Gaming
Hamburg Games Conference releases program for March 1 & 2: 30+ speakers, expo, pitch competition, matchmaking & networking
An extensive program as well as the ideal opportunity for matchmaking with the German and international games industry awaits guests of the 14th Hamburg Games Conference on March 1 & 2. The main track focuses on the topic “Invest in Games”, a second track offers talks on dev, start-up, and financing topics. The complete program overview can be found on the conference website. Newly confirmed program highlights include the opening keynote by Stephanie Marchand (Behaviour Interactive, Canada), as well as panel discussions on salary transparency, M&A trends, marketing, and work for hire. Tickets for the Hamburg Games Conference 2023 are available online.
How do a strong culture and a balanced strategy help Canada’s largest indie studio with over 1,000 employees to successfully operate in the market as an independent player after 30 years? This question will be the focus of Stephanie Marchand‘s (VP Production at Behaviour Interactive) keynote titled “Behaviour Interactive – 30 years of independence and loving it!”, which will kick off the conference.
Overall, the Hamburg Games Conference is again strengthening its international relevance this year: Among the conference guests are numerous decision-makers from the international games industry, represented by companies such as MTG, InnoGames, Endava, Humble Bundle, Behaviour Interactive, Assemble Entertainment, DDM, BLN Capital or Exit Games / Photon Engine.
New talks and three panel discussions for main track “Invest in Games”
For the main track on “Invest in Games”, moderated by Prof. Dr. Christian Rauda (GRAEF Rechtsanwälte), talks by Matthew Short (Managing Director of investment bank Aream & Co.) on the development of the games market in the light of M&A deals and consolidation, and by Christopher Chancey (Founder & CEO ManaVoid Entertainment & Co-Founder Indie Asylum) on the successful concept of the indie accelerator he co-founded have been added to the schedule.
Three new panel discussions with seasoned experts and notable industry personnel promise valuable insights and exciting discussions:
Arnd Benninghoff (EVP of Gaming at MTG), Janosch Kühn (founder of BLN Capital), Ole Schaper (CTO at Sviper) will discuss the topic “M&A in the Games Industry: Current Market Trends and Outlook for 2023 and Beyond”. The panel will be moderated by Shum Singh (Managing Director and Founder of Agnitio Capital).
In the HR panel “Money Talks – We talk money”, moderated by Spiegel editor Florian Gontek, Dr. Andreas Lieb (HR Director at InnoGames), Alexander Krug (CEO of Softgames), Susan J. Moldenhauer (career coach, consultant, and author) and Steffen Behn (CEO at celebrate company) will exchange views on the topic of salary transparency.
Furthermore, Thorsten Hamdorf (Director Publisher Relations at Jung von Matt Nerd), Nikolas Angerstein (Deputy Managing Director at MSM.digital), Dirk Ludewig (CEO of NerdStar) and John-Dustin Martin (Founder & CEO of 1UP Management) will examine the challenges of games marketing in the post-pandemic era together.
Additionally, DZ Bank will contribute an exclusive workshop titled “Crafting your equity story: Show investors that you are a gem” to the program.
Further new talks and program items in the second conference track
The agenda for the second conference track on dev, startup and funding topics was extended as well: Jasmin Pfeiffer (Co-Founder of DigiTales Interactive) will recap game design and writing of the indie hit Lacuna, Ata Sergey Nowak (Managing Director of Torpor Games) will report on learnings from porting their award-winning game Souzerain, and freelance tech artist Casilda de Zulueta will give insights into the highs and lows of turning your passion into a source of income.
An overview of the funding landscape in Hamburg and opportunities for young studios offers a talk by James Rucks and Clemens Runge (founders of Soapbox Interactive), and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection will give a presentation on federal computer games funding.
An additional panel discussion with, among others, representatives from Endava and indie studio THREAKS will address the topic “Work for Hire”.
A special opportunity for indie studios is the “Pitch Royal“, where developers can present their projects in front of a jury of publishers (among others, Catherine Bygrave, Director Publishing, Strategy & Growth at Humble Games, Jerome Zenker, Business Development Manager at Assemble Entertainment, and Philipp Döschl, Co-Founder and Executive Producer at FDG Entertainment) as well as the organization team of the Indie Arena Booth to win a free spot at the joint booth at gamescom.
Networking, matchmaking, get-together and expo area round off the program
In addition to the extensive talks and panel schedule, networking and matchmaking are a focus of the Hamburg Games Conference. For the first time since 2020, the organizers Gamecity Hamburg and GRAEF Rechtsanwälte together with the executing event agency Super Crowd Entertainment will hold the conference as a 100% on-site event. Also, there will be two days of on-site program for the first time in the conference’s history.
To effectively broaden their networks, conference guests can use the digital matchmaking tool MeetToMatch to find valuable new contacts already ahead of the conference and schedule in-person meetings in the conference’s business area. The get-together on the evening of the first conference day will additionally be an ideal opportunity to network in a relaxed atmosphere.
On both days of the conference, (indie) studios and service providers from the games sector will present themselves to the conference audience in the Expo Area.
Conference tickets available online
Tickets for the Hamburg Games Conference 2023 are available for purchase.
The business ticket for 299 euros includes access to the two-day conference program as well as the opportunity to arrange meetings with other conference guests and make valuable new contacts via the digital matchmaking system MeetToMatch.
Start-up tickets are available exclusively for small enterprises and start-up companies. They allow participation in the entire conference program as well as use of MeetToMatch at the discounted price of 149 euros.
Students can participate in the conference program for 25 euros.
All current information on the Hamburg Games Conference is available on the website.
Gaming
Knife Drop by Galaxsys: Unique Gameplay, Guaranteed Wins

The game also features a Bonus Game, which is triggered by hitting apples that randomly appear on the target. Each successful hit fills the progress bar, and once 30 apples are collected, the bonus round begins.
Every knife throw guarantees a win, with no losing outcomes, providing a highly rewarding experience.
The Bonus Game becomes available once 30 apples are collected, offering players an opportunity for bigger rewards.
With the Auto Bet feature, players can set their optimal bet preferences and let the system place bets automatically.
The Lucky Boost feature increases the player’s bet by 50%, offering greater chances for larger payouts.
FreeBet and FreeAmount bonuses allow players to enjoy extra winning opportunities, with terms set by the operator.
The post Knife Drop by Galaxsys: Unique Gameplay, Guaranteed Wins appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Gaming
Gaming Corps debuts a golf-themed instant win game that puts players in full control of their swing
Gaming Corps – a publicly-listed game development company based in Sweden, is excited to announce the release of its latest casino title, Golf Champion – a golf-themed game packed with strategic thrills, immersive play, and Gaming Corps’ innovative X-MY-WAY™ mechanic.
Golf Champion invites players to hit the virtual fairway, where every shot could lead to serious rewards. Combining the finesse of golf with the high-stakes energy of casino gaming, the game delivers a fresh and dynamic experience tailored to suit every playing style. Whether players choose to chip it safe or drive it long, every swing offers a chance to win up to 1,000x their bet.
At the core of the experience is the X-MY-WAY™ mechanic, designed to put power directly in the player’s hands. This feature allows users to tailor their risk-and-reward strategy with complete freedom. With a range of bet options players can choose to play it safe, cashing out with smaller multipliers, or push their luck with riskier shots for the chance to land big wins, all the way up to a 1,000x multiplier.
Every shot is a deliberate decision, offering a level of interactivity and personalisation that sets Golf Champion apart from traditional instant win games.
Alexander Mavroudis, Product Owner at Gaming Corps said: “Golf Champion is all about putting players in control. With the X-MY-WAY™ mechanic, we’re giving them the tools to choose their playstyle, just like reading the green before a big putt. It’s a perfect blend of chance, choice, and excitement—and we think players are going to love every moment.”
Available in 28 languages, with instant win payouts Golf Champion tees up a compelling addition to Gaming Corps’ growing portfolio of player-first, action-driven content.
The post Gaming Corps debuts a golf-themed instant win game that puts players in full control of their swing appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Gaming
Physics-Based Strategy Meets Mixed Reality: Battle Orb Redefines Competitive Gaming

MixRift unveils brand new strategic PvP arena gaming experience
MixRift, an innovative mixed reality (MR) gaming developer, today announced the official launch of Battle Orb, a competitive strategy game which invites players to challenge each other and transform their physical surroundings into dynamic battlefields. Available now for Meta Quest platforms, Battle Orb represents the next evolution in mutli-player MR gaming.
A first PvP game for MixRift, Battle Orb allows players to step into immersive arenas where physical and digital worlds collide. Skill meets chaos in this fast-paced multiplayer strategy game, which challenges players to aim, shoot, and dominate with speed and precision across customized battlefields, combining tactical thinking with physics-based gameplay. Every hit counts as players collide, strategise and outplay opponents from around the world, from the comfort of their own homes. Players can compete in 2-player or 4-player battles, earn trophies, unlock and upgrade powerful units, and master unique arenas to climb the leaderboard.
“With Battle Orb, we’re not just launching a game, we’re basically turning your living room into a fantasy battleground.” said Bobby Voicu, CEO of MixRift. “We wanted to create something where anyone can jump in and start having fun in seconds, but that you could also master and keep replaying. I think this is what the future of gaming looks like, and it’s a blast!”
Key Features:
- HD Graphics: Cutting-edge MR design technology creates a truly immersive gaming experience
- Creative Character Options: Choose from tens of monsters, creatures, and cartoons to play with – each one zanier than the last
- Real-Time PvP Action: Face-off in 2-player or 4-player matches full of high-stakes action
- Physics Meets Strategy: Master the perfect angle, power, and timing to outmaneuver opponents, and perfect your shots to climb through the ranks
- Unique Units & Powers: Earn wins and open loot chests to unlock and upgrade special characters and abilities
- Environmental Integration: Scale your battlefield to fit any space, turning living rooms into competitive arenas
- Competitive Progression: Climb global leaderboards through a rewarding rank system and prove you’re the righteous winner
The game’s intuitive controls ensure players of all skill levels can jump in immediately, while the strategic elements provide long-term engagement for competitive gamers. Battle Orb’s intuitive and quick matchmaking system means players are matched with others in similar ranks within seconds.
Battle Orb has been designed with comfort and safety in mind, earning a “Comfortable” rating and PEGI 3 classification, making it appropriate for players of all ages while still delivering compelling gameplay for serious competitors.
“We’ve created Battle Orb to be a really special mixed-reality competitive experience,” said Voicu. “The way it transforms your physical environment into a strategic battlefield creates moments of gaming magic that simply aren’t possible in traditional formats.”
Availability:
Battle Orb is available now on the Meta Quest Store for Meta Quest 3S, Meta Quest 3, and Meta Quest 2 platforms. The game requires an internet connection for its online features.
For more information, visit https://mixrift.com/ or follow MixRift on social media for updates, tournaments, and community highlights.
The post Physics-Based Strategy Meets Mixed Reality: Battle Orb Redefines Competitive Gaming appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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