Amber Newsletter | October 2024
Spotlight on KaraOkulta – An Amber Studio!
Since joining the Amber family in 2020, KaraOkulta has infused our network with its creative spark and deep expertise in hybrid casual mobile games. Founded in 2004 in Guadalajara, this studio has become renowned for its cross-platform game development skills, and their impact within Amber continues to grow.
This month, we’re celebrating KaraOkulta—a team united by talent, innovation, and a dedication to pushing creative boundaries. Guided by leaders like Gregory Ivess (Studio Lead), Francis Elphick (Design Director), Cristian Radulescu (Business Intelligence Director), Daniel Trevizo (Art Director), and Carlos López (Tech Director), the entire KO team brings fresh vision and relentless energy to every project.
From Saw X: Survive the Obby and Toy Blitz to Tetris Beat, Secret Neighbor, and The Sandbox – Invincible, the KO team has crafted memorable gaming experiences that resonate with players worldwide.
If you’re interested in becoming #AmberPartners and working with dedicated, visionary teams like KaraOkulta, reach out to us at [email protected].
Celebrating 5 Years of Amber Boto?ani!
On November 4, 2024, our Amber Boto?ani office will proudly celebrate five years of activity! ?? Over the past five years, this talented team has been a vital part of Amber’s journey, driving growth, creativity, and success.
Here’s to many more years of innovation, teamwork, and new milestones. Happy anniversary, Amber Boto?ani—and congratulations to everyone who made this journey possible!
Amber and PUNCHev Group Unite for Next-Level Game Development!
We’re excited to announce our official partnership with PUNCHev Group , combining forces to bring fresh innovation to the world of game development!
This strategic alliance leverages Amber’s development expertise alongside PUNCHev’s top-notch skills in game UI/UX and art services. Together, we’re pushing creative and technical boundaries to deliver high-quality, end-to-end solutions that exceed our clients’ expectations.
Known for their visually captivating, user-friendly designs, PUNCHev’s team excels at enhancing player engagement and crafting seamless, immersive experiences. We can’t wait to see the amazing work we’ll accomplish together!
For more about our #AmberPartners, check out PUNCHev’s site.
Mihai Pohon?u on The Fourth Curtain: Amber’s Strength in Global Talent
Our CEO, Mihai Pohon?u , recently joined The Fourth Curtain podcast for an in-depth conversation about his journey—from his start in quality assurance to leading Amber as CEO. In this episode, Mihai shares insights into Amber’s unique approach to talent development, particularly in emerging markets, and discusses the vital role of game testing in creating world-class experiences.
A key highlight of Mihai’s talk is Amber’s expansive talent network. With 850+ in-house experts and a global network of over 3,500 specialists, Amber is equipped to tackle projects of any scale and complexity. This extensive talent pool allows us to adapt to our partners' evolving needs while staying at the forefront of game innovation.
Another focal point? Amber’s commitment to building lasting, impactful relationships with our #AmberPartners, grounded in collaboration and innovation. Don’t miss Mihai’s vision for the future of game development, insights into the industry, and his personal journey in this dynamic field.
Tune in to the episode for more!
Read of the Day: Catalin Butnariu on Investment in Romania’s Gaming Industry
C?t?lin Butnariu, our Chief Strategy Officer, explores Romania’s evolving gaming industry in IMPACT RENACTIMENTO MAGAZINE . In this article, C?t?lin analyzes the sector from three angles—organic expansion by international companies, M&A deals, and minority investments—highlighting the trends shaping Romania’s gaming market today.
Key insights include:
?? 17 multinational game companies established in Romania
?? 8 full acquisitions involving Romanian companies
?? 6 significant minority investment deals
The data shows that Romania’s gaming industry has primarily grown through international expansion, with recent boosts in M&A activity and local investment. Unlike Poland, where domestic companies lead, Romania’s growth is now creating new opportunities for investors as the market matures.
The article also discusses educational initiatives and recent developments that showcase Romania’s potential as a rising force in gaming. Dive into the full article for a closer look at this industry.
Reboot Develop Blue Celebrates 10 Years with New Co-Dev Track by Amber
Reboot Develop Blue’s 10th anniversary is set to be unforgettable! ?? We’re excited to join our #AmberPartners in introducing the first-ever 3-day Co-Development and External Development Track at the 2025 event.
This unique track will bring together top industry leaders to explore fresh opportunities for collaboration and innovation, expanding the boundaries of what’s possible in game development.
Inside Amber 2023: A Deep Dive into Our People and Culture
Our latest white paper, People of Amber in 2023, offers an in-depth look at the people who make Amber unique. This report celebrates the diverse talents, backgrounds, and expertise that drive our company, highlighting stories from across our global teams. Discover how Amber’s culture of collaboration, innovation, and inclusivity empowers our people to push boundaries, fostering a workplace where creativity thrives and ideas come to life.
Take a look to see the heartbeat of Amber—our people—and the collective vision shaping our future.
Dare to Learn: The Learning Accelerator in Bucharest!
Amber is proud to have participated in The Learning Accelerator, Europe’s largest event for learning and development, held in Bucharest on October 25-26. ??
Our very own Silviu Florea (Senior Tester) represented Amber in the Romanian Game Developers Association ’s Games in School project, collaborating with partners to provide teachers an immersive experience that showcases the impact of games in today’s classrooms. This RGDA initiative aims to make interactive learning tools accessible to educators, and we’re honored to support this forward-thinking approach to modern education.
Fueling the Future of Romanian Game Development with ECHO School and Bucharest Gaming Week
At Amber, knowledge-sharing and learning are at the core of everything we do!
This Bucharest Gaming Week , we partnered with Echo School of Technology, Digital Arts and Video Games to welcome talented students from "Tudor Vianu" High School for hands-on workshops. Led by our own Teodor Ionescu (Senior Game Engineer) and Gabriel Stancu (Studio Lead), along with Vlad Anghelahar from ECHO School, these sessions offered students an inspiring look into the world of game development.
Together, we’re paving the way for the next generation of Romanian game industry talent!
Mel Songco Joins GDS2025 Advisory Committee in Boracay!
Mark your calendars! Our General Manager in Manila, Mel Songco , will serve on the Advisory Committee for Game Dev Summit 2025, helping to shape one of the industry’s most anticipated events.
From February 5-7, 2025, Boracay will welcome industry leaders and innovators for a series of inspiring talks and networking sessions designed to push the boundaries of game development. With Mel’s expertise helping to shape the summit experience, attendees can look forward to impactful discussions and exciting new opportunities within the industry.
Papirolas Festival: Video Game Creation Workshop
In early October, we had the opportunity to conduct a video game creation workshop aimed at children aged 7 to 15. It was exciting to see how these young talents took their first steps into the fascinating world of the video game industry.
We’re grateful to Edgar Daniel Serrano Rivera for designing such a dynamic workshop that is well-suited to the current reality. His creative approach allowed participants to learn effectively and enjoyably, fostering their interest in technology and video game development.
We are happy to have been able to share this experience, and we look forward to seeing many of these young individuals create their own games in the future.
INDUSTRY SNEAK PEEK - OCTOBER 2024
The global gaming industry continues to see steady growth in mergers and acquisitions, according to Drake Star's Q3 2024 report. With increasing consolidation, companies are pursuing strategic partnerships to enhance their portfolios and expand market reach, signaling sustained confidence in gaming's growth potential.
Curious about the trends and shifts driving this momentum? Dive into the full report for a closer look at the current M&A landscape in gaming.
Is AA game development fading out? In a recent discussion on GamesIndustry.biz’s Microcast, industry experts explore the challenges and shifts facing AA studios, especially as blockbuster titles and indie games continue to dominate. From rising production costs to changing player expectations, this conversation delves into the evolving landscape of mid-sized game development.
Interested in the future of AA games? Listen to the full episode for key insights into where this segment may be headed.
According to Circana's latest findings, 71% of the U.S. population now engages with video games, highlighting the medium's broad and growing influence across age groups. With gaming becoming an increasingly central form of entertainment, these insights underscore its role in everyday life for a majority of Americans.
Want to learn more about how gaming is capturing attention across demographics? Check out the full report for an in-depth look.
Check out our latest Career Opportunities!