Ömer Yakabagi

Just saw the news right after Ilkka's LI post. Finland Bets Big on Start-Ups with Maria 01 Super Campus Maria 01 plans to become the biggest start-up campus in Europe Yellow diggers are shoring up mounds of earth, as construction workers prepare to lay the foundations for what's set to become the largest start-up campus in Europe. The project is an expansion of Maria 01, a co-working and event space for entrepreneurs and investors, as well as larger corporations that want to collaborate with tech start-ups. Its existing facilities across the street already house around 240 start-ups. They are spread across six buildings that used to make up the city's first hospital, founded in the 19th Century and notorious in Helsinki for treating patients with the plague. Now, the current 20,000 sq m site is a hub for companies developing […]

Last week, we had a wonderful chat with Rina Onur Sirinoglu, CEO & Co-Founder of Spyke Games, and one of the key figures behind Peak’s legendary rise. We talked about how far Turkey's Mobile Gaming ecosystem has come and where it’s headed next. From humble beginnings to billion-dollar exits, from scrappy teams to world-class talent, all about what’s changed, what still matters, and why the next big gaming wave might just start in Istanbul. Some real gems in here, lezgo! 🕺🏻 How has the Turkish gaming ecosystem changed since the founding days of Peak? When Peak was founded in 2010, the gaming world was a completely different place. There was virtually no mobile gaming scene, and certainly no “ecosystem” to speak of in Turkey. In those early days, we found ourselves learning by doing—figuring things out as we went along. […]

Today marks the launch of Supercell Investments New Brand and Website, Doubling Down on Global Game Studio Support 🚀 In a bold move, reinforcing its position as one of the most influential forces behind the scenes of game development, Supercell Investments has officially launched its brand-new website: investments.supercell.com. The sleek redesign isn’t just a cosmetic overhaul, it’s a statement of intent. Backed by the powerhouse behind mobile juggernauts like Clash of Clans, Clash Royale, Brawl Stars, and the upcoming Squad Busters, Supercell Investments is renewing its mission to support the most ambitious game studios and game tech teams worldwide. ✅ What’s new: Supercell Investments isn't new, but this is the first time they’re publicly showcasing it in such a structured, open, and branded way. The new website and refreshed branding are meant to make their mission, backed studios, and investment […]

A New Era, Powered by Mobile Ubisoft just hit start on a bold new strategy: building a powerhouse subsidiary to lead its flagship franchises into a mobile-first, multi-platform future. Backed by a game-changing €1.16 billion investment from Chinese tech giant Tencent, this new entity is laser-focused on turning Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry, and Rainbow Six into evergreen, always-on experiences. Franchises Reforged for a Connected Generation This isn’t just about repackaging blockbusters. Ubisoft’s new subsidiary will reimagine its biggest IPs into living ecosystems—delivering deeper solo adventures, richer multiplayer, free-to-play access points, and social features tuned for today’s mobile-savvy audience. It’s the ultimate pivot from traditional boxed games to cross-platform, continuously evolving worlds. Tencent’s investment values the unit at a whopping €4 billion, with a 25% minority stake, marking a serious vote of confidence in Ubisoft’s mobile and platform-agnostic future. From Console […]

If your social feeds have turned into a dreamy, anime-soaked wonderland, you're not alone. The internet’s latest obsession? AI-generated Studio Ghibli-style images, transforming everything from historical icons to meme culture into magical stills straight out of My Neighbor Totoro. But here’s the plot twist: this viral trend is powered by OpenAI’s new GPT-4o model, and it's already shaking up the creative world, including mobile gaming. Isn't it illegal? AI’s Copycat Moment: The Copyright Storm Is Here. AI giants like OpenAI are already under fire for using creators’ work without consent, and a new viral image generator just turned up the heat. Here’s why it’s a tipping point: Artists recognize their own style. This tool mimics with eerie precision, revealing that copyrighted works were likely used to train the AI. It skirts the law, not the ethics. The AI alters just […]

PlaysOut, the UAE-based mini-game platform, just secured $7 million in seed funding, catapulting its valuation to $70M. The fresh capital will fuel its mission to revolutionize digital engagement by integrating its vast mini-game library into "Super Apps," driving Higher Revenue & User Retention. Power Players Behind the Round The funding was led by OKX Ventures, KBW Ventures, and Kenetic Capital, with backing from industry heavyweights like Pacific Century Group, Gam3Girl Ventures, Oak Grove Ventures, and Aptos. Big Moves & New Tech Last year, PlaysOut teamed up with Tencent Cloud, leveraging its mini-program framework to expand content ecosystems. Operating like a "Steam for Mini-games" or "Netflix for Game Catalogs," PlaysOut’s platform supports multi-engine compatibility and SDK tools, enabling seamless integration into high-traffic apps. 🚀 Coming in May: PlaysOut is set to launch its embedded SDK.

Istanbul-based mobile game studio SekGames will use the funding to expand its publishing activities and grow its gaming portfolio. Founded by Ali Osman K., Serkan Çotul, and Alper Kocabiyik in 2020, SekGames continues to make a name for itself in the mobile gaming industry with its innovative projects. Specializing in hybrid casual games, the company aims to deliver fun and immersive experiences for players. SekGames plans to use the funding to expand its game publishing activities and grow its gaming portfolio. The studio, known for successful titles like Police Station Idle, Dream Hospital, Coffee Shop Idle, and Money Print Idle, has been selected for support under the Startup Qatar Investment Program. With nearly 2,000 applications from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Türkiye, and India, SekGames stood out for its innovative approach and growth potential, earning a spot among the 11 selected startups. AppMagic: […]