Latest News

‘Dirty Drifters’ Drives Home Victory in AudioMob’s Game Jam

Published

5 years ago

November 13, 2020

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Getaway driving game takes home the $1000 prize in AudioMob’s game design competition for its innovative use of audio ads. Audio ads once again prove their power to enhance games through immersive ad experiences.

AudioMob is thrilled to announce that it’s successful game design competition has come to a close and has finally crowned a winner! In the last month, aspiring game developers have poured their hearts and souls into designing games that incorporate AudioMob’s innovative audio ad format in the most creative way possible, for the chance to win $1000 cash, press coverage and industry introductions. The game submissions have been nothing less than impressive, and shows a promising future for the participating developers.

This Game Jam is the first of its kind to require the integration of a non-intrusive audio ad format; a challenge that has truly put developers to the test and made them think outside the box. AudioMob wanted to challenge developers to build games who used its unique audio ad plugin in ways that complimented the user experience, without interrupting gameplay.

The results have been an exciting mixture of games that present an immersive gaming experience through the use of audio ads.

While the main purpose of the Game Jam has been to introduce more developers to AudioMob’s audio ad format, it has also been a great way to give aspiring developers a chance to make some money and get recognition for their hard work. AudioMob is also pleased to be able to introduce the developers to publishers in the gaming industry.

Yesterday, after a tough deliberation period, the judges finally decided on a winner. The winner of the AudioMob Resonate game jam is Yup Studios!

The team’s brilliant, getaway driving game ‘Dirty Drifters’, caught the judges attention for its entertaining and polished design. Massive congratulations to team members Christopher Luu and Ben Tomczyk behind the winning pick! ‘Dirty Drifters’ is a truly impressive game, and full of smart ideas throughout. We were blown away by the aesthetic and the tone. But it was the audio ad integration into both the gameplay and narrative setting that impressed us most.” said Christian Facey, CEO and co-founder of AudioMob.

The gameplay focuses on outrunning the police at the end of a bank robbery, viewed from the perspective of television news crews. However, the pursuing police abandon their chase when the news cameras cut away; them only being interested in appearing to catch the criminals.So when the fictional broadcast to a TV ad break the player has a chance to recoup and regroup.

This element showcases an excellent use of AudioMob’s audio ads, making the idea of ad breaks integral to the gameplay, while perhaps poking fun at ‘Dirty Drifters’’ antagonists. With the police’s attention temporarily eslewhere, players can listen to an audio ad while playing a safe cracking game – with a dial mechanicthat alludes to the radio as the audio plays on. The game also has an abundance of character and playful charm; in short, it was a fun game to play, and a fun place to spend time. Developed by computer science students, Christopher Luu and Ben Tomczyk, ‘Dirty Drifters’ uniquely creative design and adrenaline-inducing game ultimately won over the judges and grabbed the grand prize.

AudioMob wants to give an honorable mention to the runners up, who gave ‘Dirty Drifters’ a tough run for their money. Thomas The Dev came second, and will take home $200 for their driving game ‘Roadtrip’; Toby Atkinson in third place, will receive $100 for the delightful agricultural title ‘Air Drop Farm’; and the fourth placed Valancosta Games will take home asset vouchers for their insect autorunner game ‘Save the Bees’. While ‘Dirty Drifters’ won the grand prize, AudioMob looks forward to working with the runners up and seeing them expand on their games.

“We are thoroughly impressed by the talent shown by the participating teams, who have all exceeded our expectations in how they have used our audio ads and made them an essential part of the games’ story and design,” said Christian Facey. “The energy, effort and enthusiasm shown by the teams has been brilliant to see, and we look forward to seeing what the developers come up with next.”

Although the Game Jam concludes today, the strong community that has formed throughout the competition still remains. AudioMob hopes the community will continue to grow and become a friendly platform for budding indie developers to connect and share their projects on. AudioMob has always known the massive potential of its world first audio ad format; and now, thanks to the brilliant contestants, there are even more reasons to know that audio ads can be a profoundly positive part of creative, innovative games.

AI

Despite AI’s Rise, Fraud Teams Keep Growing — SEON 2026 Report

Published

10 hours ago

March 4, 2026

Wladimir P.

despite-ai’s-rise,-fraud-teams-keep-growing-—-seon-2026-report

SEON, the command centre for immediate Fraud Prevention and AML Compliance, has unveiled AI Reality Check: 2026 Fraud & AML Leaders Report, the second iteration of its sector research, derived from a worldwide survey of 1,010 leaders in fraud, risk, and compliance spanning payments, fintech, financial services, retail, eCommerce, and gaming.

The figures reveal an unforeseen narrative: AI is ubiquitous, yet operations are not becoming easier to manage. Currently, 98% of organizations utilize AI in fraud and AML processes, with 95% expressing confidence in its effectiveness; meanwhile, headcount plans rose from 88% to 94% year-over-year, and 83% anticipate budget increases in 2026.

Complexity Is Surpassing Automation

AI has not lessened the workload — it has revealed the extent of work that has always existed. Fraud losses are increasingly approaching revenue growth, threats are advancing more rapidly, and disjointed systems restrict the true potential of AI at scale. Key year-over-year shift:

Leadership’s confidence in their teams’ performance is lagging. The number of leaders who disagreed with the statement, “fraud losses are growing faster than revenue,” dropped by almost 40% from the previous year

Inside the Numbers:

AI is baseline, not experimental

98% already integrate AI into daily workflows (only 2% still planning)
95% are confident AI can detect and prevent fraud (52% very confident)
Top use case: AI/ML for transaction monitoring (30%)

Fraud and AML investment keeps climbing

83% expect fraud/AML budgets to increase in 2026
94% plan to add at least one full-time hire (up from 88% in 2025)
85% plan to add a vendor, 49% plan to replace one

Fragmentation is the bottleneck

95% claim “some integration” between fraud and AML systems
Only 47% run fully integrated workflows; the rest rely on partial connections
80% say getting a unified view of data is challenging

For many, time-to-value remains slow

Only 10% go live in under two weeks
38% take 1–3 months, 24% take 4+ months
When implementations run long, top impacts include increased costs (52%) and prolonged fraud exposure (47%)

Teams are growing, not shrinking

94% plan to increase headcount despite automation gains
85% see AI agents as support/augmentation, not replacement (only 12% see eventual replacement)

Top fraud threats reported:

Account takeovers: 26%
Promo/discount abuse: 18%
Return fraud: 18%

“Fraud and financial crime were supposed to become more manageable as AI matured,” said Tamas Kadar, CEO and co-founder, SEON. “Instead, 2026 is the year leaders are confronting a more complicated reality. AI adoption is real, confidence is high, but the scale and pace of fraud — compounded by fragmented systems — continue to drive increased investment rather than reduced overhead. The bottleneck is no longer whether AI works. It’s everything around it: disconnected data, siloed teams, slow implementations. The organisations that pull ahead will be the ones that unify fraud and AML intelligence, shorten the distance between threats and controls, and treat integration as strategy, not plumbing.”

Fast-Growing Companies Invest in Integration Early

Organisations growing 51%+ are nearly twice as likely as slower peers to report that achieving unified visibility is “not very challenging.” They treat integration as infrastructure, not an IT project.

What’s Next: From “Does AI Work?” to “Can We Trust It?”

With adoption near-universal, the conversation is shifting to governance, explainability and accountability:

78% say decentralised digital identity will become central to fraud/AML
33% cite data privacy regulations (GDPR, CCPA) as the biggest external force shaping AML
25% point to criminals’ advancing use of AI and obfuscation techniques

The post Despite AI’s Rise, Fraud Teams Keep Growing — SEON 2026 Report appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Latest News

N1 Faces: Shirin Mammadov — Building Trust That Drives Performance

Published

12 hours ago

March 4, 2026

Wladimir P.

n1-faces:-shirin-mammadov-—-building-trust-that-drives-performance

Growth in affiliate marketing is easy to promise, but sustaining it over the long term is another story. Real results are built on consistency, clear communication, and relationships that can withstand market shifts, changing traffic sources, and rising competition.

In the latest episode of N1 Faces, the N1 Partners team introduces Shirin Mammadov, Senior Affiliate Manager — a specialist dedicated to creating structured, trust-based collaborations with affiliates. Shirin shares his journey into the industry, the principles guiding his work today, and what it takes to maintain performance and clarity in high-pressure environments.

How did you get into affiliate marketing, and when did you know this was your path?

“It started unexpectedly. At the time, I was running my own startup and wasn’t actively looking to move into affiliate marketing. The industry felt fast-paced, competitive, and performance-driven — exactly where I thrive. I’ve always enjoyed communication, negotiation, and building relationships, and affiliate marketing combines all of that. Over time, I realized it wasn’t just a temporary step — it was a field where I could grow and challenge myself long-term.”

What brought you to N1 Partners, and what was the deciding factor?

“Before joining N1 Partners, I was on the affiliate side, and N1 was one of my partners. From the beginning, the team was transparent, professional, and performance-minded, while also maintaining a genuinely friendly atmosphere. Trust was the key factor — I knew their standards and approach to growth. It wasn’t a risky move; it was strategic.”

Advice to your first-month self as an affiliate manager

“Focus less on proving yourself immediately and more on deeply understanding the product, numbers, and traffic quality. Strong partnerships take time, and trust matters more than quick deals. Ask questions, challenge assumptions, and the faster you understand the bigger picture, the faster you grow.”

How do you spot long-term partners versus one-off deals?

“You can often tell from the very first conversations. If a partner is transparent about traffic sources, open to feedback, and focused on optimization rather than only the highest CPA, that’s a good sign. Long-term partners think strategically, test continuously, and plan for growth. When trust and goals align, the partnership naturally becomes sustainable.”

Separating normal volatility from a real problem

“I look at trends over time instead of reacting to a single day’s numbers. Minor fluctuations are normal, but consistent drops or unusual patterns are red flags. External factors like seasonality or campaign changes are considered before jumping to conclusions. If a pattern is concerning, I dig into the data and communicate with the partner to find the root cause.”

A time communication “saved” a partnership

“Yes, a partner was frustrated with underperformance. Rather than focusing on numbers alone, I scheduled a conversation to understand their concerns. Aligning on goals, explaining strategy, and suggesting practical adjustments rebuilt trust and improved results. Proactive, transparent communication can turn challenges into stronger, strategic partnerships.”

Personal motto

“Work smart, communicate clearly, and always aim for long-term results.”

Staying balanced under pressure

“I stay active — at the gym or through consistent movement — and take short breaks from work to reset. Planning my day carefully and focusing on one task at a time helps manage stress. Physical activity and structured focus keep me calm and effective.”

If you weren’t in iGaming

“I’d probably be a seaman. I’m drawn to the sea — the adventure, challenge, and discipline appeal to me. Both paths require focus, navigating uncertainty, and taking responsibility for outcomes.”

Top-3 Blitz: Biggest Red Flags in Leads

Unclear traffic sources — ask detailed questions and require transparency.
Inconsistent performance — monitor closely and set clear KPIs.
Lack of communication — address directly, set expectations, and decide if the partnership is viable.

What affiliates value most in a program

Timely and transparent payments
Clear communication and support
Growth opportunities with competitive offers, incentives, and scalable tools

Essential tools for affiliate managers

CRM / affiliate tracking platforms
Spreadsheet & analytics tools
Communication platforms (email, chat, video calls)

Join N1 Partners

Partners interested in launching, exploring tailored terms, or testing an offer can reach out directly to Shirin.

N1 Partners provides everything affiliates need to stay ahead: high-converting products, ongoing analytics with optimization guidance, and hands-on support from managers focused on long-term performance.

More than just an affiliate program, N1 Partners is a multi-brand platform and direct advertiser, uniting 14+ casino and betting brands, operating across Tier-1 GEOs, delivering Reg2Dep rates up to 70%, and offering competitive deals for top partners — CPA up to €700 and RevShare up to 45%. Trusted by over 14,000 partners, N1 Partners is recognized for transparency, flexibility, and a partner-first approach — where people and communication quality are the foundation of long-term success.

The post N1 Faces: Shirin Mammadov — Building Trust That Drives Performance appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Latest News

N1 Faces: Shirin Mammadov — Building Trust That Drives Performance

Published

12 hours ago

March 4, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

Growth in affiliate marketing is easy to promise — much harder to sustain. Real long-term results are built on consistency, clear communication, and relationships that can withstand market shifts, changing traffic sources, and rising competition.

In the new episode of N1 Faces, the N1 Partners team introduces Shirin Mammadov, Senior Affiliate Manager — a specialist focused on building structured, trust-based collaboration with partners. In this interview, Shirin shares how he entered the industry, what principles guide his work today, and what it takes to maintain performance and clarity in a high-pressure environment.

Shirin Mammadov

Senior Affiliate Manager, N1 Partners

How did you get into affiliate marketing, and when did you realize this was the field you wanted to grow in?

It started unexpectedly. At the time, I was running our own startup and wasn’t actively looking to move into affiliate marketing. The industry felt fast-paced, competitive, and performance-driven — exactly where I thrive. I’ve always enjoyed communication, negotiations, and building relationships, and affiliate marketing combines all of that. After some time in the role, I realized this wasn’t just a temporary step — it was a field where I could grow and challenge myself long term.

What brought you to N1 Partners, and what was the deciding factor?

Before joining N1 Partners, I was on the affiliate side, and N1 was one of my partners. From the start, the relationship with the team was transparent and professional. I saw their structured processes and strong performance mindset, but also a genuinely friendly atmosphere.

When I decided to move forward in my career, the key factor was trust. I already knew their standards and approach to growth. It wasn’t a risky move — it was a strategic one. I wanted to join a company I respected and where my affiliate-side experience could add real value.

What advice would you give your first-month self as an affiliate manager?

I would tell my first-month self to focus less on trying to prove myself immediately and more on deeply understanding the product, numbers, and traffic quality. Building strong partnerships takes time, and trust is more important than quick deals. I would also remind myself to ask more questions and not be afraid to challenge assumptions. The faster you understand the bigger picture, the faster you grow.

When do you know a partner will become a long-term relationship rather than a one-off deal?

You can usually see it from the very first conversations. If a partner is transparent about their traffic sources, open to feedback, and interested in continuous optimization rather than just the highest CPA, that’s a strong sign. Long-term partners think about strategy, testing, and growth — not just short-term profit. When there is mutual trust and aligned goals, it naturally turns into a sustainable relationship rather than a one-off deal.

How do you separate “normal volatility” from a real problem when you look at performance reports?

I separate normal volatility from a real problem by looking at trends over time rather than reacting to a single day’s numbers. Small fluctuations are normal, but consistent drops, unusual patterns, or deviations from historical performance are red flags. I also consider external factors, like seasonality or campaign changes, before jumping to conclusions. Once a pattern looks concerning, I dig into the data and communicate with the partner to identify the root cause.

Was there a time when the right communication truly “saved” a partnership? What did you do differently?

Yes, there was a situation where a partner was underperforming and frustrated with their results. Instead of focusing on numbers alone, I scheduled a direct conversation to understand their concerns and listen carefully. By aligning on goals, explaining the strategy, and suggesting practical adjustments, we rebuilt trust and improved performance together. It showed me that proactive, transparent communication can turn a challenging situation into a stronger, strategic partnership.

Do you have a personal motto? Sum yourself up in one sentence.

Work smart, communicate clearly, and always aim for long-term results

What helps you stay balanced and clear-headed during high-pressure periods?

I stay balanced by keeping active and making sure I move my body, whether it’s at the gym or just staying consistent with workouts. I also make a point to disconnect from work for short periods, which helps me reset and approach challenges with a clear mind. Planning my day carefully and focusing on one task at a time keeps stress manageable. This combination of physical activity and structured focus helps me stay calm and effective under pressure.

If you weren’t in iGaming …

If I weren’t in iGaming, I think I’d be a seaman. I’ve always been drawn to the sea – the challenge, the adventure, and the discipline it requires really appeal to me. In a way, both paths share the same mindset: staying focused, navigating uncertainty, and taking responsibility for outcomes.

Top-3 Blitz

What are the biggest red flags in leads — and what do you do when you see them?

Unclear traffic sources — I ask detailed questions and request transparency before moving forward.
2. Inconsistent performance — I monitor closely and set clear KPIs to track improvements.
3. Lack of communication or responsiveness — I address it directly, set expectations, and decide if the partnership is worth continuing.

From an affiliate’s perspective, what matters most in an affiliate program?

1.Timely and transparent payments — affiliates need confidence in accurate, on-time payments.
2.Clear communication and support — being able to get answers, guidance, and updates quickly is essential.
3.Opportunities for growth — competitive offers, performance incentives, and tools that help them scale traffic effectively.

Name the tools you can’t imagine an affiliate manager working without.

CRM / Affiliate tracking platforms — to monitor performance, track partners, and analyze data accurately.
2. Spreadsheet & analytics tools — for performance analysis, trend spotting, and making data-driven decisions.
3. Communication tools — email, chat, and video calls to maintain strong partner relationships.

Join N1 Partners

Partners who want to discuss a launch, explore tailored terms, or test an offer can reach out to Shirin directly.

N1 Partners provides everything affiliates need to stay ahead: high-converting products, ongoing analytics with optimization recommendations, and hands-on support from managers focused on long-term performance.

N1 Partners is more than an affiliate program. As a multi-brand affiliate platform and direct advertiser, the company unites 14+ casino and betting brands, operates across Tier-1 GEOs, delivers Reg2Dep rates of up to 70%, and offers competitive deals for top partners — CPA up to €700 and RevShare up to 45%. Trusted by 14,000+ partners, N1 Partners is recognized for its transparency, flexibility, and partner-first approach — where people and communication quality remain the foundation of long-term success.

The post N1 Faces: Shirin Mammadov — Building Trust That Drives Performance appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.