IAB Releases Intrinsic In-Game Measurement Guidelines For Public Comment

2022-06-15 18:33:10 By : Ms. Double Ng

Guidelines Provide an Update on Viewability and Measurement Standards for In-Game Ads

In a joint collaboration between IAB, IAB Tech Lab, and the Media Rating Council (MRC), IAB has released its Intrinsic In-Game (IIG) Measurement Guidelines to establish updated measurement guidelines for ads that appear within gameplay. The release is open for public comment for a 30-day period until July 15, 2022 .

When IAB released its current standard of in-game ad measurement standards in 2009, video games and advertising technology were in a vastly different stage of development. The updated standards will address ad viewability, measurement, inactivity, and fraud with intrinsic in-game ads bringing them up to par with the rest of digital media. Intrinsic in-game ads refers to native in-game or in-play ads that are placed 'in the game' enabling a seamless part of the gameplay environment. As more companies enter the gaming ecosystem, it's critical that IAB and IAB Tech Lab gather the industry to help establish uniform standards needed to create consistency across the in-game advertising marketplace.

"Gaming represents a huge opportunity for marketers," said Zoe Soon , VP, IAB Experience Center. "With 227 million gamers in the US, and over 3 billion globally by the end of this year, it's a major entertainment channel, especially for Gen Z, the next generation of household decision-makers and spenders. We are updating the 2009 in-game guidelines to help marketers tap into this attention oasis and measure outcomes with confidence and transparency."

The updated IIG measurement standards:

"With IIG, we will have viewability standards within in-game environments and guidelines for tracking impression measurement, display ad viewability, and invalid traffic, taken into account with various technical factors such as screen size, resolution, angle, and lighting," said Shailley Singh , SVP, Product Management & Global Programs, IAB Tech Lab. "These will be important factors as we prepare to scale advertising in gaming and expand growth in advertising for marketers and their partners as they operate in a relatively new space."

"Technology has advanced considerably since we and IAB issued our first set of guidelines for in-game ad measurement, which predated critical measurement concepts like ad viewability, so it's crucial that we issue this update to address the accelerated growth of gaming," added George W. Ivie , Executive Director and CEO, MRC. "Through the IIG measurement guidelines, we can now have greater consistency versus having vendors create their own rules for their measurements, which enables publisher and buyer trust as the industry works together to create a non-intrusive ad experience."

The project is a joint effort between the IAB Experience Center, the IAB Tech Lab and the Media Rating Council, with considerable input from members of IAB UK and a task force of prominent in-game ad companies, brands, and agencies.

To review the proposed updated guidelines, please visit https://www.iab.com/blog/intrinsic-in-game-measurement-guidelines . Questions and comments can be sent to games@iab.com .

About IAB The Interactive Advertising Bureau empowers the media and marketing industries to thrive in the digital economy. Its membership comprises more than 700 leading media companies, brands, agencies, and the technology firms responsible for selling, delivering, and optimizing digital ad marketing campaigns. The trade group fields critical research on interactive advertising, while also educating brands, agencies, and the wider business community on the importance of digital marketing. In affiliation with the IAB Tech Lab, IAB develops technical standards and solutions. IAB is committed to professional development and elevating the knowledge, skills, expertise, and diversity of the workforce across the industry. Through the work of its public policy office in Washington, D.C. , the trade association advocates for its members and promotes the value of the interactive advertising industry to legislators and policymakers. Founded in 1996, IAB is headquartered in New York City .

About IAB Technology Laboratory Established in 2014, the IAB Technology Laboratory (Tech Lab) is a non-profit consortium that engages a member community globally to develop foundational technology and standards that enable growth and trust in the digital media ecosystem. Comprised of digital publishers, ad technology firms, agencies, marketers, and other member companies, IAB Tech Lab focuses on solutions for brand safety and ad fraud; identity, data, and consumer privacy; ad experiences and measurement; and programmatic effectiveness. Its work includes the OpenRTB real-time bidding protocol, ads.txt anti-fraud specification, Open Measurement SDK for viewability and verification, VAST video specification, and Project Rearc initiative for privacy-centric addressability. Board members/companies are listed at https://iabtechlab.com/about-the-iab-tech-lab/tech-lab-leadership/ . For more information, please visit https://iabtechlab.com .

About MRC The Media Rating Council is a non-profit industry association established in 1963 comprised of leading television, radio, print and digital media companies, as well as advertisers, advertising agencies and trade associations, whose goal is to ensure measurement services that are valid, reliable and effective.  Measurement services desiring MRC accreditation are required to disclose to their customers all methodological aspects of their service; comply with the MRC Minimum Standards for Media Rating Research as well as other applicable industry measurement guidelines; and submit to MRC-designed audits to authenticate and illuminate their procedures. In addition, the MRC membership actively pursues research issues they consider priorities in an effort to improve the quality of research in the marketplace. Currently approximately 110 research products are audited by the MRC. Additional information about MRC can be found at www.mediaratingcouncil.org .

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SOURCE Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB); IAB Tech Lab

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East Side Games Group (TSX: EAGR) (OTC: EAGRF) (" ESGG " or the " Company "), Canada's leading free-to-play mobile game group, in collaboration with Universal Games and Digital Platforms, announced today the worldwide launch of The Office: Somehow We Manage on iOS and Android. The free-to-play idle game is inspired by NBC's critically acclaimed, Emmy® Award-winning U.S. version of The Office which is now streaming exclusively on Peacock.

Watch the launch trailer here .

" The Office: Somehow We Manage offers players the chance to immerse themselves in iconic moments from the series and connect with their favorite characters like never before," said Darcy Taylor , Chief Executive Officer of ESGG. "Fans of The Office will absolutely feel the nostalgia through this new game."

" The Office: Somehow We Manage reimagines the cast as vibrant, animated characters for the first time, bringing a fresh new experience to The Office fans everywhere," said Jim Molinets , SVP of Production, Universal Games and Digital Platforms. "The game will transport players into well-known and hilarious episodes that have resonated with so many over the years and let them 'clock in' even more time with their favorite Dundler Mifflin employees."

The Office: Somehow We Manage will allow fans to relive memorable moments from the show like they've never seen them before - animated, all while tapping their way to record profits to save the Scranton Branch from downsizing. Featuring accessible gameplay for all types of players, this narrative idle tapper will give players the chance to unlock and upgrade iconic characters and their desks all the while participating in monthly special events for additional in-game rewards.

COLLECT ICONIC CHARACTERS IN GAME Tap, upgrade, and build desks for favorite characters from the hit NBC comedy The Office , including Prison Mike, Farmer Dwight, Pretzel Day Stanley, and of course, Three Hole Punch Jim, all appearing in animated form for the first time.

RELIVE MEMORABLE EPISODES FROM THE OFFICE [U.S.] Click through memorable episodes in this free-to-play game, like "The Dundies" and "Dinner Party." Take a seat in Michael's office, get in line for Pretzel Day, or spend the weekend at Schrute Farms. Oh, and watch out for Kevin's famous chili! Additional episodes from all nine seasons of the show will be added to the game on a regular basis.

SPECIAL EVENTS In-game events will introduce new versions of characters and more memorable moments, along with weekly and monthly special events inspired by elements from the show.

EARN IN-GAME REWARDS TO KEEP THE BRANCH AFLOAT Manage Dunder Mifflin Scranton with the help of the whole branch! Get new leads and tap away as the in-game rewards start rolling in. Just make sure Michael doesn't spend the surplus on a new plasma TV!

Players can now run the world's best mid-size regional paper company branch in The Office: Somehow We Manage , available now on iOS and Android.

Visual assets for the game, including key art and logos, can be found in the online press kit .

ABOUT EAST SIDE GAMES GROUP

East Side Games Group (formerly operating under the name "LEAF Mobile Inc.") is a leading free-to-play mobile game group, creating engaging games that produce enduring player loyalty. Our studio groups entrepreneurial culture is anchored in creativity, execution, and growth through licensing of our proprietary Game Kit software platform that enables professional game developers to greatly increase the efficiency and effectiveness of game creation in addition to organic growth through a diverse portfolio of original and licensed IP mobile games that include: Archer: Danger Phone, Bud Farm Idle Tycoon, Cheech & Chong Bud Farm , The Goldbergs: Back to the 80s, It's Always Sunny: The Gang Goes Mobile and Trailer Park Boys Grea$y Money , RuPaul's Drag Race Superstar and T he Office: Somehow We Manage .

We are headquartered in Vancouver, Canada and our games are available worldwide on the App Store and Google Play. For further information, please visit: www.eastsidegamesgroup.com and join our online communities at LinkedIn , Twitter , Facebook , and Instagram .

Additional information about the Company continues to be available under its legal name, LEAF Mobile Inc., at www.sedar.com .

ABOUT NBC'S THE OFFICE

Produced by Universal Television in association with Deedle-Dee Productions and Reveille Productions, The Office is a groundbreaking mockumentary television series that follows the daily lives of the employees of the Scranton branch of Dunder Mifflin, a fictional paper company. All nine seasons of the Emmy® Award-winning series are available exclusively on Peacock.

Peacock is NBCUniversal's streaming service. Peacock delivers a world-class slate of exclusive originals, on-demand libraries of hit TV shows, plus critically acclaimed films from the vaults of Universal Pictures, Focus Features, DreamWorks Animation, Illumination and Hollywood's biggest studios. In addition, Peacock taps into NBCUniversal's unmatched ability to deliver a broad range of compelling topical content across news, sports, late-night, Spanish-language and reality. NBCUniversal is a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation.

ABOUT UNIVERSAL GAMES AND DIGITAL PLATFORMS

Universal's Games and Digital Platforms group leverages the vast portfolio of IP and characters from NBCUniversal. The Games and Digital Platforms group is a business unit of Universal Brand Development, which is chartered with globally expanding the company's intellectual properties, franchises, characters and stories through innovative physical and digital products, content, and consumer experiences. The company's extensive portfolio includes properties created by Universal Pictures, Illumination, DreamWorks Animation and NBCUniversal Television and Streaming. Universal Brand Development is part of NBCUniversal, a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation. www.universalbranddevelopment.com .

Certain statements in this release are forward-looking statements, which reflect the expectations of management regarding the proposed transactions described herein. Forward-looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance or developments to differ materially from those contained in the statements. No assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will occur or, if they do occur, what benefits the Company will obtain from them. These forward-looking statements reflect management's current views and are based on certain expectations, estimates and assumptions which may prove to be incorrect. A number of risks and uncertainties could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including factors beyond the Company's control. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release.

SOURCE East Side Games Group

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O3D community building a first-class, open-source 3D engine to advance development across gaming, the metaverse, and a variety of other applications

The Open 3D Foundation (O3DF) the home of a vibrant community focused on advancing the future of open 3D development, announces its growing ecosystem with the addition of LightSpeed Studios as a Premier member alongside Adobe, AWS, Huawei, Intel, Microsoft and Niantic.

Today's top-quality 3D engines are as complex as operating systems, requiring significant time, cost, and human capital investments to keep pace with advancements. Open source has repeatedly proven to be the path to quickest innovation. The Open 3D Engine (O3DE) offers a high-fidelity, fully-featured, open source alternative poised to revolutionize real-time 3D development across a variety of industries—from game development, the metaverse, AI and digital twin, to automotive, healthcare, robotics and more.

As a Premier member, LightSpeed Studios will bring its leadership and wealth of experience in global research and development of high-quality games to help drive the development of O3DE's specifications and initiatives. Tencent Senior Project Manager, Lanye Wang , will join the Open 3D Foundation's Governing Board, helping shape the Foundation's strategic direction and its stewardship of 3D visualization and simulation projects.

"We are very excited to join the Open 3D Foundation, especially for the opportunity to leverage the connection with all of the other members to dive deep into the graphic technologies and build a top-level open source 3D engine community," said Lanye Wang , representing LightSpeed Studios. "We look forward to working with you."

LightSpeed Studios is one of the world's most innovative and successful game developers, with teams around the world. Founded in 2008, LightSpeed Studios has created over 50 games across multiple platforms and genres for over 4 billion registered users. Comprised of passionate players who advance the art and science of game development through great stories, great gameplay and advanced technology, LightSpeed Studios is focused on bringing next-generation experiences to gamers who want to enjoy them anywhere, anytime across multiple genres and devices.

"It has been amazing to see the rapid growth of the O3D ecosystem, and we're elated to welcome LightSpeed Studios to our community," said Royal O'Brien , Executive Director of Open 3D Foundation and General Manager of Games and Digital Media at the Linux Foundation. "LightSpeed Studios has achieved a strong reputation as a leading global game developer, offering high-quality gaming experiences to hundreds of millions of users worldwide, and we are excited to collaborate with them as we enhance O3DE's capabilities for global 3D developers."

LightSpeed Studios is one of 25 member companies since the public announcement of the Open 3D Foundation in July 2021 . Other premier members include Adobe, AWS, Huawei, Intel, Microsoft and Niantic.

In May, O3DE announced its latest release , focused on performance, stability and usability enhancements. With over 1,460 code merges, this new release offers several improvements aimed to make it easier to build 3D simulations for AAA games and a range of other applications. Significant enhancements include core stability, installer validation, motion matching, user-defined property (UDP) support for the asset pipeline, and automated testing advancements. The O3D Engine community is very active, averaging up to 2 million line changes and 350-450 commits monthly from 60-100 authors across 41 repos.

On October 17-19 , the Open 3D Foundation will host O3Dcon , its flagship conference, bringing together technology leaders, indie and independent 3D developers, and the academic community to share ideas, discuss hot topics and foster the future of 3D development across a variety of industries and disciplines. For those interested in sponsoring this event, please contact sponsorships@linuxfoundation.org .

Anyone interested in the O3D Engine is invited to get involved and connect with the community on Discord.com/invite/o3de and GitHub.com/o3de .

O3D Engine is the flagship project managed by the Open 3D (O3D) Foundation. The open-source project is a modular, cross-platform 3D engine built to power anything from AAA games to cinema-quality 3D worlds to high-fidelity simulations. The code is hosted on GitHub under the Apache 2.0 license. To learn more, please visit o3de.org .

Established in July 2021 , the mission of the Open 3D Foundation (O3DF) is to make an open-source, fully-featured, high-fidelity, real-time 3D engine for building games and simulations, available to every industry. The Open 3D Foundation is home to the O3D Engine project. To learn more, please visit o3d.foundation .

Founded in 2000, the Linux Foundation is supported by more than 1,000 members and is the world's leading home for collaboration on open source software, open standards, open data, and open hardware. Linux Foundation's projects are critical to the world's infrastructure including Linux, Kubernetes, Node.js, and more. The Linux Foundation's methodology focuses on leveraging best practices and addressing the needs of contributors, users and solution providers to create sustainable models for open collaboration. For more information, please visit us at linuxfoundation.org .

Media Inquiries: pr@o3d.foundation

The Linux Foundation has registered trademarks and uses trademarks. For a list of trademarks of The Linux Foundation, please see our trademark usage page: https://www.linuxfoundation.org/trademark-usage . Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds.

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Bluberi (or "the Company") today announced that Lisa Girard has joined its executive leadership team in the role of Chief Financial Officer. Ms. Girard brings a strong background in finance with companies in the manufacturing sector to the emerging slot supplier and will lead the Company's finance and accounting departments as they continue to grow.

Ms. Girard holds a master's degree in accounting and has worked over 20 years in accounting and finance roles with defense contractors and manufacturers. She has overseen merger and acquisition activity, and been responsible for financial reporting and banking, as well as heading up finance and accounting teams across multiple companies. Most recently, Ms. Girard served as Chief Financial Officer of EIS Wire & Cable, based out of western Massachusetts.

"We are excited to add Lisa to the team in this key role," said CEO, Andrew Burke. "Lisa has a deep financial background and experience working with manufacturing companies who are owned by venture capital firms, like Bluberi. We are confident that she is the right person to shepherd us through our current growth phase and into the future."

"I am pleased to join Bluberi at this critical juncture in the Company's history. Bluberi is growing quickly and has big plans. I look forward to being a part of the trajectory of what is sure to become a key gaming supplier, and to working with our customers and other stakeholders to fulfill the Company's vision of being the easiest to work with in the industry. The quality of the team at Bluberi, and of the products that we are creating, is second to none, and I am eager to see what the future holds for us," said Ms. Girard.

Ms. Girard will join the Company at their office in Las Vegas, where she enjoys taking advantage of everything the valley has to offer whether on the hiking trails, yoga classes, or taking in concerts, shows, and sporting events with her husband, family, and friends.

Lisa Girard, Chief Financial Officer

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Backed by more than 25 years of industry experience, Bluberi is an inventive company that is dedicated to developing and delivering the highest quality casino gaming experience to players and operators. Our team is comprised of seasoned, multi-talented innovators who are focused on bringing gaming to life with entertaining games and high-performing cabinets. Our products are designed to add vitality to gambling and transport players to an energetic world of winning. We are the risk-taking spirit of gambling and we add imagination and innovation to everything we create. Learn more at bluberi.com.

Lesley Hodges, Sr. Director of Marketing Lesley.hodges@bluberi.com

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MiO , a liquid water enhancer and Kraft Heinz Company brand, is offering one winner a chance to receive $50K to fund their gap year after high school and all the essentials to flavor their future.

For many graduates, life after high school can be filled with uncertainty and anxiety over what to do next. MiO a liquid water enhancer that transforms hydration and makes it fun with just a few drops, understands that like your flavor choices, how you choose to spend your post-high school years are personal. In that gap year, grads take the time to explore their interests fully and cultivate their personal development, and one of the interests on the rise is gaming.

After noticing how the number of graduates taking alternative routes through individualized gap years is increasing each academic year, MiO decided to offer amateur gamers, one of the main groups opting for this route, a chance to go "pro" through the MiO Drop Year contest.

"Like MiO levels up boring drinks with bold flavors, we are always trying to think through what we can bring our fans that is bold and unexpected," said Samantha Mills , Associated Director of Brand Communications at Kraft Heinz. "When learning more about gaming and that it is a serious career path for many high schoolers it was a no brainer that we wanted to help high school grads level up their gaming—because a hydrated gamer is a better gamer."

Starting today, through Wednesday, June 29 , gamer grads can enter the MiO Drop Year Contest on TikTok by creating a video up to 1 minute long using the custom "Drop Year" sound by MiO , telling the world what gaming means to them and what's bold about the way they play. Entrants must include "#contest" in their caption and follow @DrinkMiO to complete entry. Winners will be announced the first week of July and will be notified via direct message on TikTok.

One lucky winner will be chosen to receive:

"When I started streaming 8 years ago, I would have loved to have an opportunity like this to win a contest to pursue my streaming/gaming career," said UmiNoKaju, Twitch streamer and MiO Drop Year pro-gaming mentor. "The path I took was so unconventional that it was difficult finding the support to follow my dreams, so I am thrilled to see MiO supporting gamers and recognizing their potential."

For complete rules and more information on the MiO Drop Year Contest check out and follow @DrinkMiO on TikTok and Instagram, or for more on MiO , visit www.makeitmio.com .

ABOUT MIO MiO is a liquid water enhancer brand under the Kraft Heinz portfolio of food and beverage products. It transforms hydration by making it as colorful, flavorful and fun as possible with the option to control the desired flavor and makes hydrating fun by bringing bold flavors to life with just a few drops and zero calories or sugar with multiple flavors. MiO offers four product lines designed to fit all hydrating needs from a few drops of flavor to a burst of energy. Visit www.makeitmio.com for more information.

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Multi-day gaming event free to the public with events hosted at local Detroit businesses; will include networking opportunities with Immortals and Riot Games

In partnership with Riot Games, Immortals brings esports opportunities and experiences to underrepresented communities in Detroit via the popular in-person gaming experience, Immortals Invasion. The multi-day event will take place in Detroit from June 23-26.

After a successful launch of the initial Immortals Invasion in Ann Arbor , Immortals and Riot games will bring an even larger slate of programs to multiple GLR cities, beginning with Detroit this June with a focus on diversity, equity and inclusion.

"Riot Games is excited to be joining forces with Immortals to bring exciting activities to the passionate Detroit gaming community while supporting local BIPOC-owned businesses," said Farah Sutton , Senior Manager of D&I Strategic Partnerships at Riot Games. "What makes gaming a thriving community are the players, fans, and creators who come from diverse backgrounds and cultures to celebrate and play together."

Programming for the multi-day activation will take place at several Detroit minority-owned businesses. Events include:

"Our mission at Durfee Innovation Society is to bring opportunities to underserved Detroit communities," said Brandi Haggins , DIS Director. "This event will be a very fun experience for our youth to participate in, but it will also be a chance to showcase a potential career opportunity many students may be unaware of. You can't be what you can't see."

"Immortals is striving to become the 'one of one' gaming brand in the Great Lakes Region (GLR)," said Jordan Sherman , CEO of Immortals. "To accomplish this goal, we need to bring fun, tangible gaming experiences and opportunities to the region that are accessible to many people. Working alongside Riot Games to bring Immortals Invasion to local Detroit Businesses and the Durfee Innovation Society is an excellent step in fulfilling this vision."

Anyone interested in attending the various events during Immortals Invasion should RSVP at IMT.GG .

Interested fans can also receive more information by following Immortals on Twitter , Snapchat , and TikTok .

Immortals is a U.S.-based professional esports organization representing the Great Lakes Region, with a mission to serve as the region's gateway to all things gaming. Immortals is dedicated to using gaming as a connective force linking its players, influencers and creators, fans, staff and the broader gaming community. Immortals competes across multiple premier esports titles, including League of Legends (LCS), Wild Rift and VALORANT. Visit immortals.gg to learn more.

Media Contact: immortals@thestorymob.com

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Paramount Commerce is proud to support gaming merchants expanding into new geographies as the leading Canadian bank-account-based payment provider.

Paramount Commerce, a global bank-account-based payments provider, is proud to be the go-to payments partner for gaming merchants expanding into Ontario's newly-regulated iGaming market. Paramount Commerce's solutions are on the cashiers of the top iGaming and sports betting operators such as theScore Bet and bet365.

Paramount Commerce has been actively involved in AGCO and iGaming Ontario's industry consultation process. In anticipation of Ontario's iGaming market launch, the company made product enhancements that include geolocation and proof of account ownership. Through our solutions, players can fund their gaming wallets with regulated merchants and receive verified payouts straight into their bank accounts, safely and securely.

On June 8th, 2022 , our industry contributions were recognized as Paramount Commerce won Online Payment Provider of the Year at the 2022 SiGMA Americas Awards hosted by SiGMA - World's Gaming Festival.

"The role of payments in the iGaming industry is as a partnership with the operators, but that is more true now than ever before," said Dave Roe , COO at Paramount Commerce. "We have seen our role evolve. We now also take on an advisory role to international gaming merchants looking to get regulated in Ontario . Our hands-on approach as an industry insider has played a big part in Paramount Commerce winning Payment Provider of the Year."

The award follows last week's news that Paramount Commerce launched Instant Bank Transfer in Canada , a product proven in the North American online gaming and sports betting markets.

Paramount Commerce is a global payments technology company providing a safe and simple way to accept bank account-based payments. As a leading solution in both iGaming and sports betting, our patented technology is used by millions of consumers and has processed billions in volume. Offering a best-in-class experience, seamless integration, and over 15 years of industry experience, Paramount Commerce creates raving fans of both merchants and consumers. To learn more, visit paramountcommerce.com

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Backed by Paradigm, The Wildcard Alliance will onboard "the next billion gamers" to Web3 with ease, accessibility, and fun at the forefront

Today, Playful Studios, creator of the Lucky's Tale game series and Creativerse, is proud to announce the formation of a new subsidiary, The Wildcard Alliance, Inc., focused on the development of breakthrough interactive entertainment on the emerging frontier of Web3 technology. The Wildcard Alliance has successfully raised $46M in a Series A led by Paradigm a firm known for backing disruptive crypto and Web3 companies and protocols, with additional support from Griffin Gaming Partners and Sabrina Hahn .

Wildcard is a first-of-its-kind hybrid of multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA), real-time strategy, and collectible card game where players compete surrounded by live, interactive fans and spectators. The game is the brainchild of Paul Bettner , veteran video game developer renowned for developing games including Age of Empires, early VR hit Lucky's Tale as well as co-creating the wildly popular, "Words with Friends". With a penchant for exploring and harnessing new technology, Bettner is now entering the world of Web3 gaming, intending to create an engaging game franchise with fun at its core.

"Web3 platforms present a tremendous opportunity to build entertainment that can include, empower, and onboard millions of new players," said Paul Bettner , Co-Founder and CEO of The Wildcard Alliance. "Despite this opportunity, the current focus of Web3 game development tends to be on finance over fun, economy over engagement, currency over community. With Wildcard , we're focused on fun first, building a next-generation 'spectator sport' to welcome the entire community of competitors, collectors, sponsors, and fans to play together."

The Wildcard Alliance sees co-founders and married couple, Paul and Katy Drake Bettner joining forces professionally, combining their talents to create a unified ecosystem of IP that spans interactive entertainment and linear media. Together, Paul and Katy have assembled a world-class team of game industry veterans with decades of triple-A development experience, now working alongside highly sought-after storytellers and IP creators from massive media franchises such as Star Wars, DC Comics, and the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Paradigm's investment in The Wildcard Alliance underscores a shared belief that interactive entertainment will be a primary driver of growth in Web3. Paradigm is known for backing the disruptive Web3 and crypto projects of tomorrow.

"What sets Wildcard apart is an emphasis on quality and fun," said Dave White , Research Partner at Paradigm. "Paul and the team have a proven track record building fun games at the frontier of what's possible, and they are using Web3 tech in truly innovative ways to bring openness and accessibility to proven eSports mechanisms."

To deliver a game that is cutting edge in both creative approach and technical implementation, Wildcard will be powered by Polygon, the world's leading platform for Ethereum scaling and infrastructure development. Polygon's focus on improving crypto's carbon footprint has been a key factor in the Wildcard Alliance's decision to leverage the Polygon suite of technologies.

Designed to be the ultimate spectator sport, Wildcard is the beginning of a new genre of online games where being a fan is as fundamental to the experience as being a competitor. Wildcard uniquely leverages Web3 technologies to elevate these roles within the community, enabling competitors to connect, interact, and transact directly with their fans and supporters.

Watch the trailer , join the community , and don't miss a moment of what comes next.

The Wildcard Alliance is a game development studio creating at the cutting edge of Web3 technology. A subsidiary of Playful Studios, the team is composed of industry veterans with decades of development experience on such titles as Age of Empires , Halo Wars , New Super Lucky's Tale , Orcs Must Die , and Words With Friends .

Playful Studios is a premiere independent game studio that creates timeless stories and characters that bring joy to the world, one game at a time. Located in McKinney, TX , Playful is the creator of Lucky's Tale, Super Lucky's Tale, New Super Lucky's Tale and Creativerse, and was founded by the Co-Founder of Words With Friends. Visit Playful online at PlayfulStudios.com.

Paradigm is an investment firm focused on supporting the great crypto/Web3 companies and protocols of tomorrow. Their approach is flexible, long-term, multi-stage, and global. They often get involved at the earliest stages of formation and support their portfolio with additional capital over time. The Paradigm team takes a deeply hands-on approach to help projects reach their full potential, from the technical to the operational. For more information, visit paradigm.xyz.

Griffin Gaming Partners is one of the world's largest venture capital firms singularly focused on the global gaming market with over $1B AUM. The firm was founded by Peter Levin , Phil Sanderson , and Nick Tuosto , with LionTree as a strategic partner to the Fund. Griffin invests globally in seed through growth stages in both content and infrastructure companies such as SuperTeam Games, Forte, WinZO, Overwolf, Discord, AppLovin, Tactile, Spyke Games , and Neon.

Sabrina Hahn manages a $50m+ VC fund investing in Web3 and other technologies. Previously, Sabrina was an angel investor in tech companies as well as a Director at Pace Gallery in New York , where she joined as the youngest Director in the gallery's history. As a Core Team Member of ConstitutionDAO, Sabrina championed the historic DAO in its endeavor to bid on the US Constitution at Sotheby's. Sabrina is also the author of award-winning children's books ABCs of Art, 123s of Art, Animals in Art, and Bedtime with Art from Sky Pony Press and Simon & Schuster.

Polygon is the leading platform for Ethereum scaling and infrastructure development. Their growing suite of products offers developers easy access to all major scaling and infrastructure solutions: L2 solutions (ZK Rollups and Optimistic Rollups), sidechains, hybrid solutions, stand-alone and enterprise chains, data availability solutions, and more. Polygon's scaling solutions have seen widespread adoption with 19,000+ decentralized applications hosted, 1.6B+ total transactions processed, ~142M+ unique user addresses, and $5B+ in assets secured.

CONTACT(S): David Calkins The Wildcard Alliance david@wildcardalliance.com

Sergio Stephano Adaptia Design sergio@adaptiadesign.com

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SOURCE The Wildcard Alliance, Inc.

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