ADEL, Iowa (KCCI) — ADEL, Iowa — Adel-De Soto-Minburn High School’s esports team is making a name for itself in Iowa with a strong performance in Mario Kart.

For junior Miller Banse, the esports team gives him an opportunity to play on a team that he otherwise wouldn’t have.

“I have a condition called HLHS, hypoplastic left heart syndrome,” Banse said. “I can’t participate in any other physical sports.”

Banse finds esports a great opportunity to showcase his skills.

“With me not being able to compete in any other sports, this is a great place to come and show off what I’ve learned,” he said.

Esports at ADM is treated as a varsity sport, not just casual gaming.

“It’s not just video games,” Banse said. “During the matches, it gets pretty tense.”

Like other sports at ADM, esports requires dedication and practice. Practice is taken seriously, starting promptly at 4 p.m.

“Practice starts at 4, not 4:01,” said ADM head coach Chris Hatchitt.

The Mario Kart squad has its own drills, focusing on shortcuts, map courses, turns, passes and object uses.

ADM’s Mario Kart team boasts a 6-0 record this season, demonstrating their commitment and skill.

“We come in every single day and put in the work,” Banse said.

ADM will compete in separate 4-versus-4 races against schools from across Iowa, earning points based on race placements. ADM has already qualified for the state tournament next week in Marshalltown, joining other central Iowa programs like Gilbert and Ames.

Click here for updates on this story

Square Enix, the famous Japanese company that created Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest, and Kingdom Hearts, is getting ready for one of the biggest changes in its history. Thanks to a new relationship, a new piece of intellectual property, and a full-on internal reboot, a completely different future is underway. Early signs show that it’s not just about change but also about development.

They recently launched a surprise partnership with TBS Television, the Japanese media giant best known for making Sasuke, which is better known in the West as Ninja Warrior. Using a unique idea, this unexpected partnership will create a brand-new video game. Still, this isn’t a normal crossing. Television and video games are coming together in a new way with the launch of “TBS Games,” the network’s new gaming brand.

The intentions behind the future game are clear, but details are still being kept secret. The project will probably be different from anything either company has tried before because it will combine Square Enix’s skill at telling stories and making RPGs with TBS’s creativity in making active and physical entertainment. Industry insiders think this could lead to a mix of combat and RPG systems—think Ninja Warrior meets Final Fantasy—but neither the genre nor the direction of the gameplay has been officially confirmed.

Everyone is waiting for a better look at this joint effort, but the TBS partnership is only one piece of a much bigger picture. A three-year overhaul of Square Enix’s whole game creation model has also begun. Although it was first announced in May 2024, this remake is now fully underway and is expected to change the company until March 2027. The strategy has changed clearly: fewer games of better quality.

The company’s most recent financial report explained how it plans to stop putting out a lot of mid-level games. Instead, the business is focusing on developing big franchises and putting quality over quantity. As a result of this change, development resources will be grouped, eliminating the division that often led to inconsistent results. In real life, this means fewer projects being outsourced, more work being done in-house, and a stronger focus on key studios taking full responsibility for their intellectual properties from start to finish.

This approach is already changing how things are set up within the publisher. Many plans were publicly canceled, including the mobile game Kingdom Hearts: Missing-Link, which had been in development. These budget cuts were made to simplify the company’s production and ensure that only projects that meet the new standard for “high quality” move forward. While cancellations usually cause worry, in this case, they show that people are trying to cut back and focus their resources where they are most needed.

Unsurprisingly, this plan is based on big series like Final Fantasy and Kingdom Hearts. The highly anticipated remake trio continues with Final Fantasy VII Rebirth and Kingdom Hearts IV, which are still top priorities and are still set to come out by 2027. It will be emphasized again how polished, big, and accessible these tentpole titles are across all platforms.

Importantly, that last point. Square Enix is no longer happy solely releasing its AAA games on a few systems. Part of the company’s larger plan to start over is for its biggest games to be available on more platforms. Insiders often call the next-generation Nintendo Switch, which was announced to have Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade, a great example of this. Today is a big day for Square Enix’s publishing strategy: they are now welcoming new platforms and bigger fan groups.

Better project management, streamlined studio pipelines, and new leadership roles are backing the change from within. The goal is to reduce the hectic last-minute work that has been a problem for many coders lately. Square Enix wants to strengthen institutional knowledge and ensure consistency from one title to the next by bringing the game creation process together within dedicated teams and reducing the need for outside partners.

An important part of this new plan is to use old IP, but the fact that they are working with TBS shows that original ideas are still welcome. New intellectual property used to make a brand-new game is a strong sign that Square Enix isn’t just staying in its comfort zone. In addition to changing how it makes games, the company also wants to change the stories it tells and the people it touches.

This happens at a time when Japanese companies, like Square Enix, are feeling more pressure to change with the times and appeal to wider audiences around the world. Language-heavy, regionally focused RPGs are giving way to a more diverse, dramatic, and globally accessible style. Quadrant is trying to prepare Square Enix for the next generation of games by reducing the number of projects it works on and putting more resources into each one.

The risks are high, but so are the benefits. Square Enix wants to return to the top of the gaming industry by focusing on high-quality games, cross-platform compatibility, and groundbreaking new partnerships. This isn’t just about fixing past mistakes; it’s also about making the future sustainable and meaningful for everyone.

The company clearly takes its part in the current gaming world very seriously. It’s not focused on trends or putting out material quickly. Not now, but in the future: fewer games of higher quality and a wider audience. There are already big games in the works at Square Enix, and a new IP is on the way, so the company seems ready to keep its promise.

The risk won’t pay off until 2027, when the full effects of the reboot will be seen. But there is one thing for sure: Square Enix’s future is not going to be the same as before. New beginnings are exciting, and the next few years could change what gamers can expect from one of the most famous game companies.

By Jeff Dubrof

Click here for updates on this story

    ADEL, Iowa (KCCI) — ADEL, Iowa — Adel-De Soto-Minburn High School’s esports team is making a name for itself in Iowa with a strong performance in Mario Kart.

For junior Miller Banse, the esports team gives him an opportunity to play on a team that he otherwise wouldn’t have.

“I have a condition called HLHS, hypoplastic left heart syndrome,” Banse said. “I can’t participate in any other physical sports.”

Banse finds esports a great opportunity to showcase his skills.

“With me not being able to compete in any other sports, this is a great place to come and show off what I’ve learned,” he said.

Esports at ADM is treated as a varsity sport, not just casual gaming.

“It’s not just video games,” Banse said. “During the matches, it gets pretty tense.”

Like other sports at ADM, esports requires dedication and practice. Practice is taken seriously, starting promptly at 4 p.m.

“Practice starts at 4, not 4:01,” said ADM head coach Chris Hatchitt.

The Mario Kart squad has its own drills, focusing on shortcuts, map courses, turns, passes and object uses.

ADM’s Mario Kart team boasts a 6-0 record this season, demonstrating their commitment and skill.

“We come in every single day and put in the work,” Banse said.

ADM will compete in separate 4-versus-4 races against schools from across Iowa, earning points based on race placements. ADM has already qualified for the state tournament next week in Marshalltown, joining other central Iowa programs like Gilbert and Ames.

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NEW YORK, May 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Brag House Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: TBH) (“Brag House” or the “Company”), the premier Gen Z engagement platform at the intersection of gaming, college sports, and social interaction, today announced that CEO and Co-Founder Lavell Juan Malloy II was profiled in Authority Magazine’s widely read Startup Revolution series, which highlights innovative companies and the leaders reshaping their industries.

In the interview, Malloy reflects on the founding of Brag House, the challenges and lessons learned while scaling the business, and the Company’s commitment to redefining how Gen Z connects with brands, sports, and digital communities.

“We are creating more than just a platform-we are building a new digital sports medium tailored to Gen Z,” said Lavell Juan Malloy II, CEO and Co-Founder of Brag House. “It’s about creating a space where school pride, gaming, and meaningful engagement collide in a way that speaks directly to how Gen Z interacts with culture and brands.”

The profile discusses Brag House’s:

• Origins from a community gap left by the discontinuation of EA’s NCAA Football game;
• Landmark partnerships with Coca-Cola, McDonald’s, and Learfield to support immersive, college-aligned gaming activations;
• New initiatives like the Brag Gators Gauntlet series and the upcoming rollout of a subscription-based insights product, designed to help brands connect with Gen Z in a privacy-first, data-rich manner.

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“By merging gameplay with school spirit, and backing it with real-time analytics and scalable monetization tools, we’re creating a powerful framework that will enable brands to reach Gen Z with greater precision, authenticity, and ROI,” added Malloy.

As highlighted in the Company’s recent 10-K filing, Brag House is executing a multi-university activation roadmap with Learfield and continuing to invest in platform enhancements, branded experiences, NIL-integrated content, and digital loyalty tokens to scale its revenue model and user base.

To read the full Authority Magazine interview, visit: https://medium.com/authority-magazine/startup-revolution-lavell-juan-malloy-ii-of-brag-house-on-how-their-emerging-startup-is-changing-c960cbd576aa

About Brag House

Brag House is a leading media technology gaming platform dedicated to transforming casual college gaming into a vibrant, community-driven experience. By seamlessly merging gaming, social interaction, and cutting-edge technology, the Company provides an inclusive and engaging environment for casual gamers while enabling brands to authentically connect with the influential Gen Z demographic. The platform offers live-streaming capabilities, gamification features, and custom tournament services, fostering meaningful engagement between users and brands. For more information, please visit www.braghouse.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements as defined within Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements relating to the Company’s strategic roadmap, potential monetization of new products or features, brand partnerships, or expected growth in user engagement. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. Please refer to the “Risk Factors” section of the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, available at www.sec.gov. The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements except as required by law.

Media Contact:

Fatema Bhabrawala

Director of Media Relations

[email protected]

Investor Relations Contact:

Adele Carey

VP, Investor Relations

[email protected]

05/15/2025 – 08:30 AM

NEW YORK, May 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Inspired Entertainment, Inc. (“Inspired” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: INSE), a leading B2B provider of gaming content, technology, hardware, and services, is proud to announce the launch of V-Play Football (Soccer) Brazil in partnership with Kaizen Gaming, one of the world’s fastest-growing GameTech companies. The game is now live in Brazil through Kaizen Gaming’s popular Betano brand.

V-Play Football Brazil is the latest addition to Inspired’s award-winning Virtual Sports portfolio, created to capture the excitement, energy, and style of Brazilian football. Tailored specifically for the Brazilian market, the game features hyper-realistic visuals, dynamic match action, and a fully localized experience.

In a landmark development, V-Play Football Brazil will be officially sponsored by the Brasileirão Betano, Brazil’s premier professional football league. The game includes authentic branding, official logos, and visual assets from the Brasileirão Betano, delivering an even more immersive and realistic virtual football experience.

“We’re thrilled to partner with Kaizen Gaming to bring V-Play Football Brazil to Betano players,” said Brooks Pierce, President & Chief Executive Officer of Inspired. “With the addition of Brasileirão Betano branding, we’ve taken realism to the next level. This game doesn’t just reflect the look and feel of Brazilian football – it’s now officially linked to the heart of the sport in Brazil.”

“At Kaizen Gaming, we’re committed to offering best-in-class entertainment experiences,” said Εvangelos Dedoulis, Director of Product at Kaizen Gaming. “With the launch of V-Play Football Brazil, enhanced by the iconic Brasileirão Betano brand, we’re bringing our users an experience that feels closer than ever to the real game.”

This launch marks a significant milestone in Inspired’s expansion into Latin America and reinforces Kaizen Gaming’s leadership in the Brazilian iGaming market.

V-Play Football Brazil is now available on betano.bet.br optimized for both desktop and mobile platforms.

About Inspired Entertainment, Inc.

Inspired offers an expanding portfolio of content, technology, hardware and services for regulated gaming, betting, lottery, social and leisure operators across land-based and mobile channels around the world. Inspired’s gaming, Virtual Sports, interactive and leisure products appeal to a wide variety of players, creating new opportunities for operators to grow their revenue. Inspired operates in approximately 35 jurisdictions worldwide, supplying gaming systems with associated terminals and content for approximately 50,000 gaming machines located in betting shops, pubs, gaming halls and other route operations; virtual sports products through more than 32,000 retail venues and various online websites; digital games for 170+ websites; and a variety of amusement entertainment solutions with a total installed base of more than 16,000 terminals.

Additional information can be found at www.inseinc.com.

About Kaizen Gaming | Betano

Kaizen Gaming is one of the biggest GameTech companies in the world. With a focus on Technology and People, it aims to continuously evolve the betting experience it offers to millions of customers around the world and entertain sports fans in a fun and responsible way.

Kaizen Gaming owns the premium online sports betting and gaming brand Betano, with an established presence across numerous markets in Europe, the Americas and Africa. It has also recently entered Africa and North America through launches in Nigeria and Ontario. The company employs more than 2,700 people across the globe.

Kaizen Gaming has been recognized as a leading player in the global sports betting and gaming market, having received several industry awards, including a world first of five trophies in a single year at the 2023 EGR Operator Awards (“Sports Betting Operator of the Year”, “Marketing Campaign of the Year”, “Mobile Sports Product of the Year”, “In-House Product of the Year” and “In-Play Sports Operator of the Year”).

For more information visit Kaizen Gaming

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “expect,” “estimate,” “plan,” “will,” “would” and “project” and other similar expressions that indicate future events or trends or are not statements of historical matters. These statements are based on Inspired’s management’s current expectations and beliefs, as well as a number of assumptions concerning future events.

Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other important factors, many of which are outside of Inspired’s control and all of which could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. Accordingly, forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing Inspired’s views as of any subsequent date and Inspired does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date they were made, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. You are advised to review carefully the “Risk Factors” section of Inspired’s annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 20232, and in subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, which are available, free of charge, on the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at www.sec.gov and on Inspired’s website at www.inseinc.com.

Contact:

For Investors
IR@inseinc.com
+1 646 277-1285

For Press and Sales
inspiredsales@inseinc.com