The B.F.T.H. Arena Awards has now reached its third edition, which is a significant milestone, to say the least. What unique strategies or elements were key to maintaining and increasing the success of the award in the last two editions?
Reaching the third edition of B.F.T.H. Arena Awards is indeed an important achievement. One of their standout initiatives was being the first to introduce prizes specifically for custom and branded games, challenging game developers to create something unique for the prizes.
The focus on showcasing truly innovative games and the talent behind them, combined with a platform where developers can showcase their distinctive creations, has helped B.F.T.H. Arena Awards to stand out in the market.
With two editions of B.F.T.H. Arena Awards already held and the third on the way, how do you believe the award has impacted the sector? What differentiating factors continue to set it apart from other events?
The B.F.T.H. Arena Awards has become a platform for game developers to showcase their talent, create something unique and introduce great games to players. This not only provides recognition but also encourages innovation and creativity in the gaming community.
What sets these awards apart is their focus on custom games and the Ortak initiative. This fosters an aura of collaboration that benefits the industry overall. Think of it as the ultimate synergy of iGaming, crypto and Web3.
This year, with 16 different categories, we continue to highlight exceptional talent and celebrate the achievements of game developers in a different way than other events. Additionally, there are new Ortak-related categories that are exclusive to Ortak x B.F.T.H. Arena Awards 3.0.
NFTs and Innovation
We have seen Ortak play a more important role in these events. Could you talk more about this and explain how this role affects the trajectory?
The Ortak platform presents exciting new opportunities for gaming providers and operators. She was first announced in December 2023 on the first B.F.T.H. Arena Awards and has since evolved into a standalone project that features a wide variety of NFT collections from game providers like Pragmatic Play, CreedRoomz, Wazdan, Tom Horn Gaming, Aviatrix, and more.
This allows them to engage new audiences by creating their own NFT marketplaces on the Ortak platform and offer exclusive and collectible NFTs to their players. Speaking of which, players who purchase NFTs through Ortak will be able to unlock exclusive content and special in-game features, taking their gaming experience to the next level.
Recently, Ortak launched a white label solution that serves a broader B2B audience. This innovative approach not only expands business growth potential, but also improves player engagement by offering a unique way to interact with the games they love.
Ortak’s Impact on B.F.T.H. Arena Awards
There are a number of new categories related to Ortak this time. What was the basis for bringing these categories together?
No Ortak x B.F.T.H. Arena Awards in July 2024, the first NFT collection was launched live on stage, inspired by PopOK Gaming’s recently released game First Balloon. We received positive feedback and great interest, and over 30 casino games have been listed on Ortak.me since then.
To further engage participants and increase excitement, we decided to introduce new categories related to Ortak. Among them are the categories Best Ortak Casino Game, Best Ortak Live Casino Game, Best Ortak Slot Game and Best Ortak Crash Game. Each was created to highlight the exceptional games and contributions of the Ortak ecosystem.
So, all entries submitted to Ortak x B.F.T.H. Arena 3.0 in the categories Best Ortak Casino Game, Best Ortak Live Casino Game, Best Ortak Slot Game and Best Crash Game Ortak must have games as NFT collections live on the Ortak.me platform before the application deadline to be presented in the indications. The collection may sell out before the announcement of the new Ortak x B.F.T.H. Arena 3.0.
We also introduce Ortak Awarded Rewards, which include the categories Highest Value Ortak Collection, Highest Turnover Ortak Collection, Most Valuable Ortak NFT, Top Ortak Collector, and Best Ortak of the Year. By the way, these categories will have designated winners by the Ortak Committee separately.
We’ll reveal the winners in a huge showdown on December 13th at the InterContinental in Ras Al Khaimah, and we can’t wait to see everyone there!
Technology, collaboration and recognition from the B.F.T.H. Arena Awards
What developments will we see in the structure of the B.F.T.H. Arena Awards with regards to Ortak’s involvement?
In the third edition of B.F.T.H. Arena Awards, both branded and regular games can be nominated. This way, the best performing games from around the world can now be part of Ortak and have the opportunity to win one of the prestigious prizes. This development expands the scope of the competition and highlights the diverse range of exceptional games within the Ortak ecosystem.
As you prepare for the third edition of B.F.T.H. Arena Awards, what innovations, categories or features can we expect? How have you expanded or improved the event compared to previous editions?
To celebrate innovation in virtual reality and 3D spaces within the Fastexverse platform, we have introduced two new categories: Best YoCerebrum Casino Space and Best YoCerebrum Casino Game. But now, operators can create virtual environments within the YoCerebrum metaverse and offer casino games on the www.fastexverse.com platform.
Recognizing the importance of new startups and gamification, we’ve also added the Best Innovative Gamification Resource and Rising Star Provider categories.
Custom Games
After taking the B.F.T.H. Arena Awards several times, what specific characteristics do you believe have become your trademark in the industry?
One of the main features of B.F.T.H. Arena Awards is the agility in game development, which involves taking advantage of internal technology, graphic assets and mathematical models. Therefore, this capability allows for the rapid creation of games, promoting rapid adaptation and innovation.
Furthermore, the award stands out for its diverse range of themed games and a strong emphasis on providing personalized content to operators. In other words, the B.F.T.H. Arena Awards is an ever-evolving concept that adapts to the newest trends, setting its own standards along the way. So, basically, it’s an incubator for creativity and new ideas. These factors, together, make B.F.T.H. Arena Awards a different event.
Could you share some of the main challenges that B.F.T.H. Arena Awards faced throughout its existence? How have these challenges shaped your approach and what were the key learnings that emerged?
One of the main challenges that the B.F.T.H. Arena Awards faced was introducing the awards for the first time and secondly, managing expectations and maintaining the high bar.
So the introduction of premiums for custom and branded games required a significant effort to ensure everything was in place for a successful launch. Despite these challenges, our commitment to presenting exceptional games and adding value to the industry remained the driving force behind the awards.
B.F.T.H. Arena Awards and new standards in the world of Games
How do you see prizes evolving in the rapidly changing landscape of the iGaming sector?
As the iGaming industry rapidly evolves, B.F.T.H. Arena Awards will adapt by embracing emerging trends and innovations. While our primary focus will continue to be recognizing and celebrating excellence, we will also introduce new categories and features to reflect the industry’s growth.
Therefore, we plan to highlight technological advancements such as virtual reality and blockchain integration. The awards will continue to be a key platform to celebrate and drive progress in the iGaming community.