Latest News

NSoft story: Passion and motivation behind Virtual Penalty Shootout

Published

5 years ago

October 5, 2021

Reading Time: 4 minutes

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

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.

Latest News

N1 Partners at iGB L!VE 2026: Bringing Together Affiliates, Art and Innovation

Published

20 minutes ago

July 3, 2026

Master Editor

N1 Partners team has wrapped up its participation at iGB L!VE London 2026. Over the course of the two-day conference, the company unveiled its new N1 Duality booth concept, presented exclusive art collaborations as part of a capsule collection created with fashion illustrator Clym Evernden, launched the first drop of custom designer toys in collaboration with Yoomoota, and introduced the limited-edition SPLIT: London merch collection.

Special attention was also given to N1 Sport Promo — a campaign for affiliates working with sports traffic and the Prediction Markets vertical.

Over the two days, the conference served as a platform for hundreds of meetings with partners, conversations with industry media, and presentations of new opportunities for scaling affiliate businesses.

N1 Duality: When Art Becomes a Part of Networking

Throughout both days, N1 Partners’ booth remained one of the busiest destinations at iGB L!VE London. N1 Duality concept brought together business networking, contemporary art, and interactive experiences, transforming it into a space for meetings, new connections, and discussions of future collaborations.

The experience centrepiece was a live art performance by British artist Clym Evernden, who has collaborated with global luxury brands including Hermès, Prada, Tiffany, Diptyque, and others. Throughout the exhibition, he created a large-scale artwork directly on the booth walls using his signature continuous-line illustration technique.

Visitors were able to watch the creative process unfold in real time, receive original sketches, signed postcards, and exclusive merchandise from the capsule collection designed specifically for N1 Partners by the artist, including a tote bag, T-shirt, scarf, socks, and scented candles.

Another major premiere was the collaboration with designer and creator Yoomoota, whose works have been exhibited at PAD London, Art Miami, and the Red Dot Museum and featured in Forbes, Hypebeast, Vice, Elle Decor, and Designboom.

Exclusively for the conference, Yoomoota created a collectible designer toy that became part of N1 Partners’ limited-edition gift collection and quickly turned into one of the most talked-about pieces of the brand’s exclusive drop.

And this is only the beginning — new exclusive designer toys created by N1 Partners and Yoomoota are already in development for SBC Summit Lisbon and SiGMA Europe Rome.

The interactive DICES game, branded giveaways, and an atmosphere of open communication made the booth a natural meeting point for affiliates, clients, and industry professionals throughout the event.

iGB L!VE London 2026 Highlights

iGB L!VE London provided an excellent opportunity to reconnect with existing partners, meet new industry professionals, and discuss future cooperation opportunities.

Among the key outcomes of the conference for the N1 Partners team:

Presentation of the N1 Duality concept and the new SPLIT: London merchandise collection;
Exclusive art collaborations with British fashion illustrator Clym Evernden for the capsule collection and designer Yoomoota for the custom collectible toy series;
Presentation of N1 Sport Promo for affiliates working with sports traffic and the Prediction Markets vertical;
300+ meetings with existing and prospective partners;
10+ interviews and media productions with leading industry publications;
More than 2,400 pieces of exclusive merchandise and branded gifts distributed by N1 Partners.

“iGB L!VE London 2026 has been one of the most exciting and productive exhibitions of the year for us. We held dozens of meetings with partners, explored new opportunities for business growth, and received an outstanding response to N1 Sport Promo.

I’d also like to highlight our creative collaborations with designers Clym Evernden, who developed our exclusive capsule collection, and Yoomoota, who created our custom collectible toys. Together, we succeeded in bringing affiliate business, art, and creativity into one shared experience.

We’re grateful to all our partners for the productive meetings we had during this event in London. Face-to-face communication is what lays the foundation for new projects, stronger partnerships, and long-term growth,” said Alexa Bond, Head of Affiliates at N1 Partners.

Collaboration with N1 Partners

N1 Partners is a multi-brand affiliate program and direct advertiser, offering affiliates:

14+ casino and sportsbook brands with high Reg2Dep
10+ Tier-1 GEOs
CPA up to €700 and RevShare up to 55% + NNCO for top partners

Be number one with N1!

CFTC Regulation

The US Prediction Markets Landscape: Navigating Opportunities and Challenges

Published

3 hours ago

July 3, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

the-us-prediction-markets-landscape:-navigating-opportunities-and-challenges

The meteoric rise of prediction markets in the United States has sparked intense discussions among industry experts, legal scholars, and operators alike. Driven by high-profile political cycles and cultural events, these platforms have evolved from niche academic experiments into massive financial ecosystems.

But as the volume of activity surges, so does regulatory scrutiny. Understanding the current state of prediction markets, the complex regulatory landscape, and what this shifting paradigm means for the broader future of gambling and sports betting in America is essential for any industry stakeholder.

Understanding Prediction Markets

Prediction markets are specialized platforms that enable users to buy and sell shares based on the outcomes of future events. These events span a massive spectrum, including:

Political Elections: Predicting presidential race outcomes, congressional majorities, or policy decisions.
Macroeconomic Indicators: Betting on federal interest rate hikes, inflation numbers, or jobs reports.
Pop Culture & Sports: Forecasting award show winners, box office performance, or championship outcomes.

Unlike traditional sportsbooks that rely on oddsmakers setting a fixed price, prediction markets operate like a stock exchange. They aggregate information, sentiment, and capital from a diverse pool of participants. This “wisdom of the crowd” often results in highly accurate, real-time forecasting. However, because these platforms blur the lines between financial derivatives and traditional wagering, their legal environment remains incredibly complex and highly contentious.

The Regulatory Battleground

The legal framework for prediction markets in the U.S. is currently in a state of flux, characterized by competing jurisdictions and conflicting viewpoints between federal oversight bodies and state regulators.

US Prediction Markets Hierarchy

Federal Regulation (CFTC): Pushes for uniform federal rules, viewing events as commodities/derivatives.
State Regulation (IL, NJ, etc.): Aims to protect local consumer bases and secure state tax revenue.

1. Federal vs. State Regulation

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) views event contracts as derivatives, asserting its role as the critical authority tasked with establishing a uniform, nationwide regulatory framework. However, individual states like New Jersey and Illinois are also aggressively asserting their authority. This dual-layered pressure creates friction, potential legal conflicts, and compliance confusion for platform operators.

2. Taxation Concerns

States have grown accustomed to capturing substantial tax revenue from legalized sports betting and iGaming. As users migrate toward prediction platforms—some of which operate in gray areas or outside traditional state frameworks—local regulators worry about losing out on vital tax income. This financial anxiety is fueling a legislative push for stricter, localized state oversight.

3. Market Integrity and Security

With any high-stakes betting or trading operation, the integrity of the underlying market is paramount. Regulators and critics frequently raise concerns regarding:

Insider Trading: Participants leveraging non-public information to profit off specific policy or corporate outcomes.
Market Manipulation: Well-capitalized individuals or “whales” artificially moving the price of a contract to influence public perception or swing a market.
Oversight Mechanisms: The urgent need for robust, real-time surveillance tools to detect and mitigate fraudulent trading activity.

Expert Insights on the Shifting Landscape

During our recent panel discussion, industry leaders shared their frontline perspectives on how these market forces are colliding.

The Current State of Affairs

Experts agree that the current legal landscape is chaotic but uniquely ripe with opportunity. As gaming attorney Jeremy Kleiman noted during the meetup:

“The legal landscape right now is a mess.”

Yet, history shows that this exact brand of regulatory uncertainty often leaves the door wide open for innovative, agile market solutions to emerge and establish a foothold before formal guardrails are built.

The Role of Technology and Emerging Platforms

Advancements in trading technology are rapidly reshaping user expectations. Regulated platforms like Kalshi and decentralized alternatives like Polymarkets are experiencing massive surges in popularity. This growth is particularly prominent among younger, tech-savvy users who gravitate toward their sleek user-friendly interfaces, low-friction trading structures, and the transparent nature of order books over traditional sportsbook vigs.

Political Dynamics

The future of the industry is deeply intertwined with Washington politics. Strategic advisor Bill Pascrell III emphasized the significance of political dynamics in shaping upcoming legislation. The White House’s backing of the CFTC’s regulatory push is a massive factor that could dictate the trajectory, speed, and severity of prediction market legislation over the next few years.

Looking Ahead: What Shapes the Future?

As the conversation surrounding event wagering matures, three core factors will dictate which operators thrive and how the broader market stabilizes:

Increased Regulatory Clarity: While the current friction is difficult to navigate, clear and predictable rules from federal and state authorities will ultimately benefit the market by unlocking institutional investment and corporate innovation.
Consumer Demand for Transparency: Modern users expect deep transparency. Platforms that prioritize clear contract rules, predictable settlement guidelines, and proactive user education will easily gain a competitive edge over opaque competitors.
The Power of Data Analytics: Data utilization will be the ultimate differentiator. Operators that successfully leverage advanced data analytics to improve market liquidity, enhance user experiences, and ensure secure outcomes will lead the next generation of wagering.

Conclusion

The U.S. prediction market landscape is at a historic turning point. As regulations mature and consumer preferences shift away from passive betting toward active, knowledge-based trading, the industry must remain incredibly agile. For operators, investors, and participants alike, staying informed on these fast-moving regulatory and technological shifts is no longer optional—it is the only way to successfully navigate this complex, high-reward frontier.

Watch the latest iGaming Exchange: Europe & Americas – Virtual Meetup below

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly are prediction markets?
Prediction markets are exchange-style platforms where users buy and sell shares on the outcome of future real-world events. The market price reflects the crowd’s real-time probability assessment of that event occurring.

How are prediction markets currently regulated in the U.S.?
Regulation is highly fragmented. The federal CFTC treats these markets as commodity or derivatives exchanges, while various state gaming commissions attempt to regulate or restrict them under local sports betting and gambling laws.

Will prediction markets replace traditional sports betting?
Rather than completely replacing sportsbooks, prediction markets are expanding the pie. They offer a highly dynamic, peer-to-peer alternative that appeals to financial traders and policy enthusiasts, forcing traditional betting operators to innovate their technology and payout structures.

The post The US Prediction Markets Landscape: Navigating Opportunities and Challenges appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

Azerbaijani Parliament

Azerbaijan to Impose Tougher Penalties for Illegal Online Gambling

Published

7 hours ago

July 3, 2026

Wladimir P.

azerbaijan-to-impose-tougher-penalties-for-illegal-online-gambling

The Azerbaijani Parliament (Milli Majlis) has officially cleared the first reading of a bill to heavily increase criminal penalties for organising and operating illegal gambling.

The proposed amendments to the Criminal Code were discussed during an extraordinary parliamentary session.

Under the bill, organising gambling in virtual formats-including via the internet, mobile communications, social media platforms, electronic communication tools or other internet- and mobile-based applications-would carry tougher penalties. The same applies to offenses involving minors, crimes committed by a group acting in prior collusion or activities generating substantial illegal income.

Such offenses would be punishable by a fine of up to twice the amount of the income obtained through the crime, restriction of liberty for a term of two to four years, or imprisonment for the same period.

The proposed amendments also introduce stricter penalties for offenses committed by organised criminal groups or criminal organisations, as well as those generating large-scale illegal profits. These would be punishable by restriction of liberty or imprisonment for a term of three to five years.

The bill would also change the way fines are calculated. Instead of the current fixed range of AZN 10,000 to AZN 15,000, courts would be able to impose fines of up to twice the amount of the criminal proceeds.

In addition, the legislation proposes harsher punishment for repeat offenses involving the organisation or operation of gambling activities or gambling venues, particularly where minors are involved or where the offenses generate substantial, large-scale or especially large-scale illegal income.

Under the current legislation, repeat offenses are punishable by restriction of liberty for four to five years or imprisonment for four to eight years. The proposed amendments would make imprisonment for five to eight years the sole penalty for such offenses.

The post Azerbaijan to Impose Tougher Penalties for Illegal Online Gambling appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.