Mark: Beast Gains, like its predecessors, features an eclectic cast of characters taken from the animal Kingdom, what was the reasoning behind this as opposed to creating more traditional characters you see in games like the Money Train series?
Oscar: Back when we created the first Beast Mode, the idea was to build a cast of strong, memorable characters that players could associate with the different features. We were also inspired by the kind of animated films being released at the time, like Zootropolis, where each character has a clear personality and role.
When we moved on to Net Gains, it felt natural to continue in that direction. We kept some of the most popular features, and letting the characters return made it feel like their story was continuing rather than starting from scratch. Over time, that helped shape the identity of the series and gave it something distinct compared to more traditional character-driven games like the Money Train titles.
Mark: Beast Gains keeps base gameplay pretty lively, not just the bonus. When you’re building a slot like this, what’s the biggest challenge in keeping the base game feeling as eventful as the Free Spins?
Oscar: Yeah, a lot of games today are very focused on the Free Spins, so it’s always a challenge to find the right balance. You want to avoid the base game feeling dry like a desert, but at the same time the bonus still needs to feel valuable and exciting when it lands.
In Beast Gains, the Feature Trail plays a big role in solving that. It has the potential to bring every spin to life and creates strong moments of anticipation, where players can see what’s coming up and start hoping to reach those future events. That sense of progression makes the base game feel active and engaging, rather than just something you wait through on the way to the bonus.
Mark: The Feature Trail can unlock a wide mix of upgrades, from extra wilds and mystery moments to collectors, coins, and multiplier boosts. How do you make sure that kind of variety feels cohesive and easy to follow for players, rather than overwhelming?
Oscar: The Feature Trail is a new and innovative way of packaging mechanics that players already know and love from the previous games. That familiarity makes it much easier to introduce a wide variety of outcomes without it feeling overwhelming.
We’ve also put a lot of focus into the visual design and flow, making sure each event feels intuitive and easy to follow. Even though there’s a lot going on, the player can clearly see what’s happening and what they’re working towards. It still allows for a bit of chaos in the best possible way, but in a format that feels cohesive rather than confusing.
Mark: The three Free Spins options each offer a different type of gameplay depending on what you go for. When you look at player preferences across your portfolio, what tends to resonate most, and did that influence how you shaped the bonus selection in Beast Gains?
Oscar: There’s definitely data behind many of the decisions we make. It’s a great tool for understanding what already resonates with players and which mechanics consistently perform well. But if you want to create the next big thing, you also have to be willing to take some risks, trust your instincts, and sometimes go on feeling rather than just numbers.
One mechanic that has clearly stood the test of time is the multiplier ladder. It’s something players recognise and enjoy, and it has featured in several popular Relax titles like Bill & Coin 1 and 2, Ancient Tumble, Beast Mode, and now Beast Gains. Seeing how well that style of progression connects with players definitely influenced how we approached the bonus selection, making sure there was at least one option that felt familiar while the others offered something a bit different.
Mark: Collaborations can create big expectations, especially when there’s a clear signature style fans recognise. How do you keep that recognisable feel in place while still ensuring the new release stands on its own and feels genuinely fresh?
Oscar: A great sequel shouldn’t stray too far from the original, but it still needs to introduce enough new ideas to feel exciting and worthwhile for players. The goal is to build on what already worked, making thoughtful improvements and adjustments so it feels like a true evolution rather than just a reskin. One of the nice things is that many players can jump in with a solid understanding of the core mechanics from the start.
The team at CasinoGrounds are true professionals in every sense. Their understanding of games and deep knowledge of players is second to none. A Relax and CasinoGrounds collaboration naturally comes with sky-high expectations, and so far, every game from that partnership has delivered. I wouldn’t expect anything different from Beast Gains.
Mark: If you had to sum up Beast Gains to a player who’s never tried a Relax x CasinoGrounds slot before, what would you say they should look out for in their first session, and what kind of player do you think will enjoy it most?
Oscar: I’d describe it as a game built from the best of both worlds, combining Relax’s experience in design and execution with CasinoGrounds’ deep understanding of what players enjoy watching and playing. That mix has proven to work really well every time we team up.
For a first session, I’d tell players to look out for how active the base game feels and how the Feature Trail keeps building anticipation. It’s not just about chasing Free Spins, there’s always something happening. On top of that, you’ve got three very different bonus options to choose from, each offering its own style of gameplay, plus the gamble element for players who like to push things a bit further.
I think it will appeal most to players who enjoy variety and progression, especially those who like having a sense of control in picking their bonus and seeing features build over time. It’s a hybrid sequel that takes elements from two very popular games and brings them together with striking visuals and a lot of energy throughout.
