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Polygon Studios Secures Hires From EA, Amazon and Others, As Web2 Talent Join Exodus to Web3

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Polygon Studios, the developer relationship arm of Polygon Technology, is helping web2 and web3 companies build decentralized apps on the Polygon chain, announces five new hires to spearhead its growth in the Web3 blockchain gaming space. The new hires join Polygon Studio’s recently appointed CEO, Ryan Wyatt, who previously headed YouTube’s Gaming vertical before migrating to the Web3 industry.
Polygon Studios’ new hires include C-level executives Michael Blank as Chief Operating Officer and Young Ko as Chief Financial Officer.
Michael Blank brings a wealth of gaming experience to Polygon Studios after almost two decades with Electronic Arts, a leading game developer and publisher. Blank served as Senior Vice President of Player Network, the company’s strategy to connect and engage EA’s more than 300 million users. In that capacity, he led global teams that drove EA’s direct to consumer digital gaming platform, social ecosystem and the rapid growth of EA Play, the publisher’s multi-platform gaming subscription. During his time at Electronic Arts, Michael held a variety of senior leadership roles, including Executive Producer for several of EA’s prominent game franchises.
Polygon Studios has also welcomed Young Ko, who cites nearly 16 years of progressive financial and entrepreneurial expertise across entertainment, music, fashion, and real estate. Young spent the past 9 years as the VP of Finance at Penske Media (brands include Rolling Stone, Billboard, Variety, and SXSW) where he oversaw the Finance, Accounting, Treasury, and Global Tax teams.
Joining Young and Mike is Urvit Goel — VP, Gaming Business Development — and Charnjit Bansi — VP, Game Design — who also cut their teeth in the Web2 arena.
Urvit brings a wealth of cross-functional experience leading teams in Finance, Marketing, and Business Development during his nearly decade long tenure at Amazon. Most notably, Urvit has experience building long term strategic partnerships with the world’s largest game publishers on a global scale. He has built and led Business Development teams driving a variety of gaming initiatives for Amazon, most recently launching Amazon’s Cloud Gaming business.
Charnjit brings over 20 years of intimate knowledge of AAA Web2 game leadership and development, all from world-class game developers including Infinity Ward and Sledgehammer Games — creators of the renowned Call of Duty franchise. Most recently, Charnjit served as Director of Product Management at Mythical Games, a game technology company and publisher of the blockchain MMO, Blankos Block Party.
Polygon Studios also welcomes gaming industry veteran and recent EA alumni, Ben Watley. Ben will serve as Senior Director of Strategy, Gaming at Polygon Studios, working closely with Young, Mike, Charnjit, and Urvit to expand Polygon’s Web3 products and services. Working alongside Ben is ex-NASA software engineer and Riot Games strategist, Will Matteson, who joins Polygon Studios as Corporate Strategy Manager.
The new hires closely follow the appointment of Ryan Wyatt as CEO of Polygon Studios after seven years spearheading YouTube’s gaming vertical.
Ryan Wyatt, CEO of Polygon Studios, said, “We’re thrilled to be attracting such high-calibre talent as we build out the dream team of Web3. The combined expertise and perspectives from both the traditional and blockchain industries will be invaluable in growing the developer ecosystem and bridging the gap between Web2 and Web3.”
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Independent evaluation highlights impact of Ygam’s parent programme

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An independent evaluation has provided compelling evidence that Ygam’s work is effectively equipping families with the tools and knowledge to safeguard children from gaming and gambling harms.

The evaluation report, conducted by Sherbert Research, examined Ygam’s programme tailored for parents and carers, which includes online workshops, resources, and the Family Hub website.

The evaluation, assessed against Ygam’s comprehensive Theory of Change, found ‘strong evidence across all groups’ of increased understanding of gaming and gambling harms and their impact on behaviour change and the wellbeing of children and young people. It also highlighted that parents regard Ygam as a trusted source of support and information on these subjects.

After attending a Ygam workshop, parents expressed a deeper understanding of their role in supporting children and young people on these issues. The workshops were credited with reducing stigma around gaming and gambling harms and encouraging greater engagement from families. Many parents reported proactively understanding the risks and feeling empowered to start conversations with their children about gaming and gambling, putting boundaries in place before harm occurs.

While parents and professionals are increasingly aware of the risks associated with gaming, fewer recognise children’s potential exposure to gambling and gambling-like features, along with the related harms. The report reinforces that Ygam’s work plays a vital role in closing this critical knowledge gap through awareness raising, offering effective safeguarding tools, and providing the guidance and support required to create a safer digital home environment.

The programme was also commended for shifting perceptions around video gaming and microtransactions. They described taking immediate proactive steps such as adjusting screen time, understanding app spending, and setting clearer rules around their child’s online habits.

One parent who took part in the evaluation said: “After the session, I checked my son’s gaming account and realised he had spent over £200 on in-game purchases. We talked about it, and I’ve now set up parental controls.”

The high quality and standard of Ygam’s educational content was also praised by parents, with many describing it as ‘one of the best’ workshops they had attended for addressing a topical and complex issue, and for delivering accessible knowledge that supports real-life action.

Another parent said: ” A friend mentioned Ygam after I shared concerns about my son’s gaming habits. She had been on the course and said it had really helped her understand how to manage screen time”.

Claire Patel, Programme Lead for the Parents and Carers programme at Ygam, said: “We welcome the findings of this evaluation, which highlight the widespread and meaningful difference our programme is making for families. Parents and carers know their children better than anyone, and they have a crucial role to play – but they consistently tell us they often feel under-informed in today’s fast-moving digital world. We remain committed to listening to families and providing the information and tools they need to promote healthy habits and safeguard their children from potential harms.”

The evaluation was informed by interviews and video diaries from parents, foster carers, and professionals who attended Ygam workshops between 2023 and 2024.

All recommendations for improvement will be incorporated into the ongoing review and development of Ygam’s programmes to ensure they remain as effective and impactful as possible.

The post Independent evaluation highlights impact of Ygam’s parent programme appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Endorphina Press Releases

Endorphina’s Sticky Lips: Our Joker Returns, Ready to Stick You with Unforgettable Luck!

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Prepare for an unforgettable summer as Endorphina announces the highly anticipated release of Sticky Lips, its latest captivating slot, on the 8th of July. This visually striking title invites players into a vibrant world where Endorphina’s Joker makes a remarkable return, blowing irresistible kisses to make their winnings truly stick.

She’s wild, she’s wicked – and her lips are ready to stick you with luck! Dare to stare into her eyes in this 5-reel 4-row slot with 50 fixed paylines and prove your worth to get a lucky, juicy kiss. With every spin, her lips glow and tempt, hungry to lock in golden wins.

Key highlights of Sticky Lips:

  • Vibrant Visuals: The captivating graphics and symbols, such as gleaming gold bars, blazing sevens, and shiny bells, bring the world of Sticky Lips to life.
  • Mobile Compatibility: Enjoy the sticky-sweet fun anytime, anywhere, with seamless play across all devices.
  • Free Games with the Sticky Wild Feature: Land 3 Scatter symbols to trigger 10 Free Games where Wilds become sticky for even more incredible wins. Scatters covered by a Wild still count towards new combinations!
  • Classic Risk Game: Dare to double your winnings up to 10 times in our signature Risk Game!

What truly sets Sticky Lips apart is its unique blend of familiar slot charm with an enticing, playful narrative. Sticky Lips features a visually striking design that captures the playful mystery and growing anticipation, drawing players deeper into the narrative with every spin.

Why try Sticky Lips?

For over 12 years, Endorphina has stood out as a premier slot provider in the iGaming industry. Since the beginning of our journey, we’ve developed slot games celebrated for their stunning visuals, engaging features, unique themes, and immersive gameplay. Our player-centered approach to game development ensures every slot delivers a magical, mobile-compatible experience, packed with thrilling features for everyone to enjoy.

The post Endorphina’s Sticky Lips: Our Joker Returns, Ready to Stick You with Unforgettable Luck! appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Atlaslive Introduces Practical Roadmap for iGaming Operators in Brazil

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Atlaslive, a reliable provider of technology solutions for the iGaming sector, has introduced its latest guide titled “How to Start an iGaming Business in Brazil: The Successful Roadmap.” Created for operators looking to enter or grow within Brazil’s fast-expanding online gambling scene, the guide delivers vital insights for navigating the country’s evolving regulatory environment.

With Brazil now at the forefront of the iGaming landscape in Latin America — thanks to the legalization of sports betting through Law No. 13.756/2018 and subsequent developments — the country is poised for remarkable growth. The Atlaslive guide underscores significant opportunities, emphasizing critical market insights, legal frameworks, licensing requirements, and strategies for successful operations. Key highlights of the guide include:

  • Market Overview: A breakdown of Brazil’s vast potential, including forecasts of gross gaming revenue reaching $7.18 billion by the close of 2025.
  • Legal Landscape: An overview of the changing regulatory environment and the licensing system governed by Brazil’s Secretariat of Prizes and Bets (SPA).
  • Compliance & Taxation: Clear explanations of licensing conditions, compliance protocols, and taxation duties relevant to operators.
  • Payment Solutions: A look at preferred local payment options, particularly the widespread use of PIX for instant transactions.
  • Marketing Strategies: Approaches to acquiring and retaining players while staying within the bounds of advertising laws.

“As Brazil’s iGaming market matures, operators must be equipped with the right knowledge and tools to navigate its complexities,” said Anastasiia Poltavets, CMO at Atlaslive. “Our guide offers a roadmap that empowers businesses to seize opportunities and ensure compliance in this dynamic landscape.”

With 218.8 million residents and an internet penetration rate surpassing 86%, Brazil represents a lucrative audience for iGaming operators. Atlaslive’s guide serves as a fundamental resource for anyone seeking to thrive in this evolving sector. Gain a strategic edge in Brazil’s iGaming market — download “How to Start an iGaming Business in Brazil: The Successful Roadmap” today.

The post Atlaslive Introduces Practical Roadmap for iGaming Operators in Brazil appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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