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Opera buys owner of GameMaker and starts a Gaming division

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Opera, the browser developer and consumer internet brand, announced its acquisition of YoYo Games, creator of the world’s leading 2D game engine, GameMaker Studio 2, for approximately $10 million. The tuck-in acquisition represents the second building block in the foundation of Opera Gaming, a new division within Opera with global ambitions and follows the creation and rapid growth of Opera’s innovative Opera GX browser, the world’s first browser built specifically for gamers.

Krystian Kolondra, EVP Browsers at Opera, said: “With Opera GX, Opera had adapted its proven, innovative browser tech platform to dramatically expand its footprint in gaming. We’re at the brink of a shift, when more and more people start not only playing, but also creating and publishing games. GameMaker Studio2 is best-in-class game development software, and lowers the barrier to entry for anyone to start making their games and offer them across a wide range of web-supported platforms, from PCs, to, mobile iOS/Android devices, to consoles.

Annette De Freitas, Head of Business Development & Strategic Partnerships, Opera Gaming, added: “Gaming is a growth area for Opera and the acquisition of YoYo Games reflects significant, sustained momentum across both of our businesses over the past year. Our new Opera GX browser hit 7 million MAUs in December, 2020, up 350% year over year, while YoYo Games’ GameMaker engine achieved 400K new registered creators in 2020. We’re tremendously excited by the opportunities the combination creates not only for our combined users, but also for the expansion of Opera’s gaming community.”

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Stuart Poole, GM at YoYo Games who will remain with the business alongside technical lead Russell Kay stated, “For over twenty years, the vision behind the GameMaker engine was to not just create more games, but expand development within and beyond the game studio. We think the transaction with Opera – whose products are known, trusted and used worldwide by millions of people every month- represents a massive opportunity to accelerate fulfilment of that founding vision, during a period of exceptional growth for both companies.”

“We are very excited to start working with the team at YoYo Games,” said Krystian Kolondra, EVP Browsers at Opera. “We see the Game Maker Studio platform as being an ideal acquisition to complement our global ambitions in gaming, and to help drive awareness and traffic to our Opera GX gaming browser.”

Opera GX, YoYo Games and GameMaker will unite under Opera Gaming, focusing on innovating across the gaming, game development, and browser experience. “We look forward to further growing Opera GX and driving the growth of GameMaker as part of a broader ecosystem, making it more accessible to novice users and developing it into the world’s leading 2D game engine used by commercial studios,” continued Krystian Kolondra. “Opera Gaming will be focusing on accelerating the growth of this emerging ecosystem, combining the 7+ million highly engaged gamers using Opera GX with millions of GameMaker creators. We are also thrilled to continue realizing synergies between YoYo Games’ products and Opera GX.”

GameMakerStudio is an integrated game development software, performance-tuned 2/2.5D engine that fuels many games, including multi-million hits like Risk of Rain, Undertale, or Hyper Light Drifter on an extensive range of mainstream platforms. Starting to build games with Game Maker Studio requires little to zero coding skills. Due to its extensive functionalities and ease of use Game Maker Studio lowers the barriers to entry and empowers a variety of creative people to make their games come alive and share them with the world.

Kolondra explained further: “Performance is essential to even 2D gaming, and sustaining that performance across mobile devices and laptops as well as variable bandwidth and connectivity requires thinking outside of traditional application silos. The line between building good games and good browsers has been eroding for years – with gaming interactivity across internet connections ramping up and browsers growing more multi-function and sophisticated. Traditionally the two types of technology compete for hardware and bandwidth resources. But as Opera GX proved, there was a better way to address that competition and improve the experience across both functionalities. YoYo Games’ team, development expertise and studio relationships lay the groundwork for turning the Opera GX vertical into a new kind of horizontal. This horizontal opportunity is why we’re building Opera Gaming and its infrastructure – so that we can further integrate gaming and browsing in ways beneficial to both in terms of not only monetization, but also experience.”

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a standout affiliate portal in the UK iGaming market

Bingo Paradise Reports Record Growth in Q3 2024 with Unprecedented FTD Increase

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Bingo Paradise, a standout affiliate portal in the UK iGaming market, has announced its most successful quarter to date. Q3 2024 has been a landmark period for the brand, owned by Meteor Marketing Ltd, with a dramatic increase in first-time depositors (FTDs) helping to solidify its reputation as one of the highest performing affiliates in the UK iGaming market. This achievement highlights Bingo Paradise’s ability to adapt and thrive in a competitive and fast-paced sector.

“Q3 2024 has been a standout quarter for Bingo Paradise,” said Tom Waite, Manager of Bingo Paradise. “Our success is thanks to the hard work of our small team of talented writers and the oversight of our dedicated compliance manager. Together, they ensure that we provide honest, transparent reviews and operate within the highest industry standards. This, combined with our marketing efforts, including SEO and negotiating exciting player offers with operators, has been key to sending substantially more FTD’s to the operators.”

The numbers speak for themselves. Bingo Paradise recorded an impressive 65.24% year-on-year increase in FTDs compared to Q3 2023. This milestone reflects the platform’s unwavering commitment to player-focused strategies, such as delivering comprehensive reviews that allow players to make informed decisions. The team’s dedication to compliance, led by its expert compliance manager, ensures that every piece of content adheres to stringent industry regulations, including those set by the CAP Code.

Bingo Paradise attributes much of its success to its partnerships with operators, which enables the affiliate to offer exclusive deals that resonate strongly with its audience. These deals provide players with added value, increasing engagement and building trust. Importantly, Bingo Paradise works exclusively with UKGC-licensed operators, ensuring that the brands it promotes uphold the highest standards of player fairness and security.

This focus on integrity and quality has not only benefited players but also strengthened the platform’s relationships with operators. By prioritising long-term trust over short-term gains, Bingo Paradise has established itself as a reliable partner in the highly competitive iGaming affiliate market. As the company celebrates its success in Q3 2024, it remains focused on continuous innovation and maintaining its commitment to excellence.

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Bingo Paradise’s Player-Focused Approach Powers Record-Breaking Q3 2024

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Bingo Paradise has announced a record-breaking Q3 2024, marking its most successful quarter yet. The UK-based affiliate portal has experienced exceptional growth, with a significant rise in first-time depositors (FTDs) highlighting its ability to thrive in the competitive iGaming sector. This achievement demonstrates the platform’s dedication to delivering value to players and operators alike.

“Q3 2024 has been a standout quarter for Bingo Paradise,” said Tom Waite, Manager of Bingo Paradise. “Our success is thanks to the hard work of our small team of talented writers and the oversight of our dedicated compliance manager. Together, they ensure that we provide honest, transparent reviews and operate within the highest industry standards. This, combined with our marketing efforts, including SEO and negotiating exciting player offers with operators, has been key to sending substantially more FTD’s to the operators.”

The 65.24% increase in FTDs compared to the same period in 2023 reflects Bingo Paradise’s focus on transparency, compliance, and player-centric strategies. The platform’s detailed reviews provide valuable insights to help players make informed decisions, while its compliance manager ensures all content adheres to CAP Code regulations and other industry standards.

One of the standout elements of Bingo Paradise’s strategy is its collaboration with UKGC-licensed operators. By partnering with these trusted brands, the platform ensures that players are only introduced to operators who prioritise fairness and security. Additionally, Bingo Paradise’s ability to negotiate exclusive offers that truly resonate with players has played a key role in driving its growth.

The platform’s emphasis on building trust with players and operators alike has been instrumental in its success. By consistently delivering honest content and adhering to industry best practices, Bingo Paradise has established itself as a reliable and ethical affiliate partner.

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Looking ahead, Bingo Paradise remains committed to innovation and excellence. Its Q3 2024 results underscore its ability to adapt to changing market dynamics, ensuring it continues to set the standard for success in the iGaming affiliate sector.

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RocketPlay launches Sports Advent Calendar for December: daily surprises await

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The holiday season is here, and RocketPlay is bringing an extra dose of excitement to players with its exclusive Sports Advent Calendar. From December 3 to December 25, each day will unveil a new challenge and reward, turning every moment into a festive thrill for betting enthusiasts.

Advent calendars are a beloved holiday tradition, offering surprises behind every door. RocketPlay has reimagined this concept into an action-packed betting adventure, where each “door” reveals a unique opportunity to win. From Freebets to combo boosters, no-deposit bonuses, and beyond, players can enjoy daily gifts designed to make their December unforgettable.

How does it work?

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The RocketPlay Advent Calendar offers a straightforward approach: participants log in daily, check the calendar, complete the designated task, and receive a generous reward. Some examples of the challenges include:

  • Placing three bets of 20 EUR or more on Hockey with odds from 1.60 to earn a 10 EUR Freebet.
  • Making a combo bet with at least 3 NBA matches with odds from 1.70 for a 10% boost on the final odds.
  • Creating combos with EPL matches at odds from 1.70 to unlock a 10% odds boost.

Each day introduces a new activity, providing fresh opportunities to participate and enjoy special rewards throughout the month.

Why RocketPlay?

RocketPlay isn’t just a betting platform. It’s a community of thrill-seekers and reward chasers. With a wide array of betting markets, generous promotions, and top-notch support, it is dedicated to making every player feel like a winner.

This December, RocketPlay is set to add a touch of excitement to the holiday season. Players can visit daily, unlock the Advent Calendar surprises, and turn this month into their most rewarding December yet.

The post RocketPlay launches Sports Advent Calendar for December: daily surprises await appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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