Mr. Gamble Exclusive Q&A with Booming Games CCO Frederik Niehusen

In this special Mr. Gamble Q&A feature, CMO Paul Puolakka sits down with Frederik Niehusen, COO of Booming Games a studio that has evolved from a small, passion-driven startup into a global powerhouse delivering some of the most recognisable slots in the industry. Frederik shares how Booming’s founding vision still fuels their innovation today, what makes their game mechanics stand out, and how the team is preparing for a bold, content-rich 2026.

From rapid-scale production to world-class features, this conversation explores what drives Booming Games to keep raising the bar for unforgettable slot experiences.

About Booming Games and Company Vision

Booming Games started with a dream to become one of the finest slot providers. How has that original vision shaped your approach today?

That original dream still drives us today. Booming Games began over a decade ago as a small family-and-friends business, built on passion, creativity, and a commitment to making great slot games. Even though we’ve grown into a 200-person team operating in more than 17 regulated markets, that early spirit hasn’t changed.

The vision to be the best keeps us focused on quality, innovation, and a player-first mindset. No matter how much we expand, we approach every game with the same dedication and craftsmanship that defined us in the beginning. It’s a reminder that our growth is rooted in staying true to who we’ve always been—creators of exceptional slot experiences.

How does Booming Games define ‘unforgettable gaming experiences,’ and how do you ensure every title meets that standard?

Booming Games defines unforgettable gaming experiences as titles that fully immerse players through memorable visuals, meaningful mechanics, and smooth, satisfying gameplay. We achieve this by designing every game around real player expectations, obsessing over the details—from art and audio to math and pacing—and constantly pushing for fresh ideas that make each title stand out.

Through rigorous testing and cross-team refinement, we ensure that every release meets our quality benchmark and delivers that unmistakable “one more spin” feeling.

With nearly a decade in the market, what do you think sets Booming apart from other slot providers in terms of innovation and player engagement?

We stand out because we balance true creativity with consistent, data-driven execution across 17+ regulated jurisdictions. Our approach is visible in the performance of titles like Buffalo Hold and Win Extreme 10,000, Burning Classics, and Cash Pig 2, which regularly place among the top games for major operators. At the same time, we’re pushing forward with bold new concepts—like the Fish Tales series, our 3 Pot Games, and the expanding PowerHit family that bring fresh energy to familiar mechanics.

Our partnership with Ronaldinho further demonstrates how we think differently, blending strong game design with global cultural reach. Ultimately, what sets us apart is our ability to innovate with purpose, evolve quickly, and consistently deliver games that resonate with players worldwide.

How do you balance delivering high-quality games with your promise of at least three new releases every month, scaling to 5 in 2026?

We’ve scaled our organisation significantly over the past years, and now with more than 200 talented and dedicated team members, we’re fully equipped to deliver our ambitious roadmap. Expanding our team hasn’t just increased our output; it has strengthened every part of our development pipeline.

From art and math design to QA and compliance, we’ve built specialised teams that ensure each title receives the attention it needs to meet our quality standards. Strong internal processes, rigorous testing, and a culture of collaboration mean that even as we grow our release volume, we never compromise on delivering polished, engaging, and high-performing games

Looking toward 2026, what trends or innovations in the iGaming space are most exciting for Booming Games?

Looking toward 2026, we’re excited about the growing demand for more immersive, personality-driven content and the shift toward mechanics that deliver deeper engagement and replayability. We’re exploring new game types and innovative features that expand how players interact with our titles.

As global regulation continues to evolve, new markets are also opening up exciting opportunities for us to bring our content to broader audiences. With bold ideas, expanding technology, and a strong innovation pipeline, we’re well-positioned to make 2026 a standout year.

Game Mechanics and Player Experience

Your games are known for dynamic features and mind-blowing graphics — how do you approach designing mechanics that keep players on the edge of their seats?

We approach game mechanics with one clear goal: creating moments that feel genuinely exciting, not just visually impressive. Our process starts with understanding player behaviour—what builds anticipation, what creates tension, and what drives that “just one more spin” feeling. From there, our art, math, and game design teams work closely together to shape mechanics that deliver continuous momentum, whether it’s escalating features, surprising win potential, or evolving bonus paths.

Because our visuals are such a core part of the experience, we design graphics and animations to amplify the mechanic—not overshadow it—so every trigger, expansion, or reveal lands with maximum impact.

With rigorous testing and constant iteration, we ensure each feature feels intuitive, rewarding, and engaging. That balance between strong mechanics and immersive presentation is what keeps players truly on the edge of their seats.

How important is mobile-first design in your development process, and what steps do you take to ensure a seamless experience across devices?

Mobile-first design is absolutely central to our development process, because the majority of players now engage with our games on handheld devices. From the earliest concept stage, we design every mechanic, animation, and UI element with mobile performance and readability in mind. That means optimising layouts for vertical play, ensuring animations remain smooth on a wide range of hardware, and building interfaces that feel intuitive even on smaller screens.

We also run extensive cross-device testing—from budget phones to high-end tablets—to guarantee consistent performance, fast loading times, and responsive interactions. By prioritising mobile from day one rather than adapting to it later, we’re able to deliver games that feel seamless, polished, and engaging no matter where or how players choose to play.

With so many languages and currencies supported, how does inclusivity influence game design and player engagement?

Inclusivity plays a major role in how we design and deliver our games. Supporting a wide range of languages, currencies, and regulatory requirements ensures that players everywhere can enjoy the same seamless, tailored experience. But it goes beyond localisation—we design themes, narratives, and visual styles that resonate across cultures, and we avoid mechanics or references that might feel limiting or region-specific.

From UI readability to sound design and feature clarity, we make sure every element works intuitively for players, regardless of where they are or what device they use. By treating inclusivity as a core design principle rather than an afterthought, we’re able to create games that feel familiar, accessible, and engaging to audiences all around the world, ultimately strengthening both player connection and long-term performance.

Do you have a process for testing new mechanics internally, and how does player feedback or operator insight shape the final game?

Yes — every new mechanic goes through a structured internal testing process, from early prototypes and math modelling to visual integration and thorough QA. But the final shape of a feature is heavily influenced by real-world insights. We rely on operator feedback, market data, and player behaviour to refine pacing, clarity, and overall impact.

By blending internal creativity with external performance insights, we ensure each mechanic is not only innovative but also truly engaging and commercially effective.

How do you incorporate gamification tools like tournaments and leaderboards to enhance both player engagement and operator KPIs?

We see gamification as a powerful extension of the core game experience, so we design our titles and tools to integrate seamlessly with tournaments, leaderboards, and other engagement features. By building mechanics that naturally support competition, progression, and repeat play, we help operators create events that keep players active for longer periods.

On the technical side, we optimise our games for smooth performance within these frameworks to ensure real-time scoring, fast updates, and clear visibility of player achievements. This not only boosts engagement and session times but also strengthens key operator KPIs like retention, reactivation, and overall game performance.

On a personal note, do you have a favorite slot game?

Yes — one of my personal favourites is Buffalo Hold and Win Extreme 10000. It’s a game that perfectly captures the excitement we aim for: immersive, fast-paced, and packed with huge win potential. The epic buffalo migration theme sets a dramatic tone, with mountain lions, eagles, and wolves adding to the wild atmosphere.

The Buffalo Bonus is a real highlight, giving players a chance at multipliers, Mini, Major, and the impressive 10,000x Grand Bonus. But what I love most is the Hold and Win Extreme feature. Starting with one grid and unlocking up to four creates a real sense of momentum, and when the grids open up, the action becomes truly exhilarating.

It’s one of our top-performing titles for a reason — it delivers constant excitement and feels like a true adventure from the very first spin.

Bonus Features and Promotional Tools

When designing slots, how do you ensure that bonus features — like free spins or special rounds — deliver real excitement for players?

We design bonus features with one priority in mind: they need to feel rewarding, not just look good on paper. That starts with building mechanics that clearly elevate the gameplay — whether it’s increased win potential, expanded grids, escalating multipliers, or a shift in pace that raises anticipation. We prototype and test these features extensively to make sure they deliver real momentum and don’t interrupt the flow of the game.

Visuals and audio also play a huge role. We craft every animation, sound cue, and transition to amplify the moment a feature triggers, so players immediately feel that “here we go” excitement. And finally, we refine everything based on market data and player behaviour, ensuring our bonus rounds aren’t just exciting once, but continue to deliver that thrill over repeated play sessions.

How do your promotional tools, such as personalized bonuses and leaderboards, impact player retention and lifetime value?

Our promotional tools are designed to deepen long-term engagement rather than offer short-term spikes. Personalized bonuses help players feel genuinely catered to — whether through tailored reward structures, session-based incentives, or time-sensitive offers that match their playstyle. This creates a stronger connection and keeps players coming back more consistently.

Leaderboards, tournaments, and competitive elements add another layer of motivation by tapping into progression, achievement, and social comparison. They encourage longer sessions, repeat visits, and a sense of community around our games.

Together, these tools boost key retention metrics and significantly increase lifetime value by giving players more reasons to return, progress, and stay active within the ecosystem — all while supporting operators with higher engagement and more stable performance over time.

Are there particular types of bonus mechanics that consistently perform well across your portfolio?

Yes — we definitely see certain mechanics delivering strong, consistent performance across our portfolio. Hold and Win remains one of the most reliable engagement drivers, and our enhanced versions of it continue to rank among our top performers. Our new Fish Tales mechanics are also showing exceptional traction thanks to their clear progression and high-energy bonus moments.

The 3 Pot Games concept has been another standout, offering layered anticipation and multiple win paths that resonate with a wide range of players. And of course, our PowerHit games bring a fresh twist to classic feature-driven gameplay, delivering fast, punchy bonuses that keep players coming back.

These mechanics work because they combine familiarity with innovation — giving players rewarding experiences they recognise, but with enough fresh elements to keep them excited.

From a B2B perspective, how do you collaborate with operators to optimize bonus structures without compromising game balance?

From a B2B perspective, collaboration with operators is key to optimising bonus structures while maintaining fair and balanced gameplay. We work closely with partners to understand their player profiles, market behaviours, and promotional goals, and then tailor bonus configurations within parameters that preserve the game’s core math and integrity.

Our teams provide guidance on RTP variants, feature frequency, volatility settings, and campaign-friendly mechanics to ensure promotions enhance engagement without distorting the intended experience. By combining operator insights with our data-driven design approach, we’re able to create bonus setups that support acquisition and retention while keeping the gameplay balanced, transparent, and enjoyable for players.

What advice would you give to operators on selecting the right Booming Games titles for specific bonus campaigns?

My advice is to start by aligning the campaign with what resonates most in your specific market — whether that’s a familiar theme, a preferred mechanic, or a certain volatility profile. Some regions respond incredibly well to Hold and Win, others gravitate toward feature-rich titles or classic fruit-style games. The type of promotion also matters: tournaments and leaderboards work brilliantly with fast-paced titles like our PowerHit games, while free spins campaigns are often more effective with stable, medium-volatility hits like Burning Classics.

It’s also worth considering seasonality, audience segmentation, and current player trends. And of course, our team is always ready to guide operators on which titles best match their goals, ensuring every campaign feels both relevant and high-impact.

Trust, Safety, and Responsible Gaming

Responsible gaming is a core focus for Booming — how do you incorporate safety and fairness directly into game design?

Responsible gaming is built into our development process from the very beginning. We design every title with strict adherence to regulatory standards across all our licensed markets, ensuring full transparency in RTP, volatility, and feature behaviour. Our math models are rigorously tested and independently certified to guarantee fairness, and we avoid mechanics that could create misleading perceptions around win frequency or reward potential.

We also build our games to work seamlessly with operator-side responsible gaming tools, such as deposit limits, session controls, reality checks, and self-exclusion features. Clarity is another key pillar — our UI, paytables, and feature explanations are designed to be easily understood, so players always know exactly how the game works.

By prioritising fairness, transparency, and player protection at every stage of development, we make sure our games provide an enjoyable experience that fully supports responsible play.

How do certifications, licensing, and third-party testing shape the way players perceive trustworthiness and reliability in your games?

Certifications, licensing, and independent testing are fundamental to how players perceive trust in our games. Every title we release goes through strict audits by accredited third-party labs, ensuring the math model, RNG, and feature behaviour meet the highest international standards. Being compliant in 17+ regulated markets also means we comply with rigorous technical and responsible gaming requirements, which reinforces transparency and fairness across our entire portfolio.

For players, this translates into confidence — they know that every outcome is truly random, every feature performs as advertised, and every game operates under the oversight of respected regulators. For us, these certifications aren’t just formalities; they’re a core part of building a reputation for reliability and delivering an experience players can trust from the very first spin.

Do you see operators using features like demo modes or no-deposit trials to build confidence with new players, and how do your games support that?

Yes, demo modes and no-deposit trials are increasingly important tools for operators, especially when onboarding new players who want to explore mechanics without commitment. Our games are built to support that journey seamlessly. In demo mode, players can fully experience the pacing, features, and overall feel of the game exactly as they would in real play — from free spins to Hold and Win rounds — giving them a true sense of the excitement and potential.

We also ensure that our interfaces, tutorials, and feature explanations are clear and intuitive, so new players immediately understand how everything works. This transparency builds confidence, helps players discover their preferred styles of gameplay, and ultimately increases conversion once they’re ready to play for real. For operators, it’s a low-barrier way to introduce high-quality content, and for players, it’s a safe, pressure-free way to connect with our games.

Looking Ahead

Can you share which of your games are currently the most popular and why they resonate so strongly with players?

Game performance shifts week by week, but a few titles consistently stand out across multiple markets. Buffalo Hold and Win Extreme 10000 remains one of our strongest performers, thanks to its high-energy Hold and Win Extreme feature, multi-grid progression, and the massive 10,000x Grand Bonus. Players love the constant momentum and the sense of escalating excitement.

Burning Classics is another evergreen hit. Its old-school fruit machine feel, low volatility, stacked symbols, and endlessly retriggerable Free Spins make it especially appealing to time-on-device players. It’s clean, intuitive, and nostalgic, yet still offers big win moments — exactly why it continues to resonate so strongly.

And our Fish Tales Monster Bass release has quickly become a fan favourite. Its combination of cash collection mechanics, stacked monster symbols, and dynamic Free Spins progression gives players both variety and strong win potential. The theme itself — light, fun, and packed with personality — also helps it connect with a wide audience.

Together, these titles show the range of experiences players look for: big-reward thrill rides, classic simplicity, and feature-rich adventures.

What exciting new games, features, or innovations can players expect from Booming Games in 2026?

2026 is shaping up to be a milestone year for us. We’re expanding our roadmap to five new releases each month and introducing fresh game types that broaden our portfolio in ways players haven’t seen from us before.

Beyond that, players can look forward to entirely new mechanics that build on the success of our Hold and Win, Fish Tales, PowerHit, and 3 Pot Games families, pushing them into even more dynamic and interactive territory. We’re also investing heavily in enhanced visual effects, smoother performance across devices, and deeper narrative elements to make gameplay more immersive.

With new markets opening and our global footprint expanding, 2026 will be a year of bold innovation, bigger features, and more diverse experiences — all designed to take player engagement to the next level.