MGA Games strengthens its presence in Belgium in an agreement with Napoleon Games

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Endorphina, a leading casino software in the iGaming industry, has recently released a new cat-themed title, Aristocats. Revolving around royalty and prestige, this online slot gives you the opportunity to create your own purrfect Kingdom.

Aristocats is a 5-reel, 3-row slot with 25 fixed paylines, where players encounter cats with important titles like princesses and dukes. Set in a stunning castle, the slot depicts the opulent lifestyle splendidly, allowing players to collect priceless jewels and crowns as part of the royal treasure.

As one of the top providers in the industry, Endorphina has proven to consider every detail in order to deliver the ultimate gaming experience for its customers. As of 2024, the company has over 150 innovative slot games in its diverse portfolio, each one with its own unique features and mechanics. As the most recent addition to the game portfolio, Aristocats features the crisp graphics and exciting gameplay features that all Endorphina slots are known to have.

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In an era where convenience and security are paramount when it comes to payment technologies, the emergence of biometric payment methods like palm payments at Whole Foods has ignited a fervent discussion among consumers and industry experts alike.

As a leading figure in the field, Kenneth Larsen from KT Group offers a comprehensive analysis of the implications of these advancements, specifically in the context of sports betting, advocating for a careful balance between innovation and security to ensure the integrity of the payment ecosystem.

Understanding Biometric Payment Technologies:

Biometric payment technologies, such as palm payments, leverage unique physiological characteristics—like palm prints—to authenticate users and facilitate transactions. These touch-free methods promise a seamless and secure payment experience, eliminating the need for physical cards or cash. While the convenience of biometric payments is undeniable, they also raise important questions about data privacy and security.

Kenneth from KT Group explains that the success of biometric payment technologies hinges on their ability to protect sensitive biometric data from unauthorised access and exploitation. Robust encryption protocols and stringent authentication processes are essential to safeguard against potential threats, such as identity theft and data breaches. Moreover, ensuring transparency and accountability in how companies handle biometric data is crucial to maintaining consumer trust and confidence.

The Promise and Perils of Palm Payments:

Palm payments represent the latest frontier in biometric payment technologies, offering consumers a novel and convenient way to conduct transactions. By analysing a person’s unique palm signature, these systems aim to enhance security and streamline the payment process. However, the rapid proliferation of palm payments raises concerns about the long-term implications for consumer privacy and autonomy.

Kenneth believes that while palm payments hold great promise, they must be implemented responsibly to mitigate potential risks. As industry leaders, it is imperative to prioritise consumer privacy and security above all else, ensuring that biometric data is handled ethically and transparently. By maintaining a vigilant stance on data security and adhering to best practices, companies can build trust with their customers and foster widespread adoption of palm payments.

The Path Forward:

As biometric payment technologies continue to evolve and gain traction, Kenneth urges industry stakeholders to approach them with caution and foresight. While the allure of innovation is strong, it must not come at the expense of consumer trust and confidence. By heeding the insights of experts like Kenneth from KT Group and prioritising security and privacy in the design and implementation of these technologies, we can navigate the biometric payment revolution with confidence and integrity.

To surmise Kenneth remarked, “The emergence of biometric payment technologies represents a significant milestone in the evolution of payment ecosystems. As we embrace these innovations, it is essential to remain vigilant and proactive in addressing the challenges they present. By fostering collaboration among industry stakeholders, advocating for robust security measures, and prioritising consumer privacy, we can ensure that biometric payment technologies serve as a force for good, enhancing the payment experience while safeguarding the trust and confidence of consumers worldwide.”

Credit: Kioskterminals.com

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Digital Catapult North East Tees Valley has hosted its first virtual reality (VR) esports tournament, titled The Gauntlet Cup, which combined the immersion of VR gaming with the benefits of physical exercise. The unique tournament demonstrated the value of the North East’s gaming sector, giving local companies, games-developers and startups an opportunity to share ideas, collaborate and compete in a commercially neutral environment.

Contestants participated in the tournament by completing BearHammer’s Venture Gauntlet VR, an obstacle course which challenged players’ bodies and minds by testing their stamina, accuracy, and reflexes as they navigated treacherous terrains, solved puzzles, and tackled various obstacles in the virtual world. The obstacle course served as an insight into where video-games and esports are headed, as the UK is home to some of the biggest esports and gaming organisations in the world, with Riot Games, Twitch and FACEIT all holding offices across the country.

BearHammer’s Ventures Gauntlet VR game introduced a new dimension to esports, converging the entertainment of video games with the benefits of physical exercise. This created a unique and immersive experience that pushed the boundaries of what esports can be in the future, and showcased unique new use-cases of immersive technology and its applications for public health. The winner of the Gauntlet Cup, Gareth Randle, won a Quest 2 VR headset, and two runner-ups each took home a £50 voucher.

The tournament served as an effective way of reaching a new audience of gamers in the North East, and was hosted by Advanced Media Production Gateshead, in partnership with BearHammer Games, Digital Catapult and Innovate UK. Digital Catapult is committed to growing critical economic sectors in the UK, and its Advanced Media Production network, immersive labs, and team of experts will play a pivotal role in growing the UK’s gaming industry and supporting the next generation of games developers.

The Gauntlet Cup was held as the economic value of the North East’s gaming industry is set to increase, with it now accounting for 5.4 per cent of all UK games development workforce, and as games development in the region has grown by over 45% in the last year. The UK gaming industry has also proven to be a significant employer in the UK, with The Independent Game Developers’ Association (TIGA) finding that overall employment in the UK’s games development sector has surged by 11.4%, while studio numbers have increased by almost 18% in 2023.

Sophie Craggs, the Studio Manager at Advanced Media Production Gateshead said: “We’re thrilled to host such an exciting event at the Advanced Media Production Studio at Gateshead. The Gauntlet Cup brought together the North East’s gaming community for a unique and exciting tournament that offers a snapshot into the future of esports and video-games. I hope that it has inspired local businesses and studios, and shown what’s possible, and I’m proud that we used this opportunity to demonstrate the value of combining gaming with fitness. It was a joy to watch the players in action.”

Brian Allen, Studio Director at BearHammer Games said: “Ventures Gauntlet VR was designed to challenge both the mind and body, creating a unique gaming experience that combines physical fitness with the thrill of adventure. We really enjoyed seeing players pushed to their limits in The Gauntlet Cup.”

Gareth Randle, VR Gamer and Gauntlet Cup winner, said: “I am really happy about my win. I couldn’t have competed with any better people. We need more VR gaming like this out there and I can see the growth trajectory being incredible in the future.”