In an industry full of safe bets, Wicked Games is positioning itself as the most dangerous studio in gaming. This bold newcomer isn’t here to play it safe — it’s here to spark conversation, stir emotion, and challenge the norm with every game it creates. Their slots are already making an impact, and with live casino and crash games on the way, we can only imagine what awaits us.
We sat down with Daniel Fernandez, Senior Game Producer at Wicked Games, to talk about what makes a game truly “Wicked,” how they walk the fine line between shock and substance, and where they see the future of game development heading.
We’re excited about your game releases. For those unfamiliar with your studio, could you tell us a bit about Wicked Games — what sets you apart in the crowded world of game development?
Daniel Fernandez: We make games people talk about. Forgettable games don’t leave the studio. Everything we release is built to entertain — sharp concepts, tight gameplay, no filler content.
Your studio name, “Wicked Games,” suggests a certain flair. How did you land on that name, and how does it reflect the kind of gaming experience you aim to deliver? Any relation to the Chris Isaak song?
DF: Not directly — but that track has the right energy: it’s hard to shake.
We’re not in the business of wholesome entertainment. We’re here for the guilty grin. The “did they really just do that?” moment. That’s Wicked.
“Tongue-in-cheek” is a great way to describe your style. What inspires this unique comedic or ironic twist in your slot themes? Do you draw inspiration from everyday life, pop culture, or somewhere else entirely?
DF: All of the above. We’re professional observers of the absurd. Internet culture, memes, news, and weird everyday moments. If it makes us laugh, it’s fair game.
It’s not about shock for shock’s sake. It’s more like: what if your sharpest, most inappropriate friend designed a slot?
Can you walk us through the journey of taking a “wicked” idea from concept to a playable slot? What’s the most challenging, and perhaps the most rewarding, part of that creative process for your team?
DF: It usually starts with someone saying, “What if we made a slot about…” — and within minutes, the whiteboard’s full.
The hard part is making sure it’s not just a funny idea, but something that has to play well. We scrap a lot. Ideas start broad, but we move quickly to defining the player and the gameplay loop. Who’s this for? What’s the experience?
From there, it’s collaborative across the team: features, math, pacing, visuals, sound — all shaped to deliver that experience. The goal is always the same: a game that holds attention and delivers memorable moments that players want to share.
The reward? When it lands — when the game is wild, polished, and genuinely fun to play.
Is there a particular game or feature you’ve developed that truly exemplifies the “Wicked Games” ethos, and why are you especially proud of it?
DF: Our signature slots say it best. Our upcoming release, Transformers, is landing right bang in the middle of Pride Month — it pushes buttons and gets people talking. But underneath the noise, it’s a strong game: great mechanics, real hit potential, and genuinely fun to play. That balance is what we aim for.
Let’s talk about the latest and upcoming slots. Without giving away all the surprises, what can players expect from these and other new titles in terms of theme, mechanics, and that signature “Wicked Games” humor?
DF: Look at what’s coming — Transformers drops this June, Big Black Cock is in the pipeline right after. These aren’t safe themes. They’re built to grab attention, get people talking, and cut through the noise. But the point isn’t just the headline, but what’s under the hood.
Every signature title is designed to hook players in, then keep them there with sharp, rewarding mechanics: fun progressions, serious hit potential, and features that feel good to play with exciting dynamics. The shock factor gets them in, while the gameplay brings them back.
How do you balance fun gameplay with the payout design — things like RTP, volatility, and hit frequency?
DF: It starts with defining the audience. Every game is built with a clear player profile in mind, and the math has to match that. If we’re making a high-volatility signature game, we want big, memorable hits — the kind that drives conversation. If it’s a core game, we’re tuning for a more frequent play loop and smoother experience.
RTP is set to compete, but that’s just one piece. What matters is how the game feels — pacing, hit timing, win curves. We’re building games where volatility, mechanics, and payout flow all work together to deliver the experience that the audience expects.
Is there a feature in your new games that you think players will really love — or be surprised by?
DF: In Transformers, we took a familiar cascade multiplier structure but layered it with mechanics that drive momentum. The boosted wilds aren’t just a visual — they actively let you leap levels on the progressive multiplier ladder, giving you sudden jumps in potential mid-spin. It creates a dynamic where the players are constantly watching for those wilds because they know one hit can swing the entire round.
Across all our signature titles, we’re building features that do two things: create moments players want to share, and deliver real hit potential — not just cosmetic twists. If a feature doesn’t serve those two goals, it doesn’t make the cut.
For players who love chasing big wins, what kind of max payouts and volatility can players expect from them?
DF: We naturally gravitate toward higher-volatility games — that’s where you get the big moments and the buzz. But we’re building a broad portfolio for a reason: not every player wants that experience. With a game dropping every two weeks, we’re covering the full range — from signature, high-volatility titles designed to drive conversation, to more classic structures with steadier play for core audiences.
Every game starts with defining the player it’s for, then the volatility, pacing, and payout profile are tuned to match. It’s about delivering the right experience for the right audience, not a one-size-fits-all approach.
The graphics and sound design in your games really bring out the “wicked” vibe. How do you ensure these elements support the overall theme and gameplay?
DF: Visual and sound design in our games are built around clarity first, impact second. The visual hierarchy is always tuned to support the game flow. Players need to instantly read what’s happening on the reels and where the potential is.
Same with audio: it’s not just “theme music,” as every sound is there to guide player focus, emphasize key events, and build tension or release at the right moments. Especially in high-volatility games, pacing the anticipation is critical. We don’t do cosmetics for cosmetics’ sake, and if an element doesn’t serve the play experience, it’s not in the game.
How will you collect feedback from players, and how will you use that feedback when creating new games?
DF: We’re building fast. A game every two weeks, which means feedback has to feed directly into development. We watch player data in detail: session times, feature engagement, fall-off points — that shows us what’s really working. We also get direct feedback through operators and partners.
The point is not to chase trends, but to refine how we design: which mechanics hold attention, which themes drive retention, where players are getting value. Every game we release feeds into the next. It’s a live feedback loop, not a post-mortem process.
How does Wicked Games support responsible gambling and safe play?
DF: Responsible gaming starts at the mechanic level. We design with clear volatility, clear payouts, and no misleading win cues. All our games follow regulatory standards for transparency — players should know exactly what kind of game they’re in, and what kind of risk it carries.
We also avoid predatory mechanics — forced fast play, disguised losses, or endless “near-win” loops. The games are built to be entertaining, but with respect for the player — that’s non-negotiable.
Looking five years down the line, what’s your vision for Wicked Games? What kind of legacy do you hope to build in the game development world?
DF: We’re building toward 40 games a year, but without compromising the standards we’ve set for ourselves. The goal isn’t just volume, but to build a portfolio where players recognize a Wicked game the moment they play it. Not just visually, but in how it feels, how it plays, and the moments it delivers.
We want to build games that create moments players remember, not titles that get skipped while waiting for the next big thing. If you focus on designing for those moments — the hits, the features, the “did you see that” spins — that’s how a game stands the test of time. That’s where we want Wicked Games to sit.
A Name You’ll Be Hearing More Of
Wicked Games isn’t here just to make noise — it’s here to redefine what modern gaming can be. With every release, it pushes boundaries, blending sharp themes with thoughtfully crafted gameplay to prove that shock value means nothing without substance. Keep an eye out for upcoming releases, because live casino and crash games are coming, and they’re the kind you don’t want to miss. Be it for humor, mechanics, or that one spin you can’t stop talking about, Wicked is building a portfolio you’ll want to watch closely.
Find the original interview published by SiGMA World here.