Yggdrasil’s latest release Lucky Apocalypse sees the protagonist from games such as Rainbow Ryan return with a drastic shift, transforming from friendly busker to zombie slayer, piquing our interest and leaving us hungry to find out more. We sat down with Marcin Tomala, Senior Game Designer at Yggdrasil Gaming, to dissect the new release, how contrasting elements can be used cohesively, and the mechanics that keep the walking dead alive.
Hi Marcin, thanks for speaking to us! Lucky Apocalypse presents a stark contrast to the jovial Rainbow Ryan we’ve seen in the past. What inspired this dramatic shift in Ryan’s character and the overall themes of the game?
The idea came out during one of our brainstorming sessions. We’re aiming to cover different audiences and markets, and we needed a game that tackles a new market for us – gritty, strong, horror action. We had plenty of ideas flying around, but the one that stuck with us the most was to take someone unexpected (like a leprechaun!) and drop it into an action movie zombie apocalypse. Ryan was an obvious choice – and so here we are, with one of the more attention-catching themes on the market!
Lucky Apocalypse has a unique blend of horror and humour. How do you strike the balance between these two contrasting aspects to create a cohesive experience?
It’s all a matter of proportions. Pure Horror is easy to achieve – just drop some zombies, splatter some blood, dim the lights, and you’re done. It has been overdone and it’s far from unique at this point. That’s where comedy relief strikes in, in the form of an unusual character with unexpected behaviour – a leprechaun with a bad attitude blasting guns left and right while dropping cheesy one-liners is more than enough to turn this ordinary horror setting into something truly memorable. The blending of the “good old” with the “new and unexpected” is key to creating unique, fun experiences.
Lucky Apocalypse features a Scatter Pays mechanic combined with Gigablox and an Avalanche Feature. Can you explain how these features synergise and how they contribute to the overall player experience?
These features were chosen because of how simple and strong their interaction is. Scatter Pay keeps the players anticipating possible wins until the very last reel landing, while Gigablox nearly guarantees a win in a Scatter Pay environment. Avalanche provides a steady stream of excitement building up across the Progress Bar, spicing the spectacle even further. In short, all the best elements for a great slot game experience.
Ryan is a character many players will be well-versed in. What is there in the slot for fans of the beloved Rainbow Ryan series, or is this game primarily designed to appeal to a different audience?
Lucky Apocalypse takes a sharp turn in a new direction, to chart new paths in the Slot Game Market for Yggdrasil. For Rainbow Ryan fans it will be a surprise for sure – many will find this change of pace fun and refreshing, but for those seeking more classic adventures of our favourite Rockstar Leprechaun, we’ll have some good news in our near-future roadmap (no spoilers though!). So no worries, the Fanbase is always our top priority!
Gigablox is a prominent feature in Lucky Apocalypse. How is it used to enhance the potential for big wins and to what extent does it contribute to the high-volatility nature of the game?
This one is beautifully simple to answer: in a Scatter Pay game, a Gigablox (which consists of 4 or more symbols) nearly guarantees a win. While this is a juicy feature by itself, what really creates the Big Win Potential here are the Multipliers in Free Spins. Gigablox enables easier chaining of wins, which racks up a higher Multiplier, which can make your wins immensely impactful – and that’s what this game is all about. Momentum and power in all their glory.
Is there any specific player feedback that was prioritised to help inform either the gameplay or design of Lucky Apocalypse?
Of course, when we are working on projects in the scope of our games, no decision is made without prior research. Player feedback is always a crucial part of our development process. One thing we focused on was making the game fast-paced and rewarding, ensuring that the mechanics kept players engaged and excited on every spin. The innovative approach to the Theme and Art was also considered after thorough market research and player feedback analysis. We listen to all of you guys and no voice goes unheard here at Yggdrasil.
How does Lucky Apocalypse differentiate itself from other horror-themed slots, particularly those inspired by a post-apocalyptic world?
What makes Lucky Apocalypse stand out is the unexpected mix of themes and mechanics. There are entire catalogues of horror or post-apocalyptic slots that go for grim, gory settings, but not many try to achieve something new and unique. We’ve blended the horror with the unmatched personality of Ryan and sprinkled it all with an action-movie vibe, creating something that feels fresh and entertaining rather than just bleak.
Final Thoughts?
Lucky Apocalypse is one of our most unique and action-packed releases yet. Whether you’re a longtime fan of Ryan or just love high-volatility, feature-rich slots, there’s plenty to sink your teeth into. Get ready to lock, load, and spin your way through the apocalypse, and remember to have loads of fun (and wins) along the way!
Lucky Apocalypse released on 20/03 at slot sites in the UK. Check it out!
