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As the iGaming landscape grows more competitive and player expectations evolve, it takes more than flashy visuals and bonus rounds to stand out. At the heart of Mancala Gaming’s recent success lies a creative philosophy rooted in collaboration, bold storytelling, and a refreshing approach to slot mechanics.
For the second time now, Pantelis Spyrou joins our virtual interview studio with the same driving force attitude and innovative direction. The release of Mustang Rush was the studio’s last major milestone, and since then, a lot has happened. The launch of Midas: Hand of Fortune and Coin Craze Jackpot are hot topics in today’s interview, so stay tuned!
Our guest will walk us through how flat hierarchies fuel Mancala’s creativity and how AI could soon redefine personalisation in slots.
We last caught up around Mustang Rush — since then, your team’s launched titles like Midas: Hand of Fortune. What’s shifted in your creative direction since then, if anything?
Hello!
Thanks so much for having me again — it’s always great to talk with you and connect with your audience. A big hello to all the slot fans out there following our work!
Since Mustang Rush, we’ve continued to grow and improve how we approach game design. With Midas: Hand of Fortune, we wanted to offer something more polished and focused. Greek mythology is something players really enjoy, and the story of King Midas gave us a great chance to bring a well-known myth to life in a fresh way.
We paid close attention to how symbols work together and aimed for a smoother game rhythm. Features like the multiplier wilds and the special “Hand of Fortune” mechanic helped us build a stronger connection between the theme and how the game plays. Overall, we’re moving toward deeper storytelling and more engaging experiences that players can really get into.
You’ve been a strong advocate of flat hierarchy at Mancala. How has this influenced the way game concepts evolve from pitch to production?
At Mancala Gaming, we work with a flat structure, which means there aren’t a lot of layers of management. Our Game Designers and Game Producers are involved from the very beginning, working side by side with the Art Director, Artist, Technical artists, Developers, QA and the rest of the team.
Everyone has a say, and everyone plays a real part in shaping the game.
Personally, I really don’t believe in micromanagement — I actually hate it!
I trust my team, and I know they can work independently and take ownership of what they do. This freedom allows people to be more creative, solve problems faster, and bring their best ideas forward.
Because of this, new game concepts can grow naturally. Anyone can suggest something new, try out a fresh idea, or explore a different approach. It also helps us stay up to date with trends and tools, especially when creating games that work great on mobile. Every project helps us grow as a team and get better at what we do together.
How do you balance intuitive game experiences with layered mechanics that appeal to advanced players?
We always try to make games that are easy to understand for new players, but still exciting and rewarding for more experienced ones. A good example is Midas: Hand of Fortune. The base game is simple and smooth, so players can enjoy it right away.
But as they keep playing, they discover more features — like multiplier wilds and the special “Hand of Fortune” feature — which add extra depth and keep things interesting.
On the other hand, we also create games like Coin Craze Jackpot, which are a bit more complex, have higher volatility, and are aimed at more advanced players.
In that game, the gameplay is more intense and fast-paced, and players have the chance to win bigger prizes — which is something experienced players really enjoy!
In the end, we want every game to be fun and rewarding, whether it’s someone’s first spin or they already know all the slot mechanics by heart.
What’s the key mechanic or visual cue in Midas: Hand of Fortune that you think most players will remember after a single session?
What players remember most in Midas: Hand of Fortune is the feeling that everything turns to gold — just like in the myth. The key highlight is the “Hand of Fortune” special symbol. It boosts your winnings during the game and really stands out, both in how it works and how it looks. The glowing golden design grabs your attention and fits the theme perfectly.
Another strong feature is the Wild symbol with multipliers. These appear in both the base game and the bonus game, helping players hit bigger wins. When you enter the Free Spins bonus game, Wilds can combine with other special symbols with additional multipliers up to x7— including Scatters that give extra free spins (re-trigger feature) — to keep the excitement going.
With a 5×3 grid, 40 winning lines, and the chance to win up to 5,032 times your bet, Midas: Hand of Fortune is packed with powerful features. But the symbol that players walk away remembering is definitely the golden “Hand of Fortune.”
Coin Craze Jackpot appears to dial up the tension with more frequent bonus feature interactions. What kind of design considerations go into making a game that feels “punchier” or more immediate?
With Coin Craze Jackpot, our goal was to make a game that feels fast, exciting, and full of surprises. We wanted every spin to feel like something big could happen — and that’s where features like the Claim Win and Bonus Game really shine.
In this game, players can stack coins in one cell and trigger a payout of up to 200% of the total — it’s a simple but powerful moment that keeps players engaged. The Bonus Game brings even more energy, with respins, jackpots, and sticky symbols that increase the chances of hitting big wins. There are also four fixed jackpots waiting to be claimed, which adds to the tension and excitement.
From a design point of view, we made sure the pacing is sharp — the action comes quickly, but not too much all at once. We also kept the layout clean and the animations punchy, so everything feels immediate and satisfying. It’s all about giving players that rush of excitement while still keeping the game easy to follow.
You’ve used mythological themes before, but Midas feels more polished and grounded. How do you work with your creative team to avoid visual or narrative cliché?
At Mancala Gaming, we’re lucky to have a very talented creative team — and a great Art Director who plays a big role in shaping the look and feel of each game.
When we work with a theme like mythology, which has been used many times before, we always try to bring something fresh and original to the table.
We start by doing a lot of research, looking at different angles and less obvious parts of the story. Then, together with the team, we explore how to show those ideas in a new way — both in the visuals and in the gameplay.
Our Art Director makes sure that everything fits the tone we’re going for — not too over-the-top, but still rich, detailed, and full of character.
The team works closely from the start of the project to make sure the story, features, and graphics all support each other. That’s how we avoid clichés and create something that feels high quality, balanced, and enjoyable to play.
You’ve worked with mechanics like Hold & Earn, expanding reels, and HyperPlay. How do you decide whether to evolve an existing mechanic or create something new?
Every game starts with a strong concept, and the mechanics are chosen to match that vision. Sometimes, the idea leads us to explore new directions and create fresh mechanics that offer something players haven’t seen before.
Other times, we may take inspiration from well-known gameplay styles, but we always shape and build them in a way that fits the game’s unique theme and goals.
We focus on creating the best experience for the player. Whether it’s a new feature or a re-imagined approach, the final mechanic must feel natural, exciting, and fully connected to the world we’re building in the game.
AI is something Mancala has hinted at using. How do you see its role evolving in game design—specifically when personalizing gameplay or tweaking volatility over time?
AI has a lot of potential to make games feel more personal and fun for each player. By looking at how people play, AI can help adjust things like difficulty, bonus timing, or even how often big wins happen — all in a way that fits each player’s style. This makes the experience more enjoyable and keeps players engaged for longer.
At Mancala Gaming, we’ve already started building teams with experience in AI. They’re working on ways to improve many parts of our games — from how we design features to how we balance the gameplay and even how we test new ideas. We believe AI will be a big part of the future, and we’re getting ready for it now.
That said, even with the rise of AI, we still strongly believe in the power of people. Human creativity, experience, talent and teamwork are at the heart of everything we do — and they always will be!
What do you think is the most misunderstood element of slot game development from a player’s perspective?
Many players might not realize how much work goes into making a slot game. It’s not just about spinning reels and colorful graphics. We do a lot of research, testing, and adjustments before the game is ready. We work hard to make sure everything is balanced — so the game feels fun, fair, and exciting.
It takes teamwork from different experts — people who focus on design, sound, numbers, and how players think. Every little detail matters.
It’s a complex process that combines art, mathematics, psychology, and technology to deliver a seamless experience.
What types of bonus features do you see performing best with today’s players — and how do you adapt those to different volatility profiles?
Players today love bonus features that give them more control and excitement. Free spins are still very popular, especially when they come with something extra — like multipliers, sticky wilds, or expanding symbols. Features like hold-and-earn also work well because they feel interactive and build tension.
When it comes to different volatility levels, we always try to match the bonus features to the type of player. For low-volatility games, we include bonuses that trigger more often, with smaller but steady wins. For high-volatility games, we go for bigger, more intense features that don’t happen as often — but when they do, the rewards can be much higher.
It’s all about finding the right balance, so each game feels exciting and rewarding for the kind of player it’s meant for.
How has the rise of Bonus Buy options and high-frequency features changed the way players interact with your games? Are player expectations shifting because of them?
Buy Bonus features have changed how many players approach slot games.
Now, players don’t always want to wait — they can choose to buy the bonus round right away and jump straight into the action. This gives them more control and a faster way to get to the exciting parts of the game.
Because of this, player expectations are also changing. Many players now look for quick rewards and want more intense gameplay from the start.
So when we design new games, we try to balance both styles — we still support traditional players who enjoy the full game flow, but we also add options for those who want to get straight to the bonuses.
If we’re talking 12 months from now, what do you hope Mancala Gaming will be known for that it isn’t yet recognized for today?
Looking ahead to the next year, we want Mancala Gaming to be known for pushing creative boundaries in the slot world — bringing fresh ideas, exciting features, and truly memorable gameplay. But we’re not just waiting for next year to innovate. Even before the year ends, we’re working on some bold, crazy, and fun concepts that we can’t wait to share.
We’re always looking for new ways to surprise players, both with how our games look and how they play. Our goal is to lead the industry in creating adaptive games that respond to individual player behaviors and preferences, setting new standards for engagement and innovation. Stay tuned and follow Mancala’s vision.
This interview was authored by Andrei Stoica, with special thanks to Pantelis Spyrou for his invaluable contribution to the creation of this piece.
