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NSoft story: Passion and motivation behind Virtual Penalty Shootout

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Virtual Penalty Shootout celebrated its first birthday. Officially, the game was released on September 30, 2020, and instantly captured the attention of both – operators and players.

The expert community has also recognized the uniqueness and the beauty of the game by shortlisting it for the Global Gaming Award 2021 in the category Product Launch of the Year. Recently NSoft received seven nominations for the SBC Awards Latinoamerica 2021. Among others, we are shortlisted in the category Virtual Sports Supplier. The application for this award has leaned heavily on the Virtual Penalty Shootout game.

To celebrate all those milestones, we decided to tell a different story about Virtual Penalty Shootout game. We will not talk about the RNG, betting markets, how-to-play but let people who created the game say a word or two about passion, excitement and dedication.

By Amela Dedić and Biljana Haljevac, Senior 3D Artists/Animators

The team

Great teams and great ideas are all about people and the working atmosphere. We at NSoft’s former 3D Games Team, now 3D Creative Team were lucky to found each and we just can’t start this story without saying thank-you to former and current team members: Jasmin Ličina – Senior 3D artist/Team lead, Dragan Grbavac – Senior 3D artist, Dejan Boras – Senior Unity dev, Zlatko Vukšić – Senior Unity dev, Adnan Mujkić – Unity Dev, Dragan Rezo – Senior 3D Artist, Stojan Cvitković – Senior 3D Artist, Toni Matej Radoš – Senior 3D Artist. In this story, “we” are Biljana Haljevac –  Senior 3D Animator and Amela Dedić – Senior 3D Animator. We are the one who will take you behind the scene of  Virtual Penalty Shootout. 

Our Team’s job is to develop Virtual betting games such as Virtual greyhound and horse races, Motorcycle Speedway, etc.

New Project – Virtual Penalty Shootout

The virtual penalty shootout was the most challenging project we’ve worked on. It allowed us to learn and try new things such as Motion capture. Our first job was to figure out the best way for our small team to make such a big virtual game. The biggest challenge was the animation process. We needed a large number of highly realistic animations, and the best solution for that problem was a Motion Capture system. Our choice was a company from Sweden named Rokoko and their WiFi motion capture suit – The Smartsuit Pro.

After we placed our order for the suit, the waiting time was used to go “back to school” and research making of other elements of the game such as character and venue design and creation, MoCap animation recording and cleanup, new software, and game rules. Our best friends were Pluralsight and LinkedIn Learning.

The Arrival- Smartsuit Pro is in the town 

The arrival of the Smartsuit Pro was the most joyful occasion. Also, the day when our colleague Toni officially became the resident MoCap test talent.

Since our open office was not suited for a proper MoCap test, our first pick was local park. Awesome place, beautiful weather, but just one problem: electricity was really hard to find. A better-suited place was found for proper test and future motion capture sessions. The Local Futsal field had everything we needed.

MoCap Time! 

Following initial tests, we felt confident enough to start official motion capture sessions. The first step was planning and creating MoCap sheets for each motion capture session.

Our motion capture crew was small but efficient: Toni Matej Radoš – Test talent & Talent Manager, Biljana Haljevac – Reference Cameras and Amela Dedić – Rokoko Studio, MoCap Sheet. And our Talents, real-life football players,  who without this would not be possible: Fedja Kulenić (goalkeeper) and Ivan Arapović (player).

Since we have only one suit, Goalkeeper and Player animations were recorded separately. Because of that, we had to be very careful during the planning process so the respective animations could match. We were a bit worried about the Goalkeeper’s recording sessions, taking into consideration the nature of football goalkeeping movements. To make everything easier we relocated Goalkeeper’s MoCap sessions to the local Judo club with a soft tatami mat surface.  We had 3 recording sessions and each was 3 hours long. That gave us 137 raw animations. We were aware that not every MoCap take will be successful or 100% accurate, we made sure that every take was also recorded with our reference cameras.

Animation Cleanup

The entire process of cleanup was done in Maya and Motionbuilder using the HumanIK system. Most of the work was root motion corrections, foot slides, and arms fixes. The final part of the cleanup was merging the animations of Player and Goalkeeper into one take and making sure that the timing fits perfectly for each take.

The ball movement was a mix of keyframed animation and Unity physics.

Visuals & Final Render

Cleanup done. Next: Dressing up. The entire time of animation cleanup our player and goalkeeper rigs were dressed in nothing but their birthday suit. That caused a lot of funny looks from our other coworkers. But fear not! Our 3D artist Dragan Rezo was on the task of dressing them up for their final render.

Visuals & Final Render

Cleanup done. Next: Dressing up. The entire time of animation cleanup our player and goalkeeper rigs were dressed in nothing but their birthday suit. That caused a lot of funny looks from our other coworkers. But fear not! Our 3D artist Dragan Rezo was on the task of dressing them up for their final render.

Every visual element of the game can be easily changed. Character appearance, jerseys, crowd, banners. All this can be altered according to the client’s requirements. We had a test client request just to see how much time would be needed for all the changes and rendering.

  • Lions on background video banners
  • Goalkeeper jersey with leopard pattern and panther head as front logo
  • Penalty taker with a red jersey and white sun on blue background (Taiwanese flag) as a front logo. Number 88 on the back and name “Tigers” above it
  • Additional but not requested, all resolve screens translated to mandarin

Final words

Almost nobody was injured during the making of the game. Our Goalkeeper had some bruises from the suit’s sensors, and we almost had a heart attack when our suit had a minor malfunction.

All jokes aside, our small team is very proud to have managed to complete such a large project, learn a bunch of new things in the process, and use Motion capture technology. It was an awesome experience from start to finish.

In the end, we would like you to take a look at our little video presentation of the Motion capture animation process.

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Week 49/2025 slot games releases

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Here are this weeks latest slots releases compiled by European Gaming

BGaming gets in the festive spirit with a Christmas take on its acclaimed casual hit, Aviamasters™, with Aviamasters™ X-Mas. Santa and his sleigh replace the plane from the original title, with players watching as he flies through the air, collecting festive multipliers before hopefully landing on an ice floe to collect his prizes.

Stakelogic is spreading festive cheer this December with the release of Big Sugar Bonanza Xmas, a delicious sequel of the candy-coated hit, Big Sugar Bonanza. Launching on 1st December 2025, the new game transforms the Fluffkins’ sugary kingdom into a winter wonderland of treats and turbo-charged multipliers.

 

Million Games is bringing festive mayhem to the iGaming world with the launch of Rudolph’s Gone Rogue, a fast-paced Christmas slot where Santa’s most famous reindeer takes centre stage in a runaway holiday adventure. In this 5×3, 20-payline slot, Rudolph bolts into the night sky, dragging the rest of the herd with him and leaving a trail of chaos in his wake.

Spinomenal has unwrapped its new title Majestic Santa, signalling the start of the festive season. Spinomenal’s festive-inspired treat is a 5×3 slot that is bursting with Christmas imagery including red stockings, gingerbread men, and glistening golden bells.

Evoplay has launched Mega Greatest Catch: Blue Marlin, bringing the fearless fisherman Harry back to sea for his most exciting adventure yet. The latest instalment transports players to bright turquoise waters, where random scatters can trigger free spins, wilds appear unexpectedly, and the scatter respin feature offers a welcome second chance to enter the round.

Evoplay expands fishing series with Mega Greatest Catch: Blue Marlin

Looking to unwrap longer sessions, stronger engagement and bigger revenues this Christmas? ICONIC21, in-demand iGaming content provider, just launched Sweet Royale Xmas ahead of the holiday season. Sweet Royale is one of the provider’s most popular slots to date and now returns in a Christmas edition decked with boughs of candy to allow operators to leverage the rise in slotting activity during the festive period.

Unwrap next level player engagement with Sweet Royale Xmas from ICONIC21

Meet Nolimit City’s latest Crazy Ex-Girlfriend…the kind ex who would “accidentally” like your 2014 selfie at 3am and has a little voodoo doll named after you. Crazy Ex-Girlfriend has mapped out your every move and runs through a 2-4-4-4-4-2 layout across 6 reels.

Nolimit City’s Crazy Ex-Girlfriend has entered the chat

 

It’s the most magical time of the year, but don’t expect a peaceful Christmas with the release of Realistic Games’ latest blockbuster slot, Wreckmas. The new 5×3, feature-packed slot brings toppled trees, tangled tinsel and chaotic carols to a family Christmas, along with the chance to hit a 5,000x max win.

Realistic Games unleashes Christmas chaos with new title Wreckmas

Players can jingle their way to jackpot joy in Christmas MegapotsTM from Big Time Gaming. This festive slot brings Big Time Gaming’s legendary Megapots mechanic to life with seasonal sparkle, giving players the chance to unwrap Mini, Midi or Mega Jackpots with each spin.

Players are being commanded to raise the sails and brace themselves for a high seas adventure like no other in Captain WinBreaker, the latest swashbuckling slot from Northern Lights Gaming. This pirate-themed slot sees players take the helm of a ship bound for treasures and untold riches.

Embark on a high seas adventure in Captain WinBreaker from Northern Lights Gaming

Amusnet has released 20 Burning Hot Buy Bonus, a sizzling twist on the classic fruit slot. Set across 5 reels and 3 lines, this game combines familiar symbols with modern mechanics for fast-paced spins, vibrant visuals and nonstop excitement.

SlotMatrix is embracing the holiday season with Santa’s Golden Christmas, a sparkling new slot packed with festive cheer, golden prizes, and heart-warming holiday magic. Set in a winter wonderland, the game brings players closer to the jolly gift-giver.

SlotMatrix kicks off festive season with Santa’s Golden Christmas release

Inspired Entertainment, Inc. is thrilled to announce the exclusive launch of its brand-new, bespoke slot game, Spin O’Reely Grand Chance, in collaboration with long time partners bet365. Expanding bet365’s popular exclusive Irish-themed Spin O’Reely game series, the game will initially be available to players in the UK, Ontario, and New Jersey, with more markets to follow soon.

bet365 PARTNERS WITH INSPIRED ENTERTAINMENT TO LAUNCH A BESPOKE GAME: SPIN O'REELY GRAND CHANCE

 

Play’n GO pits sun god Ra against serpent deity Apophis in Ra’s Reckoning, a mythic grid slot inspired by the celestial battles of ancient Egypt. Ra’s Reckoning brings players face to face with an age-old mythic struggle – the eternal duel between light and chaos. 

Playson has unleashed a whirlwind of excitement with Tornado Power: Hold and Win, introducing a new Tornado Feature and enhanced payouts. The 3×4, 10 payline slot features immersive visuals with old-school charm, as the untamed gameplay is further enhanced by a new Tornado Feature

Playson debuts dynamic new feature in Tornado Power: Hold and Win

ELA Games announces the release of its latest title, Joker Jam, a bold visual addition to the studio’s growing portfolio of strategic yet aesthetic games. Set under the neon glow of a vibrant city, Joker Jam reimagines the classic Vegas aesthetic into a thrilling experience.

Neon Towers & Plenty of Thrill: ELA Games Unleashes New Winpot Game Joker Jam

Just Slots has announced the exclusive launch of its newest title, Dynamo’s Show, available on Gamdom and Stake. A full network release will follow on 11 December 2025. This vibrant new slot transforms the classic Hold & Collect experience into a full theatrical performance

Just Slots Takes Centre Stage with New Circus-Themed Slot ‘Dynamo’s Show’

Spinomenal is celebrating  the holiday season by inviting players for a festive journey with The North Star Express – Hold & Hit 3×3. Unfolding against a wintry backdrop, North Star Express arrives to present a fun, festive adventure as players race through snowy forests.

Spinomenal celebrates the holiday season with The North Star Express - Hold & Hit 3x3

Belatra Games, the specialist online slots developer, has rolled out the red carpet to the Frozen Barrel Tavern to celebrate the festive season. Players are warmly welcomed into a cosy winter tavern that radiates holiday cheer and buzzes with Christmas chatter.

Belatra invites players down to the Frozen Barrel Tavern to celebrate the festive season

 

The post Week 49/2025 slot games releases appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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DATA.BET Boosts Casino Performance

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Company reveals a substantial rise in player value after casinos add sports betting

DATA.BET, a leading sportsbook solution supplier, reports notable performance improvements among casino operators that introduced sports betting through the company’s plug-and-play integration.

According to internal statistics across multiple clients, adding a betting vertical resulted in players who use both casino and sports betting, generating up to a 4x increase in player lifetime value (LTV) compared to their previous casino-only behavior, while the same betting-active segment delivered an average 12% additional revenue without additional player acquisition. Operators also recorded higher retention and engagement levels, with every second casino player placing at least one sports bet after the sportsbook launch.

The clients have noticed these results after integrating a Single Page Application (iFrame), which takes around one week. While DATA.BET manages all betting-related operations and configurations — both at launch and ongoing — casino operators instantly gain access to a full suite of sports, esports, and virtual sports events, allowing them to focus on marketing and player acquisition. To enhance flexibility and engagement, the iFrame supports full customization: from color themes and layouts to dynamic banners, promo blocks, configurable bonuses, and margin/odds control.

The company designed the SEO-friendly solution to ensure that search engine crawlers can easily read and index the content, thereby improving discoverability, page load times, and the overall quality of metadata, which contributes to higher SEO rankings and better visibility in organic search results.

Yurii Berest, CEO of DATA.BET, commented: “For many casinos, betting is more than diversification – it helps operators to maximize the potential of their existing audience and improve the efficiency of traffic monetization. As the average stake in sports is traditionally higher than in slots, operators experience instant revenue growth while retaining and extending player lifetime value. It is a powerful model of sustainable growth that helps to boost not only the current player base but also attract new audience”.

As the market continues shifting toward universal gambling ecosystems, DATA.BET’s solution demonstrates that sports betting drives measurable financial impact for casino operators, turning existing audiences into long-term revenue drivers.

The post DATA.BET Boosts Casino Performance appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Boomerang Partners and AC Milan to launch ‘Time to Win’, a new Rossoneri hub

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The strategic partnership between Boomerang Partners and AC Milan serves as a good example of effective collaboration between a rapidly growing iGaming brand and one of the world’s most famous football clubs. This partnership will continue within the framework of a new concept, ‘Time to Win’.

What is the ‘Time to Win’ concept

The “Time to Win” concept reflects the essence of both parties. The iGaming industry is characterized by high competition, just like top-level football. AC Milan is the most successful Italian Club at an international level. Boomerang Partners, in turn, aims to become the world’s best sports-focused affiliate program. The company fights for the best product, the best conditions for clients and partners.

Boomerang Partners x AC Milan Hub

At the beginning of 2026, within the ‘Time to Win’ concept, Boomerang Partners will launch the AC Milan hub, a unique web platform aimed at the company’s affiliate partners and users of products from its client portfolio. It will become a must-visit website for many reasons. The site will feature information about:

  • Joint projects and collaborations between the parties;
  • ‘Money-can’t-buy-experiences’ involving visits to AC Milan-related facilities (such as the iconic San Siro Stadium and Mondo Milan Museum);
  • Opportunities to get tickets to AC Milan home matches;
  • Promotions tied to the Club’s top matches
  • Opportunities to meet AC Milan Legends at various events;
  • Special gifts from the Club, including jerseys with autographs

And if a site visitor is a player, they can follow a direct link to the Boomerang-bet website (the flagship project from Boomerang Partners’ client portfolio) and register.

David Monk, Director of Partnerships at AC Milan, commented: “We are delighted to join forces with Boomerang for the launch of Time to Win, an opportunity to bring the AC Milan experience even closer to fans who embody our Rossoneri passion.”

Anton Eshtokin, Chief Marketing Officer at Boomerang Partners, added: “The Time to Win concept reflects the confidence and ambition both sides bring to this partnership.

This season, we’re not just focused on achieving great results in our own fields.

We’re also fully committed to supporting each other every step of the way.”

The first year of partnership

In their first year together, Boomerang Partners and AC Milan created many key moments. Boomerang launched over five co-branded campaigns and produced more than 200 AC Milan-branded creatives. The company’s inaugural affiliate traffic tournament, the Golden Boomerang Awards 2025 ceremony, took place at San Siro Stadium and became the top-performing activation, with 80+ million impressions from co-branded content.

Fan engagement was also high – 500+ participants joined contests, and the overall reach exceeded 40 million. Boomerang Partners organized three branded merchandise giveaways, received 300+ media mentions, and recorded a 15%+ growth in organic branded search. There were 7+ PR and influencer collaborations and around 15 joint events during the year.

Importantly, 80% of participants in Boomerang’s sports initiatives said that VIP experiences – including fully sponsored trips, accommodation, and visits to AC Milan’s home matches – increased their trust in the brand and sense of engagement.

Sports traffic across Boomerang Partners’ affiliate network grew by 194%, interest in sports topics by 81%, and brand loyalty by 23%. Sportsbook GGR rose 62.87% YoY, and affiliate sign-ups increased by 58% YoY.

The media effect was also notable: 30+ exclusive campaigns, 1,000+ media mentions with a reach of 320+ million, and 1+ million views of AC Milan-related content on Boomerang’s platforms.

The partnership brought strong visibility. The Golden Boomerang Awards 2025 ceremony featured AC Milan Legend Andrea Pirlo. Over 200 affiliate partners attended AC Milan matches, including the derby with FC Internazionale, and 500+ merchandise items were given away.

Boomerang Partners received three major awards during the first year:

  • ‘Rising Star in Sports Betting’ (Operator) – SBC Awards 2024
  • ‘Best Player Engagement’ – SiGMA Europe Awards 2024
  • ‘Unique Gaming Company of the Year’ – International Gaming Awards 2025

A few months into the second year, Boomerang added two more awards:

  • ‘Social Media Campaign of the Year’ – SBC Awards 2025
  • ‘Rising Star in Sports Betting’ (Operator) – SBC Awards 2025

What’s next

Boomerang Partners and AC Milan have big plans for the future. The partners set the highest goals for themselves and are ready to help each other achieve them.

About Boomerang

Boomerang Partners is a rapidly growing global marketing agency offering a wide range of services. Boomerang Partners is the Official Regional Partner of AC Milan. In 2024, it launched the inaugural Golden Boomerang Awards — a global tournament for affiliate teams. More than 400 affiliate teams participated in the second season of the tournament in 2025. The agency launched six new products in 2024-2025, contributing to a nearly 1.5-fold increase in product users.

The agency’s client portfolio contains 13+ brands offering affiliate and entertainment services across 40+ markets in compliance with local regulations. These products provide personalized bonuses and 24/7 multilingual support.

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