Latest News
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!”
Amusnet
Weekend Reels | Week 28: Slot Drops & Trends
Here are this weeks latest slots releases compiled by Eastern European Gaming
Amusnet has released Golden Snake, a captivating new video slot that blends the timeless appeal of Asian symbolism with innovative mechanics and high-impact gameplay. Designed for players who enjoy immersive themes and thrilling volatility, the title delivers a fresh interpretation of one of the industry’s most enduring and successful game styles.

PG Soft has released Monkey’s Wild Party, a new video slot set on a 5×5 grid with cascading reels, increasing multipliers and Wild Mushroom symbols that convert adjacent monkey symbols into wilds.

BGaming has announced the release of Yokai, the debut title in its new ART Collab series, developed in partnership with one of Portugal’s most influential street artists, Gonçalo MAR. In Yokai, players join a mysterious Samurai on the edge of an ancient Japanese forest in the shadow of Mount Fuji.

Pragmatic Play has launched Big Bass Blast, the latest entry in its Big Bass slot franchise. The game uses a 5×3 setup and adds random multipliers to wilds on reels 1 and 5 in the base game, with multipliers ranging from 2x to 10x.

R. Franco Digital has released Spin Fighters, a new slot title inspired by classic one-on-one fighting video games. The game opens with a character selection screen where players choose two contenders. R. Franco Digital said the core mechanic ties winning spins to “upper icons”, with the icon direction determining which fighter takes damage, reducing a health bar.

DEGEN Studios has launched Plague City, a Scatter Pays slot built around visible progression, escalating features and a 10,000x max win chase. Every winning combination spreads infection across the reels, creating bigger setups as players build towards Plague Wave Respins, Plague Breakout Free Spins and Super Free Spins.

BGaming sends players on a daring railway robbery with the launch of Train Heist Johnny Cash, the newest addition to its growing Johnny Cash series. The game marks the return of Johnny Cash, BGaming’s own gold-hungry outlaw, who is back with another scheme to get his hands on the money.

Swintt has released Duolito Iceman Tower, a new SwinttPremium slot set in Pisa that includes free spins, shifting wilds and a maximum win of up to 10,000x the bet. The game is a five-reel, 10-payline title. It uses ace-through-ten playing card symbols alongside gelato-themed icons.

Games Global has cast its line into the popular fishing genre with the launch of Fishin’ Madness
QUADGROWS
, developed by exclusive partner Posh Monkey Studios, introducing an all-new evolving reel mechanic that continuously unlocks new ways to win.

ELA Games has released a new slot title, Flames Fruits Frenzy Hold and Win, expanding its Flames Fruits Frenzy series with a Hold & Win bonus feature. The game uses classic fruit-machine iconography, including cherries, lemons, oranges, grapes, and watermelons, presented with updated high-definition visual effects, according to the company.

Booming Games has launched Fish Tales: Double Catch Max Scatter, the latest title in its Fish Tales slot series. The supplier said the game runs on a 5×3 grid with 10 fixed paylines and offers a maximum win potential of 10,000x.

Tom Horn Gaming will launch Royal Ruby FeatureStorm worldwide on 14 July 2026, adding a new Hold & Win slot to its portfolio. The game runs on a 5×3 reel layout with nine paylines and is positioned as a high-volatility release. Tom Horn Gaming said the title offers a maximum win potential of up to 13,920x the stake and is built around its Hold & Win FeatureStorm mechanic.

Enjoy Gaming has built on one of its most successful slot releases with the launch of Diamond Slam: Xtra Power, an enhanced sequel that builds on the fast-paced, jackpot-driven gameplay that made the original a standout hit. Retaining the original’s classic 3×3 format with five fixed paylines, Diamond Slam: Xtra Power blends nostalgic fruit machine appeal with even greater winning potential.

The post Weekend Reels | Week 28: Slot Drops & Trends appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Latest News
All Systems Go: Scientific Games Launches New, Advanced Technology for Arizona Lottery
Scientific Games announces that a new suite of systems technology is now powering the Arizona Lottery‘s sales across the state, headlined by exciting new draw games for players. The technology advancement features Scientific Games’ Momentum ecosystem, including a central gaming system and retailer management system.
In addition to enhancing security and streamlining operations for the Arizona Lottery, the technology upgrade was designed to elevate the player experience, bring fresh energy to the Lottery’s classic draw game lineup, and provide even more opportunities for retail partners to succeed.
“Our teams have been working hard behind the scenes with the Scientific Games teams, and we are thrilled to see this project come to life. The changes to our draw games will give our players bigger value, more ways to play and even more chances to win,” said Alec Thomson, Executive Director of the Arizona Lottery. “Ultimately, the advanced technology ecosystem modernizes our operations and positions the Arizona Lottery for future growth.”
The expansion of the Arizona Lottery’s draw games portfolio includes:
- Massive upgrade to The Pick with an automatic multiplier on every single play, better overall odds of winning and a brand-new instant win add-on called The Pick PLUS
- Addition of a daily midday drawing for the Pick 3 game
- Addition of an all-new Pick 4 game with midday and evening drawings
- Addition of Powerball Double Play – an exciting add-on offering a second chance to win up to $10 million in a separate drawing immediately following the Powerball drawing
As part of the technology enhancements, Scientific Games upgraded gem | suite, the company’s comprehensive software suite, to accommodate the Arizona Lottery’s expanded draw game portfolio. gem | suite efficiently manages the Lottery’s network of 3,600 retailers’ licensing, communications and business intelligence that helps manage products in stores.
“As the Arizona Lottery’s systems technology partner since 2015, Scientific Games is focused on readying the Lottery for long-term sustainability through advanced systems and software, and exciting new products that engage players and drive proceeds to the good cause programs that benefit Arizonans,” said John Schulz, President, Americas & Global Instant Products.
Scientific Games has been a provider to the Arizona Lottery for 45 years, including Scratchers games and licensed brands. The company provides services and expertise to the Lottery from its Phoenix location.
Serving 150 lotteries in 50 countries, Scientific Games is the world’s largest lottery games company, the fastest-growing lottery systems provider, and a leading provider of digital lottery solutions. The company is one of the first lottery companies globally certified by the World Lottery Association as a Responsible Gaming Supplier.
Scratchers® is a registered service mark of the California Lottery.
gem | suite®, and Momentum® are trademarks of Scientific Games. © 2026 Scientific Games, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
The post All Systems Go: Scientific Games Launches New, Advanced Technology for Arizona Lottery appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
Arizona Lottery
Scientific Games rolls out Momentum systems upgrade for Arizona Lottery
New central gaming and retailer management systems support expanded draw game features across the Lottery’s 3,600 retail locations.
Scientific Games said a new suite of systems technology is now powering the Arizona Lottery’s statewide sales, including updates to its draw games portfolio. The rollout is based on Scientific Games’ Momentum ecosystem, incorporating a central gaming system and a retailer management system.
Arizona Lottery Executive Director Alec Thomson said the technology and game changes are intended to modernize operations and refresh the draw game lineup. “Our teams have been working hard behind the scenes with the Scientific Games teams, and we are thrilled to see this project come to life. The changes to our draw games will give our players bigger value, more ways to play and even more chances to win,” Thomson said. “Ultimately, the advanced technology ecosystem modernizes our operations and positions the Arizona Lottery for future growth.”
The Lottery’s draw game changes include an update to The Pick featuring an automatic multiplier on every play and an add-on called The Pick PLUS, the addition of a daily midday drawing for Pick 3, the launch of a new Pick 4 game with midday and evening drawings, and the addition of Powerball Double Play.
Scientific Games said it also upgraded its gem | suite software to support the expanded draw portfolio and to manage retailer licensing, communications and business intelligence across the Arizona Lottery’s network of 3,600 retailers. “As the Arizona Lottery’s systems technology partner since 2015, Scientific Games is focused on readying the Lottery for long-term sustainability through advanced systems and software, and exciting new products that engage players and drive proceeds to the good cause programs that benefit Arizonans,” said John Schulz, President, Americas & Global Instant Products.
Scientific Games has supplied products and services to the Arizona Lottery for 45 years, including Scratchers games and licensed brands, and supports the Lottery from a Phoenix location, according to the company.
The post Scientific Games rolls out Momentum systems upgrade for Arizona Lottery appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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