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Colt Canyon crowned ‘Best Game’ and LUNARK ‘Most Anticipated’ at GameMaker Awards 2021
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!”
Willemstad, Curacao, June 10th, 2026
New hero video brings together four football icons as Stake aims to place fans at the centre of the global football conversation
Stake Unveils Ambassador-Led Football Campaign
Stake has unveiled a new international football campaign featuring brand ambassadors Iker Casillas, Sergio Agüero, Eden Hazard and Patrice Evra, bringing together four of the game’s most recognisable figures in a hero video designed to capture the anticipation, excitement and emotion surrounding one of football’s biggest global tournaments.
The campaign, titled “It’s All At Stake”, forms part of Stake’s wider strategy to engage football fans across key international markets during a period expected to dominate sporting and cultural conversations around the world. The full campaign film is now available to watch on YouTube.
Four Football Icons, One Global Campaign
Created in partnership with specialist production teams, the campaign follows the four former internationals as they navigate the excitement, pressure and unpredictability that make major football tournaments such a unique global spectacle.
Combining humour, personality and football nostalgia, the creative reflects Stake’s continued investment in culturally relevant content that resonates with sports fans beyond the action on the pitch.
The campaign marks the first time Casillas, Agüero, Hazard and Evra have appeared together in a Stake production. Collectively, the quartet represent some of football’s most memorable moments of the modern era, having won major domestic, European and international honours throughout their careers.
Multi-Channel Distribution Strategy
The hero film is being distributed across Stake’s digital channels, including YouTube, Instagram and X, supported by ambassador amplification and additional promotional activity across international markets.
Alongside the main campaign film, Stake has released supporting social content across its channels, including an Instagram Reel showcasing key moments from the campaign.
The campaign has also been amplified through Stake’s official X account, where football fans can engage with and share campaign content.
The campaign has been designed to drive engagement among football audiences while reinforcing Stake’s position as one of the most visible brands operating within the sports and entertainment space.
Connecting Fans Through Football’s Biggest Moments
Football remains one of the world’s most powerful cultural forces, bringing together hundreds of millions of fans across continents, languages and generations.
Through its growing roster of ambassador partnerships and football-focused content initiatives, Stake continues to invest in campaigns that connect with supporters during the sport’s most significant moments.
The launch follows a period of sustained growth in Stake’s global sports marketing activity. By working with internationally recognised athletes and creating original content around major sporting events, the company has continued to strengthen its presence among football audiences worldwide.
As anticipation builds throughout the tournament period, Stake’s latest campaign aims to celebrate the passion, conversation and shared experiences that make football’s biggest occasions so memorable for fans everywhere.
About Stake
Stake is one of the world’s leading betting and entertainment brands, serving millions of customers across regulated and permitted markets globally. Through strategic partnerships, ambassador collaborations and original content initiatives, Stake continues to connect fans with sport’s biggest moments across football, combat sports, motorsport and other major sporting events.
Contact
Stake
The post Stake Unveils Global Football Campaign with Casillas, Agüero, Hazard and Evra appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Willemstad, Curacao, June 10th, 2026
New hero video brings together four football icons as Stake aims to place fans at the centre of the global football conversation
Stake Unveils Ambassador-Led Football Campaign
Stake has unveiled a new international football campaign featuring brand ambassadors Iker Casillas, Sergio Agüero, Eden Hazard and Patrice Evra, bringing together four of the game’s most recognisable figures in a hero video designed to capture the anticipation, excitement and emotion surrounding one of football’s biggest global tournaments.
The campaign, titled “It’s All At Stake”, forms part of Stake’s wider strategy to engage football fans across key international markets during a period expected to dominate sporting and cultural conversations around the world. The full campaign film is now available to watch on YouTube.
Four Football Icons, One Global Campaign
Created in partnership with specialist production teams, the campaign follows the four former internationals as they navigate the excitement, pressure and unpredictability that make major football tournaments such a unique global spectacle.
Combining humour, personality and football nostalgia, the creative reflects Stake’s continued investment in culturally relevant content that resonates with sports fans beyond the action on the pitch.
The campaign marks the first time Casillas, Agüero, Hazard and Evra have appeared together in a Stake production. Collectively, the quartet represent some of football’s most memorable moments of the modern era, having won major domestic, European and international honours throughout their careers.
Multi-Channel Distribution Strategy
The hero film is being distributed across Stake’s digital channels, including YouTube, Instagram and X, supported by ambassador amplification and additional promotional activity across international markets.
Alongside the main campaign film, Stake has released supporting social content across its channels, including an Instagram Reel showcasing key moments from the campaign.
The campaign has also been amplified through Stake’s official X account, where football fans can engage with and share campaign content.
The campaign has been designed to drive engagement among football audiences while reinforcing Stake’s position as one of the most visible brands operating within the sports and entertainment space.
Connecting Fans Through Football’s Biggest Moments
Football remains one of the world’s most powerful cultural forces, bringing together hundreds of millions of fans across continents, languages and generations.
Through its growing roster of ambassador partnerships and football-focused content initiatives, Stake continues to invest in campaigns that connect with supporters during the sport’s most significant moments.
The launch follows a period of sustained growth in Stake’s global sports marketing activity. By working with internationally recognised athletes and creating original content around major sporting events, the company has continued to strengthen its presence among football audiences worldwide.
As anticipation builds throughout the tournament period, Stake’s latest campaign aims to celebrate the passion, conversation and shared experiences that make football’s biggest occasions so memorable for fans everywhere.
About Stake
Stake is one of the world’s leading betting and entertainment brands, serving millions of customers across regulated and permitted markets globally. Through strategic partnerships, ambassador collaborations and original content initiatives, Stake continues to connect fans with sport’s biggest moments across football, combat sports, motorsport and other major sporting events.
Contact
Stake
The post Stake Unveils Global Football Campaign with Casillas, Agüero, Hazard and Evra appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
Willemstad, Curacao, June 10th, 2026
New hero video brings together four football icons as Stake aims to place fans at the centre of the global football conversation
Stake Unveils Ambassador-Led Football Campaign
Stake has unveiled a new international football campaign featuring brand ambassadors Iker Casillas, Sergio Agüero, Eden Hazard and Patrice Evra, bringing together four of the game’s most recognisable figures in a hero video designed to capture the anticipation, excitement and emotion surrounding one of football’s biggest global tournaments.
The campaign, titled “It’s All At Stake”, forms part of Stake’s wider strategy to engage football fans across key international markets during a period expected to dominate sporting and cultural conversations around the world. The full campaign film is now available to watch on YouTube.
Four Football Icons, One Global Campaign
Created in partnership with specialist production teams, the campaign follows the four former internationals as they navigate the excitement, pressure and unpredictability that make major football tournaments such a unique global spectacle.
Combining humour, personality and football nostalgia, the creative reflects Stake’s continued investment in culturally relevant content that resonates with sports fans beyond the action on the pitch.
The campaign marks the first time Casillas, Agüero, Hazard and Evra have appeared together in a Stake production. Collectively, the quartet represent some of football’s most memorable moments of the modern era, having won major domestic, European and international honours throughout their careers.
Multi-Channel Distribution Strategy
The hero film is being distributed across Stake’s digital channels, including YouTube, Instagram and X, supported by ambassador amplification and additional promotional activity across international markets.
Alongside the main campaign film, Stake has released supporting social content across its channels, including an Instagram Reel showcasing key moments from the campaign.
The campaign has also been amplified through Stake’s official X account, where football fans can engage with and share campaign content.
The campaign has been designed to drive engagement among football audiences while reinforcing Stake’s position as one of the most visible brands operating within the sports and entertainment space.
Connecting Fans Through Football’s Biggest Moments
Football remains one of the world’s most powerful cultural forces, bringing together hundreds of millions of fans across continents, languages and generations.
Through its growing roster of ambassador partnerships and football-focused content initiatives, Stake continues to invest in campaigns that connect with supporters during the sport’s most significant moments.
The launch follows a period of sustained growth in Stake’s global sports marketing activity. By working with internationally recognised athletes and creating original content around major sporting events, the company has continued to strengthen its presence among football audiences worldwide.
As anticipation builds throughout the tournament period, Stake’s latest campaign aims to celebrate the passion, conversation and shared experiences that make football’s biggest occasions so memorable for fans everywhere.
About Stake
Stake is one of the world’s leading betting and entertainment brands, serving millions of customers across regulated and permitted markets globally. Through strategic partnerships, ambassador collaborations and original content initiatives, Stake continues to connect fans with sport’s biggest moments across football, combat sports, motorsport and other major sporting events.
Contact
Stake
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