Gaming
modl.ai unveils Puzzle Maker – an AI-based development tool uniquely designed to support the demand for Match-3 puzzle levels
modl.ai’s latest AI-based development tool gives match-3 level designers the ability to generate hundreds of ready to use game levels overnight, removing a major time and resource bottleneck
Danish AI company modl.ai has unveiled Puzzle Maker, a new game development tool that uses AI and Machine Learning to help the developers of match-3 puzzle games meet the ongoing challenge of creating enough new levels to keep players engaged. Whereas a specialist level designer might be able to design one or two levels in a day, Puzzle Maker can generate hundreds of levels in just a few days, hugely reducing the human time and cost of supporting these games.
Match-3 games are some of the world’s most popular games – particularly on mobile – with examples like Candy Crush Saga, Gardenscapes and Bejeweled Blitz downloaded hundreds of millions of times. According to game analytics company GameRefinery, match-3 games are so popular that they make up 16% of all mobile game revenues on the US Apple app store.
To give some idea of how important level creation is to these games, Candy Crush Saga currently has more than 9000 levels – with more added on a weekly basis. Any ability to automate the level design and creation process therefore has the potential to save developers considerable time and money.
Unlike other types of puzzle, match-3 games don’t have a single solution – meaning they are very hard to create using automated software. modl.ai’s approach was to create two AI-based tools: a content generator and a level tester that, when used together, solve many of the challenges of creating a constant flow of game levels.
Puzzle Maker’s content generator is based on procedural content generation via machine learning (PCGML), meaning that it learns from existing levels and also improves the more levels it creates, with as few as 100 levels needed to complete the training phase. Each level the tool creates can be customised through a dashboard where the level designer can set a variety of parameters, from the size of the playing canvas to the kinds of puzzle pieces and challenges in each level.
Once levels have been generated, Puzzle Maker tests each level with AI bots to understand how many moves it takes to complete a level, the time it takes to complete, the number of reshuffles required and even the predicted likelihood that players will win the level – a key part of keeping players engaged over time. This data provides developers with insights into each level’s difficulty and provides characterisations of the structural level features such as the ratios of piece types and their distribution. All of this information is displayed to the level designer, who can review each one and decide if they are good enough to be included in the actual game. If they are, the code for the level is generated ready to be added.
“Match-3 games are often seen as simple and only for casual gamers, but in reality they are very clever and complex. This means that developers have relied on skilled level designers to keep coming up with fresh designs, and the only way to make more levels is to hire more level designers. We saw an opportunity to bring a new approach,” said Christoffer Holmgård, CEO at modl.ai. “By giving level designers a tool like Puzzle Maker, they get to use their expertise to know what their audience will love, but without the hours of trial and error work that we’ve automated. By solving the quantity problem, developers can focus on the quality.”
modl.ai was founded by a talented and diverse team of game developers, engineers and AI experts who saw the opportunity to use AI to automate and improve aspects of the game development process. Between them, the company founders have been involved in the development and launch of more than 30 games. Despite being less than three years old, modl.ai ranks second in the world among private companies for the number of technical game publications its team has authored.
You can find out more at www.modl.ai.
Riot Games has announced the launch of Legends Ascend South Asia in association with Aftermath Ventures. Kicking off on April 27, the tournament will be an open-for-all, online-only amateur competition, marking a bold new chapter for competitive League of Legends in the region.
Legends Ascend South Asia runs for four months and features a robust tournament structure, including three open qualifiers, a round-robin league stage, and double-elimination playoffs. With a prize pool of INR 10,00,000, the tournament reflects a strong commitment to building a structured and credible competitive scene for League of Legends players in the region. The winning team will also qualify for the League of Legends Championship Pacific (LCP) Wildcard Playoffs, where teams will battle for a place in the LCP promotion and relegation tournament.
Speaking on the upcoming Legends Ascend, Arun Rajappa, Country Manager India & South Asia, Riot Games, said: “Legends Ascend is about giving players in South Asia a real shot at competitive League of Legends. It’s a step towards building a stronger, more connected community where players and fans can all find more ways to play, engage, grow, and be part of something bigger.”
Tailored for the region’s core League of Legends players, Legends Ascend offers a structured, high-intensity environment that rewards skill, strategy, and consistency. Open to teams from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, and the Maldives, the tournament presents a global competitive model, delivering a professional experience from start to finish. Teams can sign up for open qualifier #1 by registering here.
Mansoor ‘Nabu’ Ahmed, Founder & CEO, Aftermath Ventures, said: “Legends Ascend South Asia is more than just a tournament—it’s a platform built to empower a new generation of League players in the region. From playing the game ourselves to now hosting it for the community, this moment is incredibly special. Our partnership with Riot Games marks a milestone in our mission to create consistent, high-quality opportunities for emerging talent. We’re excited to see South Asia rise, compete, and make its mark on the global League of Legends stage.” All matches will be broadcast on Aftermath Ventures’ FragNation YouTube Channel, giving fans front-row access to every game-changing moment, clutch play, and underdog stories that could define the next breakout star.
The initiative is a step forward in Riot’s long-term mission to cultivate a sustainable competitive community in South Asia by creating more opportunities for amateur players in the region.
Legends Ascend South Asia: All You Need to Know
- Registration: Registrations for the Legends Ascend begin on April 27, 2025.
- Registration Link: Teams can sign up for open qualifier #1 by registering here.
- Tournament Format: Teams from across South Asia can compete through 3 Open Qualifiers, followed by a Round Robin League stage, and culminating in double-elimination playoffs.
- Duration: 27th April to 3rd Aug 2025
- Broadcast: Live Broadcast for Legends Ascend begins on May 4 on Aftermath Ventures’ FragNation YouTube Channel
- Prize Pool: INR 10,00,000
○ The winner also qualifies for the League of Legends Championship Pacific (LCP) Wildcard Playoffs.
Key Dates
- Open Qualifier #1:
○Registrations: 27th April to 3rd May
○Matches: 4th to 11 May
- Open Qualifier #2:
○Registrations: 12th to 17th May
○Matches: 18th to 25th May
- Open Qualifier #3:
○Registrations: 26th May to 31st May
○Matches:1st to 8th June
Round Robin League: 13th June to 20th July
Playoffs (Top 4 Double Elimination): 25th July to 3rd August
Join the Action
The Legends Ascend South Asia Amateur Online Championship is the beginning of a new chapter for League of Legends in the region. Whether you’re a player looking to prove your skill or a fan ready to cheer
for your favorite underdog, Legends Ascend invites everyone to witness the rise of South Asia’s next generation of League stars.
Stay tuned to Riot Games India & South Asia’s social channels and Aftermath Ventures’ FragNation YouTube channel for live match coverage, team stories, and tournament updates. Get ready for action-packed weekends as the Legends Ascend live broadcast goes live starting May 4, exclusively on the Fragnation YouTube channel.
The post Riot Games announces Legends Ascend South Asia appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
GGL set to systemize and monetize the world’s largest untapped entertainment audience – the over 3 billion people who play video games worldwide
Las Vegas, NV, April 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Global Gaming League (GGL), a global gaming entertainment and media company, announced today the raise of $10 million for its SAFE round led by Solyco Capital. GGL was founded by Grammy-nominated, multi-platinum music producer and entrepreneur Clinton Sparks, in partnership with music icon T-Pain and tech visionary Jeff Hoffman (Priceline, UBid, Booking.com).
The Global Gaming League is a first of its kind multi-title gaming league with celebrity owned teams made up of four players each – high profile influencers, actors, athletes, artists, casual and professional gamers – who compete in live events playing everything from first person shooter, sports titles and fighting games to the latest releases and retro favorites. The GGL is not an esports league – it’s a gaming entertainment league that brings together every style of play and every kind of player. It’s multigenerational, multicultural, and converges gaming, music, sports, fashion, celebrity, competition and culture.
“There are over 3 billion gamers around the world,” said Clinton Sparks, Founder and CEO of GGL. “But there’s still no centralized platform that gives everyday players the spotlight—while authentically connecting brands, celebrities, and competition in a way that’s truly entertaining. That’s where GGL comes in. Imagine the energy of the Super Bowl, the fandom of Comic-Con, and the culture of ComplexCon and Coachella. There is currently no place for investors to have any meaningful return on a gaming investment, brands to consistently get an ROI with gaming, publishers to expand their IP to new audiences, celebrities to have an authentic footprint in gaming and nothing set up for all gamers to build a career as a gamer, and have a chance to be recognized globally as true athletes. Until now.”
The GGL’s matches will take place at their state-of-the-art campus and arena in Las Vegas, the entertainment capital of the world and the home of the Global Gaming League. GGL’s studio facility The Campus powered by Vū, is set to elevate the city’s connection with the video gaming community forever. It is the most technologically advanced studio in the area, boasting the largest wrap-around digital screen in the Western U.S. (second only to Sphere) and 43,000 square feet of space with everything for Hollywood-level film and television production and VIP events of all kinds. GGL delivers unforgettable experiences, high-impact sponsorship moments, and a new entertainment format where the audience is just as important as the action.
“Everybody games,” said T-Pain, GGL Director of Strategy and team owner. “67% of people between the ages of 5 and 90 game in some form—in fact, more people watch video gaming than any sport (short of the NFL). 46% of gamers are female, colleges give scholarships for gaming now. and the average gamer is 36 years old, despite most thinking it’s only for kids. Gaming is a faster, cheaper and safer path to success than traditional sports.”
The Global Gaming League is providing real opportunity for gamers around the world to be drafted and earn a salary as a player on a celebrity owned team through the global nomination submission process where gamers can log on to globalgamingleague.com and sign up. Since announcing this, the league has over a quarter of a million entries to play for one of the celebrity-owned teams.
The first team owners to be revealed include:
- T-Pain – Grammy-winning artist and beloved voice in gaming culture
- Bryce Hall – TikTok star, Bare Knuckle brawler and digital entrepreneur
- Flavor Flav – Hip hop legend, reality show icon, and official host of the Olympics
- Ric Flair – 16-time world champion legendary professional wrestler known for his flamboyant personality and signature catchphrase, “Wooooo!”
GGL will be announcing more team owners in the coming weeks pulling from music, film, sports, fashion, social media and gaming.
Game time is the new prime time.
Gaming is projected to surpass $300 billion by 2026—outpacing TV, film, and music combined. But it’s not just the revenue—it’s the attention. Unlike traditional media, where viewers are distracted, multitasking, or skipping ads, gaming commands full focus. There’s no second screen. No passive scrolling. Just millions of fully immersed fans, locked in and actively engaged.
For brands, this isn’t just a new channel—it’s a new kind of consumer. One who’s not just watching, but participating. One who’s emotionally invested in the moment and wide open to authentic brand experiences that enhance gameplay rather than interrupt it. This is where advertising stops feeling like an ad—and starts becoming part of the story.
“Gaming is a blue ocean opportunity for brands, investors, and new business. Gamers spend 30% more on retail than non-gamers and that number goes up in key categories like automobiles, travel and technology,” said John Garcia, Founder and Managing Partner of Solyco Capital. “Gamers don’t just play—they influence. Today’s gamer spans generations and lifestyles. They watch, buy, and move culture. When I met Clinton Sparks and listened to his vision, I knew this wasn’t just another business idea—it’s a key future in media.”
More Than a League — A Launchpad for Talent, Education, and Opportunity
The launch also includes the GGL Academy—a first-of-its-kind initiative focused on empowering advancement through gaming education, career pathways, and scholarship opportunities. The Academy is built to train, mentor, and connect aspiring gamers, creators, and professionals to real-world roles across the gaming, entertainment, and tech industries.
Strategic partnerships with NYU, UNLV, and Syracuse are already underway, building a direct pipeline from the classroom to the arena. With 74% of Gen Z expressing interest in careers in gaming or digital media, GGL is creating the infrastructure to meet that demand—especially in underserved communities where access to opportunity has been historically limited.
“I came out of retirement for this,” said Jeff Hoffman, GGL Chairman of the Board. “Because this isn’t just about gaming—it’s about access. GGL has the power to connect cultures, build international bridges, uplift underserved communities and close age gaps. And it’s not just meaningful—it’s good business. We’re building a platform that can monetize at scale while making a positive impact. That’s rare, and that’s why I’m all in.”
Sparks adds, “The Global Gaming League is positioned to make gaming a household name in the same manner that the WWE did with wrestling and the UFC did with mixed martial arts, by systemizing and democratizing an industry that already exists with billions of users and hundreds of billions already being generated. Get familiar with the Global Gaming League.”
About Global Gaming League:
GGL is a new kind of league—where gaming, culture, music, sports, fashion, and reality TV collide. With celebrity-led teams, live competitions, global fan engagement, and next-gen media experiences, GGL is building the first entertainment system for the world’s largest and most engaged audience. More info at globalgamingleague.com.
About Solyco Capital:
Solyco Capital is a unique private equity group that delivers capital solutions for late-stage startup and growth companies. Headquartered in Detroit, with offices in Orange County, Dallas, and Miami, Solyco supports high-growth companies with operational guidance through Solyco Advisors. Learn more at solycocapital.com.
Visit: GlobalGamingLeague.com
Press Contact: [email protected]
Business Inquiries: [email protected]
Attachment
CONTACT: Press Contact: [email protected] Business Inquiries: [email protected]
FRVR, a global web-based game distribution company providing instant access to thousands of games, has today announced a collaboration with k-ID, a company committed to protecting and empowering kids and teens through age-appropriate online experiences. The partnership will see k-ID’s first-of-its-kind global compliance engine integrated into one of FRVR’s most popular online games, Krunker.
Acquired by FRVR in 2022, Krunker is a free-to-play first person shooter with a large, engaged community of 3 million monthly active players. The integration of k-ID’s safety and privacy compliance technology ensures rigorous online protection for Krunker’s younger players, creating a blueprint for other web-based games and platforms to follow.
k-ID utilizes an age gate as the first line of defense in age verification, providing a simple and intuitive way for users to declare their age. It also offers an optimized, low-friction Verifiable Parental Consent (VPC) flow, which obtains and manages parental consent in a way that meets global regulatory requirements and adapts based on the user’s location. Together, these solutions ensure that every player on Krunker receives an age-appropriate experience while gaming.
Web-based gaming experienced an initial peak in the mid-2000s with games made in Flash. Driven by technological and legislative advances, web games made primarily with HTML5 are projected to become an $8 billion market in 2025. At the same time, laws such as the UK’s Online Safety Act and the EU’s Digital Services Act aim to create safer digital spaces for children. With its collaboration with k-ID, FRVR doubles down on its commitment to foster a better environment for kids and teens online — both on their platform and the wider web.
Quentin Staes-Polet, CEO of FRVR, said:
“As the web gaming sector continues to grow, FRVR is dedicated to ensuring young players have secure spaces to have fun and express themselves online. We’re thrilled to collaborate with k-ID, who bring the best in class tools we need to provide a safer and more responsible experience in Krunker.”
Kieran Donovan, Co-founder & CEO of k-ID, said:
“We are thrilled to help empower and protect the large, engaged community in Krunker. At our core, we’re driven by a mission to deliver empowering, safe experiences that resonate deeply with kids, teens, and everyone. What I love most about Krunker is its accessibility—it’s easy to pick up and naturally creates entertainment and connection between players.”
This fresh collaboration follows recent successes for both companies, with FRVR securing $13.2 million towards its AI engine, Upit, and k-ID being named one of the 2025 AI Gamechangers.
The post FRVR Integrates k-ID into Krunker, Setting a New Standard for Child Safety in Web Gaming appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
-
Baltics2 weeks agoPlayson powers ahead in Europe with Fenikss partnership
-
Africa3 weeks ago
Springbok Casino is Offering 25 Free Spins in Honour of South Africa’s Top 5 Wild Egg Hunters
-
Latin America3 weeks ago
Paysecure expands reach across LATAM, showcasing solutions at SIGMA Americas
-
Amusnet3 weeks ago
Amusnet to Participate in the Third Edition of SiGMA Americas
-
Balkans2 weeks ago
CT Gaming Expands in Macedonia with a Landmark Installation
-
Central Europe3 weeks ago
Digitain Partners with Gamingtec to Expand Presence in Europe
-
Australia3 weeks ago
Changes to Tipping Off Offence Came into Effect in Australia
-
Africa4 weeks ago
EGT Digital continues to hit milestones in Africa
