The Fire Joker has returned, his blazing grin wider than ever. Hes back in control of the reels, where classic fruits and symbols light up under his fiery touch. But this time, theres more than just mischief in the air. The heat has intensified, the stakes are higher, and this scorching slot is cranked up to a full 100.
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The Fire Joker has returned, his blazing grin wider than ever. Hes back in control of the reels, where classic fruits and symbols light up under his fiery touch. But this time, theres more than just mischief in the air. The heat has intensified, the stakes are higher, and this scorching slot is cranked up to a full 100.

Gaming

Revealed: The most popular sports video games in America

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New research has revealed that NBA 2K is the most popular sports video game in America.

The research conducted by sports gaming experts OHgamblers analyzed Google searches and search terms related to the games to establish the most popular sports video games in America.

 

NBA 2K

The data has revealed that NBA 2k has become the most popular sports video game in America, as it has been the most searched game in 31 states in the last 12 months. The game is most searched in Massachusetts, California and New York. Its popularity has soared in recent years, attracting millions of gamers worldwide who want to experience the thrill of virtual basketball. The game has also evolved, offering advanced features such as realistic graphics, enhanced gameplay mechanics, and the ability to create custom players and teams. These aspects have made it even more appealing to sports enthusiasts and gamers alike. With its immense success and loyal fan base, NBA 2K remains at the forefront of sports video gaming. It is the only video game on this list not produced by popular game developers Electronic Arts and it places first.

 

Madden NFL

Madden NFL is another popular sports video game in America, and it takes the second spot in terms of popularity. According to the data, the game has come first in searches for 20 states and second in 23 states. It is the most popular in Delaware, Ohio and Maryland. It has a massive following, with millions of fans worldwide eager to experience the excitement of virtual football. The game’s developers have continuously improved the gameplay mechanics, offering realistic features such as player stats, team management, and authentic stadiums. Moreover, Madden NFL has become a popular choice among e-sports enthusiasts, with many competitive tournaments held annually. The game’s ability to offer a realistic NFL experience has made it a top choice for both casual and hardcore gamers alike. As such, Madden NFL remains one of the most beloved sports video games in America.

 

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FIFA

FIFA is a well-known sports video game globally, and it also has a significant fan base in America. It is positioned as the third most popular sports game in the US, with the third highest search volume in 33 states. In seven states, it ranks as the second most searched sports video game, including in Illinois, New Jersey and Oregon. giving tough competition to Madden NFL. Although it doesn’t hold the top spot, FIFA has a loyal following and numerous features that attract gamers who enjoy soccer. You can either choose already established European or American soccer clubs or you can build your own ultimate team.

 

MLB The Show

Major League Baseball (MLB) The Show has garnered significant popularity in the world of sports video games. According to the data, it currently holds the position of the fourth most popular video sports game in America. This ranking is based on the game’s search volume, which is the fourth highest in 37 states across the country. In addition to this, it is the third most searched video sports game in ten states. These numbers highlight the widespread popularity and demand for the MLB The Show game among gamers and sports enthusiasts in the United States.

 

EA NHL

NHL is the fifth most popular sports video game in America. It is the fourth most popular in 24 states; it was pushed very close by the golfing game ‘PGA Tour’ which was fourth most popular in 21 states. The game allows players to take on the role of their favorite NHL team or player, immersing them in a virtual world of ice hockey. Its realistic graphics and accurate depiction of NHL teams and players have made it a go-to choice for hockey fans looking for a virtual gaming experience. With its growing popularity, NHL has established itself as a top contender in the world of sports video games in America.

Commenting on the findings, a spokesperson for OHgamblers said: “Sports are amongst the most popular genres for video games in America, and this study highlights the most popular sports video games in the country. It’s interesting to see that despite football being the most popular sport in America, for gamers the most popular sports video game is the NBA 2K. Whilst four of the top five video games on this list are all-American sports, FIFA finishes third on this list, supporting soccer’s growing popularity across the United States, the game has been popularized by famous fans such as streamer ishowspeed.”

The study was conducted by OHgamblers, US sports betting, sports statisticians and a trusted gaming source.

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Gaming

Monster Energy and Call of Duty Unite Again with Exclusive In-Game Rewards and Expanded Program Timing

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Monster Energy is teaming up once again with Call of Duty to deliver bonus in-game rewards, bonus 2XP and an expanded promotional window that gives fans even more opportunities to fuel up and power their gameplay.

Gamers and Monster fans can start collecting codes to stockpile rewards ahead of the highly anticipated release of Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 on November 14. Following the record-breaking success of the last year’s program – the 2025 campaign has been extended and will run through March 31, 2026, with code redemption available until April 30, 2026.

Players who purchase specially marked Call of Duty cans of Monster Energy, Monster Zero Sugar, or Monster Zero Ultra can find a unique code under the tab and redeem it online at callofduty.monsterenergy.com. Every can unlocks bonus in-game items and double experience points.

2025 in-game rewards include:

• 1 Can = “Energy Flash” Large Decal + 15 min 2XP

• 2 Cans = “Peacekeeper MK1 – Hyper Green” Weapon Blueprint + 15 min 2XP

• 3 Cans = “Green Fury” Operator Skin + 15 min 2XP

• 4 Cans = “VS Recon – Green Thunder” Weapon Blueprint + 15 min 2XP

• 5 Cans = “Daylight Ripper” Operator Skin Recolor + 15 min 2XP

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In addition, select retailers will feature specialty bonus in-game content such as Emblems, Charms, Weapon Stickers, and Dual 2XP.

And as an added bonus, fans who create an account on callofduty.monsterenergy.com before October 31 will score a Black Ops 6 in-game skin – no purchase required.

“Monster Energy is built on fueling competitive spirit and our collaboration with Call of Duty continues to push that to new levels. With expanded timing, bonus rewards and the unmatched value of Double XP in every can, this year’s program is our biggest and most exciting yet,” said Dan McHugh, Global Chief Marketing Officer at Monster Energy.

“We’re proud to continue building on the success of our partnership with Monster Energy. Monster is the go-to fuel of gamers and they are going to drink up these exciting in-game rewards,” added Cody Neal, Associate Director of Global Partnerships, Call of Duty.

The limited-edition Monster Energy Call of Duty cans are available in 16oz in Original Monster Energy, Monster Zero Sugar and Monster Zero Ultra. Special 4, 12, and 15 can Monster Energy Call of Duty multipacks are on shelves now.

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Gaming

Avalanche and Helika Launch New Gaming Accelerator – Applications Now Open

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The Avalanche Foundation and Helika, a leading provider of technical and creative solutions for the video games industry, have officially launched their joint video game accelerator program and opened applications for the first cohort.

The newly announced strategic partnership is designed to engage both Web3-native studios and traditional game developers exploring blockchain integration. The accelerator aims to identify and support the next generation of studios building at the frontier of blockchain-based gaming.

The program is focused on product interaction and is designed to discover, support, and fast-track promising studios and projects building on the Avalanche blockchain. It will provide selected projects with unparalleled access to resources, mentorship from industry leaders, technical support, activations, and funding opportunities for qualifying or top-performing teams.

The accelerator is open to seasoned teams building high-quality, engaging experiences across platforms, from mobile to desktop and everything in between. Projects with prior traction or cross-platform aspirations are especially encouraged to apply.

The program will run for 3 months, with virtual onboarding and IRL showcases planned across major gaming and blockchain events.

What selected teams get:

Funding & Resources: $25,000 in initial support and up to $125,000 in additional funding for qualifying or top-performing teams.

Expert Guidance: Mentorship from game veterans, blockchain experts, and industry leaders through group sessions and 1:1 consultations.

Analytics Support: Comprehensive analytics solutions to track performance, improve retention, and optimize monetization strategies.

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Blockchain Integration: Dedicated assistance for integrating with the Avalanche blockchain and optimizing technical performance.

Community & Growth: Activations with partner communities and platforms and support in player acquisition, community building, go-to-market strategies.

Helika Advisory Access: Access to specialized experts from Helika’s network for tailored support.

Ecosystem Access: Direct connection to a vibrant network of developers, investors, publishers, and Web3 enthusiasts.

Showcase Opportunities: A final Demo Day event to present games to investors, publishers, and ecosystem partners.

“We are excited to partner with the Avalanche Foundation to create a world-class accelerator for Web3 gaming. Avalanche’s robust and scalable infrastructure makes it an ideal environment for innovative game development. Studios need tools that work, data that matter, and real support from people who understand what it means to build in this space — this accelerator provides all of that, plus a direct line into a powerful Web3 ecosystem,” said Anton Umnov, Founder and CEO of Helika.

“Avalanche is focused on the long game. There’s no shortage of flashy ideas. What’s missing is the support that helps studios turn those ideas into real, playable, scalable games. Avalanche has long been the go-to chain for speed and innovation, and now we’re channeling that energy into the future of gaming, supporting teams who understand the nuance of player experience, community building, and long-term value creation,” said Parker Heath, Ava Labs Gaming Partnerships Lead.

Avalanche plays host to a vibrant lineup of video games, including Off The Grid and Maple Story Universe, all pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in blockchain-powered play. Thanks to its customizable Avalanche L1s, lightning-fast transaction speeds and low fees, developers can tailor unique environments for their games without compromising on user experience.

Helika has become a cornerstone for modern game studios, equipping developers with real-time insights into player behavior, on-chain economies, and engagement metrics. From Proof of Play and Parallel to Nexon, Ubisoft, and Com2Us, Helika’s platform is shaping how developers build, balance, and scale their games in real-time. This accelerator takes that impact further by embedding support into the earliest stages of development when it matters most.

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Gaming

Unlocking games revenue: player behavior and payment trends in the west | Newzoo x Tebex Whitepaper

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Tebex, the leading payments solution for gaming, reaching $1Bn in processed payments and powering over 30,000 web stores, is launching the first industry-wide look at payment trends in EU and NA with Newzoo on Tuesday, August 12 at 09:00 AM CEST.

Why This Data Matters

In a maturing Western games market with slowing payer growth (North America: +1.1% CAGR, Europe: +3.1% CAGR, 2023-2027), studios must shift from acquiring new players to maximizing value from existing ones. The data reveals critical insights into player motivations, spending patterns, and payment preferences, enabling developers to craft targeted monetization strategies that boost revenue, enhance retention, and align with player expectations.

Global Market Snapshot (2025)

  • Market Size: $188.9B (+3.4% YoY), with North America ($52.7B, 28%) and Europe ($33.1B, 18%) driving 46% of global spend despite housing only 20% of players (3.54B total).
  • Payer Spending Power: North America leads with $324.9 avg. annual spend per payer; Europe averages $125.4 ($170.0 Western, $51.6 Eastern).
  • Value: High per-payer spend in Western markets highlights the opportunity to deepen monetization through tailored strategies.

Spending Motivations Drive Strategy

  • North America: 34% of payers spend to unlock exclusive content, 29% for personalization (character customization), reflecting a desire for self-expression. Studios can capitalize by offering unique cosmetics and content packs to drive engagement.
  • Europe: 28% prioritize deals/offers, 21% value ad-free experiences, showing value-driven behavior. Discounted bundles and subscription models can increase conversion in this region.
  • Value: Understanding regional motivations allows studios to align offerings with player priorities, enhancing loyalty and spend.

Diversified Spending Patterns

  • North America: 27% of payers invest in content packs, power-ups, and in-game currencies, with subscriptions (24%) and battle passes (23%) also strong.
  • Europe: In-game currencies and content packs lead (21% each), followed by subscriptions (20%) and gear/time-savers (18% each).
  • Value: Diverse spending across virtual goods underscores the need for varied monetization options to capture a broad range of player preferences, boosting average transaction value (ATV).

Payment Methods Unlock Higher Spend

  • ATV Trends (2025): Overall, ATV rose from $30 (2024) to $40. BNPL (North America: $85.0, Europe: $72.0) and crypto (North America: $94.8, Europe: $111.6) outperform cards (North America: $52.2, Europe: $42.7).
  • Dual-Method Impact: Players using cards + BNPL/crypto maintain transaction frequency while spending more.
  • Value: Offering alternative payment methods like BNPL and crypto can significantly increase ATV, especially in Western markets, without sacrificing transaction volume.

Revenue by Platform and Genre

  • Microtransactions (MTX): Drive 49% of PC and 52% of console revenue in North America; 42% (PC) and 51% (console) in Europe. Mobile is near 100% in-game revenue.
  • Top Genres: North America favors shooters, Europe prioritizes sports, with RPGs and puzzles strong in both.
  • Value: High MTX revenue and genre preferences guide studios to focus on live services and region-specific content to maximize engagement.

Strategic Takeaways

  • Deepen Monetization: With modest payer growth, studios must focus on existing players by offering personalized content and value-driven deals.
  • Diversify Payment Options: Cards and wallet still dominate in volume, but integrating BNPL and crypto can unlock higher ATV, especially in Western markets.
  • Align with Player Values: Transparency, fairness, and seamless payment experiences reduce churn and build loyalty in a competitive market.
  • Understand the why and how players spend: NA players are more likely to spend for personalization and self-expression, while EU players are more value-conscious, prioritizing deals and an ad-free experience.

Quotes

Liam Wiltshire Head of Payments & Compliance at Tebex

“The future of gaming is about flexibility – meeting players where they are, with the methods they trust.”

This quote summarizes the importance of adapting to player-preferred payment methods like wallets, BNPL, and crypto to enhance accessibility and trust.

“Virtual currencies and microtransactions are no longer just revenue streams – they’re becoming strategic levers for retention and differentiation.”

This emphasizes the evolving role of microtransactions beyond revenue, focusing on engagement and player retention.

“Today’s players want to know what they’re paying for – and why. How you monetize matters more than ever.”

This highlights the need for transparency and fairness in monetization to build player trust and loyalty.

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