Henry McLean: "We never just re-skin a game - we look for ways to evolve and enhance"

The launch of 5 Wild Buffalo 2 marks more than just a new release for 4ThePlayer, it’s a moment of reflection. Co-founder and Commercial & Marketing Director Henry McLean sits down to discuss what makes a sequel stand out in the crowded world of iGaming. In an industry where innovation is essential, how do you make sure the next game doesn't just match the original, but surpasses it? McLean shares his thoughts on crafting sequels that truly level up the experience.

Q: 4ThePlayer is preparing for a fresh game release with 5 Wild Buffalo 2. How has this been coming along, and what features will make the sequel stand out?

We’re thrilled to bring 5 Wild Buffalo 2 to players! The original was a big success, and we wanted to enhance the experience with exciting new features while keeping the core mechanics players loved.

In 5 Wild Buffalo 2 the biggest addition in this sequel is the Golden Buffalo, which introduces three in-reel features:

• Golden Buffalo Summon – Stacks of Golden Buffalo land on the reels.
• Golden Buffalo Nudge – Golden Buffalo symbols nudge into full view.
• Golden Buffalo Shuffle – Reels are rearranged to guarantee Buffalo wins.

Every Golden Buffalo stack land with a 10x multiplier, making them incredibly powerful symbols!

Free Spins have also been revamped, now featuring moving Golden Buffalo stacks that shift across the reels on every spin, you can actually land 4 stacks of Golden Buffalo! Just like the original, the Free Spins also has Expanding Wilds with a random multiplier - it really is an action-packed bonus!

Of course, the Boosting Fortunes™ mechanic returns, allowing players to collect Diamonds to increase one of five jackpot-style prizes at any moment.

With these exciting enhancements, 5 Wild Buffalo 2 delivers even more action and excitement than its predecessor. We can’t wait for players to experience it!

Q: Is it difficult to differentiate the new title from the previous release?

Not at all! At 4ThePlayer, we never just re-skin a game and call it a sequel, we always look for ways to evolve and enhance the experience.

5 Wild Buffalo 2 keeps the core excitement of the original but brings in new mechanics, fresh in-reel action and an enhanced free spin bonus!

One of the standout additions is the Golden Buffalo mechanics, which bring an unpredictable and dynamic twist to every spin. Whether it’s Golden Buffalo Summoning onto the reels, Nudging into full view, or Shuffling to guarantee Buffalo wins, there’s always something exciting happening, you’ve got a sequel that doesn’t just feel different - it feels supercharged.

So while 5 Wild Buffalo 2 absolutely has that recognisable and beloved feel of the original, it’s packed with new features, fresh excitement, and even more entertainment!

Q: How important is it for a supplier to build entire franchises? Do you feel the need to develop sequels to games you’ve already released, and if so – why?

It’s hugely important! Players love familiarity with a fresh twist - just like in movies, TV shows, or any other entertainment. When you find a game you enjoy, it’s exciting to come back to that world with new surprises, improved features, and fun twists.

That’s why, at 4ThePlayer, we don’t just churn out sequels for the sake of it. If we’re going to add a "2" to a title, it has to bring something new to the table. If we didn’t have fresh ideas, exciting enhancements, or a new way to engage players, we simply wouldn’t do it.

5 Wild Buffalo 2 is the perfect example, we took what players loved about the original and amped it up.

For us, sequels aren’t just about ‘keeping a franchise alive’ they’re about making sure every release is better than the last, and players can have an even better entertainment experience.

If we can deliver a bigger, better, and more memorable experience, then a sequel makes sense.

Q: Are game sequels in iGaming meant to raise awareness for a particular franchise or appeal to already existing players?

A bit of both, really! Established players love coming back to a game they already trust but with a new edge to it. At the same time, a well-made sequel can actually introduce new players to the franchise, making them curious enough to check out the original too.

With 5 Wild Buffalo 2, we wanted to appeal to fans of the first game while also making it exciting enough for new players to jump straight in. You don’t need to have played the original to enjoy it, but if you did, you’ll definitely appreciate the new additions!

Q: What can you do when a game hasn’t performed as well as expected? Are there any post-production strategies to expand a game’s footprint?

We learn from each release, listening to the data and player feedback to understand why it may not have hit the mark. Was the feature too complex? Did the theme fail to connect with enough players? Was the gameplay not volatile enough or perhaps too volatile?

Once a game is released, we don’t alter the game itself. Instead, we assess the marketing - has it reached enough players, and more importantly, the right audience?

We firmly believe that not every game is for every player. It’s about players discovering a game that suits their preferred volatility, mathematical balance apprentice’, and a theme that resonates with them.

That’s why we review where the game is available and how it’s marketed, ensuring we’ve done everything possible to give it a fair chance.

That said, we put significant effort into marketing each game before launch, striving to maximise its potential and help players find it. But sometimes, a game simply doesn’t prove as popular as we would have liked.

Just like an artist painting a masterpiece - every piece is created with passion, hoping to be appreciated and enjoyed by all, but no matter how hard they try, it’s impossible to make that a reality every time, no matter how hard you try!

Q: What is your biggest hope for the release of 5 Wild Buffalo 2?

That players love it as much as we do! We’ve worked really hard to evolve the game while keeping the heart of the original intact.

Of course, we would also love to see some big wins and epic moments shared by the community - there’s nothing better than watching players enjoy our games and seeing their reactions when those massive wins land!

Q: Lastly, I have to ask – what’s with your game names and all the numbers?

Haha, we do love a number, don’t we? But it’s actually very deliberate! Numbers can quickly communicate something important about the game – like the potential win size (9k Yeti, 90k Yeti, 10,000 BC 2) or a gamer feature (7x7 Thor, 4 Fantastic Vikings Go Fishing).

This year, we've officially covered every number from 1 to 9 - haha!

But here’s a fun fact – when we launched 4ThePlayer, no one else was putting numbers in their game names. We did it intentionally for brand identity – we wanted players to see a number and immediately know it was one of our games. It made our titles stand out, and over time, players associated numbers with us and our games.

Fast forward to today, and pretty much everyone has copied our approach! Now, you see numbers in-game names all over the industry – you could say we changed and revolutionized the way slots are named!

We love being at the forefront of innovation, whether that’s game mechanics or branding, so it’s great to see how our influence has shaped the market!

Image credit: Casino Guru News