The 10 Most Desirable Gaming Solution Providers 2017 Dec-Jan2018

Game O Pedia How VR Gaming Will Help Introverts To Socialize

Cloud Gaming Gaming over the Cloud –The New Realm of this Era

Evolution Gaming

The World Leader in Live Dealer Gaming

MOST DESIRABLE

THE Martin Carlesund CEO

Gaming: Shaping the Future of Work

It’sthegamingindustrythatisdrivingmuchofthe

innovationinvideo,VR,ARandcollaborative technologiestoday—somethingthathasimportant effectsonhowwework,especiallywithfar-flung colleagues.

Recentdevelopmentsin4K(UltraHighDefinition)and technologieslikeComputerAssistedDesign(CAD)and ComputerAssistedManufacturing(CAM)hasleveragedthe levelofdetailwhichismadepossiblebythesetools,andit’s nevereasytoimaginetheseamlessresultsthese developmentscanbringintoreality.That’sjustthe beginningofwhatgamescouldofferbusinesses. Technologieslikevirtualreality,multi-userenvironments, andreal-timegameplayareimmersinggamersinwarzones ordistantplanetstoday,butwillbeusedbyorganizationsto buildamorecollaborativeworkforcetomorrow

Thedaysarenotveryfarwhenwewouldbejoininga meetingthatexistsinvirtualspace–aconferenceroom renderedin3-D,completewithalltypesoffacilities.Aswe andourcolleagueswouldjoin,wewouldseeouravatars entertheroomandsitaroundthetable.Thosetypesof meetingswouldbealiveexampleofimmersivesimulation ofanin-personmeeting,createdwiththehelpofmotion sensorsthatwouldtrackphysicalmovementorgloves equippedtocapturehandmovementsandbodylanguage. Gamingisleadingthewayinanotherimportantareaof technology:userengagement.Inthenearfutureextending gameplaywouldbeatoppriorityamonggamedesigners anditwouldbeoneoftheprimewaystoholdpeople’s interestbyfosteringpersonalconnection.

Gamingisthenewwaytochange,sobereadytobeapart ofthischange.

Sagar Bhattacharjee

The Rise of Gaming Industry

Thosedaysaregonewhenpeopleusedtoplaygameswiththehelpofenormousgamingconsolesattached

withmachinesofdiscretecomponents.Atthattimegamingwasalessentertainingmediumratheritwasa cumbersomeburdentohandleandoperatethoseconsoles.Butnowgaminghasenteredintoawholenewera oftransformationandnowthosemachinesarerustingandfallingapartandwecansensesomethingnewiscoming. Latelytheideaofgamingwithmachinesisbecomingobsolete,andismovingovertothecloud,andthishasproved tobenirvananotonlyforthegamersbutalsoforthegamedevelopers.

Withalltheserapiddevelopments,gamingindustryhastakenapositiveturn,andtherearesomeuniquecompanies whichhavetheirshareintakinggamingexperiencetoanewlevel.Inthissectorconsumerdemandishuge,andsois thecompetition.Numerouscompaniesarestrivinghardtodelivertop-notchsolutionsbasedontheconsumerneeds tomarktheirprominentfootprintsintheindustry Here,inthisissueofourmagazine,wehavelisted“The10MostDesirableGamingSolutionProviders2017”, whichareprovidingdistinguishedanddiversifiedsolutionstotheirconsumers.

OurcoverstoryisEvolutionGaming,whichistheworldleaderinvideo-streamedLiveDealergaming,working withmoretop-tieroperatorsandbrandstodelivertopnotchservices.

Apartfromthecoverstory,wehavealsolisted24Worldforcreatingresponsiveplatformsandoptimizeproductsto provideastrongtechnologybackboneforsupportingtheever-increasingneedofpresenceonvariousforums. Endorphinaforcreatingthebestonlinegamingexperienceandcutting-edgetechnologytocreategamesthat attractsdiscreteplayers.GamePlanConsultingforbeinga360globalconsultancyspecializedinhelpinggame companiesidentify,strategizeanddelivergreatsolutionstotheirchallenges.GoldenRaceforthesuccessfullaunch ofitspopulardogracinggamingandsellingover8,000licensesofit.KambiSportsSolutionsforproviding premiumsportsbettingservicestolicensedB2Cgamingoperators.KavioClusterforcreatinganenvironmentthat enablesandencouragesbusinessesingamingindustry SBTECHforprovidingaward-winningsportsbetting solutionsandafullrangeofmanagementservicestotheir50partnersworldwide.Sycoforgeforproviding high-qualityuniquegamingexperiencestoitsferventcustomersandWhitepotStudiosLimitedforcreatingextra ordinaryAndroid,iOS,andPCgamesusingUnity.

Wehaveincludedarticles“AugmentedReality,VirtualRealityandeSportsTheBuzzwordsofGaming IndustrywheretheFuturelies”and“GamingovertheCloud–TheNewRealmofthisEra”scriptedbyour editorsintheamazingfoliosofthismagazine.

Wealsohave,“HowVRGamingWillHelpIntrovertstoSocialize”derivedfromthethoughtsofAndreea Vaduva.

So,doflipthepagesofourmagazinetounveiltheprominentcontributionsoftheseGamingSolutionproviders.

Gonearethosedayswhenpeoplewereboundtogo toacasinoiftheywantedtoplayadealergame.In thisrapidlyadvancingtechnologicalworldwe haveadvancedourselvestoanextentwhereardentgamers andtechnologistshavemadeitpossibletobringlivecasino toourownplace.Now,ifyouwanttoplayadealergame, thenjustlogintoyourcomputerandVoila!Youwillbe welcomedtoaspectacularworldoflivedealergaming, whereyoucanplaydealergamesatyourownplace,andat yourownconvenienceandcomfort,withoutvisitingany landbasedcasinos.

Playingatanonlinecasinooffersseveraladvantagesover playinginalandbasedcasino.It’sfarmoreconvenient,as youcanplaywheneveryouwantwithouthavingtoleave yourhome.Youarealsogenerallywelcomedtoaplethora ofbetterchoiceofgames,andonecaneasilygetthesame valueaddedservicesviathebonusesandrewardsthatmost ofthelandbasedcasinosoffer.

Onesuchcompanywhichisaddingrealvaluetothelive dealergamingindustryisEvolutionGaming,whichisthe worldleaderinlivedealergamingandwasfoundedwitha visionoftransformingthegamingworldwithhigh-quality livegamingsolutionsfordiscerningplayers.

MeettheForerunnersofEvolutionGaming

EvolutionGamingwasfoundedin2006byJensvonBahr, Chairman,FredrikOsterberg,ChiefStrategyOfficer andRichardHadida,CreativeDirector.Theyallshareda visionfortransformingthegamingworldwithhigh-quality livegamingsolutionsfordiscerningplayers,andatthetime

ofEvolutionGaming’sinception,allofthemhada commendableexperienceofworkingingamingsector. RichardhadbeendevelopingnascentLiveCasino solutions,andJensandFredrikalsohadconsiderable experienceinthegamingsector Thisfoundingtrioremains withEvolutiontothisday Theirleadershipandthe persistencehasassistedthecompanytotasteenormous successandbeenthereasontobecometheacknowledged leaderinvideo-streamedLiveCasinogamingsolutions sector.Laterin2015,MartinCarlesundjoinedEvolution asGroupCEOwiththeremittofurtherdevelopthe companyandhelpitattainnewheightsinthegaming industry

Initially,EvolutionwaslistedonNasdaqFirstNorth Premier,StockholminMarch2015.Thenon7June2017, EvolutionmovedfromFirstNorthtothemainNasdaq Stockholmmarket,anditwastheachievementwhichwas meanttobecherishedaswellasapplaudedbyall.

Commentingatthattime,Martinsaid: “It was a special feeling to ring the opening bell and affirm that Evolution has grown to become a large cap company since our IPO slightly more than two years ago. The list change is clear proof that the organisation has matured and professionalised during its time in a public environment.”

OfferingWorld-classB2BServicestotheClients

Evolution’skeyfocusisdeliveringtheverybestplayer experience.TheyachievethisnotonlythroughaworldclassportfolioofLiveCasinogamesbutthrougha completeandtotallycomprehensiveworld-classB2Boffer

“Our values deliver value for our licensees”

Martin Carlesund CEO

fortheirlicensees.

Thattotalofferisbuiltonsixpillars: Operational Excellence; Licensee Customisation; Product Innovation; Maximised Mobile; Land-based Casinos; and Regulated Markets.Thesesixpillarseffectively summarisethekeyattributesthathavebeenfundamental intakingevolutionfromastart-uptoaworldleader

Operational Excellence iscoretoEvolution’sservice. With400+LiveCasinotablesoperatingfromtheirseven Europeanstudios(newstudiosarealsoopeningverysoon inCanadaandGeorgia),theirlicenseesareofferedan unrivalledscale,efficiencyandservicesophistication. Evolutionoffers Licensee Customisation whichmeansthe greatestflexibilitytomeettheneedsofeachlicensee’s brand,marketsandplayers,frommainstreamtoVIP

The Product Innovation pillarisallaboutEvolution’s constantinvestmentinR&Dandrelentlessdesiretopush beyondboundaries.Thishasresultedininnovationssuch astheiraward-winningImmersiveRoulette,Baccarat

ControlSqueezeandDreamCatchermoneywheel,which wasnamed Digital Product of the Year atthelatestGlobal GamingAwards.

Evolutiontakesprideondesigningaward-winninggames thatoffer‘stickability’,while,ofcourse,offeringafull rangeoftimelessclassics—Roulette,Blackjack, Baccarat,pokervariantsetal—butoftenwithamodern twist.TheydeliveritallviathebestHDlivestream, ensuringthefullportfolioisavailableacrossalldevices,in landscapeandportraitviewonmobile,andallbeautifully optimisedforeachscreensizeandoperatingsystem.

Maximised Mobile sumsupourcommitmenttoofferthe largestrangeofmobile-optimisedlivetablesand languagesfortabletandsmartphone,tohelplicensees makethemostoftheveryconsiderablemobile opportunity

The Land-based Casinos pillarcoversnotonly ‘on-premise’livestudioswithintraditionalland-based casinosbutalsotheirDualPlayconvergencesolutions.

“We carry out our mission and pursue our vision according to company values applied to all areas of our operations”

Individuallyortogether,eachcanhelptraditionaloperators improvecustomerloyaltyandattractnewdemographics.

ForEvolution, Regulated Markets isprimarilynewand re-regulatingjurisdictions,whichiscentraltotheiroffering forlicensees.Theircommitmentandinvestmentinthisarea hasdeliveredpowerfulfirst-to-marketadvantageforso manyoftheirlicensees,andwillcontinuetodoso.

EmployeesareCentralElementtoEvolution’sSuccess

Employeesinallareasandatalllevelshavebeen absolutelycentraltoEvolution’ssuccess.

Thecompany’sgamepresentersarethefaceofLiveCasino andasEvolutionisaB2Bprovider;theyarethefaceofa multitudeofbrands,aresponsibilitythattheytakevery seriously.Indeed,theirpresentersreceivearguablythebest trainingintheindustrythroughtheEvolutionAcademy. Theirsmilingfacesandprofessionalism,andthe engagementandinteractiontheyachievewithplayers,are vitalfactorsinattractingplayersbacktothetablesagain andagain.

Behindthescenes,ofcourse,Evolutionhasalltheir

operationsstaffensuringthateverythingrunssmoothly. Theirgameintegrityandriskstaffmonitoroperations24/7 toensurethatoperationsrunsecurelyandthatlicensees’ andplayers’interestareprotected.Evolution’sproduct teamsareconstantlyworkingonextendingandimproving theirportfolio.Theirdesigners,meanwhile,makesurethat eachgameUIisintuitiveandeasytouseonalldevices.

ConvertingHurdlesintoOpportunities

TheLiveCasinoindustryisundergoingadrastic transformationphaseandthenumberofLiveCasino providershasincreasedsignificantlyinthelastfewyears asbarrierstoentryhavereduced.Newentrantshavebeen attractedbyotherfactors,too:LiveCasinohasbeenone ofthefastestgrowinggamingsectorsandisforecastto continuetooutpacethegrowthofothergamingverticals. Thesenewentrantsfaceconsiderablechallenges,notleast intheareasofoperationalexcellenceandthescalabilityof theirsolutions.

Also,manyofferonlycommodityLiveCasinosolutionsin anattempttoundercutthemarket.However,thegulf betweenthesebasicsolutionsandthelevelofquality, sophistication,supportandsustainabilityofferedby

Evolutionishuge.

Tappingtherightmarketpotentialatright time;Evolutionhasgarnereditselftobea renownedbrandinthegamingindustry,and with400+tablesacrossmultiplestudios, Evolutionisundeniablythemarketleader. Evolutionisalsolookingforwardtoextend itsagreementswithexistinglicensees,attract newlicenseesandseekoutnewmarketsand opportunitiestofurtherstrengthentheir leadingposition.

UpcomingStudios

Evolutioniswellpositionedforcontinued growth.Intheverynearfuture,theywillbe openingtheireighthandninthstudios,in CanadaandGeorgia,respectively Thefirst ofthesenewstudioswilldeliverLive CasinoservicesforBCLC(BritishColumbia LotteryCorporation)initially,beforerolling outservicesforoperatorsinotherCanadian provinces.

Meanwhile,theGeorgiastudioinTbilisiwill serveasEvolutionGaming’sthirdmajor LiveCasinostudioalongsidetheirRigaand Maltastudios.Thiswillgreatlyextendthe company’sservicestoexistingandnew licensees.

Asmentionedearlier,thecompanybelieves thattheywillalsoseecontinuedstrong growthfrommobileandfromtheland-based sector.

Overall,Evolutionwillensurethatthey remainattheforefrontofnewmarkets, whetherthismeansextendingtheirexisting offeringfromthecurrentstudiosorinvesting infurthernewstudiosinnewterritories.

AdvicefortheBuddingStartupsfromthe CEO’sDesk

“Offer a niche solution, something that operators can buy into and which differentiates your offering from ‘me too’ providers,” assertsMartin.

“We are the world-leading Live Casino that meets each operator's exact needs”

Management Brief CompanyName

24world 24worldonline.com

Endorphina endorphina.com

EvolutionGaming evolutiongaming.com

GameplanConsulting gameplan.com.br

MuhammadRahimtoola Director

Luciekadlecova MarketingManager

MartinCarlesund,CEO JensvonBahr,Chairman

FredrikOsterberg ChiefStrategyOfficer

RichardHadida CreativeDirector

AndréFaure CEO HenriqueMartin CCO

GoldenRace golden-race.com

KambiSportsSolutions kambi.com

KavioCluster kaviocluster.org

MartinWachter CEO

LuzOrtega Marketing&EventsDirector

24Worldcreatesresponsiveplatformsandoptimizeproducts toprovideastrongtechnologybackboneforsupportingthe ever-increasingneedofpresenceonvariousforums.

Thecompanyunitesthebestonlinegamingexperienceand cutting-edgetechnologytocreategamesthatattractplayers withnotonlyitsbeautifuldesignandauthenticatmosphere, buttherealthrillofgambling.

EvolutionGamingistheworldleaderinvideo-streamedLive Dealergaming,workingwithmoretop-tieroperatorsand brandstodelivertopnotchservices.

GamePlanConsultingisa360globalconsultancyspecialized inhelpinggamecompaniesidentify,strategizeanddeliver greatsolutionstotheirchallenges.

GoldenRaceisayoung,dynamiccompanyborninthefieldof sportsbettingin2006withthesuccessfullaunchofdogracing, withover8,000licensessold.

ChristinaHaralambous ChiefCommunicationsOfficer

TimoYlikangas Ambassadorof KAVIOCluster

SBTECH sbtech.com

Sycoforge sycoforge.com

WhitepotStudiosLimited whitepotstudios.com

Mr.RonZlluf MarketingDirector

KambiisaB2Bproviderofpremiumsportsbettingservicesto licensedB2Cgamingoperators.Theirservicesencompassabroad offeringfromfrontenduserinterfacethroughtooddscompiling, customerintelligenceandriskmanagement,builtonanin-house developedsoftwareplatform

KavioClusterisanenvironmentthatenablesandencourages businessesingamingindustryforbettercompetitivenessin wide,globalmarketswiththehelpofaclusternetwork.

SBTechprovidesaward-winningsportsbettingsolutions andafullrangeofmanagementservicestotheir 50partnersworldwide.

MichelaRimensberger CEO

AdamWhiteside Co-founder

VickyPotts Co-founder

Sycoforgeoutstandsatprovidinghigh-qualityuniquegaming experiencestoitsferventcustomers.

WhitepotStudiosisagamesdevelopmentandcreativemediastudio basedinBelfast,NorthernIreland.TheymakeAndroid,iOS,andPC gamesusingUnityandareatwo-personteamconsistingofAdam WhitesideandVickyPotts.They’recurrentlypartofthe2017intake ofthebusinessacceleratorhubEntrepreneurialSparkprogramme.

Theglobalgamingindustry hasbeenobservingarapid growthoverthelastdecade duetotheincreaseinutilizationof advancedtechnologiesforthe aggregationofgamesandvideoson aglobalscale.Furthermore,proper alignmentofvariousbusiness modelsandplatformsisalso supportinggrowthofthegaming industryacrosstheglobe.

IntherecentpastAsia-Pacifichas beendominatingtheglobalgaming marketduetothepresenceof numerousdevelopingeconomies, andincreasingadoptionofdifferent gamesacrosstheregion.With technologicaladvancementsinthe gamingindustry,companiesare focusingonAugmentedRealityand VirtualRealityenabledgamesand relatedproductshavingimprovedthe globalgamingscenario.

24Worldisonesuchfirmcausing wavesinthegamingindustry.Itisa digitalagencyproficientindesigning anddevelopingcustomizedgames, beitdigital,boardorpervasive.24 WorldhasbeenworkingasaDigital Agencywithclientstomaximize theirpotentialintothetechnology world.Thecompanywaslaunched onanagencymodelbasis,providing holistictechnologysolutionsfor clientsintheirprocessofchange towardsthe‘DigitalAge’.Thefirm hasworkedactivelyinthefinancial,

mediaandFMCGsectorsoverthe years.24Worldhasalsoestablished operationsinJapanandworkedon solutionsforthatparticularmarket sincethelastthreeyears.

Thebrainbehind24World

FounderandDirector,Muhammad Rahimtoolaisastrongbusiness developmentprofessionalwhostudied attheUniversityofWesternAustralia. HeisanexperiencedExecutive Directorwithdemonstratedhistoryof workingintheinformationtechnology andmediaindustry.Heisskilledin DigitalStrategy,Managementand TelevisionProgramming.Leading clientsintotheirjourneytowardsthe DigitalAgeisavitalcomponentofhis visionfor24World.

Muhammadwasinspiredbythefact thatgamingdevicesandstrategyare oneofthemostengagingformsof interactionsavailabletoday.Gamingis akeyareawhichhasallowedfor multiplelevelbrandengagementand thisallowedthefirmtobeableto engagewithcustomersorthepotential marketinadifferentarrangement.

SettingBenchmarkswithRenowned Services

24Worldhasastrongdevelopmental basewhichenablesthegrowthonto creativeandclientservicebased detailing.Theabilitytoconduct

continuousresearchand experimentationfornewerplatforms andtechnologiesisafeatureoftheir workingenvironmentandpractices.

Ithasbeendominantinthe DevelopmentandCreativeservices area,althoughtheyalsoofferDigital Marketing,BrandingandBusiness Managementsupportavenues.

Followingarethecoreservices providedby24World:

GameDesign:Theydesignand developgamesaccordingtothe requirementsoftheircustomers.

ECommerce:Theire-commerce clientbaseincludesdistinguished banks,insurancecompaniesand fashiongurus.

MobileApplication:Theyhavebeen helpingsmallandlargebusinessesto reachouttotheircustomersatthemost predictableofplaces.

DigitalMarketing:Theircampaign planningandPPCmanagementare endorsedtacticsthatdrivetargeted resultsfordesiredobjectivesand challenges.

ContentDistribution:Theyarea YouTubeverifiedpartnersanda reliablecontentdistributionnetwork offeringpublisherseffectivedelivery channels.

SocialMediaMarketing:They believethatbeingsocialmeansmore thanbeingsocial.Ittakesawellthoughtoutplanandaneditorial calendar.

HappyClientsof24World

Thecompanycaterstoawidearrayofclientsincluding UBLBank,NIBBank,AdamjeeInsurance,Jubilee Insurance,EFUInsuranceandmore.Toworkinamarket thathasgrownexponentially,requiresgreatadaptability, andthatisthekeytotheirstandingcommitmentwith projects.Thecompanyandstaffhaveadaptedtokey changesinneedsofthemarketespeciallywiththe advancementintothe‘mobileage’.Clientsbenefitfrom accesstobettertoolsfortechnologyalongwithglobal expertiseofexperiencetohandlematters.

FutureEndeavours

24Worldplanstodiversifyintomultipleproductareas specificallyinsegmentsofvideo,animation,statsall possiblylinkedtogamingoutputs.Theavailabilityof platformssetforthbytechgiantshasallowedplentyof youthpotentialtocomeforward.However,aseriouseffort topolishandacknowledgetalentwillleadtobetterresults withspecificproductsandtheirmaintenance.

Thefirmlaunchedthefirstpublishersportingportalfrom Pakistanearlierin2016cateringtothesportofCricketby thenameof‘ScoreLine’.Thisplatformissettodiversify intomultipleoutputsegmentsbasedoncontentdriven results.

BenchmarksCreatedby24WorldinGamingIndustry

24Worldhasusedcharactercreativityeffectivelyinthe ‘dry’financialsector Tocreateengagementforpotential customersandexistingusersthefirmdevelopedthe essentialstepsofLifeInsuranceintoa‘NeedsAnalysis Tool’-thistoolwaslaterreplicatedfortheKenyanmarket andlocalizedaccordinglybytheagencyfortheirneeds.

24Worldrecentlywasawardedthe‘BestEmerging Technology’categoryatthelocalPakistanDigiAwardsfor theirinnovativecasestudiesinthefinancialsector

Characterdevelopmentandstrategyisaneffectivetoolfor communicationwhichfallssomewherebetweentheimpact ofvideoandillustration.Thisiswhere24Worldfeelsthat thecanvasforGamedevelopmentbecomesevermore crucialinemerginghighpopulatedmarketslikePakistan.

Muhammad Rahimtoola Founder & Director

WiththeriseofVRadoption

andtheinvolvementofthe gamingindustryin developingcontentforVR,thetopicof socialimpacttakesthestageagain:is VRruining,improvingorignoringour sociallife?

Facebooktookonthechallengeto measuretheimplicationsofsocialVR, statingthatVRcanfacilitatesocial connectionforintroverts.Astatement thatfallsinlinewiththeiracquisition ofOculusVRandhiringRachel Franklin,formerVP/GMforTheSims 4,asHeadofSocialVR.

However,thestudydoesn’tmentionif

therespondentsareself-identifiedas introverts/extrovertsorifthey’ve fallenintooneofthesecategories, followingareliablepsychologicaltest. Anothervariableisthedefinitionof introversion,assomepeopleconfuseit withsocialanxiety Accordingto personalitytheoriesintrovertsneedto rechargetheirbatteriesbysolitary activities,reflectiononone’sselfor spendingtimewithafewclosedones, whileextrovertsrechargetheir batteriesbyspendingtimewithother people,engageinsocialactivitiesand wouldratheravoidalonetime.Few peoplearepurelyoneortheother, usuallyismoreofamatterofdegree, whichcanvaryduringone’slife.

ABOUTTHEAUTHOR

The Fall, the Communisminspired puzzle game developed by Sand Sailor Studio. The Bucharest based indie development studio is working now on a VR title with online and offline social implications.

Andreea Vaduva is Community Manager for Black

Game O Pedia

Thetrickypartoftheintroversion-extraversion categorisationisthattherearesociableintrovertswhogoto partiesandspeaktobigaudiences,followedupbythe necessaryretreattosolitude.Andthereareextrovertswho doverywelladdressinglargeaudiencesandintroducing themselvestoanyone,butstruggleatsocializingatamore intimatelevel.Therefore,regardlessoftheintroversionextraversionbalance,it’ssocialanxietythatpeoplewould liketoovercomeinthequestofforminghealthy relationships.Anxietyisaconstantfearofpresentand, moreoften,futureevents,basedonimaginedscenariosthat couldgowrongandaffectusphysicallyoremotionally. Someofthesescenariosarehealthyandnecessary,but otherscanbebasedonpasteventsoronfearfulchildhood phantasies,thatwouldn’tstandarealitycheck.Thenormal humanresponsetothesescenariosistobuildabehaviour aroundthem,inordertoavoidpainfulsituations.Andthisis whereVRcomesin!

InadditiontotheVRappsdesignedtoovercomevarious phobias(includingfearofpublicspeaking)bybeingplaced inscenariosspecificallydesignedtograduallyconfrontthe userwithhisobjectoffear;therearealsoacoupleofsocial VRgames(suchasRecRoom),thatpeoplehaveplayed. Luckily,someofthemgenerouslysharedtheirthoughtson, inthisRedditthread.Readingthroughthecomments,I’ve noticedthefollowingsituationsontheuncomfortableend ofthesocialspectrum:

1.WhenplayingaVRsocialgame,itisexpectedofusto socialize,whileonthestreetsnoonehassuch expectations.Sowheninthemoodforsomealonetime, exploringasocialVRappincognito,mightnotbethe bestidea.

2.Interactionishappeninginrealtime,whichincreasesthe anxietycomparedtochatandmessaging,whichletsus beincontrolonthetimespentonreplying.Whichonly provesthatVRsocialisingisclosertosocializinginreal life.

3.AlthoughinVRwefeelphysicallysafe,we’reatahigher riskofbeingbullied,thaninreallife.

Ontheotherhand,forthoseofusstrugglingtoimproveour socialskillshavefoundVRsocialgamestobehelpfulin variousways:

1.InVRyoucancontroltheenvironment:joinorleaveas youplease,orevenchangeenvironmentiftheapp allows.Forananxiousperson,controlplaysabigpartin feelingmoresecure.

2.VRactslikeamaskandjustlikeinanytypeof environment,anonlineavataroraliasoffersthechance ofbeingsomeoneelse,whichcanbeacrucialfirststep, forsomeonewhohasnotyetacceptedhis/herown identity

3.Thesesocialappsopenaworldoflikemindedpeople, whichincreasesthechancetosuccessfulsocial interactions,whichleadsmetothenextpoint…

4.AnyrelationshipthatstartsinVRcanthengrowinreal life(someoneconfessedtheygotengagedaftermeeting inasocialVRapp).

5.Themostsociallyanxiouspeopledaretointeractabit, ratherthanshuttingdowncompletely(whichwouldbe standardprocedureinreallife).Oncethisfirststepis madesuccessfully,formingrelationshipsisjustonestep away.

Goingthroughtheupsanddownsofonlinesocial interaction,I’dsaythatthefutureofVR,asatoolto overcomeanxiety,isusergeneratedcontentinVRand customizationofpre-establishedscenarios.Themomentwe willbeabletoputtogetherourscariestandmostexciting phantasiesinVRourselvesandcontrolthem,we’llfear themless.Themomentwerealizethatwecansurvivethe worstscenarios,maybewe’lldareabitmoretoface unknownanduncontrollablesituations,whichwillbring alongnotjustlessanxiety,butalsojoy

Editor’s Pick

GamePlanConsultingisa 360-globalconsultancy specializedinhelpinggame companiesidentify,strategizeand delivergreatsolutionstotheir challenges.Itisrenownedbyits360 approach,thatnotonlycatersto smallindiestudios,butalsoforsome ofthemajorcorporationslikeBandai Namco,TrionWorlds,InnoGames, Autodeskandevengovernment agencies.GamePlanConsulting’s missionistobethe go-todestinationtoGlobalbusiness intelligenceandcommunications withinthegamingindustry

TheBirthofGamePlanConsulting

AndréFaure,CEOofGamePlan Consultinghasbeenworking exclusivelywithgamesforthelast 20years,alwaysperformingin leadingrolesforcompanieslike Microsoft,EGMMagazine,Tectoy (themosttraditionalgaming companyinBrazil),AeriaGames andlastlyatGamehouse,a RealNetworksdivision.Healways achievedgreatcareerresults,being promotedandinvitedfromcompany tocompany,thusbecominga referenceinthemarket.

Bytheendof2013,hedecidedthatit wastimetostartcreatingand deliveringsolutionstothemarketnot onlyasanexecutivebutalsoasa consultant,byhavingmorefreedomto actanddelivercreativesolutions. Anotherturningpointathiscareerwas thelargedemandhehadtobecomea consultant-since,asareference-he wasbeinginhighdemandedfor severalcompaniestoprovideadvice andsupport.

Workingintheindustryforsolong haveitsbenefits,astoidentifytrends andchanges-thereturnofthePC,the outstandinggrowthofthesmartphone market,theindierevolutionand severalopportunitiesforgaming companieswouldappear Atthesame time,heknewthatthesecomeata priceandthatgamedevelopers,small andbig,aregoodatmakinggames,but astrategic,businessandthevery specializedcommunications componentwouldbemissing. Therefore,hebuiltGamePlantocater tothoseneeds,thusrapidlyachieving greatsuccess.BesidehimisHenrique Martin,GamePlan’sco-founderand ContentChiefOfficer,atech journalist/writerwith20yearsof experienceoncoveringB2BandB2C

consumerelectronicmarkets.

CreativeServiceswithFlexible Approach

Fromthetimeofitsinception, GamePlanwascreatedwithavisionof beingextremelyflexible.Acompany thatworkswithintheboundariesofthe gamesindustryneedstobefast,smart andflexibleenoughtolearnandadapt sincetheindustryissodiverseand innovative.TeamGamePlanisusually severalstepsaheadofotherstryingto deliverthesameservicesandproducts butinaninnovativeway Also, althoughGamePlanhasclear capabilities-BusinessStrategy, IntelligenceandDevelopmentinits businessunit,andPRIntelligence (whichisaverydifferentservicefrom whataPRagencyoffers,becauseis result-oriented),Specializedmarketing solutionsandbrandedcontentfromits communicationsunit,team GamePlan’sfirstapproachisalwaysto deepdiveintotheirpotentialclients’ needs.Theydonotoffertemplates, theyoffersolutions.Inamarketlike gaming,thisiskeytoachieving amazingresults.Also,theyhavejust announcedanewproduct,GamePlan’s FandomManagementFramework,

whichpromisestorevolutionizethewaygaming companiesapproachtheircommunitygrowthand management,movingawayfromthemoreandmore expensiveparadigmofdigitalmarketingcampaigns.

BenefitsforClients

“AtthemomentyoustartworkingwithGamePlan,you aremorethanaclientandyoufeelthatimmediately This isthereasonweareaconsultancy,andnotanagencyor anothersortofbusiness.Weconsiderourselvesliterally partofourclient’steam,andwestrivetohelpthem achievewhattheyneedthemost-resultsandROI,” assertsAndré.“Weareextremelydata-driven,soall solutionsneedtobebasedonrealbenchmarksorvery cleartrends-ourriskisourclient’srisk,sowedon’tplay withthat.Atthesametime,wearewellknownforour creativityandfordeliveringwhereothersfailed.How? Welistenfirstandactlater.Ifyouarecateringforan audience,youhavetolistentotheirneedsbeforethinking aboutyourtacticalstrategy,andwethatwitheverysingle project,shortorlongterm.Ourclientswillhaveclear milestones,cleardeliverablesandaworld-classteamof expertsthatsumdecadesofvideogamemarketexpertise tolandthemahandintothepathofsuccess,”André added.

FutureRoadmapofGamePlan

2017resultedtoaverygoodyearforGamePlan. GamePlanhasarapidlygrowingteamandtheyhavejust announcedtheirfirstpatent-pendingproduct,Gameplan’s FandomManagementFramework,justafewdaysafter YouTubeandFacebookchangedtheiralgorithmstowards moredependencyfromcampaignstocreatereach.“Out frameworkobjectiveisexactlytheoppositeandisbeing developedbyoursocialmediaandBIteamsforovera year Wereallybelieveinthisproductandexpectgreat thingsfromit-wearealreadyimplementingwithsuccess inseveralofourstudioclients.Thisisaclearexampleof ourperspectiveforthefuture:tokeepinnovating,looking closelytowardstherealtrendsoftheindustryandalways beingreadytocaterglobalsolutionstotheindustry. Adaptation,innovationandamazingresults,thisiswhat drivesusforward,”saysAndréwhiletalkingabouttheir successandfutureplans.

www.gameplan.com.br

André Faure CEO

Henrique Martin CCO

Photo credit: Vanessa Serra Photography

Thegamingindustryis witnessinganinfluxof enthusiasmandcreativityin thebusinessworldunlikeever before.Today,entertaininggames likeCandyCrushSaga,Angrybirds enjoytheprestigeofbeinggreat businessproducts,unheardofin history.However,comingupwith suchideasandprotectingthemis stilladifficulttask.Envisioning greatgamesrequireimaginationand creativitywhichisadifficultfeatto achieve.Moreover,millionsof lucrativegamesarecompetingfor theattentionofaspecificgroupof audienceandmanyatimesloseout justduetolackofrightexposure. Hence,somecountrieslikeSweden andFinlandareprovidingthemuch neededsecureenvironmentfortheir gamerstocarrytheirpassionwith prideanddevelopitintogreat products.Thesecountriesare providingthesafetycushionevery gamingcompanyneedsfortheir gamestoreceivefunding,establisha strongpresenceonlineand collaboratewithindustryleadersina trulyprofessionalmanner

TheCocoonThatNurtures tomorrow’sButterflies

Oneorganizationwhichplaysa pivotalroleincreatingsuchasecure environmentforgamingcompanies inFinlandisKavioCluster.Itisa

regionalGamingIndustryorganization basedinthecityofKajaani,aregionof Kainuu,inNorthernFinland.Todaythe Clusterisavibrantcollaborative communityofnear20independent GameStudios.Inordertounderstand theireffort,itisimportanttolookat thegroundrealityofthegaming industryinFinland.Thegaming industryinFinlandiswitnessingthe riseofmanycreativestartupsbacked byexcellenttechnicaleducationwhich valuescreativity.Theresultsofsuch excellenteducationareapparentin NorthernFinland,whichhoststhe secondmostsuccessfulgaming industryareainFinland.Hence,the KavioClusterisalsoasourceof inspirationalprofessionalgaming educationinFinland.Itaimstomake theFinnishindustrybattlereadyto meetglobalchallengesandprotectsit whentheinnovativeideasareattheir mostvulnerableinitialstages.

TheHistoryandItsWitnesses

Theorganizationhasimplemented theirvisionthroughprovidingan essentialsupportnetworkthrough closedcloudsolutionswhichare almostfreeofchargeduringthe developmentphase.Additionally,the organizationprovidescollaboration anddevelopmentopportunityforthe mostlucrativegamingsegments, whichareeSportsandmobilegaming. Asaresultoftheirlong-established

commitment,Kavio Clustercurrently hostsworld-classleadersingaming, includingCriticalForceOyandVirtual FrontiersOY,CSEEntertainmentOy andmanymore.KavioClustershelps themembercompaniestodevelopand publishtheirgamestoallexisting platformsusingthelatestgaming techniquesandtechnologiesevenfor alternatecontexts.Theorganization continuestoberuninanextremely competitivefashionwithvarious gamingindustryleaderscontributingto thecauseasadailyroutine.Kavio Clusterwasformedwithavisionthat theKainuuregioninFinlandiscapable ofproducinggreatgamingcompanies whichshouldcompetewith world-classcompaniesfromUSA,UK, Japan,China,Indiaandothers.

TheLeadershipThatMakesItAll LookEasy

KavioClusterisaperfectexampleof greatcollaborationofGamingIndustry expertTimoYlikangaswhohasover 20yearsofrelevantexperienceand KainuunEtuOy,whowasinstrumental inbuildingthefoundationofthe organization.Initsinitialstages,the organizationrequiredbringingvarious stakeholdersintheindustrytogetheron acommonplatform.KainuunEtu,a non-profitorganizationhelped establishtrustamongvarious stakeholdersandbridgethegap betweenthemtolaythefoundingbrick

ofKavioCluster Theorganizationhasreceivedan invaluablecontributionfromKainuunEtu(OY),whichhas ledtheorganizationtowinthe“BestEuropeanRegional DevelopmentAgencyoftheyear2016”,prestigiousaward. Thecompanycurrentlyalsohelpsstartupstogetintouch withinvestorsandpublishersandindustryleaders.Industry leadersoftenareavaluablesourceofinsightsforthenovice gamingbusinesseswhichoftenlacktheoutsider-hands-on viewexperienceandperspective.KavioClusteralso providesfundingtocompaniesfromimportantsourcessuch asEUandnationalprojectfunding,whichisanimmense sourceofstrengthforfounderswholackfinancialresources andmotivationtobuildgreatproducts.

TheNextFrontieroftheWorldofOpportunities

Foracreativeindustrylikegaming,theskyisthelimitfor success.Nevertheless,manygamingcompaniesaroundthe worldaresearchingforeffectivesolutionstomonetizetheir games.KavioClusterhelpscompaniesofFinlandtonot onlyunderstandthedifferentchannelsandplatformsfor monetizingtheirwork,butalsoprovidesthemseveral essentialinsightstobesuccessful.

ThenextstepforKAVIOistohelpgamingcompanies launchnewgamingproductsorservicesthatprovides hands-freeexperienceinAnalytics,UserAcquisition, CommunityManagement,ChannelBuildingandMarketing. Inmanyways,KavioCluster’srelationshipwithindustry leadershasrevolutionizedtheindustrywithmore collaborationbetweenimportantstakeholdersandcreation ofstate-of-the-artopportunities.

Theorganizationwillsoonoperationalizeaprofessional investorfundtosupporttheirpartnercompanies.Thenew revenuegenerationopportunitieswillcreateaboostfor Finnishgamingindustrywithmoreopportunitiesandmore growthintheupcomingfuture.Itisimperativetodayfor Finishgamingcompaniestograbthenewopportunities createdtoboostgames,gamingstudios,investorsand publishers.

Timo Ylikangas

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Inthismodernageof technologicaladvancementsand stiffcompetition,providingthe bestpossibleservicetothe customersisofprimeconcernfor everyorganization.Timeshave changedandtechnological upgradationtothehighestlevelis theneedofthehourtosurviveand excelamongcompetitors.

Thegamingindustryhasundergone atremendousmetamorphosisover theyears.Ithasachievedremarkable successworldwiderecentlyandhas evolvedfromboardgamesandvideo gamestothemostadvanced technologiesincluding3D replications,virtualrealityand augmentedreality.Gamingservice providershaveevolvedand upgradedinordertocopeupwith thetremendouscompetitionand latestdevelopments.

Sycoforgeisanelitegaming solutionproviderlocatedinZurich, Switzerland.Itaimsatcreating uniquegamingexperiencesforavid gamers.AtSycoforge,an interdisciplinaryteamofengineers, mathematicians,artistsandcreative architectsworktogethertobring forththeultimategamingexperience totheusers. Theteamworks togethertobringtolifetheoriginally curatedgaminguniverse,Arafinn, wherenever-before-heardlanguages

andunitsofmeasurementareused. Since2009,teamSycoforgehasbeen workingonmakingtheArafinn Universeasuccessfulventure.

BeyondCreatingaGame

AfactthatsetsSycoforgeapartfrom itscompetitorsisthatitnotonly creates‘games’,butalsoacomplete andself-containeduniverse.“Arafinn” isauniquefantasyuniversethathasits owngeography,demography, sociology,centuriesofdocumented historywithhugegenealogytreesof themostimportantfamiliesand cultures,originallanguageswithown grammarsandscripturesandsoon. Playerscanalwaysexpecttohavea redthreadthroughallofitsstoriesand games.

Sycoforgeissteadilymovingaheadon itstriumphantjourney,andcreditsits entireteamfortheunparalleled dedicationandhardwork.Theteam hasalwaysbeenconnectedandrelated, andconsiderstheorganizationasa ‘familybusiness’.Alltheteam membersshareafeelingofunityand onenessandthesamevisionwhich theypursuepersistentlywithout thinkingaboutgivingup.

Asagamingsolutionprovider,team Sycoforgefeelsthattechnological advancesprovideendlessopportunities toalmosteveryonetocreatetheirown

game.Ontheotherhand,italsofeels thatthisisalsoachallenge,asit becomesmoredifficulttostandout fromthecrowd.Thecompany considersitasamajoropportunityfor independentorganizationstopersistin amarketthatwasdominatedforalong timebybig-players,andhasbeenmore balancedanddemocratizedinrecent years.

Thecompanygivesimportancetothe principlesofhonestyandauthenticity andstrivestoachievecustomer satisfaction.Italsobelievesinthe policyofmutualgivingandtaking.As independentdevelopers,aswellas gamersthemselves,teamSycoforge knowswhatcustomersexpectofa goodgameandthatdeliveringwhat onehaspromisediskeytocreatea player-basethatreallyenjoys-and thereforekeepsbuying–one’sgames. Theentireteamworkstogetherwith passionanddedicationonatrue-tooriginalworldoffantasy,adventure andaction.Theteamdoesn’t compromiseduetohalf-completed storiesandaimsatdeliveringthefinal productbeforethegivendeadline.

TheDrivingForceofSycoforge

Sycoforgehasbeenguidedonits successfulpathbyfoundingmembers IsmaelWittwerandMichela Rimensberger.Theyfoundedthis organizationwiththeobjectiveof

providingtheultimategamingexperiencetothecustomers andtakeittothenextlevel.

MajorProjects

ThemajorprojectsofSycoforgerevolvearoundthefantasy universeofArafinn.

Arafinn Universe

SycoforgehasbeenworkingonthefabledWorldofArafinn, aself-containedfantasyuniverse,since2009.Thisuniverse hasalsogrownandevolvedovertheyearsandconsistsof 25provinceswith2600citiesandvillagesinhabitedby morethan600families,clansandtribeshavingtheirown politicalorientationsandspeakingtheirownseparate language.Moreover,fourmainlanguagesarespokenacross thelandsnamely-Tirdish,Hildujr,Valdyrish,andOmturu. Eachlanguagehasitsowngrammarandalphabet. Sycoforge hasattemptedtoadddetailsandbreathelifeinto theArafinnUniversebybuildingdifferentunitsofmeasure. Sincesometimethecompanyhasbeenworkingonamajor gamebasedonArafinn,namely:

Arafinn-Return to Nangrim

ThefirstpartoftheArafinnUniversewillbeknownas ‘Arafinn-ReturntoNangrim.’Itwillrevolvearoundthe storyandlegacyofthealmostforgottennationofthe Stonebeardswhousedtoliveintheinhospitablerealmsof theNimborMountains.

‘Arafinn-ReturntoNangrim’isafirst-personfantasy adventurewithRPG-,Survival-andPuzzle-elements.It involvesexploration,research,puzzlesolvinganddefense strategiesinordertouncoverthemysteriesandlegendsof Nangrim.Technicallygeneratedcontentandpuzzles guaranteeadifferentgamingexperienceforeachandevery player.Thefocusofthegameisnotonfighting;rather,the playershouldbepreparedtodefendhimselfagainstvarious dangerslurkingintheshadows.Aplayerhastofallbackon theancientknowledgeoftheStonebeardsinorderto successfullysurviveinthecountlesshallsofNangrim.

FuturePlans

Thecompanyplanstoreleaseaspecialgifttoitsfans aroundChristmastimethatwouldattunethemtotheactual game.Theninthefirstquarterof2018,itisplanningto launchitsKickstartercampaign,whichshouldhelpin speedingupproductionofthegame.

Michela Rimensberger

Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality and eSports: The Buzzwords of Gaming Industry where the Future lies

Thegamingindustryhasevolvedtoagreat

extentoveraperiodoftime.Ithaspushed theenvelopeandadoptedcuttingedge technologiesthatlaterbecamemainstream technologieslikestreamingonlinecontent,1080p and4Kgraphics.Intoday’sdynamicworldasone trendends,anotherisalwaysjustaroundthecorner, readytotaketheworldbysurpriseandrightnow thereareplentyofthingstobeexcitedabout.Let’s digalittledeeperintothelatestbuzzofthegaming industry,andhowthingsmightchangegoing forward.

VR(VirtualReality)isonesuchhottopicinthe gamingindustry VRissomethingthatwastalked aboutformanyyearsbeforeitsactualarrival.But whenithitthestreet,itdidnotboomasexpected. However,therehavebeendramaticimprovementsto

boththehardwareandsoftwareinVRsinceitsearly days.VRispoisedtohaveahugeimpactonthe gamingsectorinmanydifferentforms.Onlinegaming sitesarealsoreapinghugebenefitsofVR.WithVR technologyatthecore,itispossibletocreate impressivevirtualgamingexperiencesforcustomers to

enjoy

Augmented Reality is the New Fascination for Gaming Industry

AugmentedReality(AR)isanotherformof technologythatissettochangethelandscapeof gaming.Wherevirtualrealitiesprovidegamersa completevirtualworldexperience,ARoverlays virtualdigitalworldonthetopoftherealworldand givesgamerathrillingexperience.Thelatestflagship smartphonesofAppleanddeveloperframeworkslike

Apple’sARKitarebringingARtechnologyintothe mainstreamveryrapidly.Manytechnologyleadersare alreadypresumingthatARcouldbemuchbiggerthan virtualreality,especiallyasARisalreadyprovingto beabighitinsmartphonesasmoreandmorepeople areusingmobilephonesandtabletsforgamingthan Pcs.

Overthelastcoupleofyearsthegamingindustryhas witnessedanincreasedmomentumaroundaugmented reality(AR).Theprimaryreasonseemstobethe overnightsuccessofPokémonGo,alocation-based ARgamewhichwasdownloadedmorethan100 milliontimesinitsfirstmonthoflaunch.Itreportedly earned$10mperdayattheheightofitspopularity, andhasattractedwidespreadattentionandinvestment. Itsabilitytobringpeopletogetherandpromotea powerfulsenseofcommunityistheprimereason behindtheburgeoninggrowth.Mostofthebreakthroughtechnologieshavedonemuchthesame, whetheritisasocialmediainnovationlikeFacebook, Twitter,andInstagramormobileactivitiesinvolving texting,datingorgaming.VRontheotherhand,has farlimitedaccessinthesocialarena.In2017,Game DevelopersConferencewasruledbyvirtualreality ButduetoimmensepopularityofPokémonGo, augmentedrealityhasbecomethenewindustry darling.ItwillbeprematuretosaythatVRhasbeen outoftheracecompletelybutatGDC2017,industry hasseentheemergenceofARasacompelling technologyforgamingandbeyond.

ARbasedgamesworktheirmagicsimplybydropping videogamecharactersintoafamiliarandreal environmentwhichgivesgamersathrillingexperience whileplaying.ARenablesgamingcharactertorun alongreal-worldtabletopsandbounceonsofas.With thenewadvancementsinAR,playerscanscanaroom

withtheirdevicesandcreatea3Dmapofthewalls andfurniture.Gamerscanplacetheirvirtual charactersandobjectsonrealtablesandshelves, whileotherplayerscanviewthesceneandjoinvia theirowndevices.Duetothesefacets,gaming industryisembracingARtechnologysinceitallows gameplayerstoexperienceadigitalgameplayedin arealworldenvironment.

e-Sports- an Idea becoming a Gaming Trend

Theotherideathatisshapingthefutureofgaming industryisofcompetitivegamingcommonlyknown aseSports Theacceptanceofcompetitiveonline gamingisgrowingatanintenserateforboth competitorandviewers.Manybelievethatthe conceptofeSportscouldbleedovertoskill-based casinogaminginthecomingtimes.

Market Forecast

AccordingtorenownedresearchgiantGoldman Sachs,thevirtualandaugmentedrealityindustry willbecome $85 billion market by 2025. Muchof itssharewillbelongtogamingindustry Mostofthesetechnologiesrequirealotof bandwidthtofunctioninahasslefreemanner.With 5Garrivalisjustaroundthecorner,itwillonlygive boosttothesetechnologiesandwillplayapivotal roleinchangingthefaceofgamingtothenextlevel. Itisestimatedthat5Gconnectioncancomfortably reachataspeedofaround10Gbps,whichwillmake mobilegamingexperiencemuchbetterthanearlier.

WiththeadventofAR,VRandeSports,onecan rightlypresumesthesetechnologieswillonlymake gamersexperiencemuchmorecaptivatingonewith lotsofthrillandjoy

Today,gamingindustryis undergoingaphaseofrapid developmentwithrecent innovationsandadvancementsin technologywhichhaveall contributedtotheoverall enhancementofthegaming experience.Withtheintroductionof VRgamingaswellastechnological advancementofgraphicandsound cards,3Dgraphicsacceleratorsand amazinglyfastCPUshasunveileda neweraofgaming.

Growingswiftly,thegaming industryisexpectedtogenerate revenuesuptoUSD90.07billionin 2020.Thoughgamingindustryhas enormouspotentialtogrowand servethemassesbutthereisagap whichneedtobeserved.Whitepot Studiosisonesuchgaming companywhichisreadytotapthe potentialandextractthemaximum benefitsfromitwhileservingthe gameloverswiththebestoftheir choice.

WhitepotStudiosisagame developmentandcreativemedia solutioncompanybasedinBelfast, NorthernIreland.Itisfoundedby twoardentgamelovers,Adam WhitesideandVickyPotts CountingonWhitepot’s achievements;theyinthefirstyear

oftheircompany’sinception successfullyreleasedtheirfirstgame, Tubocity.Asci-fiendlessrunner, Tubocitybecamepopularinnotime andhasbeendownloadedinover35 countrieswithinthefirstquartersince itsrelease.

MeettheDynamicDuoofWhitepot

AdamWhitesideandVickyPottsare jointco-foundersofWhitepotStudios, andarepartnersinlifeaswellas business!BothQueen’sUniversity Belfastgraduatesarethefirstintheir familiestogototheuniversity,thepair foundedstart-upIVEAlabsstraight aftergraduationwithtwocolleagues, whichdevelopedaninteractive Bluetoothbeaconsolutiontoprovide aninteractiveexperiencewithin exhibitionsandmuseums.

IVEAlabssuccessfullyattained fundingfromtheprestigiousIreland FundsBusinessPlanCompetition. AdamWhitesideandVickyPottswere alsothefinalistsintheSantander UniversitiesEntrepreneurshipAwards 2016andsecuredaplaceonInvest NI’sPropelProgramme.Following theirtimewithIVEAlabs,Adamand Vickyremainedteameduptofollow theirpassionsofmakinggamesand havingcreativefreedom;andsetup WhitepotStudioswithhelpfromthe

knowledgegainedfromtheirprevious start-upexperience.WhitepotStudios, thoughearlystage,hassuccessfully launchedtheirfirsttitle,attended Gamescom2017inCologneexhibiting aspartoftheUKIEStand,andhave successfullyattainedfundingfromNI Screen’sAssemblerprogrammefor early-stagegameprototype development.

SomeOutstandingProductsand ServicesbyWhitepot

WhitepotStudiosuniquegoalisto developfun,emergentgamesthatare primarilyplayer-driven–inwhichthe player’sexperienceisshapedbythem andthosetheyinteractwith,andwill bedifferenteachandeverytimethey play.Additionally,atWhitepotthey offercreativemediaservicessuchas gamesforhire,graphicdesign,and websitedesign.

Tubocity:Tubocityisafreemobile gameforiOSandAndroidthatreally testsyourreflexes–seehowfaralong youcanget,andmaybeyou’llgetthe globalhighscore!

WhyAmIInThePast?WhoCares!

ShootTheRomans:Ancientvs. Technologycomestoaheadin“Why amIinthepast?Whocares!Shootthe

Romans,”(WAIITPWCSTR).ItisaWindowsbasedPC gamewhichwasdevelopedusing‘Unity.’

PresentScenarioofGamingIndustryfromAdam’s Viewpoint

The game development scene in Northern Ireland is flourishing and has grown even larger in the past year since we joined. The availability of free, industry-standard development tools like Unity has allowed anyone with a PC, some time, and dedication to develop a game and share it with the world – and that is really, really amazing. The motivation of young people to create things by themselves from scratch to add their own portfolio is incredibly inspiring, and I can’t wait to see what the next generation of developers – those, for example, currently making amazing Minecraft creations at a young age – will be like in 5, 10, or 15 years,assertsAdam.

Adamalsobelievesthat,gamejamsandhackathonsarea hugesocialopportunitywhichisnottobemissed.Local gaminggroupsandorganizationscanarrangegamejam meetupswhichco-incidewithgamejamsrunningallover theworld.Gamejamsallowteamstocollaborateonagiven themewithinaveryshortspaceoftime–andcanproduce somethingamazingandallowpeopletomeetnewfriends, learnnewskills,andsurpriseeventhemselvesatwhatthey canproduceinthespaceof24–72hours!

TurningChallengesintoOpportunities

Joining the local game development community and ensuring we absorbed each and every opportunity of help available has been invaluable in helping us gain new clients and make new relationships. Adam and I knowing each other so well and working so closely together has also been important in ensuring our success – we know exactly how talented the other is and can help each other through stressful crunch periods, and also those periods of celebration where things have gone well. Knowing your co-founder well is incredibly important, assertsVicky.

AtWhitepottheyaimtobeamajorbreakoutcompanyin NorthernIrelandby2019withthereleaseoftheirfirstPC gameearlythatyear

Adam Whiteside, Co-founder

Vicky Potts, Co-founder