Aftermath Interactive AB, a Sweden-based independent game studio, and Hensel Grad P.C., a U.S. gaming law and advisory firm, announced a strategic agreement to develop a skill-based poker game for launch in the US.
The strategic agreement partners Aftermath Interactive’s innovative game development expertise with Hensel Grad’s deep knowledge of U.S. gaming laws and regulation. Together the companies will create a truly skill-based digital poker experience. The concept builds on Aftermath Interactive’s free-to-play game Hands of Victory which is currently in early soft-launch. Non-US players can try the game out by participating in tournaments hosted on the Challengermode platform.
“Our vision leverages patent-approved technology and our Hands of Victory IP to evolve poker as a competitive skill game and provide players with fun, new ways to showcase poker-related skills while competing for prize money. By introducing novel, skill-enhancing game mechanics, more action oriented, character-based gameplay and a dynamic, decision-based scoring system, we believe a pay-to-enter version of Hands of Victory can fill a profound hole in the US market. Thanks to this strategic agreement we can now explore various paths to deliver that vision transparently and in line with state and federal laws,” Kim Lund, CEO of Aftermath Interactive, said.
Hensel Grad will draw on its knowledge of gaming laws and regulations to help shape the pay-to-enter version of Hands of Victory game for the US in a manner that ensures the game qualifies as a game of skill under state laws.
“U.S. courts have long held that traditional poker is a game of chance and, therefore, subject to state gambling laws. The Hands of Victory game is different from traditional poker. It will equip players with a wide range of tactical tools to put an entertaining and engaging twist on poker and will be unlike any other game currently available to U.S. players,” Susan Hensel, Co-founder and Partner of Hensel Grad, said.
Aftermath Interactive is a start-up game studio run by gaming veterans with 50+ years combined experience in crafting, operating, and promoting games including gambling games. Hensel Grad is a firm established by former gaming regulators to assist gaming companies in navigating the often complex and disparate U.S. state-based regulatory environment. By agreeing to work together, the companies will optimize one another’s knowledge to offer U.S. poker players and other gamers a fresh opportunity to demonstrate and develop their game playing skills.
