Krzysztof Poznański: “We’re proud that our games resonate so strongly with players”

In this interview with Yggdrasil Head of Games – Art Krzysztof Poznański we discuss the highly success Golden Fish Tank Party slot game, which incorporates a dynamic gameplay experience into Yggdrasil’s signature style graphics. Poznański dives into the nature of sequels, what makes a good game just that, and how Yggdrasil manages to stay at the forefront of game development while maintaining an outstanding pace of production.

Q: Thanks for joining us today! First and foremost, can you start off by giving us an overview of what your latest release Golden Fish Tank Party has to offer players?

Thank you for having me!Golden Fish Tank Partyinvites players to dive into a vibrant underwater world teeming with beautiful, colourful fish. At first glance, it’s a tranquil and inviting environment, but beneath the surface lies an exciting and dynamic gameplay experience, where big wins can emerge when you least expect them. It’s a perfect blend of relaxation and thrill, designed to keep players entertained and engaged.

Q: How does Golden Fish Tank Party differ from its predecessors Golden Fish Tank and Golden Fish Tank Gigablox?

InGolden Fish Tank Party, we’ve revisited this beloved IP to deliver a fresh and exhilarating experience while staying true to the core mechanics that players love. We’ve introduced two unique Free Spins modes: one focusing on high multipliers and another featuring Cash and Collector symbols. Additionally, the Golden Bet feature speeds up access to Free Spins, and the Buy Bonus option allows players to choose their preferred Free Spins mode. It’s all about giving players more choice, variety, and excitement while celebrating everything they loved in the original games.

Q: As this marks the third time Yggdrasil has developed a Golden Fish Tank game, can you explain how much of an important role have sequels play in your overall strategy as a leading developer so far?

Sequels play a significant role in our strategy. As an ambitious studio, we constantly strive to innovate, but sometimes a single game can’t encompass all the creative ideas we have. Sequels allow us to expand on our successes and offer players fresh twists on their favourites. We’re proud that our games resonate so strongly with players, and that motivates us to reimagine classics in new and exciting ways. In fact, we have more sequels in the pipeline, each designed to breathe new life into beloved franchises, ensuring they remain modern, relevant, and thrilling for years to come. Stay tuned for what’s next—we think our players will love it!

Do you have any plans to expand on the series in 2025, perhaps implementing another one of Yggdrasil’s Game Engagement Mechanics?

Absolutely! Our Game Engagement Mechanics (GEMs), like DoubleMax, MultiMax, GigaBlox, and WildFight, are at the heart of many of our most successful games. We’re actively working on creating new GEMs, and 2025 will showcase not just one but several new innovations. These mechanics will offer even more exciting and rewarding gameplay experiences, andGolden Fish Tank Partyis just the beginning of what’s to come. We’re pushing boundaries and can’t wait for players to see what’s next!

Q: Looking elsewhere, what would you say the highlight releases have been for Yggdrasil in 2024, and do you think they’ve performed so well?

2024 has been an incredible year for us, with releases likeVikings Go To EgyptandValley of the Dead. The Vikings series holds a special place in our hearts, andVikings Go To Egypt turned out to be a smashing hit. It inspired us to jump straight into planning the next Viking adventure, which we believe will take the series to even greater heights.

On the other hand,Valley of the Deadtaught us the importance of evolving to meet players’ changing needs. The lessons we learned during its development are already shaping future projects. We’re committed to making every addition to theValleyseries even more remarkable, ensuring we continue to deliver unforgettable gaming experiences.

Q: How about your YGG Masters partners, which of their games have impressed in 2024?

One standout collaboration was Fantastic Vikings Go Fishing, a partnership between Yggdrasil and 4ThePlayer. As the name suggests, it’s simply fantastic. The game brilliantly merges mechanics and characters from two iconic franchises, creating a truly unexpected and exciting experience. It’s a perfect example of what can happen when two studios come together to push creative boundaries.

Q: Finally, can you give us an insight into what we can look forward to from Yggdrasil next year?

Without giving too much away, 2025 is shaping up to be one of our most exciting years yet. We’re deeply listening to our players and learning what resonates most to create even more engaging games. Beyond that, we’re working on groundbreaking projects that Yggdrasil has never tackled before. It’s an exciting time for us, and we can’t wait to share everything we’ve been working on. Trust me—next year will be a blast, and you’ll be hearing a lot more from Yggdrasil!

Image credit: Yggdrasil