studios, said: “The Summer of Unreal is a fantastic opportunity for animation and 3D CGI professionals across Europe to discover more about the cutting-edge technology on offer with Unreal Engine.

“We’ve worked with top animation companies to create a novel animation-centric way of teaching Unreal Engine, in one of the most ambitious training programmes that Escape Studios has been involved with – our vision of a pan-European festival of learning in Unreal Engine has gained us amazing academic partners in the form of some of the best animation schools in the world. We invite learners across Europe to join us. Make your summer staycation Unreal!”

The Summer of Unreal will be taught online in English and is free-of-charge to professionals working in the animation, motion graphics and VFX industry who want an informal group experience of learning Unreal Engine over the holiday period. The course will feature daily workshops covering all the major aspects of using Unreal Engine interspersed with practice time, teamwork, as well as demonstrations and masterclasses from some of Europe’s premiere companies and artists showing how they use the platform in their work.

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Mark Spevick, Escape Studios’ Head of 3D VFX will be the main ‘showrunner’ for the Summer of Unreal. The unique role used in Escapes’ larger courses ensures that tutors get to hear and address the most important questions from the online shop floor through Mark’s advocacy. Mark combines teaching and programme design with senior industry experience, having worked at Peerless Camera, the production house co-owned by Terry Gilliam.

Partner quotes

Timothy Leborgne, Head of Talent & Skills Development, The Animation Workshop/VIA University College
“A course such as Summer of Unreal is very welcome. Whether you look at film, animated series, or games we can all see a growing demand for rapid development and competent animators. And Unreal Engine is one particularly advanced tool and software we can’t avoid as professionals in the future. So, I am excited and happy we bring such a valuable course to professionals in our industry. By partnering with such competent institutions and studios across Europe, we have ensured that the course will deliver the best training.”

Gilbert Kiner, President, ARTFX
“Since its creation in 2004, ARTFX has been dedicated to training students using the latest technology and software. Beyond using this engine for our Games courses, Unreal has also been integrated into the previz pipeline for our VFX programs. We are very happy and proud to have been chosen as the exclusive French partner for this collaborative initiative.”

Felix Balbás, Area Director of Animation & VFX at La Salle-URL
“Unreal Engine is a reality we can’t ignore. No longer only in videogames and recently virtual production, now more than ever the future of any visual content creation and in particular animation and VFX, must take this evolution into account. Not only in previs stage, but also in full production. This is why La Salle-URL’s commitment towards promoting state-of-the-art training along with leader institutions at a European level is reflected in the Summer of Unreal.”

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Miljana Jovović, Executive Director, Crater Training Center
“We are happy to join the Summer of Unreal as partners for Southeastern Europe, as we see this project as a great chance to upskill and connect professionals across the continent. We have spent the first part of 2021 educating university professors in Serbia in Unreal Engine so they could implement the newly-gained knowledge to their study programs and introduce the software to their students.”

Katja Schmid, Visual Effects and Post Production Professor, Hochschule der Medien
“Many artists in the industry have been waiting for this course. Now the time has come. At the moment, Unreal is one of the most in-demand tools in the industry. The response to the course announcement has been fantastic. It’s just an amazing opportunity not only to get trained for free but also to be part of a most inspiring community! We are very impressed by this large-scale project and excited to be contributing.”

Gareth Lee, Screen Skills Ireland Manager
“Screen Skills Ireland is hugely excited to be part of the Summer of Unreal. This is a unique opportunity for Irish screen sector professionals to learn about the powerful capabilities of Unreal Engine from industry experts, as well as connect with their peers across Europe.”

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9 Aspects to Look For in a Top iGaming Payment Provider

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There are hundreds of iGaming payment providers out there. Which one will meet your demands? Many businesses ask this question. Not many get the right answer.

With the global online gaming market expected to reach $127 billion by 2027, getting the right iGaming payment services is paramount. Simply put, the better provider you have, the more customers you can serve, the faster payments will be, and the higher your income you will have.

Yet, choosing the right provider can be challenging, especially with the unique needs of high-risk industries like iGaming. In this piece, we will go through a nine-point checklist. These steps ensure you enter a pool of top iGaming payment providers.

So, buckle up.

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1. Verify If an iGaming Software Provider is High-Risk Friendly

iGaming is a high-risk industry. That means higher fees and more scrutiny. Choose a provider specialising in high-risk sectors to avoid disruptions and reduce transaction rejections.

Keep note: Not all payment providers are willing to work with high-risk industries, leading to potential delays or increased fees.

The right iGaming payment provider must have these aspects to be truly high-risk friendly:

  1. Have no volume restrictions
  2. Understand the industry to the bone
  3. Provide a dedicated account manager with expert knowledge of the sector
  4. Support licenses in different jurisdictions

 

2. Check How Long It Takes for an iGaming Payment Provider to Open a Business Account

Now, you narrowed down the list of best payment providers for iGaming. The next important question to ask:

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 How long will it take to open a business account?

In most cases, when you need to open a business account, you can expect two challenges:

  1. Lengthy approval process.
  2. A lot of documents to provide.

 

Many banks does not understand industries like iGaming. That is why they ask tons of unrelated questions and require documents you don’t simply have. As a result, getting a business account can take weeks or months.

A good provider opens a business account for you in several weeks. A great iGaming software solutions provider opens a business account in about 48 hours.

https://account.paydo.com/en/auth/business/sign-up

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3. Make Sure an iGaming Payment Provider Has SWIFT In Their Arsenal

For international transactions, SWIFT is a must. This scheme allows for faster, more secure iGaming transactions. It reduces delays and ensures smooth processing of player deposits and withdrawals.

Without SWIFT, iGaming operators risk slower processing times and dissatisfied players. Yet, the rule of thumb dictates that the more payment schemes you have access to the better.

 

4. Does iGaming Payment Provider Offer Multiple Currencies?

This should be your next question. Even if an iGaming payment provider is high-risk friendly, opens a business account fast, and is connected to SWIFT, this does not mean you get many currencies to work with. You still need to pay contractors in their local currency.

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Also, setting up a multicurrency account can come at a significant cost. Banks and EMIs impose additional charges for each extra currency you might need.

 

5. Check If an iGaming Payment Provider Offers Merchant Services

If you have a website accepting payments, you need a good checkout.

What constitutes a “good” checkout?

In most cases, the number of chargebacks, holds, rolling reserves, as well as payment methods available. Besides, you want a checkout that can be easily integrated.

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6. What About Mass Payouts?

Every iGaming operator knows how hard it can be to send multiple payments to several customers. When you don’t have mass payments with your iGaming provider, every payment must be made one by one. Without saying, it will take a lot of your time and nerve.

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7. Confirm Whether an iGaming Payment Provider Have Virtual and Physical Cards

Virtual and physical cards allow flexibility for both business payments and player withdrawals. They can be used for payouts, ad spending, or corporate expenses. Besides, having a personalised plastic card speaks volumes about your brand.

 

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8. Compliance With Global and Local Regulations

After going through the arsenal of services of a chosen best iGaming payment provider, the next logical step is to look at compliance. You must be sure a selected provider has the legal right to provide certain services and operate in partnership destinations.

To illustrate, as an iGaming payment provider, one should have at least these:

  1. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
  2. Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC).

 

As an add-on, a good iGaming payment provider should have an Authorised Electronic Money Institution (UAB) license. This one allows the platform to issue electronic money and offer related financial services within the European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA).

 

9. Double-Check the Security Measures an iGaming Payment Provider Implements

For top iGaming payment providers these security measures are non-negotiable:

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  • Built-in anti-fraud.
  • PCI-DSS Level 1 compliance.
  • 3D-Secure (3DS) technology.
  • Anti-money laundering (AML) protocols.
  • Automated KYC.

 

PayDo—All Payment Solutions in One Place

While all roads lead to Rome, all aforementioned aspects lead to platforms like PayDo.

PayDo is a payment ecosystem. It made sure all the aspects we talked about were covered. Namely, the platform is:

 

1. High-risk friendly:

    1. No volume restrictions.
    2. No hidden fees
    3. No minimal commitments
    4. No minimal balances
    5. No nonsense requirements
    6. All iGaming licenses (Curacao included).
    7. In-depth understanding of high-risk industries.
    8. Curacao and other licenses supported
    9. A dedicated account manager with extensive experience in iGaming
    10. Momentary payouts
    11. Scheduled payments
    12. 140+ destinations

 

2. Business account opening:

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    1. Takes about 48 hours.
    2. Completely remote.
    3. Requires a standard package of documents.
    4. Onboarding is as quick as verification.

 

3. Nine payment schemes: 

    1. SEPA
    2. SEPA instant
    3. Fedwire
    4. Target 2
    5. FasterPayments
    6. Chaps
    7. BACS
    8. Kronos2

 

4. Multicurrency:

    1. Dedicated IBAN with 35+ currencies and 150 countries.
    2. Personal account with 12+ currencies.
    3. No extra charges for currencies.

 

5. Checkout:

    1. Zero chargebacks
    2. No holds or rolling reserve
    3. Easy API integration
    4. 350+ payment methods
    5. Localization
    6. Instant settlements
    7. Conversion rate > 98%
    8. Unlimited websites

 

6. Mass Payouts:

    1. Automatic payouts without any manual inputs.
    2. Customers receive their funds without fees.

 

7. Virtual and Physical Cards:

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    1. Offer employees personalized cards.
    2. Improve corporate expense management.
    3. No limit on issuance.

 

8. Compliance and Security:

1.Licensed by:

      1. FCA.
      2. FINTRAC
      3. UAB.

 

2.Security measures:

      1. Built-in anti-fraud.
      2. PCI-DSS Level 1 compliance.
      3. 3D-Secure (3DS) technology.
      4. Anti-money laundering (AML) protocols.
      5. Automated KYC.
      6. Encryption.
      7. Safeguarding.

 

 

Besides, recently PayDo was nominated for the Payment Innovation of the Year award at a

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reputable iGaming-focused SBC 2024 convention.

 

Finally, PayDo have become a SWIFT Direct Participant. Now the platform can send and receive messages directly through the SWIFT network without intermediary banks.

For PayDo clients, it means faster transaction speed and fewer delays.

 

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Conclusion

When choosing a payment provider for iGaming, check these aspects:

  1. High-risk friendly;
  2. Business account opening;
  3. SWIFT availability;
  4. Multiple currencies;
  5. Merchant services;
  6. Mass payouts;
  7. Virtual and physical cards;
  8. Compliance;
  9. Security measures.

 

The list is that long because top iGaming payment providers like PayDo work hard to develop a solution that will stand out in a competitive market. With PayDo, you get the services of 8-9 payment providers in one place and under one contract.

Don’t hesitate to open an account right now. We are ready when you are!

The post 9 Aspects to Look For in a Top iGaming Payment Provider appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Week 38/2024 slot games releases

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Here are this weeks latest slots releases compiled by European Gaming

Zillion Games introduces Storm Fruits, a popular theme among players worldwide, brought to life as a vibrant fruit-themed slot packed with eye-catching animations of lightning and fireworks. Storm Fruits combines high-volatility excitement with 25 paylines, ensuring thrilling gameplay that appeals to both seasoned players and newcomers.

Endorphina has announced the release of a new title, Golden Brew, which has become available to players on September 17th, 2024. Created to celebrate the popular Oktoberfest, the slot features 5 reels, 4 rows, and 50 fixed paylines, welcoming beer lovers from all over the world. In Golden Brew, players will be invited into the world of fresh craft beer, German sausages, and platters of salty snacks, embracing the true spirit of Oktoberfest.

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Golden Brew: Endorphina’s Beer Slot Available Now

 

 

Step into the dusty streets of the Old West where lawlessness reigns and the hunt for Wanted Unusual Suspects™ begins. The latest slot of the same name from Northern Lights Gaming, an exclusive Games Global studio, is the next in the developer’s Unusual Suspects franchise and sees players assume the role of the fearless sheriff who must uphold justice and bring the notorious outlaws to heel.

Chase bandits and big wins in Wanted: Unusual Suspects™

 

Beloved footballer, actor, and philanthropist Vinnie Jones takes the spotlight in Swintt’s latest video slot, The Crown Reloaded XtraLock™. This new British-themed game reintroduces the popular XtraLock™ feature, which was a fan favourite in Aloha Spirit XtraLock™. The Crown Reloaded XtraLock™ is a five-reel, 25-payline title that sees Jones seize his role as a daring conman on a mission to heist the Crown Jewels.

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Swintt shakes up the gaming scene with The Crown Reloaded XtraLockTM, starring the iconic Vinnie Jones

 

 

Buckle up, grab your safety helmets, and rev your engines because it’s time to take a trip with some motorcycle-loving little piggies in Stakelogic’s wacky new slot game, Piggy Town. Meet a delightful group of oinkers as you spin the reels and explore the streets of this quaint little town, where the local piggies love motorcycles nearly as much as they love treating players to bonus features and big wins.

Take a Ride Down to Piggy Town in Stakelogic’s Exciting New Slot

 

Play’n GO invites players into a world of Greek mythology with Divine Divas, their latest 5×5 grid slot. This enchanting title blends strategy and excitement, offering players a chance to build mythological masterpieces with the help of three powerful Goddesses: Athena, Hera, and Aphrodite.

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Play’n GO’s Divine Divas Unleashes Mythological Magic in Latest Slot

 

Cutting-edge game studio Peter & Sons is about to unleash hell. The Barcelona-based outfit’s diabolical new slot, Evil Devil. This 6×7 high-volatility video slot with up to 117,649 ways to win immerses players in a cartoonish hellscape presided over by the fiery lord Satan Sama. With a devilish surf guitar soundtrack and chaotic but gripping gameplay, there’s nothing else quite like it on the market.

Peter & Sons’ Unleashes ‘Evil Devil’ Slot

 

Amusnet has released its new online video slot game, Bier O’Meter. The game has been specially created to celebrate Oktoberfest with all beer lovers. It promises a fun and festive atmosphere, complemented by top-notch graphics and traditional Bavarian music-inspired sound effects. A plethora of German-themed symbols is to be found across the 5 reels and 30 paylines of this online video slot game, which promises a true celebration of the love for beer and entertainment.

Amusnet Releases its New Online Video Slot Game, Bier O’Meter

 

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PG Soft releases games verification tool to ensure authentic player experiences

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PG Soft, a world-class digital mobile games company, is proud to announce the launch of its new games verification tool. This robust system has been designed to enable players to quickly verify the authenticity of any PG Soft title to confirm they are playing the genuine, certified content.

Before all PG Soft games reach the market, they must go through rigorous dual certification and testing by leading authorities BMM and GA. Each RNG algorithm, game mathematics, and set of rules is tested to meet the highest industry standards for fairness and integrity.

The PG Soft verification tool is intuitive to use and available through the casino lobby. Players just need to click the “Accept” button to verify their Transaction ID, select the matching ID, and click “Verify.” A confirmation screen will then appear to confirm that the verification is successful. If players are not automatically redirected to the browser, they can copy the verification link.

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This new tool follows PG Soft’s recent commitment to safe and regulated gaming by officially joining Brazil’s National Association of Games and Lotteries (ANJL).

PG Soft’s spokesperson said: “The introduction of this new verification tool further solidifies PG Soft’s dedication to maintaining the highest standards of protection and security for players. The verification tool consolidates our company’s commitment to providing a safe and regulated gaming experience.”

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