Andre Villandberg Q&A
Swapping a bustling pub for a downtown bar, Clover Club is a classy take on the traditional Irish theme. In our latest Q&A we sit down with Andre Villandberg, CEO and Founder of Bullshark Gaming to discuss this latest release. Here we explore the Scatter Pays and Multiplier Wilds of Clover Club and dive into how Bullshark Games is carving out its name as an in-demand slots provider.
Jamie: Hi Andre, thanks for speaking with us! Clover Club takes a familiar Irish theme and gives it a unique club twist. What inspired this departure from the traditional pub setting?
Andre: We always try to find fresh angles or unique twists on classic themes, often blending familiar elements with unexpected ideas to create new and exciting experiences for players. The traditional Irish pub setting has been used many times before, so we wanted to take a different approach. The idea of a club owner, more of a charismatic, larger-than-life host, felt like a fun way to bring something fresh to the theme while keeping the spirit of entertainment and good times alive.
Jamie: Clover Club introduces a dynamic Global Multiplier and Multiplier Wilds system. Can you elaborate on how these mechanics work in tandem and explain their impact on the overall experience?
Andre: Scatter pay games rarely include Wild symbols, but we wanted to change that while ensuring they don’t connect too often. To balance this, Wilds only appear after the first win. We chose a Global Multiplier because it’s a simple and effective way to enhance wins, and we’ve seen it work well in our previous games. In Clover Club, the Global Multiplier only increases when a Wild is part of a win. This allows us to occasionally display high multiplier values without always awarding them, adding to the excitement.
These two mechanics work well together, since Wilds appear after the first win, they improve the chances of chaining multiple wins. This, in turn, increases the Global Multiplier, making the gameplay more dynamic and rewarding.
Jamie: In the free spins, the Global Multiplier persists. What unique elements does this bring to the gameplay, and how does it compare to other Free Spins features we’ve seen from Bullshark Games?
Andre: The progressive Global Multiplier adds excitement to the Free Spins feature because every increase enhances all the future wins. If the multiplier grows early on or gets a big boost from a high-value increase, the rest of the feature becomes much more thrilling.
We’ve seen similar Global Multiplier mechanics work well in previous games, adding a strong sense of progression and anticipation. In Coop Clash, we experimented with a per-spin Win Multiplier, which was also exciting since it allowed for higher values to appear more frequently. However, in our experience, the progressive Global Multiplier in Free Spins tends to create a more engaging and rewarding experience overall.
Jamie: Given the typically straightforward nature of Irish slots, what led to the inclusion of Scatter Pays and Avalanche mechanics, and how do they enhance the player’s experience?
Andre: We’ve always aimed to bring something fresh to each of our games, and for Clover Club, we felt that incorporating Wilds to trigger chaining win sequences, where each win also increases the Global Multiplier, would work particularly well with the Scatter Pays and Avalanche mechanics. This combination not only keeps the gameplay dynamic but also adds an extra layer of excitement as wins build up. Plus, it’s a unique twist that we haven’t seen used often in this way before.
Jamie: We’ve seen in games like this new one, Coop Clash, and Pickle Bandits, there’s a clear mix of themes and a real sense of humour. How important do you think this original design approach is for Bullshark Games’ reputation?
Andre: This is one of our core principles, we don’t want to simply follow traditional themes with all the usual elements. Instead, we like to add a twist, inject some humour, and make our games more fun and less serious. This approach not only keeps things fresh for players but also helps us stand out in a crowded market where many studios create games with similar themes.
Jamie: Aside from Clover Club, what slot are you most proud of and what specific mechanics would you like players to experience from that particular title?
Andre: There are several games we’re proud of. Junkyard Kings, for example, features a grid multiplier mechanic that works exceptionally well with Walking Wilds and Permanent Doubling Wilds. Wild Dojo Strike offers an exciting mix of different Wild symbols that interact in cool ways.
However, we’re especially proud of one of our upcoming titles, Age of Seth. Its main features are simple, and while none of them are groundbreaking on their own, the way they interact during gameplay creates a truly thrilling experience with many different ways to land a big win.
