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Colt Canyon crowned ‘Best Game’ and LUNARK ‘Most Anticipated’ at GameMaker Awards 2021

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The judges have deliberated. Over 33,000 votes have been cast. And we can now reveal that Colt Canyon has been crowned ‘Best Game’ and LUNARK ‘Most Anticipated’ game of the year, at the GameMaker Awards 2021.

Created by German-based developer Retrific, Colt Canyon is a stylish western-themed pixel art shooter combining roguelike elements with real-time combat. The judges were impressed with Colt Canyon’s highly engaging gameplay and heavily pixelated artist style. While in the popular vote, members of the GameMaker and Opera GX communities voted Colt Canyon the clear winner.

The other finalists for ‘Best Game’ included: Chicory: A Colorful Tale, Jet Lancer, Post Void and Cook, Serve, Delicious! 3?!.

The winner of ‘Most Anticipated’ game is LUNARK, from Canari Games. LUNARK is a 2D cinematic platformer, designed in the vein of ’80s and ’90s classics. The game challenges players to run, jump, hang, climb, roll, and shoot their way through a kaleidoscope of different environments. These include mysterious alien ruins, a flying penitentiary, a high-tech megalopolis, and a majestic forest.

The judges were blown away with how the Canari Games team have pushed the creative limits of cutscenes and pixel art in GameMaker, to create a game that is both visually stunning and great to play. Set for release later this year, LUNARK also made a big impression with the voters – who overwhelmingly crowned it the ‘Most Anticipated’ game of 2021.

The other finalists for ‘Most Anticipated’ game included: NYKRA, Jitsu Squad, APICO and Toodee and Topdee.

The GameMaker Awards, in partnership with SpecialEffect, a charity that uses video games to enhance the lives of those people with physical disabilities, celebrate creativity and innovation in Indie game development, honouring the best games created using GameMaker Studio 2 as well as the Indies and Studios that designed them.

From over 200 entries, only 5 games for each category were selected by an expert panel of industry peers, including GameMaker Studio CTO Russell Kay, Opera GX Product Director Maciej Kocemba, and Into Indie Games Editor Harry Cole.

Russell Kay, CTO, GameMaker Studio, said: “This year’s GameMaker Awards has redefined what we’ve come to expect from the indies and studios that choose GameMaker as their creative engine of choice. Each of the finalists have demonstrated  both amazing creativity, plus the technical ability to harness GameMaker’s powerful functionality to design a game that really pushes the boundaries. Given the incredible standard of this year’s entries, I am only glad that the final decision was left in the hands of our loyal GameMaker and Opera GX communities.”

Jonathan Mannshoven of Retrific, said: “Colt Canyon wasn’t a bestseller when it launched last year. It wasn’t free from criticism either. But by working closely with the community, I’ve been able to make many improvements to the game which have helped turn a lot of criticism into positive feedback. Having all that hard work now paying off with Colt Canyon winning ‘Best Game’ at the GameMaker Awards 2021 is an overwhelming and surreal feeling – just incredible!

“GameMaker has always been my engine of choice as it is just so easy to use yet also powerful, enabling me to reach maximum productivity. Which as a solo developer is extremely valuable. Put simply – I wouldn’t be a game developer now if it wasn’t for GameMaker.”

Johan Vinet of Canari Games, added: “LUNARK started as a passion project to create a game in the genre I loved in my youth. Making it a reality became so clear that I decided to quit my job, start my own studio and launch a Kickstarter campaign. Winning the “Most Anticipated Game” award is an incredible recognition from the players and the GameMaker Community, which brings some welcome legitimacy and a massive confidence boost to actually finish the game! Thank you!”

ad formats 2026

PropellerAds Unveils Multi-Format Advertising Suite for Scalable User Acquisition (January 2026)

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PropellerAds, a leading multi-source performance advertising platform, today launched a deeply integrated multi-format traffic strategy designed to deliver predictable conversions and scalable growth as acquisition costs climb and user attention fragments across devices and platforms.

Since 2011 PropellerAds has expanded beyond its Popunder roots into a full-service adtech platform that now includes Push, In-Page Push (IPP), Native/Display, Survey Traffic, and Telegram Mini Apps (TMA). This move positions the company as one of the few global providers offering integrated reach across traditional web placements and growing social/in-app ecosystems.

Why this matters for advertisers

Rising acquisition costs and cross-device fragmentation make single-format campaigns unreliable. PropellerAds’ multi-format suite lets brands, agencies and affiliates:

  • Mix high-volume formats for rapid testing (Popunder) with high-intent formats (Survey Traffic).
  • Reach audiences across Android, iOS and desktop with native-style creatives (IPP and Push).
  • Tap emerging social channels via in-app experiences (Telegram Mini Apps) for engaged, low-disruption traffic.
    The result: more stable scaling, flexible reach, and higher conversion predictability.

Key formats powering the platform

  • Popunder Ads — volume and scale
    Popunder remains a workhorse for large-scale acquisition, offering massive coverage, direct-click placements and cost control. It’s ideal for fast market tests and high-volume conversion funnels.
  • Telegram Mini Apps (TMA) — social traffic growth
    TMA brings in-app interstitials, banners and task-based units inside Telegram’s Mini Apps. Advertisers gain access to highly engaged social users with performance optimization that preserves user experience.
  • In-Page Push (IPP) — native, cross-device reach
    IPP delivers notification-style creatives embedded within webpages without opt-in, covering Android, iOS and macOS. Its native look and wide device support increase engagement and CTR while filling gaps left by traditional push.
  • Push Format — persistent outreach
    PropellerAds’ Push ads reach users outside browsing sessions via browser notifications. As an early mover in push ads, PropellerAds now delivers billions of daily impressions to support remarketing and time-sensitive campaigns.
  • Survey Traffic — high-intent audiences
    Survey Traffic funnels users who actively participate in surveys to advertiser landing pages, producing audiences with elevated intent—especially effective for finance, subscriptions, rewards, and lead generation verticals.

PropellerAds’ strategic edge

By combining multiple traffic types and automated optimization, PropellerAds aims to protect campaigns from volatility in any single channel. The platform’s cross-format approach helps advertisers adapt to shifting traffic patterns while maintaining ROI targets.

“With user behavior shifting across screens and contexts, PropellerAds’ multi-format synergy is now essential for scalable growth,” says Julia Larionova, Head of Marketing at PropellerAds. “Platforms with integrated formats and automated optimization will gain a competitive advantage as traffic continues to diversify.”

Bottom line

PropellerAds’ multi-format expansion reflects the adtech industry’s shift toward integrated, cross-device acquisition. For marketers facing rising traffic costs and fragmented attention, the platform offers diversified ad formats and performance tools to scale more reliably in 2026 and beyond.

The post PropellerAds Unveils Multi-Format Advertising Suite for Scalable User Acquisition (January 2026) appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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Age of Empires competitive

Team Vitality Enters Age of Empires II Esports with Star-Studded Roster

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Team Vitality, one of the most influential names in modern esports, has officially announced its entry into the Age of Empires II competitive scene. This marks a major milestone: the merging of a contemporary esports powerhouse with one of the most iconic real-time strategy franchises in history.

Aiming for the Throne: Star-Studded Roster

Team Vitality isn’t just entering for exposure — they are targeting dominance. The team has assembled a roster featuring three of the most decorated players in Age of Empires II history:

  • Hamzah “Hera” El-Baher – The Golden Boy
    Known for his unmatched consistency and strategic mastery, Hera defines the modern AoE era. In 2023, he achieved a historic 14-tournament winning streak in S-Tier events. Fresh off his Red Bull Wololo: El Reinado 2024 victory, the current Player of the Year is set to continue his reign under the Vitality banner.
  • Kai “Liereyy” Kallinger – The Archer God
    Renowned for exceptional micro-management and aggressive play, Liereyy brings mechanical perfection and explosive strategies to the squad. A multi-time Red Bull Wololo Champion (II & IV), the Austrian star is widely regarded as one of the most spectacular talents in the game’s history.
  • Hernán “Hearttt” Pizarro – The Veteran Strategist
    With a professional career dating back to 2012 and 80+ tournament appearances, Hearttt is the rock of the team. Named Comeback Player of the Year 2023, the Peruvian strategist provides depth, resilience, and unparalleled tactical insight.

First Major Appearance: Red Bull Wololo 2026

Team Vitality’s AoE II roster will make its competitive debut at Red Bull Wololo 2026: Londinium, one of the most prestigious events on the global RTS calendar. Fans can expect high-level strategic gameplay and the start of Vitality’s quest for world championship titles in the genre.

“At Team Vitality, our expansion is always driven by a certain ambition: to compete for and win World Championships in the world’s most iconic games. Age of Empires and our new superstar lineup align perfectly with that vision… We are honored to be part of this history and can’t wait to welcome AoE fans into the Vitality Hive.” — Danny Engels, Corporate Director, Global Operations, Team Vitality

Why This Matters

Team Vitality’s entry into Age of Empires II is a significant moment for the RTS esports ecosystem:

  • It bridges legacy RTS titles and modern esports organizations.
  • Brings global visibility to Age of Empires II tournaments.
  • Sets the stage for strategic showdowns at major international events.

With Hera, Liereyy, and Hearttt, Team Vitality is positioned to challenge for the top spots in competitive AoE II and potentially reshape the RTS landscape for years to come.

The post Team Vitality Enters Age of Empires II Esports with Star-Studded Roster appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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AFCON 2025

AFCON’s month of football did not lift iGaming demand — Blask data analysis

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AFCON 2025 ran from 21 December to 18 January, packing 52 matches across 19 matchdays. Given that schedule and the heavy interest in favourites such as Senegal, Morocco, Nigeria and Egypt, many expected a measurable boost in online gambling activity. However, Blask data shows the tournament produced only occasional deviations from normal patterns — even in the nations with teams that reached the final stages.

Key findings from Blask data

  • No broad uplift: Overall iGaming demand did not climb consistently across markets during AFCON.
  • Weekly rhythm dominated: The Blask Index largely followed pre-existing weekly patterns; matchday timings rarely overrode those cycles.
  • Host-country anomaly: Morocco — with more viewer-friendly kick-offs (five of seven on Sundays or Friday evenings) — recorded the largest single day-to-day Blask Index move (26 December, Morocco vs Mali at 21:00 local).
  • Vertical competition mattered: Live-match excitement often drew attention away from casino play rather than increasing it. Hourly Blask Index figures frequently fell or stayed flat during national-team matches.
  • Market-share stability: Dominant brands (usually 1–4 operators) retained their daily shares; AFCON did not reshuffle leaders in most markets.

Why AFCON didn’t create a sustained iGaming spike

  1. Calendar beats event noise. Daily and weekly user habits — workweek rhythms, prime-time viewing slots and local schedules — remained the strongest determinants of iGaming demand.
  2. Attention is finite. While live betting benefits from matchday attention, casino verticals compete for the same user time. In practice, watching matches often reduced casino activity.
  3. Operator strategy limits volatility. In markets controlled by a few large operators, firms manage audience attention by shifting promotions across verticals rather than expanding overall demand. That keeps market shares relatively steady.

Notable exception: Nigeria’s operator flip-flop

Nigeria bucked the broader trend: two brands controlling 70%+ of audience attention exchanged top positions frequently. Bet9ja was the 2025 leader overall, but SportyBet overtook it on most AFCON days, including all Nigeria team matchdays — showing how high-profile tournaments can temporarily reorder leaderboards where competition is extremely concentrated.

What this means for operators and marketers

  • Promotions should be tactical, not assuming scale. Expect matchday windows to deliver spikes in live-bet engagement but not necessarily a net rise across iGaming.
  • Vertical-specific offers perform better. Tailor live-betting promos during matches and protect casino revenues with off-peak incentives.
  • Local kick-off times matter. Host nations or markets with viewer-friendly schedules can see stronger short-term lifts — use that to time campaigns.

Conclusion

AFCON 2025 drew continent-wide interest, but Blask’s daily and hourly data indicate no broad, sustained iGaming uplift. Instead, the tournament rearranged attention — boosting live-bet engagement at times while leaving overall demand on its usual calendar-driven trajectory. For operators, the insight is clear: the calendar is king, and major sporting events tend to redistribute, not expand, iGaming activity.

The post AFCON’s month of football did not lift iGaming demand — Blask data analysis appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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