Gaming
Revita crowned ‘Best Game’, Heartbound ‘Most Anticipated’ and Super Raft Boat ‘Best of GX.games’ in the GameMaker Awards 2022
The judges have deliberated. Over 200 games have been entered with thousands of votes cast. And we can now reveal that Revita has been crowned ‘Best Game’ and Heartbound ‘Most Anticipated’ game of the year, at the GameMaker Awards 2022.
The GameMaker Awards recognize games built in GameMaker which demonstrate excellence in design, creativity, technical ability and of course, awesome gameplay.
This year, the coveted gong for ‘Best Game’ goes to Revita, created by German developer BenStar. Revita is an exciting twin-stick roguelite platformer, where you play as an unnamed child as you ascend an ominous clocktower in pursuit of your lost memories. The game was up against a tough shortlist, which included Sucker for Love: First Date, ElecHead, Grapple Dog and Webbed. However, Revita’s fast-paced, adrenaline-pumping gameplay and incredibly satisfying combat mechanics ultimately won the judges over, which included head of GameMaker Russell Kay, and Opera GX Product Director, Maciej Kocemba.
The ‘Most Anticipated Game’ at this year’s awards went to Heartbound, from US developer, Pirate Software. Heartbound’s unorthodox approach to role playing games tells the story of a boy, his dog, curious secrets, and sanity – all created in a breathtaking pixel art style. However, it was Heartbound’s amazing storytelling which really captured the judges imagination, leaving them hungry for more.
The other finalists of the Most Anticipated Game category were BROK the InvestiGator, Cattails: Wildwood Story, Exophobia and Rusted Moss.
For 2022, the GameMaker Awards introduced the new ‘Best of GX.games’ award category, shining a light on some of the awesome games shared from GameMaker to the GX.games platform. Amongst the host of truly outstanding games competing for this inaugural award, Super Raft Boat was named the winner. An upbeat roguelike set in the flooded world, Super Raft Boat challenges the players to a mad dash over precarious rafts, constantly besieged by enemies, where only the very best of rafters make it to Final Island.
The other games shortlisted for the title of Best of GX.games were All You Can Take, Memorial Pillage, Ogre Chambers and Raven Estate.
Russell Kay, Head of GameMaker, said: “Each year, I’m completely blown away by the incredible standard of the games which enter the GameMaker Awards, from creators and studios pushing the absolute boundaries of GameMaker’s powerful functionality. In judging this year’s awards, we’ve once again been lucky to experience a huge range of awesome games which combine enthralling creative ideas, vivid artistic concepts and highly engaging gameplay to create something truly memorable. But as with last year’s awards, I’m just glad the final decision was left in the hands of our loyal GameMaker and Opera GX communities.”
Ben Kiefer, Lead Developer, BenStar, added: “GameMaker has always been with me since the very start of my gamedev career. Almost everything I know about gamedev, I have learned during the development of Revita. From how much of a difference the lerp function makes to the power of json files. And of course, how important a strong community can be.
“Therefore, it’s immensely humbling that the game that originally made me want to learn gamedev professionally, is the one that’s won the ‘Best Game’ category. I would also like to say a big thank you to everyone who gave Revita their vote, when all the shortlisted games would have deserved it just as much! I honestly still can’t believe it.”
Thor, Founder, Pirate Software, commented: “Heartbound is our first major game as an indie studio so it’s awesome to receive this award. Working with GameMaker throughout this has been easy and it allowed us to do everything we wanted to. Without royalties to tie us down it’s been a fantastic financial choice for our studio as well.
“If anyone out there has ever considered making a game, don’t wait for that perfect moment when the planets align. Get out there and start making stuff or you never will. You don’t need any special knowledge or skill to start. Just work on your side project everyday. Join game jams. Make something small and launch it. Get feedback from EVERYONE. Adapt and level up with your experience. You got this.”
ason Gertner, developer, Super Raft Boat, added: “It’s a big honor to receive a GameMaker Award for Super Raft Boat! Super Raft Boat actually came from a game I canceled in 2017. The team for SRB formed around a new jam in 2021, so we took some elements from the original, and reformatted it into a much more understandable and compact experience. Most of the team has been using GameMaker for over 10 years, so it means a lot that so many people enjoyed the game.”
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G2 Esports
G2 Esports Announces Global English Launch of Webcomic “Red Aura” on WEBTOON
G2, one of the world’s leading entertainment and esports brands, announced the upcoming English-language launch of its original fantasy-action series, Red Aura, on WEBTOON, a leading digital comics platform. Launching on Saturday, 6th June under the platform’s WEBTOON Originals label, the series marks the next step in G2’s expansion into digital-first entertainment. Inspired by the defining moments and competitive spirit behind G2’s rise, Red Aura reimagines the organisation’s legacy through bold shonen-inspired storytelling.
After debuting in Japan on LINE MANGA in October 2025, where it reached #9 in New Series on the opening weekend, Red Aura now launches on WEBTOON’s English-language platform as an Originals series. With 20 episodes available immediately, including 15 free episodes and 5 Fast Pass chapters, Red Aura offers readers expanded access to the series from day one, ahead of weekly releases across a planned 42-episode first season.
At the centre of the series is Asa, a young girl who dreams of becoming the greatest Nomad who ever lived. Driven by the same pursuit of greatness at the heart of G2, Red Aura unfolds in a fantasy-action world shaped by rivalry, perseverance and competition, where Asa must learn to master her abilities while facing dangerous enemies and the brutal consequences of ambition.
Red Aura was brought to life through collaboration with KISAI Entertainment, the studio behind the webcomic adaptations of AVATAR: The Last Airbender and The Beginning After the End, alongside Japanese Art Director Runbel, who works on the previously #1 action fantasy series in Japan and Korea – Skill Master Levels Up. Designed specifically for WEBTOON’s vertical-scroll format, the series also experiments with platform-native creative techniques, including a chapter that visually integrates music into the reading experience.
To celebrate the launch, G2 creator and VALORANT streamer Shanks will host a live reading of Red Aura, with further details to be announced soon.
“Red Aura was created as a way to reimagine the ambition and competitive spirit that have defined G2 over the last decade. Following the response to the Japanese launch, we’re excited to now bring the series to a global audience through WEBTOON. Expanding into original entertainment has been a major focus for G2, and Red Aura is only the beginning of what we want to build,” said Sabrina Ratih, COO of G2.
“The world of Red Aura is fresh and original, which made it really enjoyable to work on. It was a lot of fun working with producer Daniel using camera work to create cool action panels that have never been seen before, and I was always inspired by his passion to try new things. I am very honored to have been a part of it. I hope you enjoy it.”
Since its inception over a decade ago, G2 has expanded beyond esports through ventures across entertainment, culture, and original content. From collaborations with Smiley and Solo Leveling, to the launch of G2’s 62 media house and expansion into Gerard Piqué’s Kings League, Red Aura represents G2’s continued investment in anime-inspired entertainment and original storytelling designed for digital-first audiences.
The post G2 Esports Announces Global English Launch of Webcomic “Red Aura” on WEBTOON appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Asia
NODWIN and Nodding Heads launch India Games Showcase with Summer Game Fest
NODWIN Gaming and Nodding Heads Games are launching the inaugural India Games Showcase (IGS), a digital event set to premiere on June 8 as an official partner showcase of Summer Game Fest. The broadcast will feature 40 curated Indian indie games across trailers, reveals, gameplay segments and announcements.
The India Games Showcase will be accompanied by a dedicated Steam event aimed at helping players discover, follow and wishlist participating titles. The event is scheduled for 10 AM PT / 10:30 PM IST and will stream on YouTube and Twitch.
NODWIN Gaming Co-founder and Managing Director Akshat Rathee said: “There is a raw, untapped creative energy in the Indian indie ecosystem right now that is completely unique. We are seeing developers blend world-class mechanics with incredibly rich, localized storytelling that the global gaming community hasn’t experienced before. We want to make sure that a brilliant game built in India doesn’t just stay a local secret, but gets the global eyeballs, distribution, and recognition it rightfully deserves.”
Nodding Heads Games Co-founder and Game Director Avichal Singh added: “The debut of India Games Showcase proves that Indian indies are making strides as they arrive and make a presence internationally. The rise of quality and genre variety titles in recent years is very promising. Our partnership with the world’s biggest showcase, Summer Game Fest, is another mark of approval for the country. We’re excited for the times ahead.”
Ahead of the broadcast, the organisers named the first set of participating games, including Raahi (Kalp), Dodo Duckie (BornMonkie), Loop : Beginning Of Never Ending Journey (Pravin Nikam), Rakshasa (Odd Compass Studio), and Silkgrove (Gallic Entertainment). The showcase is spearheaded by Nodding Heads Games, the studio behind Raji: An Ancient Epic.
The post NODWIN and Nodding Heads launch India Games Showcase with Summer Game Fest appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Canada
XSOLLA STRENGTHENS COMMITMENT TO ATLANTIC CANADA’S GROWING GAME INDUSTRY WITH EXPANDED EVENT PRESENCE
Global Video Game Commerce Company To Support Industry Growth Through Panels, Workshops, And Community Engagement Across Atlantic Canada
Xsolla, a leading global video game commerce company, today announced its participation in two major gaming industry events taking place across Atlantic Canada from June 3-5, 2026, reinforcing the company’s commitment to supporting regional game development ecosystems and fostering industry collaboration.
Xsolla will participate in both Game Invest East and XP Game Connect Atlantic, joining developers, publishers, investors, and industry leaders for discussions centered on the future of game development, investment, and innovation in the local area.
At Game Invest East, held in partnership with Scaffold, Xsolla will contribute to conversations around funding, growth opportunities, and the evolving business landscape for game studios.
Featured on the panel titled “If You Can Make It Here,” Xsolla’s Manny Hachey, Senior Director of Developer Success, joins Kate Edwards, CEO and Principal Consultant of Geogrify, and Amir Satvat, Business Development Director at Tencent Games, founder of Always Supporting the Games Community (ASGC), and a 2026 GamesBeat Visionary Award honoree, to explore how new regions and new entrants can survive and thrive in disruptive times.
Hachey, a native of Atlantic Canada, was personally requested by Scaffold to represent Xsolla at the event — a homecoming that adds a personal dimension to the panel’s central thesis. Having built her career and made her mark in Germany’s games industry, she returns with a firsthand perspective on what it takes to leave, build something meaningful abroad, and come back with proof of concept.
Xsolla will continue its Atlantic Canada engagement at XP Game Connect Atlantic in Halifax on June 5. John Nguyen, Regional Vice President, Canada at Xsolla, and Ted DiNola, Developer Evangelist at Xsolla, will host a workshop titled ‘Full Picture to Fast Lane: Xsolla Ecosystem Overview & Live SDK 3 Integration’, providing practical insights and actionable strategies for developers navigating today’s rapidly evolving gaming market.
Nguyen will also host a panel titled, ‘What Does the Future of Game Development Look Like in Atlantic Canada?’ where he will be joined by industry experts, including Ryan Filsinger from Iron Fox; Shawn Woods, CEO at Alpha Dog and VP of Interactive Society of Nova Scotia; George Greer, Founder of Besszong; and Jade Yhap, President of Interactive NB. The panel will explore the region’s growing role in the global games industry and the opportunities ahead for studios, talent, and ecosystem partners.
“Atlantic Canada continues to emerge as an exciting hub for game development talent and innovation,” said John Nguyen, Regional Vice President, Canada, at Xsolla. “Xsolla is proud to support these events and contribute to conversations that help empower developers, build ecosystems, strengthen industry connections, and accelerate growth across the region.”
“Events like Game Invest East and XP Game Connect Atlantic are critical for building stronger connections across the games industry,” said Berkley Egenes, Chief Marketing & Growth Officer at Xsolla. “Atlantic Canada has a growing community of talented developers, creators, and industry leaders, and we’re excited to be part of conversations that help to shape the future of gaming in the region while supporting studios at every stage of growth.”
Through its participation in these events, Xsolla aims to deepen relationships within the Atlantic Canadian game development community while supporting knowledge-sharing, collaboration, and long-term ecosystem growth.
For more information about Xsolla’s participation in these events across Atlantic Canada, visit: xsolla.pro/Atlantic-Canada
The post XSOLLA STRENGTHENS COMMITMENT TO ATLANTIC CANADA’S GROWING GAME INDUSTRY WITH EXPANDED EVENT PRESENCE appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
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