Recap To The Year: Guild Becomes New Home Of GINX TV For 25% Stake In Gaming Content Business

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Guild Esports and Gaming has entered into a partnership agreement with GINX TV, a long-standing gaming video content, Digital, Web and TV broadcaster, that will see the company relocate all operations to Guild’s HQ, the Sky Guild Gaming Centre in Shoreditch, London, establishing a permanent live studio and gallery within the 15,000-square-foot venue.

The partnership will also provide an expansion of both businesses distribution network and provide opportunities for new, upcoming and established gaming creators to create and produce content.

Guild will collaborate with GINX TV to provide services and distribute content for partners, sponsors, and wider audiences. As part of the deal, rental of studio and office space will act as consideration for a convertible loan between Guild and GINX, equivalent to 25% ownership of GINX by Guild, if actioned.

The relocation of GINX TV from its previous home at Tileyard Studios in Kings Cross will take place immediately. This move further strengthens the position of Guild’s 15,000-square-foot HQ in Shoreditch, the Sky Guild Gaming Centre, as the UK’s premier gaming hub. This announcement comes just weeks after the launch of Drive Lounge at the same site, a public Sim Racing facility developed in partnership with Guild’s Sim Racing division, boasting 20 pro-level sim rigs and digital motorsport event space.

GINX TV, via its established linear/digital and social media distribution, provides its always-available live access to 20 million homes worldwide with over 35 million views of original content in 2024. Guild’s exclusively socially distributed content received 250m impressions across 2024. This partnership will see both parties be able to tap into learnings, audiences and networks to distribute partner content.

Nick Westwood, Chief Creative Officer of Guild Esports and Gaming, comments on the partnership:

“Following the first two years of our life as the Sky Guild Gaming Centre, where we welcomed thousands of guests across a variety of events, it was our desire this year to work with partners to fully maximise the space. With Drive Lounge, we have opened the doors to the public, and with GINX TV, we will now focus on utilising the venue to communicate outwardly to gamers through a variety of channels. We see a rapid shift in content distribution, both away from linear TV but also away from traditional ‘gaming’ channels to new, owned and operated channels. This partnership also provides our existing and future partners with turnkey broadcast solutions married to our turnkey esports and gaming venue offering, a real step forward for us, and GINX TV, as we build out propositions for brands, studios, streamers and publishers.”

Peter Einstein, Executive Chairman and CEO of GINX TV comments on the partnership:

“We are delighted to partner with Guild Esports and Gaming to create a strong and attractive engagement opportunity for brands to access the diverse gaming community. Our move to the Sky Guild Gaming Centre is a perfect way to collaborate and expand the gaming opportunity all under “one roof”. We are excited to bring our unique gaming and esports content publishing business to Shoreditch, where we will continue our provision of outstanding content to our international audience with the support of new partners.”

By leveraging the facilities and connectivity at the Sky Guild Gaming Centre, both organizations aim to drive innovation and expand their reach to global gaming audiences.

Ginx eSports TV Reportedly Up For Sale, Could The Channel Go Dark On The DStv Platform?

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The Esports Advocate can exclusively report that London-based gaming and esports media company Ginx TV Ltd. is exploring an acquisition or further investment and is being represented by London-based venture capital and private equity firm Capital A. In a perfect scenario—according to what is being pitched to VCs—an investor would acquire the company, keep its full-time staff intact (it lists 21 full-time employees and 17+ people in outsourced roles)— and leave the day-to-day operations in the hands of the current CEO, Michiel Bakker.

According to a document obtained by TEA being shared by Capital A to potential VCs, the unnamed esports media group (which TEA has confirmed is Ginx) is based in London, specializes in “creating and monetizing cross-platform (TV & digital) esports and gaming content,” and is “available to acquire.” Metadata from the document describes it as “GinxTV – Teaser V2” and lists multiple Capital A employees as points of contact.

It also notes that the company’s “experienced hires” have “near full autonomy on a day-to-day basis,” and that the “CEO is looking to stay,” which is a selling point to attract investors who would have concerns that leadership and staff might leave after an acquisition.

Finally, the document notes that the company has its own production arm, which it uses to produce a variety of video and provide content creation services for clients such as “publishers, brands and esports organizations.”

Ginx TV Ltd. CEO Michiel Bakker issued the following statement to TEA on Friday morning via email: “Ginx is always working on its capital structure alongside growing the company. We have built a profitable gaming/esports business with diverse, predictable, and recurring revenue streams. As Ginx becomes increasingly global and digital, as opposed to being a pure-play TV company, we are currently looking to bring on board investors that are aligned with that trajectory and can help us accelerate our growth. We are involved in several discussions, but I am not at liberty to disclose detail.”

Ginx has raised capital from a number of sources over the years including £569.1K ($679K USD) in December of 2015 through an equity crowdfunding campaign with Crowdcube, and undisclosed investments in September of 2016 from UK-based terrestrial TV networks Sky and ITV, who both took “significant minority stakes in the company.”

While Bakker claims that Ginx is a profitable business, the company realized losses of £162.9K ($194.3K) in 2020 and £263.1K ($313.9K) in 2021, according to public filings—Ginx has yet to file its FY 2022 financial report as of this writing. All told, the company has spent approximately £9.99M ($11.86M) since 2010. It is important to note that, due to the British company reporting requirements, a balance sheet loss does not necessarily contradict Bakker’s profitability claim. It should also be noted that the materials obtained by TEA, estimate that the company generated revenue of £2.2M, or $2.5M for FY 2022.

Credits: James Fudge

Ginx eSports TV CEO Steps Down After 13 Years

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Long-time CEO of gaming media company Ginx TV Michiel Bakker has announced his departure and is set to leave the company at the end of June.

Bakker made the announcement via LinkedIn, and while he did not share any future plans, he did mention that he is leaving the company with “mixed emotions.”

Founded in 2007, Ginx TV is a media company based in the United Kingdom. The company is known for its television channel, one of the world’s first TV channels focused strictly on gaming content. The company’s main channel has been rebranded to Ginx Esports TV in 2016, reflecting a shift towards esports. Apart from television, Ginx operates a gaming and esports news website, Ginx.tv.

Michiel Bakker first joined Ginx TV when the company was only three years old, in 2010. During his time at the company, Ginx has partnered with numerous esports, gaming, and other brands, and became an international company with a presence in many countries.

Bakker did not explain the exact reasons for his departure, but he did note that it is “high time for a fresh perspective, new ideas, and someone else to take the reins” of the media company. He added that change is a vital part of progress, and that he is proud of the work he did during his time at Ginx.

Ginx TV did not share news of Bakker’s replacement, but he did say that he is now “embarking on a new chapter in life.”

Bakker said the following via social media: “After an incredible 13-year journey at Ginx TV Ltd, it is with mixed emotions that I announce my departure from the company at the end of this month. It has been an honour and a privilege to serve as the CEO of Ginx, and I am immensely proud of what we have achieved together.

“One of the most important lessons I have learned in my professional career is that change is vital for growth and progress. It is high time for a fresh perspective, new ideas, and someone else to take the reins.”

Development Alert: Ginx eSports TV Ends It's Run As A Linear Channel In The United Kingdom, TV Channel To Remain Through On Demand Streaming Services With More Markets Rumoured To Follow

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Ginx eSports TV is a UK based gaming channel operated by ITV PLC that promotes all things gaming in the form of news, guidelines and even tournaments. Some of the content viewed on the channel include Top 10, Games Set To Music, Origins and The First Hour.

As reported by Sky this past week, Ginx eSports TV falls out of their offering by the end of June. Although, it would continue to broadcast on Sky Glass which is set to rollout as DStv Glass in South Africa within the next 24 months.

During the year, Sky alongside various pay-tv outlets across the world have been removing non-performing channels. Similar to MultiChoice, they're streamlining their offering and Ginx eSports TV happens to be one of those channels that fall under that criteria.

MultiChoice added the channel in South Africa by 2017 and haven't said much about its viewership or promote it as much as ESPN, WWE and SuperSport. So we only assume that the current scenario seen in the UK is a reflection of what's to come in South Africa at some point.

Ginx eSports TV is kind of niche and considering this is a mid tier channel the viewership has to be below average if not less than M-Net's 8K viewers. Not that the channel is bad but most gaming brands work better as generalists then lifestyle channels.

Prior to its demise in the UK, it's had been long speculated that MultiChoice was looking to scrap the esports channel at some point. But with SuperSportBET also catering to esports gearing up for a fall 2023 rollout we assume something e-sports will be on there.

Maybe this will be one way to retire Ginx eSports TV or give consumers other means to it's offering.

'G4', The American Version Of Britain's Ginx Esports To Go Dark Effective Immediately

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Comcast Spectacor, the cable and entertainment giant’s sports and esports division, told G4 TV employees Sunday that the gaming network was shutting down effective immediately. The decision has resulted in 45 staff members of G4 TV losing their jobs.

In a memo, obtained by the press, Comcast Spectacor chairman and CEO Dave Scott cited low viewership and said the network had not achieved “sustainable financial results.”

“Over the past several months, we worked hard to generate that interest in G4, but viewership is low and the network has not achieved sustainable financial results,” Scott wrote. “This is certainly not what we hoped for, and, as a result, we have made the very difficult decision to discontinue G4’s operations, effective immediately.”

Comcast Spectacor in July 2020 said it would reboot G4 TV, which NBCUniversal shut down in 2013 (after the network first launched in 2002). Russell Arons, the former Warner Bros., Machinima, EA and Mattel exec who joined G4 as president in September 2021, left the company two months ago.

The content studio and network officially returned to linear television on Nov. 16, 2021, after more than a year of the group releasing content online to test show new concepts. At launch, G4 TV was available Comcast’s Xfinity TV, Verizon Fios, Cox Communications and internet streaming service Philo. The network’s programming slate brought back fan-favorite legacy G4 shows like “Attack of the Show!” and “Xplay.”

In addition to Arons, Comcast Spectacor had hired two G4 alums: Brian Terwilliger, most recently at WWE and former producer for G4’s “Attack of the Show!”, joined as VP of programming and creative strategy. Blair Herter, who once worked on both “X-Play” and “Attack of the Show!”, had come on board as Comcast Spectacor’s VP of content partnerships and brand development.

G4 had established its own broadcast studio in Burbank, Calif., outfitted for professional esports gameplay. The roster of talent for the short-lived network include returning G4 hosts Kevin Pereira and Adam Sessler; esports personalities Alex “Goldenboy” Mendez (host of NBC’s “The Titan Games”), Ovilee May and Froskurinn; WWE Superstar Xavier Woods (aka Austin Creed); YouTube personalities Kassem G, Jirard “The Completionist” Khalil and Gina Darling; Twitch streamers Fiona Nova and Will Neff; livestreamer CodeMiko; and a “degenerate rat-puppet” named Ratty.

G4’s shutdown was first reported by Deadline.
Read Scott’s Sunday email to G4 staffers:
October 16, 2022

Team:
As you know, G4 was re-introduced last year to tap into the popularity of gaming. We invested to create the new G4 as an online and TV destination for fans to be entertained, be inspired, and connect with gaming content.

Over the past several months, we worked hard to generate that interest in G4, but viewership is low and the network has not achieved sustainable financial results. This is certainly not what we hoped for, and, as a result, we have made the very difficult decision to discontinue G4’s operations, effective immediately.

I know this is disappointing news, and I’m disappointed, too. I want to thank you and everyone on the G4 team for the hard work and commitment to the network. Our human resources team is reaching out to you to provide you with support, discuss other opportunities that may be available, and answer any questions you may have.

Thank you again for all of your hard work for G4.
Sincerely,
Dave Scott
Chairman and CEO
Comcast Spectacor

 

Adult Swim Unleashes Global Rick And Morty Fan Experience: #Wormageddon!

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Leading into the season six premiere of Adult Swim’s Rick and Morty, fans around the world are invited to participate in an immersive adventure that brings to life the two-time Emmy® Award-winning animated hit comedy series. #WORMAGEDDON is a global ‘living episode’ and treasure hunt that features 14 unique and immersive scenes that bridge the events from the season five finale episode with the recently announced season six premiere.

The first activation was unveiled on Saturday, 20 August, in Mexico City, with a global treasure hunt to find more #WORMAGEDDON scenes kicking off today. Reaching every continent except Antarctica, spectacular new custom scenes will unfold nearly every day until #WORMAGEDDON concludes with the season six global premiere of Rick and Morty starting on Sunday, 4 September at 11:00 p.m. ET/PT on Adult Swim.

Facing a threat of complete global destruction, the heroes and anti-heroes of Rick and Morty will team up against #WORMAGEDDON.  Between the destruction of the Citadel of Ricks at the end of season five and the beginning of season six, a new threat lands on Earth in the form of a mysterious alien worm that aims to take over the planet.

Featuring 14 custom scenes that showcase the worm’s destructive path and featuring fan-favourite Rick and Morty characters, starting on Monday, 22 August, fans are invited to join the hunt and unlock clues to discover the nine hidden locations in countries around the world. The first fan to find each hidden location in person will be rewarded on the spot with a life-size golden ‘Rick’ head.  Fans can get details and rules on how to participate in the global treasure hunt here.

Today marks the debut of the first custom scene in Casa de Cultura Jesús Reyes Heroles, Coyoacán in Mexico City. This massive build stands 13 feet tall, 12 feet wide, and 14 feet long and depicts Rick and Morty characters, Beth Smith and Supernova, in the fight of their lives to save Earth.

“To celebrate the new season, we are inviting fans around the globe to take part in an immersive experience that allows them to go on a real-life Rick and Morty adventure,” said Tricia Melton, Chief Marketing Officer for Warner Bros. Discovery Kids, Young Adults and Classics group. “Our world is being invaded by alien space worms so menacing that #WORMAGEDDON has been declared on nearly every continent. The first fan to find the hidden battle scenes around the world will nab a golden Rick head, clearly one of the most collectable items in the universe.”

To set the stage for this new adventure, Adult Swim debuted a series of custom animated shorts about the origins of this dangerous alien invasion. Beginning with A Citadel Secret revealed at the Rick and Morty panel at the Adult Swim Festival  Block Party on 6 August, followed by A Journey to Earth released on August 17, Saturday marked the debut of Threat Level: Wormageddon in which Rick is alerted about #WORMAGEDDON and enlists others to join him in the battle against the massive alien monster.

Fans can follow along as the beloved characters from Rick and Morty battle to save Earth from #WORMAGEDDON by visiting the show’s official social channels and on RickandMorty.com.

Rick and Morty was the #1 comedy across all US cable in 2017, 2019, and 2021. Since its launch, Rick and Morty has ranked as one of the top series for HBO Max, both domestically and globally. Lifetime to date, Rick and Morty has been viewed over 10B times globally across linear, digital, and streaming platforms.

Details of where Rick and Morty enthusiasts across southern Africa can catch the new season of the Emmy-winning animated comedy series will be announced shortly – watch this space!

Notes:
·        #WORMAGEDDON is a global ‘living episode’ and treasure hunt that bridges the events from the season five finale episode to the season six premiere
·        Story: Between the destruction of the Citadel of Ricks at the end of season five and the beginning of season six, a new threat lands on planet Earth in the form of a mysterious alien worm that aims to take over. Facing a threat of complete global destruction, the heroes and anti-heroes of Rick and Morty will team up against #WORMAGEDDON. 
·        #WORMAGEDDON features 14 unique and immersive scenes that showcase the worm’s destructive path and feature Rick and Morty characters.
·        Nine locations are hidden in countries around the world, and fans are invited to find them via a social treasure hunt.
·        #WORMAGEDDON scenes will reach every continent except Antarctica.
·        The first activation was unveiled on Saturday, 20 August, in Casa de Cultura Jesús Reyes Heroles, Coyoacán in Mexico City and features Beth Smith and Supernova fighting the alien worm.
·        A global treasure hunt to find more #WORMAGEDDON scenes kicks off today, Monday, 22 August.
·        The first fan to discover these ‘hidden’ scenes will receive a life-size golden ‘Rick’ head.
·        Adult Swim is debuting a series of custom animated shorts about the origins of this dangerous alien invasion.
·        Fans can follow along as the beloved characters from Rick and Morty battle to save Earth from #WORMAGEDDON by visiting the show’s official social channels and on RickandMorty.com.

 

Roundups #85: Live-Action Pac-Man Movie Is In The Works, BET+ Acquired Broadcasting Rights To South African Drama Series Pulse And Doom Patrol Alongside Titans Expected To Be Cancelled

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Pac-Man to get feature film

A live-action film is in development based on the classic arcade game character with an endless appetite, Pac-Man.

The project hails from Bandai Namco Entertainment — the company behind Pac-Man, as well as games like Galaga and Tekken — and Wayfarer Studios, the production company founded by Justin Baldoni and Steve Sarowitz.

First introduced in the U.S. in 1980 — and originally called Puck Man in Japan — Pac-Man became a coin-operated staple. The game is set in mazes where Pac-Man has to eat pellets while being pursued by colorful ghosts as the mazes get progressively more difficult.

Pulse is streaming overseas

BET+ has picked up the U.S. streaming rights to South African-produced sci-fi survival thriller “Pulse.”

“Pulse” tells the explosive story of an electromagnetic pulse that disables a secure building and disrupts the bio-electric signals in everyone’s minds, trapping a group of video game designers and turning each floor into a psychotic battlefield. The show questions whether the modern human race can really survive without the technology that defines our way of life today.

The series shot in South Africa as well as Mauritius.

Doom Patrol and Titans have not been cancelled

DC fans were sent into a flurry the past day as a Variety report circulated that Doom Patrol and Titans, two refugee shows from the DC Universe streaming service, were expected to be cancelled.

But now, it has been updated that piece to reflect that a decision has not been made and that “like all shows,” their renewal will depend on the performance of the upcoming seasons that will be out later this year. I think fans were freaked out about maybe even those seasons being not allowed to air, given that anything seems possible after WB killed its finished Batgirl movie in order to take the tax writedown. Nothing feels safe, even if so far, Batgirl and one Kevin Smith project appear to be the only confirmed casualties under the new WB Discovery management.

But even if Titans and Doom Patrol are safe for now, I would be somewhat surprised if that continued into the future, and for me personally, I do expect probably Doom Patrol, and possibly Titans to be canceled as WB tries to rein in its variety of DC universes they have running, whether that’s deserved or not.

Insidus Content Roundups #5: Disney Prepping Roman To The Rescue And More Big City Greens, Earthworm Jim TV Series Is In Development (APK Game Available Inside) And Thomas And Friends: All Engines Go! Coming Soon To Boomerang MENA And Likely Africa - UPDATED

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Roman to the Rescue from The Dodo and Group Nine Studios will bow next month on Disney XD and Hulu.

Animal-focused entertainment brand The Dodo is pushing deeper into family-friendly TV programming with the upcoming launch of Roman to the Rescue, a new original live-action series that has been picked up by Disney XD.

Co-produced by The Dodo, Group Nine Studios (Dodo parentco Group Nine Media’s production division) and Nomadica Films, the series tags along with 10-year-old animal rescuer Roman McConn as he teams up with influencers and Disney Channel talent to find forever homes for 17 loveable shelter dogs.

Also read:
- WWE could be put up for sale
- Baby TV could be on the chopping block
- 2022 on HBO Max including Peacemaker and a Batman Christmas special
- Bel-Air streaming this February on Peacock
- Nicktoons upcoming series Big Nate debuting on Paramount+
- 2022 on Paramount+ includes new season of iCarly, Star Trek: Lower Decks and Why Women Kill
- Moon Knight debuts this March on Disney+
- Upcoming programming for Cartoonito in Europe, Middle East and Africa
- TelkomOne reportedly adds two channels: Toonami and Boing

Roman to the Rescue will premiere February 12 on Disney XD and the Disney-owned streamer Hulu on February 16 in the United States.

Big City Greens Plants Fourth Season And Musical Movie Orders At Disney Channel & Disney+

Big City Greens has been renewed for a fourth season ahead of the Season 3 debut on Disney Channel, the show has been described as Disney Channel’s No #1 Hit Animated Series since it’s debut on 2018 beating the likes of DuckTales 2017, Big Hero 6 The Series, Amphibia, The Owl House and The Ghost And Molly McGee.

Big City Greens Season 4 will contain the 100th episode of the series and it has become the fourth original Disney Channel Animated series in making through 4 seasons joining Kim Possible, Phineas And Ferb and Star Vs The Forces Of Evil.

Disney+ has ordered Big City Greens The Movie, a original animated musical film based on the series becoming the 6th animated Disney Channel Original Movie joining Kim Possible: So The Drama, The Proud Family Movie, Leroy and Stitch, Phineas And Ferb The Movie Across The Second Dimension & Tangled Before Ever After.

Also read:
- Kevin 11 series waiting to be get picked up by Cartoon Network and HBO Max
- Why the outdated music brand VH1 Classic was terminated on DStv?
- Could fan made Cartoon Network logo be the future logo for the channel?
- Rio 3 and Ice Age 7 are currently in development for Disney+
- 2022 on Disney+ ahead of launch in South Africa
- Boomerang reportedly closing down across Europe, Middle East and Africa
- Could Galactic: KND be in the works for Cartoon Network and HBO Max?

A new Earthworm Jim animated series is in development

The project hails from Interplay Entertainment Corp., which owns the rights to the “Earthworm Jim” games. Interplay has partnered with APA to bring the project to television.

Like the games, the series would follow the adventures of the titular Jim, a worm in a futuristic robotic suit who fights evildoers. The series will also bring in new characters as they navigate the galaxy, where each planet is home to a race of anthropomorphic animals. Jim’s ultimate quest is to find his true home among the stars: a near-mythical planet called Earth.

The first “Earthworm Jim” game was released on Sega Genesis and Super Nintendo in 1994. You can find the game through the link: click here

Thomas the tank engine sails to Europe

In October 2021, it was announced WarnerMedia EMEA acquired rights to Thomas And Friends: All Engines Go! which serves as a reboot to the Thomas And Friends franchise. As seen in other countries, the beloved tank engine is airing on various Boomerang and Cartoonitos.

WarnerMedia EMEA never specified which brand will air the show amidst the relaunch of Cartoonito and here's the thing. WarnerMedia picked up several preschool content and even specified who gets what but not for this series.

Also read:
- Star Trek: Discovery renewed on Paramount+
- Animated series coming to Cartoon Network, Netflix and a variety of other platforms in 2022
- Jessica's Big Little World and Work It Out Wombat coming soon to Cartoonito and PBS Kids respectively
- Moon Knight debuts this March on Disney+
- As Africa await for their Disney Channels to close in 2024 Latin America starts with Star Life, National Geographic Wild, Disney XD and FX Movies
- Nicktoons upcoming series Big Nate debuts on Paramount+ this February
- Henry Danger movie is in development

Honestly, I believe the show will air on Boomerang presumably in March and thereafter the channel will rebrand into Cartoonito. There's a lot of signs indicating a possible rebrand 1) Dino Ranch debuted last month 2) WarnerMedia picked up several preschool shows for the channel and 3) a lot of programming on the channel can be seen on Cartoonito in Latin America and Italy.

You can also find me through the other platforms by pressing this link in brackets and if you're struggling to share the article through certain platforms use this link (Lnk.Bio).

New Gadgets: Random Posts And Related Posts

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We know how some people get irritated by the nearsight of links inbetween a post that's why we begun testing out two new features to help reduce that, Random Posts and Related Posts.

Random Posts can be seen if you switch from the mobile version of our website to desktop (the option can be found below Insidus). As the name implies readers will see links to several articles on our site and it changes everytime a user gets into another link or even reloads the website.

Basically, it doesn't stick to particular articles like Related Posts.

 

 

Related Posts can be seen if you are using the mobile version of our site and entering the post on Insidus. To help readers better understand this tool what it does is source content from the tags seen at the bottom of an article or sidebar on the left through the desktop version of the site.

These two gadgets will replace the "Also read" sections of the post or at least most of it. We know some readers who love Cartoon Network might be interested in what's happening with Nickelodeon so the simple solution would be using the tags as discussed in the related posts paragraph.

Remember

Desktop/web version: Random Posts alongside Popular Posts (now at the bottom of the site)
Mobile version: Related Posts

We also added these gadgets to our gaming blog: Insidus Games.