Riccardo Furlan, Spadegaming Head of Product & Commercial Provides Insights

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Spadegaming, a company with excellent solutions in the world of game production, has a distinct style that oozes originality. 

Riccardo Furlan, the Head of Product & Commercial, reveals some of the most essential methods of creating endearing games, but also guaranteeing efficient integration with the company’s partners. Spadegaming boasts a growing portfolio of highly creative options, and Riccardo offers us valuable insights into the production process.

Christmas Tree of Wonders turns a classic holiday theme into something much more long-tail. What was the single design bet (math, pacing, or feature hook) that convinced you this game could perform beyond December and not just as a seasonal spike?

The single design bet was on the multi-tier bonus system that escalates over multiple spins. Instead of peaking only during December, this pacing mechanic ensures players keep returning to chase progressively bigger rewards, making the game appealing year-round.

Pirates Gold Rush now sits alongside Legacy of Kong Maxways in your “headline” adventure portfolio. Which specific tweak or late-game decision flipped Pirates Gold Rush from a solid pirate slot into a must-feature title for your top partners?

Originally, the game had a more traditional bonus structure, but during the final development stage we realized that it needed a stronger sense of progression to stand out in the adventure portfolio. By adding five escalating multiplier levels, we transformed the bonus from a static experience into a dynamic journey where every spin can increase player expectations. 

The late-game decision to add a cascading reel multiplier combined with a flexible free-spin retrigger transformed it. It gave high-volatility moments that made the slot feel “must-feature” for our top partners, while maintaining steady base-game engagement.

Fishing shooters like Alien Hunter and Fishing War are breaking out beyond Asia. What do Western testers say they love most?

Western players consistently highlight the skill-based engagement and interactive bonus rounds. They enjoy the feeling of control—hitting targets and seeing immediate feedback—more than purely luck-driven mechanics.

Can you share one mechanic you prototyped for Christmas Tree of Wonders, Lucky Horse, or Pirates Gold Rush that looked amazing on paper but fizzled in live beta—and the key lesson it taught the studio?

We once prototyped a stacked wild progression that looked amazing on paper but slowed gameplay too much in beta. Lesson: mechanics must balance visual excitement with pacing; too much accumulation can frustrate players.

Gemstone Rush is your spearhead into Latin America. Besides language, which localisation lever (spin speed, bonus-buy price, soundtrack) made local focus groups light up?

Beyond language, adjusting spin speed and bonus-buy pricing to local preferences made the biggest impact. Latin American focus groups responded enthusiastically to slightly faster spins and accessible bonus costs.

Can you share one mechanic that looked amazing on paper but fizzled in live beta—and the lesson it taught the studio?

See above. Another example: a multi-layered gamble feature in Lucky Horse looked promising but confused players in testing. Lesson: simplicity and clarity in player incentives are critical.

Cyber-threats rank high on your risk radar. What new security upgrade (e.g., AI fraud flags, tokenised wallets) will casino partners visibly notice in the Spadegaming back-office this year?

Casino partners will notice AI-driven fraud detection and tokenized wallet integration, improving transparency and trust without disrupting gameplay or player experience.

Your art style screams Asia-meets-arcade. How do you keep that signature look while still passing strict mobile file-size caps for emerging markets with limited data plans?

We compress textures strategically, use vector art for scalable elements, and optimize animations to preserve our signature Asia-meets-arcade look while keeping file sizes low for emerging markets

Maxway's math can intimidate first-timers. What in-game cue or mini-tutorial helps new players “get it” in under 30 seconds without breaking immersion?

We use visual cue chains and micro-tutorials embedded in the first few spins. These short interactions communicate cascading wins and bonus mechanics without breaking immersion.

You’re preparing crypto-friendly side bets. What new thrill do you hope this brings to everyday slot fans, and which upcoming title will test the idea first?

We aim to provide extra layers of risk/reward for players who enjoy strategic betting. The upcoming slot testing this will combine standard gameplay with optional crypto-based side stakes.

Finally, can you give fans a sneak peek at any new slots, features, or platform upgrades Spadegaming plans to roll out over the next six months?

Players can expect enhanced mobile features, new Maxways expansions, and locally-tailored slots for Latin America and Europe. Several titles will also experiment with innovative bonus mechanics and faster-paced engagement loops.

In addition, Spadegaming will be participating in ICE Barcelona 2026, where we’ll be showcasing our latest game releases, upcoming features, and platform innovations. Visitors can also expect exciting on-site activities and exclusive prizes to be won, making our booth a must-visit for partners, operators, and industry peers attending the event.

This interview was authored by Andrei Vlaicu, with special thanks to Riccardo Furlan for his invaluable contribution to the creation of this piece.

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