Latest News

NSoft story: Passion and motivation behind Virtual Penalty Shootout

Published

4 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.

European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

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.

Gambling in the USA

Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – April 21-27

Published

7 hours ago

April 29, 2025

Niji Narayan

gaming-americas-weekly-roundup-–-april-21-27

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Welcome to our weekly roundup of American gambling news again! Here, we are going through the weekly highlights of the American gambling industry which include the latest news and new partnerships. Read on and get updated.

Latest News

International Game Technology PLC announced that its dynamic Wheel of Fortune DiamondRS Premium Wheel cabinet recently launched in casinos across the US. Guests of Sky River Casino in Elk Grove, Calif. and of Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn. were among the first players in the world to enjoy the Wheel of Fortune Cash Link Reels Double Diamond and Wheel of Fortune Cash Link Reels Double Gold games on IGT’s new ultra-high-tech, mechanical-reel cabinet. Designed exclusively for Wheel of Fortune game content, the Wheel of Fortune DiamondRS Premium Wheel cabinet boasts a 20-inch physical wheel, a 32-inch LCD top box and a 23-inch transmissive display.

CT Gaming continues its strong momentum from the first quarter of 2025 with a new wave of installations in Panama. Strengthening its position in the Latin American market, the company has partnered with leading operators to introduce top-performing products, including the EZ Modulo 32/32/32 slot cabinet and the highly successful Diamond King series. Among the highlights of the installation is Diamond King 3—CT Gaming’s bestselling multigame featuring 50 captivating titles. Players can enjoy a diverse mix of content, including the legendary Mega Jack trio: Aztec Gold, Slot-O-Pol Deluxe and Champagne Party. The experience is further enhanced by the Diamond Tree progressive jackpot, which delivers elevated gameplay and exciting reward potential.

Las Vegas Sands has contributed $100,000 through the Sands Cares global community engagement programme to 100 Black Men Las Vegas in support of the organisation’s youth mentorship, scholarship and community service offerings. The 2025 donation will enable 100 Black Men Las Vegas to offer new programmes including a science, technology, engineering and math initiative; the Pathways to Public Service programme, which focuses on developing a pipeline of law enforcement and first responder professionals; and Realtist Academy, which prepares participants to become licensed real estate agents or mortgage brokers. In addition, Sands Cares funding will help 100 Black Men Las Vegas pursue efforts to identify a permanent location for the organisation.

Partnerships

SCCG Management has announced an expanded partnership with AWARE, a global leader in biometric verification software. Under this agreement, SCCG becomes a preferred reseller for AWARE’s biometric and identity verification solutions within the global gaming industry. AWARE’s advanced biometric technology offers a future-proof solution for iGaming and gambling platforms—empowering operators to ensure compliance, prevent fraud and protect players, all while delivering a seamless and secure user experience. With growing regulatory scrutiny and rising demand for frictionless onboarding, AWARE’s adaptive biometrics provide a scalable and trusted identity framework for modern gaming environments.

The Brazilian Football Confederation and Sportradar Integrity & Regulatory Services, a unit of Sportradar AG announced the extension of their long-standing partnership, set to begin with the 2025 season. The new agreement aims to enhance efforts to combat match-fixing in Brazilian football and safeguard the integrity of the sport. Sportradar, through its industry-leading Universal Fraud Detection System (UFDS), will deliver integrity monitoring for more than 8200 men’s and women’s matches organised annually by the CBF. Through this renewed partnership, the UFDS will now cover all Brazilian national championships.

The post Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – April 21-27 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Latest News

SOFTSWISS Enhances Leadership Team to Drive Global Expansion

Published

8 hours ago

April 29, 2025

George Miller

softswiss-enhances-leadership-team-to-drive-global-expansion

Reading Time: 2 minutes

SOFTSWISS, a leading global provider of iGaming software, announces the appointment of three seasoned professionals to key leadership positions: Denis Ilienkov as Product & Technology Non-Executive Director; Kyryl Avdieienko as Chief Product Officer (CPO); and Viktor Iegorov as Chief Delivery Officer (CDO).

These strategic appointments are integral to SOFTSWISS’ vision of strengthening its leadership team to navigate the complexities of the global iGaming landscape, ensuring agility and innovation in product development and delivery.

Denis Ilienkov, in his new role as Product & Technology Non-Executive Director, will oversee product and technology-related operations, including control responsibilities. Kyryl Avdieienko, appointed as CPO, will lead product strategy and development across the SOFTSWISS product portfolio. With a background in iGaming, game development, and fintech, Kyryl brings a wealth of experience to the role. Viktor Iegorov, as CDO, will be responsible for developing processes and managing the strategic delivery portfolio.

These appointments are part of SOFTSWISS’ ongoing commitment to fostering a collaborative and synergistic leadership approach. Denis, Kyryl, and Viktor will work closely to drive the company’s mission of delivering cutting-edge iGaming solutions, fostering a culture of innovation and excellence.

Denis Ilienkov commented on the appointments: “At SOFTSWISS, we’ve always prided ourselves on our agility and innovation. As we venture into new markets like Brazil and South Africa, it’s imperative that our leadership structure evolves to meet the unique challenges and opportunities these regions present. The introduction of roles such as the Chief Delivery Officer ensures that our delivery processes are not only maintained but continuously enhanced. This strategic shift is about more than just titles; it’s about positioning SOFTSWISS to deliver unparalleled value to our clients and partners worldwide.”

These leadership changes closely follow SOFTSWISS’ recent product and technology milestones. Notably, the company celebrated its first Sportsbook Network Jackpot win during the SiGMA Americas event in São Paulo, where a player claimed €80,294.89 – more than doubling the initial €35,000 prize pool. Additionally, SOFTSWISS’ Deputy CTO, Sergey Kastukevich, was honoured as CTO of the Year in EMEA at the 2025 Oracle Excellence Awards, recognising his strategic use of emerging technologies to advance the company’s objectives.

About SOFTSWISS

SOFTSWISS is an international technology company with over 15 years of experience developing innovative solutions for the iGaming industry. SOFTSWISS holds a number of gaming licences and provides comprehensive software for managing iGaming projects. The company’s product portfolio includes the Online Casino Platform, the Game Aggregator with over 27,800 casino games, the Affilka Affiliate Platform, the Sportsbook Software and the Jackpot Aggregator. In 2013, SOFTSWISS revolutionised the industry by introducing the world’s first Bitcoin-optimised online casino solution. The expert team counts over 2,000 employees.

The post SOFTSWISS Enhances Leadership Team to Drive Global Expansion appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Latest News

NSoft and InnovaPlay Strengthen Sportsbook Offering with Strategic Partnership

Published

8 hours ago

April 29, 2025

George Miller

nsoft-and-innovaplay-strengthen-sportsbook-offering-with-strategic-partnership

Reading Time: 2 minutes

NSoft, a leading provider of premium sportsbook solutions, has partnered with InnovaPlay, enhancing its sportsbook platform with the industry-leading NextGen Sportsbook. This strategic collaboration integrates NSoft’s innovative sportsbook technology seamlessly into InnovaPlay’s comprehensive white-label and full web solution, empowering sportsbook operators to reach new heights of performance and player engagement.

NextGen Sportsbook, known for its four main pillars – stability, unparalleled speed, multifeed integration, and dynamic player experience – is perfectly tailored to meet diverse betting market demands. It adapts effortlessly to various odds presentations, aligning with local and regional preferences, and stands out as the industry’s fastest sportsbook, generating standard offers in an exceptional 20 milliseconds.

Placing the player experience at its core, NextGen Sportsbook offers personalized and highly engaging betting interactions. Features such as individualized betting options, dynamic odds, custom bonuses, individual cashout capabilities, and tailored odds layouts significantly enhance player satisfaction, fostering loyalty and sustained engagement.

Operators benefit from NextGen’s powerful integration capabilities, which manage multiple betting feeds, including sports betting, esports, and horse or dog racing, in both pre-match and live scenarios. The advanced multifeed system ensures uninterrupted operations by seamlessly switching between providers as needed.

NSoft’s NextGen Sportsbook also boasts comprehensive player engagement tools such as Cash Out, Edit Bet, Bet Builder, and advanced betting stimulation products. Its multi-language and multi-currency functionalities allow operators to expand their reach globally. The sportsbook’s flexible bonus engine and dynamic trading options, including full automation, DIY, and hybrid franchise models, give operators complete control and flexibility. Additionally, its sophisticated AI personalization capabilities further elevate the betting experience by delivering personalized recommendations to each punter.

Shaun Grech, Technical Director at InnovaPlay, emphasized the significance of the partnership: “This strategic partnership with NSoft represents a game-changer for our sportsbook operators. By integrating NSoft’s award-winning sports betting engine and virtual sports products into our platform, we’re giving operators three key competitive advantages:

Lightning-fast betting markets with the deepest liquidity pool in the industry
Seamless cross-sell opportunities between casino and sportsbook verticals
Full customization of odds, limits, and betting rules to match local market demands.

This is how modern sports betting platforms should perform – with surgical precision and total operator control.”

Drago Ćavar, Managing Director of Sportsbook Platform at NSoft, added: “Our collaboration with InnovaPlay underlines our commitment to providing sportsbook operators with groundbreaking technology that drives growth and player satisfaction. NextGen Sportsbook’s exceptional speed, versatility, and personalized betting experience make it an ideal solution for forward-thinking operators. We’re excited about the opportunities this partnership brings and confident it will set new industry standards.”

Through this collaboration, InnovaPlay and NSoft are poised to redefine excellence in sportsbook operations, positioning NextGen Sportsbook as the preferred choice for operators seeking advanced capabilities and unmatched player engagement.

The post NSoft and InnovaPlay Strengthen Sportsbook Offering with Strategic Partnership appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.