What is the Ultimate IndieMash Game Contest?

The Ultimate IndieMash is a contest for unique playful makers of the world, to present their work to an international audience. Hosted live from Bristol, UK and Enschede, NL, and streamed all over the world, the participants get three minutes each to show their game, interactive project, immersive installation or playful performance, through an online video connection. So you don’t have to travel to participate!

The evening is for them to share their concepts and gain new fans, and at the end of the program, the viewers and a jury of professionals will vote for their favourite project. Besides receiving the Sickest Trophy, the winner of the Ultimate IndieMash will also get a spot at the Overkill Festival 2025!

What are we looking for?

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Not only are we looking for the most original, extravagant and alternative playful concepts, the Ultimate IndieMash is also a celebration of diversity within the indie-game community. We strongly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in the gaming world. From coding mothers to queer visual artists and indigenous storytellers, everyone is invited to show their unique project and creations to our audience online!

How will the evening look? 

The Ultimate IndieMash is a two-hour online program, filled with music, playful interactions and of course the gamemakers and their projects! In the first hour, the participants show their work in a 3 minute presentation, that can be as playful as you want! They will get a chance to answer some questions from the audience as well, to explain their projects as well as possible! In the second hour, the participants together with the audience will play some exciting games in which the audience creates prompts, drawings and more for the participants to be creative with! After that, the audience ánd the jury will vote for their favourite project, and at the end of the show the winner will be announced!

When is this all happening? 

The application-deadline for the participants is the 30st of March. Afterwards, the Sickhouse team will make a selection of 10 participants to present their projects! These makers will be announced on the 16th of April, and the show itself will take place on the 24th of May!

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G2, one of the world’s leading entertainment and esports brands, has today announced its successful Series B investment round. The round was led by the investment arm of the Wilf family, WISE Ventures, who have become part of G2’s ownership group. Among the multiple new investors joining them are The Tornante Company (owned by former Paramount Pictures and The Walt Disney Company CEO) , Gary Vaynerchuk, and G2’s own leadership team.

The capital raised from the Series B investment round will be used towards venturing into new titles, a wider global expansion for the organisation, and G2’s direct-to-fans offerings. Funds will also be utilised for wider investment into the Call of Duty League (CDL), after acquiring full ownership of esports organisation Version1’s Minnesota Rokkr’s Call of Duty League slot. This acquisition of Minnesota Rokkr follows G2 obtaining operating rights to Minnesota Rokkr in late 2023 through a strategic partnership with Version1, owned and operated by the Wilf family. G2 is renowned for being one of the most decorated clubs in the world with over 100 first-place finishes across the last decade, competing in major league titles including League of Legends, Counter-Strike 2, VALORANT, Sim Racing and Rainbox Six Siege.

Funds will also be used toward a broader diversification of G2’s direct-to-fans offerings including updates to its fan-focused app, major content projects and exciting new campaigns that are yet to be announced. With over 30 million fans globally and boasting partnerships with some of the most prestigious mainstream brands globally including Mastercard, Red Bull, Ralph Lauren and Oakley, G2 will look to further establish itself as one of the most successful organisations worldwide, and continue to solidify esports as the new generation of sports.

The investment round introduced multiple new investors, while also seeing existing investors increase their contributions to the organisation. Notable additions to G2’s elite ownership team and shareholder base include WISE Ventures, the investment arm of the Wilf family, owners of the NFL’s Minnesota Vikings and MLS and NWSL teams Orlando City SC and Pride and real estate development company Garden Homes, among other holdings, as well as investor and entrepreneur Gary Vaynerchuk, and the investment arm of former Paramount Pictures and The Walt Disney Company CEO, The Tornante Company.

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Previous investors, including Jens Hilgers (Founder of Bitkraft and ESL), Al Tylis (part owner of Necaxa (MX Liga), Wrexham (Welsh Football club), DC United (MLS), DC Pickleball) and Bluepool (owners of Brooklyn Nets (NBA) and New York Liberty (WNBA) ), also increased their investments during this round. Additionally, G2’s leadership team joined as investors and shareholders, reflecting their commitment and confidence in the Company’s future.

New and existing investors join a roster of previous investors that include ties to McLaren Racing, Baltimore Orioles (MLB), LAFC (MLS), Tampa Bay Lightning (NHL) and Portuguese footballer Andre Gomes.

Alban Dechelotte, CEO of G2, comments: “This successful investment round and the addition of our new investors showcases G2’s strength and value as an organisation. This year is our 10th anniversary, and looking back over the last decade, we’ve not only built a globally successful brand with teams that are consistently on top, but also we’ve built a valuable business that’s been profitable for multiple years. As we look ahead, we’re excited to keep building our legacy to become a next generation sports organisation.”

Konrad von Moltke, Principal of WISE Ventures, added: “Since getting to know G2’s management team in early 2023 we have continued to be impressed with their strategic vision, work ethic, operational excellence and communication. We are thrilled to be partnering with G2 on their next stage of growth.”

Jonathan Wilf, Controlling Owner of Version1, commented: “G2 and Version1 are a natural fit. We are fully invested in the future of esports – our partnership with G2 and our investment in this funding round is a testament to that. We are excited to build on the legacy of Version1, and we can’t wait to bring more championships to G2’s global fanbase.”

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Celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2025, G2 will be inviting fans to celebrate with exclusive events, exciting new merch collaborations with major global IPs, content drops, and more, looking back at 10 successful years, and looking forward to the organisation’s bright future.

The highly anticipated Fourth Annual Ethical Gambling Forum will take place in Gibraltar aboard the Sunborn Yacht Hotel on April 29-30, 2025. This year’s conference promises to be an exciting and thought-provoking two-day event centered on the critical themes of Sustainability, Accountability, and Culture. Under the theme of “Why ESG Really Matters”, the forum aims to put safer gambling at the heart of what it means to be an ethical operator in the evolving gambling landscape.

With the increased importance of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices across industries, many companies have already started reporting on ESG using the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). The forum goes beyond traditional reporting methods to inspire more intuitive actions, helping operators to incorporate ethical and responsible measures into their daily operations in 2025 and beyond. From workplace culture to staff recruitment, duty of care, and collaboration, this year’s event will explore a comprehensive range of essential topics.

Key Themes of the 2025 Forum Include:

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• Why Sustainability is Paramount: Understanding the role of sustainability in the gambling sector.
• How to Be an Ethical Operator: Moving beyond compliance to true ethical responsibility.
• Collaboration is Key: Exploring the need for seamless collaboration between services to create a safer environment for all.
• Lived Experience in Gambling: The importance of amplifying the voices of those affected by gambling.
• Education, Education, Education: Addressing the critical need for continuous education in ethical gambling practices.
• Why Good Governance Matters: Understanding the significance of governance measures such as AML, SARs, and Regulatory policies.
• Why ESG is the New Bottom Line: Discussing how ESG initiatives shape financial performance and the future of the industry.

Delegates attending the forum will have the opportunity to hear from a stellar line-up of industry leaders, C-level executives, regulators, safer gambling teams, HR professionals, and other experts. Through practical advice, case studies, and open discussions, participants will gain insights into how operators can take action to build a more responsible, ethical, and sustainable gambling industry.

Attendees will also have the chance to engage in discussions and share their perspectives on the most pressing issues facing the gambling industry today.

Join us for this exciting event and be part of shaping the future of ethical gambling.