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Kwalee Expands Publishing Operations Onto PC and Console With Launch of First Title and Recruitment of Gaming Veteran

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Ex-Team17, Ubisoft and Codemasters veteran Max Everingham leading push onto new platforms as ‘Eternal Hope’ launches on PC

Kwalee, the UK-based game developer and publisher with more than half a billion downloads on mobile, today announces its expansion into publishing games on PC and console platforms following the launch of its first externally-developed Steam game.

Eternal Hope is the game in question, exemplifying Kwalee’s dedication to working with independent development talent to publish unique, high-quality games. Developed by Brazilian indie development studio Doublehit Games, Eternal Hope is a beautiful experience that’s built around sumptuous 2D art, cerebral environmental puzzles and emotional storytelling. With Kwalee looking to grow its catalogue of titles, it will soon be joined by PC and console games across multiple genres and in a wide variety of styles.

Eternal Hope is available to buy on Steam now, joining the Sudoku-inspired puzzle game TENS! – part of an original Kwalee franchise – which came to Steam and Nintendo Switch in November 2020 and has been critically-acclaimed for its “incredibly accessible, addictive gameplay” (Nintendo Life).

Further underlining Kwalee’s commitment to PC and console games is the recruitment of Max Everingham as Head of PC & Console Publishing. Everingham is highly experienced in launching hit PC and console titles, having most recently worked as Head of Publishing at Overcooked publisher Team17 and previously holding senior roles at Ubisoft, Pandemic and Codemasters.

Kwalee was founded by David Darling, a co-founder and former CEO of Codemasters, back in 2011 and has been built around game development talent and heritage. The company has expanded dramatically in recent years and now employs more than 100 people worldwide with offices in Leamington Spa, Bangalore and Beijing. With no intentions of slowing down its mobile game output, having launched massive hits such as Bake It, Let’s Be Cops 3D and Teacher Simulator all in 2020, Kwalee’s experienced team will be working tirelessly to grow its influence in the PC and console space to comparable level.

“I could not be happier to be joining a company with the energy and integrity of Kwalee,” said Max Everingham, incoming Head of PC & Console Publishing. “It’s a joy to be working again with David on his quest to become as successful in the PC and console arena as Kwalee has already been in mobile.”

“If you’re a developer of quality games, we want to hear from you! We can promise a true partnership – our leadership are bona-fide developers, just like you, and we want to succeed together.”

Kwalee CEO David Darling is just as enthusiastic: “We’re delighted to be welcoming Max to the team as we launch Eternal Hope, and we encourage PC and console developers of all sizes to start a conversation with us. On a personal level it’s great to link up with Max again having previously worked together at Codemasters, and his recent achievements with Team17 show that there’s no better person to be leading us to success in PC and console game publishing.”

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DreamPlay consolidates its status as a global player in the iGaming industry and opens an office and campus in Cyprus

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3 hours ago

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April 4, 2025

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DreamPlay’s ambitions go far beyond simple game development. With a new office in Limassol, the international iGaming solutions provider is expanding its presence in Europe and laying the foundations for a new philosophy of the iGaming business.

The location in Limassol was not chosen by chance – Cyprus has long become the European center of iGaming. It is here that key market players, large operators and financial structures supporting the industry are concentrated. And the high concentration of technology and talented developers allows DreamPlay to form its own ecosystem of talent.

If in the 2010s Cyprus became a hub for classic iGaming operators, today it is a point of attraction for technology companies that are betting on metaverses and the integration of games into a wider digital ecosystem. DreamPlay is one of those shaping this trend.

Google-style campus for game development talents

The DreamPlay office and campus in Limassol are part of the company’s international network of corporate campuses. Similar hubs already operate in Thailand, Bali, Peru, the UAE and Poland. They offer employees comfortable working conditions and the ability to move between locations, accommodation, meals, legal support for stays in different countries. And all this is at the expense of the company. -And the flexible work format and 4-day work week in the company helps DreamPlay talents maintain a healthy work-life balance. It’s all about well-established business processes and taking care of the team.

It’s nice to know that you can come to the country, and there is a Dream Campus where friends, like-minded people and someone who can simply take care of you are waiting for you. They will meet you at the airport, give you a tour, accompany you on medical or legal issues. It’s all part of the team.

“iGaming is an industry of emotions. Therefore, the people who create it should work where they feel best. Therefore, in our campuses we create an environment where the team can feel maximum freedom for creativity, focus on creating new breakthrough products. And not be distracted by everyday issues. And we are sure that this gives us a strategic advantage, because we are sure that our employees have received better conditions than their colleagues in other companies. Comfort, flexibility and freedom are part of our global philosophy of DreamPlay,” shares DreamPlay CEO Alex Tkach.

 

What does this mean for the market?

Opening a DreamPlay office in Cyprus is a wise decision, as the company is preparing to enter new markets and partner with the largest iGaming players. It is also a signal to the entire market that the company is moving into the league of global players who dictate trends, rather than following them.

If today Cyprus is another platform for international expansion, then tomorrow DreamPlay may turn into one of the first technology companies in iGaming, operating on the principle of large IT holdings.

And this is where the main intrigue lies: will DreamPlay become the one who fundamentally rethinks the very nature of the industry?

The post DreamPlay consolidates its status as a global player in the iGaming industry and opens an office and campus in Cyprus appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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International Game Technology PLC

IGT Wheel of Fortune Video Poker Makes Global Debut at Downtown Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas

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April 4, 2025

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International Game Technology PLC announced that it recently introduced its much-anticipated Wheel of Fortune Video Poker game in the world’s most prolific video poker market: Las Vegas, Nev. Guests of Downtown Grand Hotel & Casino (Downtown Grand) in Downtown Las Vegas became the first players in the world to enjoy legendary IGT multi-hand video poker paired with the puzzle-solving, wheel-spinning fun of Wheel of Fortune via IGT’s Wheel of Fortune Video Poker game.

“Becoming the first casino in the world to offer IGT’s Wheel of Fortune Video Poker was an exciting moment for Downtown Grand and one that generated palpable buzz and significant play on our gaming floor. For decades, our players have enjoyed IGT video poker and Wheel of Fortune slots, so combining the DNA of those two products to create something new is an exciting proposition for our players,” said Rick Coltor, Slots Manager at the Downtown Grand Las Vegas.

“Launching IGT Wheel of Fortune Video Poker in Las Vegas, the world’s largest video poker market, marked another important milestone in the rollout of our expanded Wheel of Fortune games portfolio. Our Wheel of Fortune Video Poker game delivers an ideal blend of proven multi-hand poker, jackpot excitement and the signature elements of Wheel of Fortune games that have propelled the theme’s success for more than 25 years,” said Nick Khin, IGT President, Global Gaming.

IGT’s Wheel of Fortune Video Poker is currently available on the CrystalCurve cabinet. Wheel of Fortune Video Poker incorporates the franchise’s famous puzzle-solving features and the iconic “Wheel Bonus” that has had players chanting “WHEEL-OF-FORTUNE!” for decades. The multi-hand poker game is available in triple-play, five-play and ten-play configurations and can award players 30,000, 50,000 or 100,000 credits, respectively, for a dealt royal flush.

The post IGT Wheel of Fortune Video Poker Makes Global Debut at Downtown Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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Frank Arthofer

MLB Players Sign Licensing Agreement with PENN Entertainment

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7 hours ago

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April 4, 2025

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MLB Players Inc., a commercial affiliate of the Major League Baseball Players Association, and OneTeam Partners announced they’ve reached a licensing agreement with PENN Entertainment.

The agreement designates PENN’s sports betting platforms – ESPN BET in the U.S. and theScore BET in Canada – as Officially Licensed Sportsbooks of MLBPI.

PENN now has the rights to use MLB player names, images and likenesses on its sports betting platforms, marketing assets and promotional campaigns.

The deal also includes PENN’s retail sportsbook operations (32 retail sportsbooks at its casino properties, including 19 under the ESPN BET brand).

Last fall, FanDuel and MLBPI reached a similar licensing agreement after the MLB players’ union sued FanDuel and Underdog Fantasy in New York Supreme Court, accusing them of using the names and likeness of ballplayers on their players without permission.

”As baseball season gets underway, we’re excited to offer fans an enhanced betting experience that includes player likenesses, expanded wagering options and a more dynamic product. Partnering with MLB Players Inc. strengthens our connection to the league and its star players and creates additional opportunities to engage fans throughout the season,” said Jason Birney, Vice President of Operations at PENN Interactive.

OneTeam Partners specializes in commercializing group licensing rights for professional athlates, and is a joint venture between the NFL Players Association, MLB Players Association, Women’s National Basketball Players Association, MLS Players Association, and U.S. Women’s National Team Players Association.

“By integrating MLB player rights into PENN Entertainment’s platforms, this partnership brings fans closer to the game while unlocking new business opportunities in sports betting. It highlights the growing influence of players in shaping premium, fan-focused betting experiences while enhancing player NIL rights and widening distribution,” said Frank Arthofer, President of OneTeam Partners.

The post MLB Players Sign Licensing Agreement with PENN Entertainment appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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