Latest News

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

Published

5 years ago

July 21, 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!”

Up Next

Reflex Gaming sets sights on US market

Don't Miss

GGPoker Launches Full WSOP Online 2021 Schedule for International Players; 33 WSOP Bracelets to be Won

gross gaming revenue

Groupe Partouche Publishes its Consolidated Turnover for the First Quarter of Fiscal Year 2026

Published

57 minutes ago

March 16, 2026

Wladimir P.

groupe-partouche-publishes-its-consolidated-turnover-for-the-first-quarter-of-fiscal-year-2026

Groupe Partouche has published its consolidated turnover for the 1st quarter of fiscal year 2026 (November 2025 to January 2026).

The Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) totalled €189.0M at 2026 1st quarter compared to €182.9M a year earlier, up by +3.4%.

In France, the 1st quarter 2026 GGR increased by +2.2 % to €166.4M compared to €162.8M a year earlier, driven by all forms of gaming: +0.5 % for slot machines, +3.1 % for non-electronic table games and +11.8 % for electronic forms of gaming.

Abroad, the GGR is up +12.3 % compared to the 2025 1st quarter, at €22.6M, compared to €20.1M in N-1. The GGR of Swiss online games continues to grow reaching €8.1M (+23.6% over one year).

At a constant scope of consolidation, excluding the acquisition of Casino Partouche Cannes 50 Croisette that took place on 28th February 2025 together with the opening of Casino Cotonou (Benin) on 28th January 2025, GGR increased by 1.1 % at €185.0M (compared to €182.9M in 1st quarter 2025).

In total, after levies, Net Gaming Revenue (NGR) increases by +3.2 % to €105.5M in 1st quarter of 2026 (compared to €102.2M in Q1 2025).

The 1st quarter 2026 turnover reached a satisfactory increase of + 3.5 % over the year, reaching €130.8M compared to €126.4M a year earlier. This includes casinos turnover for €122.1M (+3.8 %), hotels for €6.4M (-1.4 %) and other activities for €2.3M (+1.7 %).

Furthermore, the city of Berck-sur-Mer has taken possession of the casino building, in the context of ongoing asset-protection litigation.

At the Annual General Meeting to approve the financial accounts for 2025 fiscal year, to be held on Wednesday 25th March at 10:00 a.m., shareholders will be able to vote on the distribution of a dividend of 12,033,793 € (i.e. €1.25 per share). Said dividend will be paid no later than 31st July 2026.

The post Groupe Partouche Publishes its Consolidated Turnover for the First Quarter of Fiscal Year 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

CULT.

Pragmatic Play Earns a Spot in Cult’s Inner Circle

Published

57 minutes ago

March 16, 2026

Wladimir P.

pragmatic-play-earns-a-spot-in-cult’s-inner-circle

Pragmatic Play, a top content provider for the iGaming sector, has launched CULT., allowing players to discover winnings of up to 10,000x via potent multiplier wilds.

Loyal adherents congregate around their wise leader on the 5×4 grid, where aligning five symbols on a payline can yield base game victories of up to 20x, and multiplier wilds reaching 100x can enhance winnings.

Obtaining 3-5 all-seeing eye scatter symbols activates the bonus game, granting an initial 10-20 free spins. In this feature, multiplier wilds that help create winning combinations are accumulated into a total multiplier, enhancing all following wins that involve a multiplier wild.

In certain markets, unique wagers allow players to personalize their gaming experience, with a 5x Ante Bet enhancing the chances of triggering free spins and a 10x Super Spin ensuring a multiplier wild on each spin.

Two bonus purchases offer instant access to either Free Spins or Super Free Spins, with the latter enhancing the probability of landing a multiplier wild on each spin.

CULT. indicates a fresh thematic shift for Pragmatic Play’s premium collection, succeeding the recent launch of the mining-themed slot Rolling in Treasures and the arcade game Spire+.

Sharon McHugh, Director of Public Relations at Pragmatic Play, said: “There is a growing appetite for more unconventional themes in iGaming. CULT. leans into that trend with a bold theme and exciting gameplay, delivering special bets, multiplier wilds, and 10,000x win potential for the initiated.”

The post Pragmatic Play Earns a Spot in Cult’s Inner Circle appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

BETBY

BETBY Expands E-Sim Portfolio with Three Industry-First Titles: eHockey, eMMA and eTeqball

Published

57 minutes ago

March 16, 2026

Wladimir P.

betby-expands-e-sim-portfolio-with-three-industry-first-titles:-ehockey,-emma-and-eteqball

Tier 1 sportsbook supplier BETBY has expanded its proprietary esports feed, Betby.Games, with the launch of three industry-first e-sim titles: eHockey, eMMA and eTeqball. The new releases further strengthen BETBY’s high-frequency betting content portfolio, introducing new sports verticals while continuing to deliver fast-paced, always-on content designed to maximise engagement for operators and players worldwide.

Each of the new titles debuts as a first-of-its-kind esports simulation in the betting industry, reinforcing BETBY’s reputation as a pioneer in developing original betting content.

eHockey launches with four tournaments representing the NHL’s divisions: Atlantic, Metropolitan, Central, and Pacific. Each match follows a format of three periods lasting three minutes each, delivering uninterrupted action with no stoppages. Designed to replicate the intensity of real hockey, the title offers 15+ betting markets and is expected to generate over 11,000 matches per month, ensuring a constant flow of high-frequency betting opportunities. Arriving just ahead of the Stanley Cup playoffs next month, the new title allows hockey fans to stay immersed in the sport 24/7, extending engagement beyond real-world fixtures.

eMMA introduces a fast-paced combat sports experience featuring two tournaments: UFC Legends and UFC Women Legends, where some of the sport’s most iconic fighters face off in simulated matchups. By bringing together well-known names from MMA history, the title creates an instantly familiar environment for fans and bettors alike. The format focuses on quick fights, with each matchup consisting of a single round lasting around one to two minutes on average. Events begin every five minutes, ensuring continuous action throughout the day. Betting markets focus on the fight winner, creating a simple yet highly engaging wagering experience. Combined, the two tournaments are expected to deliver around 15,000 events per month.

Completing the trio is eTeqball, which introduces a brand-new sport to the Betby.Games portfolio. Combining elements of football and table tennis, the rapidly growing discipline brings a unique dynamic to esports simulations. The title launches with the TQX Cup Hungary – Double Mixed tournament, generating around 1800 matches per month. Each match consists of two games played up to 12 points, with over 20 betting markets available.

Kirill Nekrasov, Head of Innovation & R&D at BETBY, said: “Creating original content has always been at the core of the Betby.Games vision. With Hockey, MMA, and Teqball, we’re introducing three industry-first titles that further diversify our portfolio and bring new experiences to esports betting. Each of these games offers fast gameplay, clear betting mechanics, and a constant stream of events, helping operators keep players engaged 24/7.”

The post BETBY Expands E-Sim Portfolio with Three Industry-First Titles: eHockey, eMMA and eTeqball appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.