Games Global has signed an exclusive deal with UFC, the world’s premier mixed martial arts organisation, for the development of branded content influenced by the popular sports brand.

Games Global will produce unique UFC-themed slot titles over a three-year period, with the first title scheduled for release and ready for a global rollout in July of this year, following an exclusive soft launch in May.

UFC is a globally recognised sports brand with more than 700 million fans and approximately 260 million social media followers. The organisation produces more than 40 live events annually in some of the most prestigious arenas around the world while broadcasting to over 975 million TV households across more than 170 countries.

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As UFC has a similar target audience to Games Global, the deal provides many great partnership opportunities including the ability to collaborate on new game titles with the goal of allowing both parties to recruit new players and fans. UFC will promote and support the launch of the games via its global marketing ecosystem.

Andy Booth, Chief Product Officer at Games Global, said: “Games Global is thrilled to announce this knockout partnership with UFC, bringing the Octagon to life across multiple epic slot titles in the next few years. This exclusive deal allows us to develop UFC-themed online slots for millions of UFC fans who share our passion for action and excitement. Partnering with UFC, one of the most popular sports brands in the world, is significant for us and we look forward to showcasing our first title to the world in the coming months.”

Tracey Bleczinski, SVP of Licencing at UFC, said: “At UFC, we’re always looking for innovative ways to engage with our passionate fanbase around the world. This exciting new partnership with Games Global allows us to do just that by bringing the intensity and energy of the Octagon to life through unique UFC-themed slot titles. We believe that these games will be a hit with fight fans everywhere, and we are proud to be working with Games Global, a leading provider and distributor of iGaming content, to deliver this world-class entertainment experience.”

Leading iGaming publisher Yggdrasil and YGG Masters partner Peter & Sons have shaken up the pirate slot genre with Gunpowder, a battle for oceanic supremacy with a hold full of rich naval-inspired features.

A volatile slot with 10 paylines, Gunpowder promises sticky wilds elevated with respins for the bravest of seadogs. A powerful free spins game sees the Phantom Power feature and retriggers wrapped up in the signature polished animation that Peter & Sons is renowned for.

The theme pits several competing naval vessels against each other in a cutthroat high-stakes battle to decide the ruler of the waves, including ghost ships that use the ethereal power of phantoms to tip the scales in their favour.

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Triggered randomly in the base game, Phantom Power comes into its own when a wild lands, initiating a respin. The wild will then battle all high-value symbols surrounding it. The defeated vessel transforms into additional wilds if victorious, with an extra respin awarded.

The main game can also see scatters land on the reels with three or more of them launching the free spins game. Wilds are sticky and remain in play until the bonus round has finished. When all reels include a wild, free spins are retriggered, awarding five extra spins.

Offering the chance at even greater rewards, the Golden Bet empowers players who pay x0.5 extra per bet and increases the chance of getting sticky wilds in the main game or triggering free spins.

Gunpowder is powered by GATI, Yggdrasil’s state-of-the-art technology enabling partners to employ the preconfigured, regulation-ready, standardised development toolkit to consistently produce cutting-edge content followed by rapid distribution.

Zoe Bird, Senior Product & Program Manager at Yggdrasil, said: “Peter & Sons games are unmistakable for their incredibly rich design and attention to detail, not only in their animation but in their feature sets too. Gunpowder continues these standards and broadens our YGG Masters game library with another hit.”

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Yann Bautista, Commercial Director & Founder at Peter & Sons, said: “Gunpowder brings the sights and sounds of classic naval battles to the reels! An incredibly fun game, the Phantom Power feature is just one of the highlights that fire a broadside of gameplay into the new slots market. We’re sure it will be the ruler of the high seas!”