Gaming
NOMINATIONS FOR THE ITALIAN GAMING AWARDS (IGA) ARE OPEN AN EVENT WITHIN THE EVENT in cooperation with IGE – ITALIAN GAMING EXPO & CONFERENCE
A two-day conference and exhibition for the gaming industry, together with the debut of the Italian Gaming Awards: to examine in depth the reality of a sector of central importance for the country. “The sustainable future of gaming” is the title of the first edition of the Italian Gaming Expo & Conference (Ige). The new B2B event dedicated to the Italian gaming industry which will take place on April, 18-19 2024, in the Palazzo dei Congressi, in Rome.
But waiting to celebrate the event, the Italian Gaming Awards 2024 (Iga) have just started, which will accompany the April event (with the awards ceremony in a gala evening on April, the 18th at the Spazio Novecento in Rome), for which companies leading the Italian market can already present their applications for. In total there are 20 award categories, aimed at operators, suppliers and more (Info and nominations on www. italiangamingawards .com)
Therefore, this is a debut for lge (but for Iga too) in the national panorama of events and an initiative focused on content, offering a unique opportunity to study in depth the main themes that will lead gaming world in the coming months and years, to define the approach guidelines for companies that want to look to the future, to innovation, to sustainability.
The event offers two days of in-depth analysis on all aspects interesting the stakeholders of one of the most important gaming markets in Europe and in the world. Right around the time in which the Government and Parliament started the reform process that will lead to the birth of a new sector, through the rewriting of the rules governing it, and the issuing of tenders for the renewal of all concessions.
“2024 will be a strategic year for the Italian gaming industry and the event will in turn be strategic for the industry and for the entire ecosystem”, Simona Clarizio, Head of Ige, with over 20 years of experience within the Fiera Milano group and in the organization of b2b events, explains “Ige therefore looks to the future of gaming in Italy: a future that wants and must be fully sustainable – the manager adds – This is in fact the challenge that concerns all interested parties in the sector reform process”.
The two days of Ige will be dedicated to the C-levels of the gaming market who, together with institutions, experts, scholars, opinion leaders, influencers, will meet to stimulate dialogue on the main themes that will lead the industry. One of the main targets of the event is to allow participants to meet and discuss with experts, opinion leaders, scholars and some of the best C-levels at national and international level, to find new ideas and solutions that look at the growth and development of its own business.
Technology, innovation, sustainability
In an evolutionary context in which technology rules, it is essential to base any type of comparison on a precise analysis of the state of the art of the sector, passing through the more general one of the world of work and the economy, in order to be able to truly outline those next steps that everyone will have to aim for in 2024 and beyond. Indeed, especially beyond: given that the new rules that will be written by the legislator in the coming months will shape the future of the industry in the medium-long term. For this reason, in this first edition of the Italian Gaming Expo & Conference, the organization has decided to bring attention to other less explored areas in gaming, relating to the world of Supply Chain and Procurement managers, CFOs and Hr executive directors to understand more and more how the dynamics of the value chain, Esg (Environmental, social, and corporate governance) models, Diversity & Inclusion and new organizational processes are imposing a crucial change of pace towards sustainability and digital transformation.
In addition to exploring the main trends of interest to the industry that will radically shape its approach: from the metaverse to artificial intelligence, from blockchain to digital payments, which are added to the endemic and regulatory trend topics, such as the fight against matchfixing, the relaunching of the horse racing sector and esports regulation.
The event, dedicated to the Italian industry, will however have a clearly international profile, with a part of the agenda also designed for the international public, with a series of cross-cutting nature subjects and a series of influences of other global realities. In this sense, the partnership signed with the network of professionals of Imgl – The International Masters of Gaming Law, which will organize two Master Classes within Ige, and the media partnerships with the main international gaming organizations, such as Sbc Media, InterGame, Casino Magazine, and more play a strategic role.
An exceptional Scientific Committee
As regards the content and general organisation, the event can rely on an exceptional scientific committee capable of bringing together experts, scholars and professionals of various profiles and international fame. Like Lucio Lamberti, professor of Marketing analytics and analytics for Business Lab at the Politecnico di Milano as well as scientific director of the Metaverse Marketing Lab; Francesco Rodano, Playtech’s chief policy officer and former online gaming regulator; Quirino Mancini, president of Imgl, global head of the gaming and hambling Practice Group and partner of Tonucci&Partners; Ludovico Calvi, honorary chairman of United Lotteries for Integrity in Sports – Ulis; Gianluca Comandini, Italian entrepreneur, university professor and technological communicator expert in fintech and new media; Carlo Alberto Carnevale Maffè, Professor of Strategies at the Università Bocconi Sda and Matteo Caroli, professor of International Business Management at the Università Luiss Guido Carli of Rome. In a perfect balance between industry and academy.
An event within the event: the Italian Gaming Awards
As mentioned, Ige’s will not be the only debut on the Italian gaming market. The first edition of the Italian Gaming Awards (Iga) will enhance the event. A special evening to reward the excellence of Italian gaming and the best best practices in the sector, in an exceptional location, full of charm, like Spazio Novecento. Between music, entertainment, good food. And lots of networking.
The event will be coordinated by a Scientific Committee and the voting will be carried out by a jury of experts bringing together international sector professionals, scholars also from different sectors and the world of information, through a certified software platform and a procedure of professional, highly reliable and transparent selection.
Applications by companies (Free!) can be sent from 1 December to 29 February 2024. While the evaluation process by the judges will take place from 1 to 30 March 2024. With the celebrations and awards that will take place in the gala evening organized in the Ige’s first evening, April, the 18, 2024, at the Spazio Novecento, a few steps from Palazzo dei Congressi, which hosts the conference.
International experience and profile
The Italian Gaming Expo & Conference is promoted by the Gn Media publishing group, active for 15 years in the world of gaming at an international level. Thanks to its world-class network, it assures direct access and a point of contact with the entire gaming industry, giving voice and participation to thousands of users. Through the GiocoNews .it and EsportsMag .it networks, over 1 million people are reached per month, using these publications for their daily work. Representing a real point of reference for gaming world, one of a kind in Italy. This assures deep penetration into the sector and an exclusive audience.
But in addition to the group’s networks, the Italian Gaming Expo & Conference will be supported by an integrated communication strategy, that will allow maximum prominence both within the industry and outside. In fact, Ige can rely on Media Partnerships with the main newspapers and press agencies in the sector, at a national and international level, as well as the support and cooperation of the organizers of global events. Furthermore, it will be supported by an ad hoc communication campaign, which will allow it to have prominence in the main national newspapers, thanks to the strategic partnership with the ItalCommunications group.
Bridging the gap between functional hardware and considered design, Phantum debuts its first line of high-performance mousepads. The collection is built for users who demand precision but won’t compromise on aesthetics. Developed in Paris by founders Amine G. and Victor B., the mousepads combine minimalist design with carefully selected materials and collectible elements, positioning the product as a functional tool and a design object.
Created for gamers and digital creatives, Phantum’s mousepads emphasize tactile performance while remaining visually restrained. The surfaces are crafted using Japanese Poron and advanced fabrics chosen for their durability, responsiveness, and sensory qualities. Each product is designed to enhance, not distract from, the overall composition of a desk setup.
The company’s visual language draws on space, transparency, and disappearance themes, an intentional move to create objects that integrate flawlessly into a work or play environment. “Every detail reflects our DNA: clean, sharp, and futuristic,” said co-founder Amine G., whose tech-focused YouTube channel, MRG TECH, has built a following of over 200,000 subscribers. “We create tools that disappear under the hand but leave a lasting impression through design, feel, and finish.”
Phantum’s founders launched the brand after finding few products that met their standards for both performance and design integrity. The debut line is only the beginning: the team is developing glass mousepads and matching performance sleeves, with plans to expand into a broader ecosystem of desk essentials. Each new release will continue to feature collectible packaging designed to add narrative value rather than act as decoration.
Though recently launched, Phantum is already drawing attention beyond France, particularly in Latin America, where design-conscious gamers have begun to integrate the mousepads into their setups. The first collection is now available on phantum.co, with new formats and accessories to follow.
The post Phantum Introduces High-End Mousepads with Collectible Packaging and Parisian Design Roots appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Asia
CyberPowerPC India launches ‘Play Guarantee’ campaign for a transparent and gamer-first experience
In a market where gamers often make high-investment purchases without knowing exactly how their machine will perform until they bring it home and install a game, CyberPowerPC India is changing the game. With the Play Guarantee, CyberPowerPC India reinforces its confidence in the performance and reliability of its systems, offering buyers added assurance that what they receive will meet or exceed expectations. This is a first-of-its-kind offer in India’s custom PC market.
Every system sold under the Play Guarantee will be built using 100% brand-new parts sourced from authorized manufacturers. Each PC will come pre-installed with a genuine and activated version of Microsoft Windows at the BIOS level, ensuring users avoid post-purchase license issues or hidden software costs.
Additionally, customers will receive one year of on-site support, with certified technicians dispatched to their location for repairs or replacements, eliminating the need for long shipping delays or third-party service centers. Before dispatch, all the PCs undergo rigorous stress testing using global industry benchmarks to ensure performance integrity across GPU, CPU, thermals, and memory.
Vishal Parekh, Chief Operating Officer, CyberPowerPC India commented,“As more Indian gamers upgrade to high-performance PCs, trust becomes a critical factor. Gamers shouldn’t have to take a leap of faith when buying a PC. They should know what they’re getting and know it works right out of the box. We at CyberPowerPC India always believed in transparency, may it be sharing FPS benchmarks before purchase or building with only brand-new components. The ‘Play Guarantee’ campaign aligns perfectly with our commitment to building a credible, consumer-first ecosystem in Indian PC gaming, especially as the community becomes more competitive and discerning.”
According to a NeoGrowth study, 54% of Indian consumers prefer offline shopping due to the assurance of authenticity and product quality, underscoring a strong demand for transparency in purchase decisions. CyberPowerPC India’s ‘Play Ready’ campaign aims to replicate this confidence in the online custom PC market.
This campaign follows the company’s recent efforts to strengthen grassroots esports infrastructure, including its partnership with Indian esports organization Orangutan to power ApeCity, a dedicated esports arena in Navi Mumbai, with high-performance systems.
As part of its ongoing investment in the growth of India’s PC gaming market, CyberPowerPC India is also working to make high-performance gaming setups more accessible to a wider range of gamers. With the launch of its ‘Play Ready’ campaign, the company aims to foster a gaming culture built on transparency, trust, and a seamless user experience.
The post CyberPowerPC India launches ‘Play Guarantee’ campaign for a transparent and gamer-first experience appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
In the latest round of Prototype Funding, Gamecity Hamburg, part of Hamburg Kreativ Gesellschaft, supports six promising digital games with up to 80,000 euros each as a non-repayable grant. This funding enables start-ups in Hamburg and supports companies in developing marketable prototypes. In addition, start-ups and developers can apply for Gamecity Hamburg’s Games Lift Incubator until June 10: https://www.gamecity-hamburg.de/de/inkubator/
The awarding committee selected projects with the greatest market potential from the many applications. Including this seventh round of funding, the development of 37 prototypes has been supported as part of Prototype Funding since 2020. The application phase for the next Prototype Funding round will start in spring 2026.
“The high quality of the projects submitted to this funding round led to an intensive decision process within the awarding committee. The funded projects show a wide variety of genres, ideas, and teams. With the Prototype Funding, we are supporting established companies and up-and-coming start-ups in Hamburg as a games location,” commented Dennis Schoubye, Head of Gamecity Hamburg and member of the awarding committee.
The 2025 funding recipients were selected by the awarding committee, consisting of Hamburg industry experts Nina Müller (VP Publishing & Development Services, Goodgame Studios), Jonas Hüsges (Publishing Director, Daedalic Entertainment), Valentina Birke (Director Indie Arena Booth / Super Crowd Entertainment), Michael Schade (CEO & Co-Founder ROCKFISH Games) and Dennis Schoubye (Head of Gamecity Hamburg).
The Funded Projects 2025
- NeverLight by Nightless Games – € 80,000
- Pet Universe by Tivola Games – € 80,000
- Space Station Manager by gameXcite – € 80,000
- Unbreachable by Buckfish – € 72,000
- Deep Fog Signals by Symmetry Break Studio – € 32,000
- Cosmic Run by Zinktank Labs – € 30,000
NeverLight by Nightless Games
NeverLight is a dark, cooperative role-playing game with fantasy and extraction elements, in which up to three players act as hunters in an endless night in search of terrifying monsters and collect valuable loot. The game combines monster hunting with the excitement of having to bring each reward to safety with the team to receive it.
Pet Universe by Tivola Games
In the 3D animal shelter simulation “Pet Universe”, players build their animal shelter from the ground up, organize animal care, collect donations, and design the shelter grounds according to their own ideas. The aim is to care for the animals with their individual needs and to find them a loving home.
Space Station Manager by gameXcite
In this strategy building game with real-time space battles, players manage a space station that serves as a base for spaceships, battles, recruitment, and a strategy hub for missions. In addition to organizing the base, players manage their limited resources and various upgrades, improve crew morals, and explore the galaxy with their individual fleets.
Unbreachable by Buckfish
In the multiplayer strategy game “Unbreachable”, players build a fortress in each run that competes with ten castles of rival players. Players strategically construct the different fortress buildings to increase attack power or minimize weaknesses to climb the leaderboard in competition with other players.
Deep Fog Signals by Symmetry Break Studio
In this sci-fi horror game with puzzle mechanics, players are trapped in the communication room of a remote research station during a toxic storm. To escape, they must coordinate the various crew members, decipher cryptic transmissions, and complete the research as the threatening situation escalates over several days.
Cosmic Run by Zinktank Labs
In this humorous and fast-paced roguelite, players fight their way through space with their ship in order to escape from a capitalist alien dictatorship. Weapons, shields, upgrades for the engine, and customization of the ship determine the narrative of the game. Depending on the character chosen, the course of the game and the story told vary in several runs.
All detailed information on the teams and games can be found at: https://gamecity-hamburg.de/funding/#Funded_Projects_2025
Developers, start-ups, and companies from Hamburg were able to apply for Gamecity Hamburg’s prototype funding from March 3 to April 7. In 2024, Gamecity Hamburg introduced a diversity checklist when applying for prototype funding, the answers to which can optionally be used by the awarding committee in the evaluation process.
The next application phase for prototype funding will start in spring 2026.
Further funding opportunities through Gamecity Hamburg
Each year, the Games Lift Incubator supports five teams, developers, and start-ups in the development of digital games. In addition to € 15,000 in start-up funding, the recipients receive a comprehensive coaching and mentoring program with international experts as well as workshops and follow-up individual support. Since 2024, the program has also included a visit to an international industry event.
Teams and developers can currently apply for the Games Lift Incubator until June 10.
All information can be found at: https://gamecity-hamburg.de/incubator/apply-now/
The post Gamecity Hamburg Supports six new Digital Games with Prototype Funding appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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