Gaming
SANDSOFT GAMES STRENGTHENS GLOBAL TEAM WITH MAJOR HIRE FROM META
![sandsoft-games-strengthens-global-team-with-major-hire-from-meta](https://gamingnewsroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/115577-sandsoft-games-strengthens-global-team-with-major-hire-from-meta.png)
Sandsoft Games, the mobile-first game developer, publisher and investor powered by AAA talent, announces the appointment of Ahmed Sharif, formerly Meta’s Head of AR, VR, Metaverse Automation and Platform Engineering, as its new Chief Technology Officer.
Ahmed’s appointment is another significant milestone in Sandsoft’s trajectory to becoming a leading global mobile gaming powerhouse. The experienced leader will drive technology and innovation across the business, which has a diverse global team of more than 50 people across its headquarters in Riyadh and offices in Barcelona, Helsinki and Shanghai. Ahmed will focus on enhancing and scaling the Sandsoft Publishing Platform while providing technical direction for Sandsoft’s in-house game development, supporting and guiding the studio and engineering teams in their development journeys.
As a senior engineering leader and strategist, Ahmed brings to his role at Sandsoft extensive experience of building software and hardware to power gaming experiences. His career to-date encompasses top gaming brands such as EA, Sony Interactive Entertainment and Criterion Games, and titles such as Need for Speed and Pearl’s Peril. As well as shipping the Meta Quest 2 globally, Ahmed’s portfolio includes the development of PSVR1, PS4 and PS4 Pro, and EA’s Frostbite game engine.
David Fernandez, CEO of Sandsoft Games, commented:
“It goes without saying that Ahmed is a significant hire for Sandsoft. He has spearheaded engineering strategy for many of the most recognizable commercial technology products and worked on globally renowned gaming titles. I’m excited to welcome him to the team and convinced that he’ll play a major role in driving the next phase of Sandsoft’s growth.”
Ahmed Sharif, Chief Technology Officer at Sandsoft, commented:
“Throughout my career I’ve worked on technology and content that delivers unforgettable gaming experiences. Sandsoft’s commitment to creating engaging and diverse games aligns really well with that objective, with a team that brings the best of cross-platform gaming to accessible, mobile-first environments. I believe Sandsoft is primed to become a leader in the global games industry and I’m looking forward to playing my part.”
Sandsoft Games recently announced its partnership with Jam City, one of mobile gaming’s most successful publishers, to support the global launch of DC Heroes & Villains and publish the title in the Middle East and North Africa markets.
Gaming
Bitblox bridges the gap between games of chance and games of skill
![bitblox-bridges-the-gap-between-games-of-chance-and-games-of-skill](https://gamingnewsroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/129099-bitblox-bridges-the-gap-between-games-of-chance-and-games-of-skill.png)
From nodes to NFTs there’s a lot to learn in the often intimidating world of cryptocurrency, but innovative crypto predictions games provider Bitblox is here to make testing your token knowledge a fun and rewarding experience with its all-new price-based competitions.
Conceived as a way to introduce engaging, crypto-oriented content to the masses, the unique games provided by Bitblox combine elements of both chance and skill, meaning they hold equal appeal for those with knowledge of the market and those who are totally new to cryptocurrency.
Licensed in the Isle of Man, the company is pitched at operators and aggregators and will begin rolling out its titles in regulated markets in the coming weeks. This means online betting platforms will soon be able to provide players with access to an exciting range of Bitblox games that are all based on their ability to correctly predict the value of a specific token over a set period of time.
Among the provider’s current options, operators will be able to choose from Up or Down and Up or Down Turbo – both of which challenge bettors to predict whether the value of a cryptocurrency will increase or decrease over a 60 or 20 second interval – and 3 in a Row, which enhances this concept by allowing players to combine three different outcomes for massively increased prizes.
To generate further interest among casino players who are perhaps new to cryptocurrency, Bitblox also offers BitSlap – a game which introduces fun characters to the betting experience, making it more light-hearted and creating multiple potential branding opportunities for operators.
Though all games are currently available in pool betting format, Bitblox has already announced that it intends to introduce fixed odds betting to its titles in the near future, with this enabling each operator to set their own prices. On top of that, the company is also exploring the possibility of adding both free-to-play and real money tournament versions of its existing content, with this added social aspect having huge potential to boost engagement and uptake among new players.
Brandt Page, CEO at Bitblox, said: “We know the world of cryptocurrency can often be a little daunting to the uninitiated, but with its fun and engaging price prediction games, Bitblox intends to create a new way of betting where players of all experience levels can profit.
“Combining elements of skill and luck, unique games like Up or Down provide the perfect stage for crypto aficionados to capitalise on their know-how while also offering an exciting and informative way for newcomers to learn as they play. With four titles already available and more to come in 2024, we’re sure they’ll change the way operators think about crypto-based betting.”
The post Bitblox bridges the gap between games of chance and games of skill appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Africa
INCENTIVE GAMES PARTNERS WITH ODIBETS TO RELEASE NEW SUITE OF CRASH GAMES
![incentive-games-partners-with-odibets-to-release-new-suite-of-crash-games](https://gamingnewsroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/129101-incentive-games-partners-with-odibets-to-release-new-suite-of-crash-games.png)
OdiBets, one of Africa’s largest and most trusted betting operators announces new partnership with leading B2B games provider and acquisition and retention specialists, Incentive Games.
Through this collaboration, Incentive Games will integrate their bespoke Velocity crash games system to OdiBets’ platform, launching in the summer of 2024.
The launch will encompass a dynamic mix of gaming options, including:
- Free-to-play Velocity crash game: This engaging format will allow players to experience the excitement of crash gameplay without financial risk.
- Several pay-to-play crash games: OdiBets’ customers will have access to a selection of thrilling pay-to-play crash games, offering a chance to win cash prizes.
Incentive Games’ expert developers have meticulously crafted this suite to seamlessly align with OdiBets’ platform, guaranteeing a smooth player experience. Once live, the Incentive Labs team – a dedicated group of R&D, data, and AI specialists – will work behind the scenes to analyse user behaviour and preferences. This allows for ongoing optimisation and personalisation, ensuring OdiBets’ players receive the most engaging and rewarding crash game experience.
John Gordon, CEO of Incentive Games, said, “We are delighted to partner with OdiBets, a leading force in the African gaming market. Their commitment to providing an exceptional player experience aligns perfectly with our vision at Incentive Games. We’re confident that our innovative crash games will provide an entirely new level of entertainment and help solidify their position as a top gaming destination in Africa.”
Wilson Gichuki, Head of Product at OdiBets, said, “We are thrilled to join forces with Incentive Games. Their expertise in gamification will significantly enrich our platform, offering our users more interactive and enjoyable betting experiences. This alliance aligns with Odibets’ goal to deliver cutting-edge gaming solutions and diversify its entertainment options for its customers and the gaming industry.”
The post INCENTIVE GAMES PARTNERS WITH ODIBETS TO RELEASE NEW SUITE OF CRASH GAMES appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Gaming
Azerion Announces Launch of Habbo Hotel: Origins
![azerion-announces-launch-of-habbo-hotel:-origins](https://gamingnewsroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/128979-azerion-announces-launch-of-habbo-hotel-origins.png)
Azerion proudly announces the launch of Habbo Hotel: Origins, inviting players to relive the magic of the iconic virtual world as it existed in 2005. This thrilling release marks a major milestone in online gaming history, inviting players to experience the original charm and magic of the early Habbo Hotel.
Habbo Hotel: Origins allows players to relive the magic of the original Habbo experience, meticulously recreated to mirror its 2005 counterpart. With a focus on authenticity and community engagement, it provides players with a genuine and immersive gaming experience that captures the essence of the early days of Habbo. By fostering community involvement and preserving the nostalgia of 2005, we aim to reignite the passion of longtime fans and introduce new players to the charm of Habbo.
Today, we invite players to step back in time and experience the nostalgia of Habbo Hotel Origins. Featuring an authentic recreation of the game from 2005, this launch promises a fresh, community-driven approach to gameplay.
Exciting Features Await:
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Users can launch the client from the Habbo Hotel Origins website.
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Habbo Hotel Origins will host three hotels catering to English, Portuguese, and Spanish-speaking players.
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As an 18+ game, Habbo Hotel Origins marks a deliberate shift in the target audience, offering a more mature and immersive experience. While retaining the essence of 2005, Habbo Hotel: Origins introduces necessary updates to comply with modern safety regulations. These include revisions to the call for help flow, additional profile options for enhanced privacy control, GDPR support for data management, and mandatory TOTP registration/login to bolster account security.
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A Community-Led Journey: In a departure from convention, Habbo Hotel: Origins will adopt a community-led approach to development. In the InfoBus Park room, important questions about development and direction will be posed, with players empowered to vote on these questions and influence decisions, actively shaping the future of the game.
“We couldn’t be more excited to present Habbo Hotel: Origins to our players worldwide,” said Jurriaan van Teunenbroek, VP of Games and Content at Azerion. “This release is the culmination of countless hours of hard work and dedication from the Habbo team, highlighting the enduring legacy of Habbo. We invite players from across the globe to join us on this nostalgic journey and take a trip down memory lane with Habbo Hotel: Origins.”
“I am very excited that we are able to release something that the community has been asking for years. Now everyone come and see what made Habbo popular all those years ago!” continued Mika Timonen, Product Director of Habbo.
The post Azerion Announces Launch of Habbo Hotel: Origins appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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