Canada

Ludo launches game-changing new Game Concept feature to support developers to plan, create and make great games

Published

2 years ago

April 7, 2022

Ludo, the AI powered creativity platform for game developers, has launched the world’s first Game Concept creator. This new tool revolutionises the game creation process, quickly producing an integrated Game Design Document (GDD) at the click of a button. The Game Concept feature is free to use, and supports developers to create a gold standard GDD that can easily be exported and shared with publishers.

Ludo’s Game Concept feature is fully integrated with the platform’s many tools, including the Game Ideator, enabling developers to easily input characters, mechanics, storylines, levels, items, features and controls, with everything in one place at their fingertips. More than just an improved text editor, the presence of AI suggestions for new concepts in this new iteration of the platform make it completely unique.

The evolution of Ludo’s GDD into a unique Game Concept creator marks a move to a more rapid-flow, collaborative, ideas based workspace which can be used by any developer, student, studio or creator to ideate and present their ideas. Add to this Ludo’s state-of-the-art AI and machine learning features, and it’s easy to see why Ludo’s already sizable kit of creativity tools is a go-to for creators from every corner of the gaming industry.

Tom Pigott, CEO and Founder of Ludo says: “With the games industry continuing to grow at a remarkable rate, and more people than ever before keen to try their hand at creating games, making the development process as efficient as possible is crucial. Ludo’s complete creativity toolkit is the only platform dedicated to streamlining the game development creative process, allowing users to work efficiently and effectively.

“With our newly introduced Game Concept feature, we have succeeded in bringing together a wide array of useful tools to help creators to build an integrated GDD. This new feature is the result of Ludo’s research and the latest state-of-the-art AI. By having a range of creativity tools in one space, users can quickly conceptualise new game ideas, and create the perfect document to share with potential publishers.”

Ludo’s free online toolkit helps game developers to be more productive, with new features which have markedly improved the usability and efficiency of the platform. The Game Elements feature joins an already sizable kit of creativity tools, and has markedly improved the usability and efficiency of the platform. Users can now simply input a description of their game concept, or start from an already generated idea, and Ludo will quickly suggest hundreds of ideas for mechanics, game plots, characters, game universes, levels and many more. Ludo’s premium tools can save developers and creators hours of work and streamline their creative process, with the Game Elements feature alone reducing the time that studios spend on game design by up to 50%.

An improved UX integrates all of Ludo’s features, including the recently launched Image Generator, Daily Trends, Top Charts, and the Game Ideator. This means the platform is easier to navigate and more systematic to creators, ultimately allowing them to spend less time ideating and researching, and more time developing their concept and creating their next game.

In what is the fastest growing industry in the world – VentureBeat recently quoted PwC as saying the games industry looks set to grow by 4.4% year on year through 2025 – time is an invaluable resource. In launching these new features, Ludo has moved to streamline the game development process further than ever before, making it easier for developers to create their next games efficiently and effectively.

Everton Vieira, CEO and Co-Founder of IzyPlay Studios says: “It is important to have access to as many tools and as possible when developing your next game, especially when time is at a premium. Ludo’s data-driven platform helps produce games that are more likely to succeed within the industry.

“Our game ‘Adventure Miner’ was the product of using Ludo’s many tools and features. Blending games and genres within the hypercasual scene is almost guaranteed to produce exciting new concepts for games. Ludo is able to do this incredibly efficiently, and its wide array of tools ensures that studios are able to develop games that appeal to a wide audience quickly and effectively.”

Ludo uses state of the art machine learning and natural language processing to instantly suggest game ideas and mechanics, review gaming trends, and consistently provide on-demand help to inspire developers and creators. Users set parameters by providing keywords, natural language descriptions, game mechanics, or imagery and Ludo quickly returns multiple written game concepts, artwork and images, by analyzing its growing database of 1.2 million games and over 4 million images.

The complete creativity toolkit, Ludo contains a number of unique features including Slack integration, ‘Instant Feeling Lucky Generations’, an Image and Icon Generator, and a vast data centre designed to keep developers up to speed on the latest gaming trends worldwide. With the introduction of a new free credit system, the platform and tools are now accessible to all, with paid tiers available to help businesses to expand their use of Ludo’s functionality.

British Columbia Lottery Corporation

SCCG Management Signs Contract with British Columbia Lottery Corporation

Published

6 days ago

April 29, 2024

GamingAmericas.com

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SCCG Management has signed a contract with the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC), the B.C. Crown corporation which conducts and manages commercial gambling in the province, including lotteries, casinos, and online gaming. This partnership aims to undertake a comprehensive assessment and strategic enhancement of BCLC’s diverse operations.

The work between SCCG and BCLC will involve a thorough review of technological infrastructures, strategic market positioning, and the integration of various gaming modalities. SCCG’s extensive expertise will be pivotal in harmonizing BCLC’s online and physical gaming experiences.

Stephen Crystal, Founder and CEO of SCCG Management, said: “Our collaboration with BCLC represents a remarkable opportunity to push the boundaries of innovation within the gaming industry. We are committed to deploying our resources and expertise to enhance BCLC’s operational efficiencies and customer engagement strategies. It’s an honor to partner with an organization that has a robust impact on the community through its support of public initiatives.”

AGCO

AGCO Requires Ontario Gaming Operators to Stop Offering WBA Bets Due to Integrity Concerns

Published

2 weeks ago

April 22, 2024

GamingAmericas.com

agco-requires-ontario-gaming-operators-to-stop-offering-wba-bets-due-to-integrity-concerns

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has mandated all Ontario-registered sportsbook operators to halt offering and accepting wagers on World Boxing Association (WBA) events immediately. This measure is being taken to protect the Ontario betting public following concerns that WBA-sanctioned boxing matches are not adequately being safeguarded against match-fixing and insider betting.

Since December 2023, the AGCO has been conducting a comprehensive review of suspicious wagering activity on a WBA-sanctioned title fight between Yoenis Tellez and Livan Navarro that was held in Orlando, Florida. Suspicious betting patterns on the bout lasting over 5.5 rounds were reported to the AGCO by two registered independent integrity monitors and detected in Ontario by a registered igaming operator. Media reports also alleged that Tellez’s Manager placed $110,000 on the match lasting longer than 5.5 rounds at a Florida casino. The bout ended with Tellez knocking out Navarro in the 10th round.

Following an intensive review that included outreach to the WBA, Ontario-registered gaming operators, independent integrity monitors, and regulators in other jurisdictions, the AGCO has concluded that bets related to WBA events do not currently meet the Registrar’s Standards for Internet Gaming.

The AGCO requires all Ontario-registered gaming operators to ensure the sport betting products they offer are on events that are effectively supervised by a sport governing body. At a minimum, the sport governing body must have and enforce codes of conduct that prohibit betting by insiders.

Registered gaming operators were unable to demonstrate to the AGCO that the WBA prohibits betting from insiders, which could include an athlete’s coaches, managers, handlers, athletic trainers, medical professionals, or others with access to non-public information. Further, registered gaming operators were unable to demonstrate that the WBA took any action to investigate or enforce the allegations of potential match-fixing and insider wagering.

The AGCO has indicated to registered operators that in order for WBA betting products to be reinstated in Ontario, operators must demonstrate that the WBA effectively supervises its events, thus bringing them into compliance with the Registrar’s Standards. In December 2022, the AGCO required gaming operators to stop offering bets on UFC events for similar issues related to insider betting safeguards. Within a month, UFC amended its policies and implemented new protocols that allowed the AGCO to reinstate betting on UFC events in the province.

“Ontarians who wish to bet on sporting events need to be confident that those events are fairly run, and that clear integrity safeguards are in place and enforced by an effective sport governing body. Knowing the popularity of boxing in Ontario, we look forward to reinstating betting on WBA events once appropriate safeguards against possible match-fixing and insider betting have been confirmed,” Dr. Karin Schnarr, Registrar and CEO of AGCO, said.

Andrew Cochrane Chief Business Officer of GiG

GiG increases Ontario market presence, powering the launch of Casino Time

Published

2 weeks ago

April 18, 2024

GamingAmericas.com

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Gaming Innovation Group Inc. (GiG), has announced the launch of Casino Time, powered by its award winning iGaming platform and pioneering real-time rules engine LogicX, with revolutionary sportsbook, SportX soon to follow, to further extend its footprint in the regulated Canadian province of Ontario.

The launch of Casino Time carries extra significance, marking only the second time that on-demand, regulated online Bingo has been made available in Ontario. The new Bingo product vertical, launched alongside a strong Casino offering, will be boosted by GiG’s new sportsbook, SportX, as part of a planned release later this year.

GiG has focused its solutions on driving exponential growth in revenue for operators with its highly scalable iGaming platform, offering localised third party content and leading suppliers for the Ontarian market. GiGs peerless gamification layer creates an optimised and immersive casino experience tailored to regional preferences, swelling client retention and player engagement.

Canadian owned and operated, Casino Time is a joint venture amongst leading retail operators in Ontario’s Charitable Gaming sector, delivering Bingo, Slots and Live Dealer Casino Games. Promising a personalised service and community experience, Casino Time is continuing its long-standing partnership with local charities, introducing its joint fundraising model into the iGaming space for the first time.

Now coming towards the end of its second year of licensed operations, Ontario has emerged as one of the largest iGaming markets in North America, second only to New Jersey according to data supplied by Vixio. The first and as yet only Canadian province to launch a regulated market, Ontario boasts more than 1.6 million active player accounts spread over 40 plus operators, generating €1.3 billion in Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) in its first year of trading, with this data supplied by iGaming Ontario.

Andrew Cochrane, Chief Business Officer of GiG, said: “GiG continues to set the pace with a strong cadence of brand launches in 2024, and I’m pleased that when operators are seeking platform solutions in regulated markets, GiG is leading the pack. Our partnership with Casino Time, will help deliver something new and exciting to the Ontarian market, and further helps to demonstrate the flexibility of our solutions, adapting to match the regional aspirations of our partners to deliver growth.”

D’Arcy Stuart, CEO of Casino Time, said: “We are thrilled to partner with GiG as the core technology provider of our iGaming platform. Their powerful suite of player engagement tools, as well as diverse content and regulatory integrations, underpin our ability to serve and delight our player community. Our hybrid online and offline customer network, as well as unique bingo offerings, will drive exciting opportunities as the platform and the marketplace continues to grow.”