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BAFTA and DCM release star-studded cinema trailer to celebrate the art of video game storytelling

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  • Actress Susan Wokoma stars alongside Baldur’s Gate 3 duo, Samantha Béart and Neil Newbon, Doug Cockle (Witcher 3), Jane Douglas (games presenter), and Sir Ian Livingstone, co-founder of Games Workshop.  
  • The trailer launches in cinema ahead of the 21st BAFTA Games Awards on Tuesday 8 April. 
  • Research conducted by BAFTA found young adults say video games are important to their wellbeing and a form of social connection (YouGov) 

BAFTA and DCM (Digital Cinema Media) have teamed up with award-winning actress Susan Wokoma to create a national cinema advertising campaign that promotes and celebrates the art of storytelling in video games. It’s the third campaign delivered by the partnership and is releasing in cinemas ahead of the 21st BAFTA Games Awards on Tuesday 8 April 2025.

The 105 second trailer was produced by Common People Films and DCM Studios, with Jennifer Sheridan directing the film. Susan features alongside famous faces from games – such as Samantha Béart and Neil Newbon from Baldur’s Gate 3 – who share their love for video games with cinema audiences nationwide.
Jeremy Kolesar, Creative Director, DCM Studios, “We’ve seen a flourishing intersection between games, film and TV in the UK. Whether it’s a franchise-inspired series or film, a narrative-driven game, or an engaging acting performance, each medium strengthens the other. We’ve tried to capture this in our third cinema campaign with BAFTA, which draws from the diverse UK games industry to inspire the next generation of talent with an adventurous cinematic experience.”

World-renowned for its annual Film Awards, BAFTA has been celebrating the craft, skill and creativity of the games industry for over 20 years, spotlighting the best games and talent in its annual Games Awards ceremony.

The cinema trailer explores the connectivity between film, games and TV, highlighting the depth of video game storytelling and the many varied games that captivate audiences worldwide.

Tony Roberts, Founder/ EP, Common People Films: “This is the second time BATFA and DCM have asked us to bring their brand and message to life and we’re incredibly proud of the work we deliver for both of them. Having a diverse roster of talent, it was exciting to get our directors to write with a focus in games this time round and we think Jennifer has captured something very special. The games industry is a jewel in the crown of British industry and should be celebrated. Another great collaboration.”
BAFTA and YouGov research 

As an arts charity, BAFTA supports the next generation of screen talent through various initiatives, bursaries and scholarships.  Three alumni of BAFTA’s programmes were given paid roles on the production of this trailer – Jade Fabiyi (camera), Reece Grant (Art Department) and Shona Hart (Stagehand).

This ethos is reflected in the UK cinema placement of the campaign, which targets 16-34 year-olds during the preshow for multiple blockbuster releases. This includes the new A Minecraft movie, based on one of the best-selling video game franchises of all time.

Recent research conducted by BAFTA with YouGov found that:

  • Adults aged 18-34 consider video games as important to wellbeing, with a third (31%) citing video games as a form of self-care (higher than Film – 28% or TV – 27%) and 39% of 18-34s consider video games as a form of social connection (compared to 30% Film/TV).
  • Over half of UK adults see games as ‘a form of entertainment’ (54%).  However, only 1 in 5 consider games as great storytelling (20%) and there is lower awareness that games contain meaningful messages about today’s world (9%) compared to TV (33%)
  • Over half (53%) of 18-34s would trust the quality of a game that has been nominated or won a BAFTA Games Award.
  • Two thirds (62%) of UK adults were not aware that some of the world’s most celebrated games are made in the UK, and 1 in 5 would be more likely to play a game made in the UK (21%).

Donna Mathews, Executive Director of Engagement, Marketing and Communications at BAFTA said: “BAFTA is known for celebrating excellence in the screen arts and games are no exception. Our members recognise the craft, skill and creativity that goes into making every game and our Awards showcase the incredible variety of games on offer.  Like TV and film, games are a way to explore stories and learn about the world around us and young adults see games as more than a form of entertainment, with many considering games important to their wellbeing and social connection.  The UK games industry is a world-leading creative force, with talented people making games up and down the country, so with thanks to DCM and Common People Films we are putting games on the big screen to share our appreciation of this art form with audiences nationwide too.”  

Susan Wokoma said: “Film, TV and games are connected by the passion of the people who make it. It takes so many people to make these things and seeing people really take ownership of their story and their passion, that’s the thing that threads throughout all of those mediums.” 

Jennifer Sheridan, director, said: “What makes gaming so captivating is its ability to fully immerse you in the story. It invites you to engage with the narrative interactively. The beauty of storytelling in games lies in how your experience can be completely unique, even if you’re playing the same game as someone else. This film celebrates that diversity and the incredible journeys that games can take you on.” 

The post BAFTA and DCM release star-studded cinema trailer to celebrate the art of video game storytelling appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Veteran Marketer Charles Kaplan Takes on CMO Role at Stats Perform

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Stats Perform, the sports industry’s leading provider of AI technology, live data and insights, announced that tech marketing veteran Charles Kaplan has been appointed as Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), effective April 21, 2025. In this role, Mr. Kaplan will lead the Company’s marketing capabilities, in addition to its Opta data insights and editorial services. He will also manage Stats Perform’s sports news teams and the Opta Content Agency, which provides data-led features, compelling storytelling and creative campaign support to help sports organizations, brands and media outlets engage fans and grow their audiences.

Mr. Kaplan brings nearly 25 years of marketing, product management, and revenue growth expertise to Stats Perform, with a strong track record of driving business expansion and market leadership on a global scale. He most recently served as Chief Product and Marketing Officer at Wynshop, where he helped launch the company on a path to becoming the leading provider of digital commerce and fulfillment solutions for local store-based retailers. Previously, Mr. Kaplan held leadership roles at Mi9 Retail, including Chief Revenue Officer and Chief Marketing Officer, where he directed go-to-market strategy, revenue generation, and business growth. Earlier in his career, he gained extensive experience in international marketing, business development and product management through leadership roles at MicroStrategy, Lexmark Enterprise Software, and Brainware. Mr. Kaplan received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Vanderbilt University and an MBA from the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business.

Carl Mergele, Chief Executive Officer, said, “A dynamic company like Stats Perform requires equally dynamic and forward-looking thinking with its marketing, and Charles is the ideal fit to lead our marketing function. His unique skillset makes him a valuable overall addition to the Stats Perform management team as we continue to execute on our growth strategy and revolutionize the way sports are viewed. Coming off our most successful year yet, we are excited to benefit from Charles’ leadership and marketing prowess and build on the momentum generated in the first quarter of 2025.”

“I am thrilled to be joining the Stats Perform team at such a critical time in the company’s history,” said Mr. Kaplan. “I have long admired Stats Perform for its unmatched depth and breadth of data, AI, sports research, news and video content capabilities that have effectively shaped – and transformed – the sports technology and data industry. I look forward to working closely with the executive team as we meet the rapidly growing demand for in-depth sports insights and data-driven content, delivering comprehensive and real-time AI-powered solutions and performance analytics to enhance understanding, prediction, and fan engagement in sports.”

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Workers at Caesars Southern Indiana Casino Authorize Strike

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More than 140 workers at Caesars Southern Indiana Hotel & Casino, represented by Teamsters Local 89 and Operating Engineers Local 399, have voted by a 98% margin to authorize a strike. The overwhelming vote is a direct response to management’s refusal to offer a fair contract.

“Our members are united and ready to fight for the strongest possible agreement. This vote sends a clear message — we will not back down. If management won’t negotiate in good faith, we’re prepared to take action,” said Avral Thompson, President of Local 89.

Caesars Southern Indiana, owned and operated by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), pulled in more than $240 million in revenue last year, making it one of the most profitable casinos in the state. Workers are demanding a contract that reflects their essential contributions to that success.

“I’ve worked at Caesars for over seven years, and we deserve a contract that values our hard work and dedication. No one wants to strike, but if management keeps disrespecting us at the bargaining table, we’re ready to demand what we’ve earned,” said Sandra Ramirez, a slot attendant at Caesars Southern Indiana and a member of Local 89.

After months of negotiations, management at Caesars Southern Indiana continues to refuse to offer fair retirement benefits and remains far apart on other key economic issues.

“At this point, the ball is entirely in management’s court. If Caesars faces a strike, management will have no one to blame but themselves for the fallout. We stand ready to back our members every step of the way,” said Teamsters General Secretary-Treasurer Fred Zuckerman.

The post Workers at Caesars Southern Indiana Casino Authorize Strike appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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Fennica Gaming Continues Expansion with Integration of Veikkaus Game Studio

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Fennica Gaming is set to challenge the gaming industry with its latest strategic business transfer. The company has integrated a renowned Finnish game studio, bringing onboard +200 game IP’s and 50 creative game development professionals. This move intensifies Fennica’s position as a strong Games as a Service content provider within regulated markets.

The integration of Veikkaus Game Studio to Fennica Gaming significantly enhances Fennica Gaming’s existing game development network, Game Family, renowned for its exceptional combination of mobile gaming and money gaming expertise. With this new addition of decades-long experience in money gaming, Fennica Gaming is specialising stronger in localising international gaming experiences to international customers. This strategic expansion supports customer-centric game development, boosts competitiveness in both Finnish and international markets, and promotes efficient scaling.

“This integration of a renowned Game Studio is a strategic move to meet the increasing demand for localized content. We are now merging a fantastic heritage of creating localized content across different gaming verticals, which has dominated the market share in Finland. This positions us for international success and strengthens our ability to deliver tailored gaming experiences to diverse markets. This move is also a continuum of the work initiated with our new advisor to the board of directors, Mr. Simon Hammon, further solidifying our commitment to excellence and innovation,” said Jonas Reuter, Chairman of the Fennica Gaming Board of Directors.

“This opens up even better opportunities for Fennica’s organic growth and long-term development. With this change, we incorporate over 200 game IP’s and we grow from 20 to 70 Fennicans, maximizing the value for all customers across all markets on three continents where our games are currently live. This expansion is a genuine possibility to create great games in our Gaming Universe and to meet the diverse needs of different players in various markets better than ever before. This also enables us to meet various regulatory requirements and become an even better business partner internationally,” said Timo Kiiskinen, Managing Director of Fennica Gaming.

The post Fennica Gaming Continues Expansion with Integration of Veikkaus Game Studio appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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