Gaming
Mobile gaming needs more talent to power the UK’s tech revival, claims industry expert

Fatih Haltas, founder of mobile game developer Matchingham Games, believes the UK could lose its European tech crown if action isn’t taken by industry and government to attract more investment and talent to the mobile gaming sector.
Haltas set up Matchingham Games in the UK in 2020 to tap into its established tech ecosystem. Since then, the company has grown to over 120 staff members and achieved nearly 500 million installs, but Haltas says mobile gaming developers still struggle to attract the best talent and institutional investment, which is stunting growth opportunities in the sector.
Haltas said: “The UK has done a fantastic job in cultivating a dynamic gaming sector, and we have the infrastructure to truly become a world leader in mobile gaming. We already have the biggest gaming market in Europe, but we must attract more talent and investment from the global giants like the US, Japan, and South Korea.”
Currently, firms can apply for employee sponsorship licences, but these require upfront payment and often come with long administrative processes. Haltas believes removing these financial barriers and offering targeted, streamlined gaming visas would attract crucial investment and talent to drive growth in mobile gaming and the wider UK tech sector.
He continued: “There has been commendable government action for the gaming sector as a whole, like the UK Games Fund and Video Games Tax Relief. Unfortunately, these aren’t targeted for the specific talent challenges in mobile gaming. Young developers are still drawn to the more high-profile console studios and titles.
“The UK’s gaming industry has established foundations and proven growth potential. With some surgical support in talent acquisition, like easing visa requirements for tech graduates from overseas, the industry can be left alone to do what it does best – developing market-leading games. This would lead to a surge of investment into the sector.”
Haltas believes another option available is increasing the Business Asset Disposal Relief (previously Entrepreneurs’ Relief) lifetime allowance from £1 million to its previous ceiling of £10 million, and argues this would encourage companies to relocate to the UK to develop their games and stimulate M&A activity in the sector.
Haltas’ intervention comes in the wake of Drake Star’s latest Global Gaming Report, which shows the UK lagging behind an uptick of M&A activity in the industry (full report).
Q3 saw the biggest strategics, like Tencent and Playtika, consolidating, and Q4 has seen the Activision/Microsoft merger finally close. While many commentators have questioned what the Microsoft deal means for the industry, Haltas insists the lack of M&A activity in the UK highlights how institutional investors don’t take mobile gaming as seriously as other markets.
Haltas continued: “The UK mobile gaming sector often presents more lucrative commercial opportunities than the console and the PC sector, yet investors consider it a second-rate form of gaming. This mindset needs to change.”
In 2022, the global market revenue for mobile games was $91.8 billion dollars; for console games it was only $52.2 billion (statista). Mobile also makes up a larger percentage of total gamers; in the US it’s estimated that 48.3% of the total population are mobile gamers (Insider Intelligence).
The Drake Star Q3 report details 42 deals in the mobile gaming sector, with a value totalling $316 million. Total gaming deals across both console and mobile are concentrated in North America, with 11, and Asia, with 13.
The increase in gaming deal flow in these markets follows the introduction of talent incentives. India’s AVCG incentives provide cash for companies developing content in India, and further support for those employing a 15% Indian workforce (Confederation of Indian Industry). Turkey provides cashback incentives for UA expenditure (Turkish Ministry of Commerce) and the UAE’s AD Gaming initiative provides support for locally developed games (AD Gaming). In a European context, some EU countries offer corporate tax relief.
HSBC Innovation Banking’s ‘Data Commons’ initiative with Dealroom outlines the state of the UK tech industry (full report). Whilst the UK leads the European market, with its startups having raised $8.9 billion so far this year, its European competitors are catching up as investment lags behind the European average.
Haltas believes the UK is now at a disadvantage to other markets and while the government’s recent autumn statement included measures to support British business, he’s calling for sector-specific support targeted at high-growth industries.
Haltas continued: “The UK’s mobile gaming sector now risks lagging behind other markets and while the impetus is on the industry to drive growth, a little push from the government could have knock-on effects that go beyond gaming.
“Bringing in the best talent in one tech sector inevitably attracts the best developers and designers in other areas, and this will be a massive draw for investment into UK tech. The UK’s mobile gaming industry could become a lightning rod of investment and capital, revitalising the wider UK tech ecosystem.”
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.
Asia
Gaming in India – The Rise of a New Billion-dollar Economic Powerhouse

(In order of appearance from left to right)
India is on the brink of witnessing a gaming revolution that is shaping the global industry. With 590 million gamers and industry projections estimating the market to reach INR 66,000 crores at a growth rate of 14.5%, as compared to the global growth of 8% (CAGR). India is now poised to become a billion dollar gaming powerhouse outpacing growth globally.
A large contributor to this sea change is mobile gaming. India has now become the second-largest mobile gaming market by downloads, with figures 3.5 times higher than the US or Brazil. As per a recent Lumikai report, 23 million new gamers from the country joined in FY24, with weekly playtime shooting up by a notable 30%. Backed by $2.8 billion in investments and significant job creation potential, gaming is becoming a key pillar of India’s digital economy.
Nitish Mittersain, CEO & Joint MD at Nazara Technologies, says that the evolution exceeds beyond mere numbers. He underscores, “In a world where gaming is becoming a cultural and economic force, India is no longer just a consumer market, but also becoming a maker. With scale, talent, and strategic capital, Indian companies are rewriting the rules, growing from local leaders to global powerhouses.”
The country’s mobile-first ecosystem, enormous internet penetration, and tech-savvy youth have made it a fertile ground for gaming, while what’s also changing is how games are being made, distributed, and funded.
According to Anuj Tandon, Partner India & UAE at BITKRAFT Ventures, “The Indian gaming industry is experiencing a significant resurgence. A large talent pool and innovative narrative developers are fostering ecosystem expansion, leading to the creation of globally marketable games. Recognizing the emerging prominence of the Indian market, BITKRAFT is looking to make strategic investments to support its development as a vital contributor to the international gaming & entertainment sector.”
With the gaming sector in India empowering the larger community, content, and creators across the country, games are increasingly interactive among larger audiences, and platforms are working to intrigue new-age streamers and influencers from tier 2 & 3 cities in India.
Speaking about the shift in the Indian gaming market, Piyush, Founder & CEO of Rooter, “India has witnessed a significant surge in in-app purchases by gamers over the past three years, driving industry revenue growth at a 40% CAGR. Once a challenging market to monetize, improved micro-transaction behavior and effective pricing strategies are now encouraging gamers to spend more for enhanced experiences. Content creators are leveraging streaming platforms like Rooter to collaborate with publishers and raise awareness about games and their assets. Over the last two years, Rooter has unlocked multiple monetization channels, engaging with over 100 brands, numerous gaming publishers, global platforms, and gift card partners to create scalable revenue opportunities.”
The rise in engagement is paving the way for real business opportunities. Casual games particularly have opened new doors for monetization via in-app purchases, ads, partnerships, and sponsorships especially when game access is embedded seamlessly into daily routine platforms.
Yashash Agarwal, CEO & Co-founder of Gamezop, explains, “The world is waking up to where the real action in gaming lies, and that’s India. A projected revenue CAGR of 14.5% – nearly double the global average, is a clear sign that India is not just part of the global gaming story, we’re writing the next chapter.
Web gaming, in particular, is seeing explosive traction, and India is leading the charge. We’re witnessing a new wave of native users turn to web games for their accessibility, speed, and immersive play – no downloads, no wait time, just instant fun. What’s equally exciting is that India is not just consuming web games at scale; it’s also emerging as a powerhouse for web game development.
From an infrastructure perspective, we find ourselves in a better position than ever before. Devices are becoming smarter and faster, and with 5G technology, smartphones today have more capabilities than ever. As a result, people are spending more time online, leading to a surge of apps and websites across categories. At Gamezop, we’ve seen how seamlessly web games can plug into the everyday digital lives of Indian users across news, entertainment, utility, and fintech platforms. With the right regulatory and infrastructure support, India could very well define the future of web gaming.”
Meanwhile, on the development front, the industry is seeing a shift toward homegrown innovation. Indian studios have evolved from providing services like localizing global titles to creating original games that are performing well on the global stage.
Anurag Choudhary, Founder & CEO of Felicity Games, puts it plainly, “India is not just becoming a billion-player market, it’s emerging as a powerhouse for innovation in mobile gaming. With a young, connected population and a rapidly evolving developer ecosystem, we’re seeing global-quality titles being built and scaled from here. At Felicity Games, we’re proud to be part of this movement by publishing Indian games for global audiences, backed by strong unit economics and technology-led operations.”
With supportive regulation, sustained investment, and a stark rise in talent, India’s gaming sector is reportedly estimated to reach around INR ~500,000 Crores in value by 2034. India with the growth, innovation, and the large user base is set to emerge as a billion-dollar global giant, surpassing the global growth and setting new benchmarks.
The post Gaming in India – The Rise of a New Billion-dollar Economic Powerhouse appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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