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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!”
End2End, a global technology provider dedicated exclusively to multiplayer bingo solutions, is set to strengthen its presence in Brazil during BiS SiGMA South America 2026, taking place from April 6–9 at the Transamerica Expo Center in São Paulo.
As Brazil’s regulated gaming market continues to evolve, digital bingo is emerging as a compelling complementary vertical for licensed operators. With a deep-rooted cultural connection to bingo, Brazilian players are primed for modern, multiplayer digital experiences, offering significant opportunities for operators to diversify their portfolios.
At the event, End2End will showcase its expertise in the Brazilian market, engage with potential white-label partners for the End2End Bingo Network, and explore new affiliate partnerships to expand distribution and differentiate operator offerings.
Founder and CEO Alejandro Revich and Chief Commercial Officer Pablo Bonifacich will be on-site throughout the expo to meet with operators, affiliates, and partners seeking innovative product solutions for the Brazilian ecosystem.
End2End’s technology is designed as a complete end-to-end solution, combining its proprietary multiplayer bingo platform, Player Account Management (PAM) system, and network infrastructure to enable scalable deployments across mobile, online, and retail environments. All solutions are certified for Brazil and fully compliant with GLI-19 standards, underscoring the company’s commitment to regulatory compliance and high operational standards.
Alejandro Revich, Founder and CEO of End2End, commented:
“Brazil is one of the most exciting gaming markets in the world, and with our certification in place, bingo is poised to become a key vertical as operators expand their offerings. The cultural affinity for bingo is undeniable, and the digital infrastructure is ready. At BiS SiGMA, we aim to demonstrate how our network model works and why End2End is the ideal partner to bring bingo to life in Brazil. We’re here to grow our network, build partnerships, and show that when it comes to bingo in Brazil, End2End is the clear choice.”
The post appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
155.io
155.io launches Snow Run, bringing real-world winter sports action to its CCTV Game™ portfolio
155.io, Winter Sports Betting, the innovative content studio redefining real-world gaming, has unveiled Snow Run, the latest addition to its CCTV Game
portfolio. The title offers a fresh, immersive betting experience powered by live-action winter sports footage.
The game launches exclusively with Roobet for a seven-day period before being rolled out to other operator partners.
Building on the success of its traffic-themed hit Rush Hour, Snow Run takes players to stunning mountain resorts worldwide, where skiers and snowboarders race down slopes captured via GoPro POVs, drones, slope-side cameras, and CCTV feeds. Players must predict how many athletes will pass through a designated zone, creating a fast-paced and intuitive betting experience.
Available 24/7, Snow Run offers multiple betting options, including Under, Over, Range, and Exact, with multipliers of up to 18x. Using automated computer vision, all skiers are tracked in real time, ensuring transparent, consistent results without human intervention.
As with all CCTV Game
titles, Snow Run features entirely real footage curated from leading content creators, delivering an authentic and visually engaging gaming experience that stands out in the online casino space.
Sam Jones, Founder & CEO of 155.io, said:
“Snow Run takes our simple, engaging mechanic to a completely new environment — real mountain slopes captured from multiple angles. The social media response from streamers has been phenomenal, showing just how much players value authenticity. Launching with Roobet gives us a perfect head start, and we’re confident it will gain real traction ahead of the global rollout.”
After the exclusivity period, Snow Run will be available globally, further expanding 155.io’s portfolio of real-time, content-driven gaming experiences.
The post 155.io launches Snow Run, bringing real-world winter sports action to its CCTV Game™ portfolio appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Champions Club
Champions Club Secures José Mourinho on New Deal
GR8 Tech and José Mourinho have formed a collaboration designed for the Champions Club—GR8 Tech’s exclusive network for partners competing at a championship standard, where technology, knowledge, and a performance-driven culture take the place of luck to achieve outcomes.
Because a championship is not just a moment. It is a technique—one that appears in training sessions, in data, in choices made without stress that later withstand it all.
Among the most accomplished coaches in football history, Mourinho has established his career through discipline, tactical brilliance, and unyielding preparation. GR8 Tech, a celebrated B2B iGaming platform provider, applies this same methodology to the sector with robust technology, intelligent analytics, and high-performing solutions.
This collaboration brings together two entities that hold the belief that success is founded on strategy, management, and implementation.
“José Mourinho represents the mindset we believe in: success is engineered long before the final result. In iGaming, just like in football, winning comes from preparation, structure, and the ability to perform under pressure,” said Oleksandr Feshchenko, CEO of GR8 Tech.
Champions Don’t Believe in Luck
Success in football and iGaming is frequently viewed by individuals as a result of luck, an opportune moment, ideal timing, or a pass that aligns perfectly with your needs. However, lasting success is never by chance.
That is why José Mourinho is such an ideal match for GR8 Tech. His career has been characterized by the capacity to transform preparation into outcomes, establishing successful systems, and setting the stage for triumph prior to the start of the competition.
The same applies in iGaming. Sustainable performance relies on the robustness of the platform, the caliber of the technology, and the capability to scale accurately. Benefit arises from smart choices and steady implementation.
“I have worked with many organizations over the years. What separates the ones who win consistently is never talent alone—it is culture. The belief that preparation is never optional. I recognized that in GR8 Tech immediately,” said José Mourinho.
What Comes Next
José Mourinho’s arrival marks the start of a wider campaign for GR8 Tech. Over the coming months, GR8 Tech will bring the Champions Club to life through a series of activations and collaborations that reflect what both parties stand for—and what operators who compete at the highest level should expect from a platform built to match their ambition.
The standard has been set. The work has already begun.
Luck off. Championship—ON!
The post Champions Club Secures José Mourinho on New Deal appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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