Built to Bite: Bullshark Games Enters the Arena With Intent

In a saturated market dominated by long-established giants and breakneck innovation, launching a new game studio might seem like diving headfirst into treacherous waters. But for Andre Villandberg, co-founder and spokesperson for Bullshark Games, the risk was not only calculated – it was necessary.

Built on a foundation of product-first thinking and a genuine passion for gambling, Bullshark Games emerges as a lean, ambitious challenger in the online slot space. With a clear-eyed approach to development, a firm grip on industry realities, and a fruitful early partnership with Hacksaw Gaming, the studio is already earning attention for its inventive mechanics and player-first mentality.

In this conversation with Bigwinboard’s Daniel S Hansson, Villandberg discusses the studio’s origins, its creative philosophy, and how Age of Seth, an eagerly anticipated release, captures Bullshark’s essence. The result is a candid look into the mindset of a newcomer determined not to follow trends, but to set them – one spin at a time.

Bigwinboard (Daniel): It’s no easy feat to start a studio in this day and age. What possessed you to step away from creating games for someone else to form Bullshark, and how confident are you that Bullshark Games can make a name for itself amongst a sea of providers?

Andre: I think the main reason was that we’re product people at heart. We wanted more control over what we create, rather than just following someone else’s vision or chasing short-term opportunities. Starting a studio is definitely tough, you need people who really understand the industry, plus either strong financial backing or a great partner to help with the high costs of entry.

We were lucky to find a solid partner early on, which made a big difference. Another key thing for us is efficiency. We don’t want to build a huge team too soon or spread ourselves too thin. Instead, we focus on a few important things at a time, making sure we get those done well. And of course, we’re players ourselves, we gamble a lot, so we’d like to think that gives us a good sense of what makes a game exciting. We believe all the above things will help us stand out in such a crowded market.

Bigwinboard (Daniel): What are the key elements of a typical Bullshark Games slot, and what makes them stand out from other studio’s releases?

Andre: Our priority is always to bring something new to each game, rather than just reusing existing formulas. We aim to introduce fresh mechanics or unique ways for different elements to work together, making the gameplay more exciting and keeping players engaged with the thrill of how the big win will happen this time.

We also play our games a lot, both before and after the release, with real money. There have been times when we felt really confident before launch, but after testing with real stakes, we realised that something just didn’t feel right. When that happens, we analyse, try to learn from it, and make sure to avoid similar issues in future games.

Bigwinboard (Daniel): Bullshark Games has worked alongside Hacksaw Gaming since its launch. How pivotal has Hacksaw been in the studio’s early days? Is it important to have that additional level of support from elsewhere when starting something new?

Andre: Having a strong partner at the start can make a huge difference. If you have investors or founders who are willing to invest in getting the name out there, it might be less crucial, but even then, having industry know-how and experience is a big advantage.

For us, as we mentioned earlier, having a solid partner from the beginning was really important. It shaped how our early days went and gave us the support we needed. We’re very grateful to Hacksaw Gaming for their help in those first stages and look forward to continuing our good cooperation in the future.

Bigwinboard (Daniel): Have you found that there’s pressure to deliver certain games in a certain manner, creating content based on what’s trending at the time, or are you a firm believer of ignoring trends and going with your gut?

Andre: I think it’s always a mix of both. If certain elements are popular and players enjoy them, then including those elements can help attract players to your games. But at the same time, we don’t want to just copy and repackage what’s already out there.

Instead, we try to find ways to make these popular elements feel fresh, whether by tweaking them, combining them in new ways, or adding something unexpected to create a unique gameplay experience.

Bigwinboard (Daniel): You’ve got a diverse portfolio of games with plenty of different themes, features and mechanics on show in games like Junkyard Kings, Merlin’s Mania, and Ancient Paws. Have you started to see any patterns with regards to which style of game performs best amongst players?

Andre: We’ve seen different types of games perform well, so there isn’t just one specific style or element that always guarantees success. Instead, we focus on understanding what makes certain elements work and how they contribute to a game’s overall performance. Then, we try to recreate that same feeling or excitement using different mechanics.

Of course, it doesn’t always work, we sometimes get things wrong. But we learn from those mistakes and keep them in mind for future games. One thing we do believe is important is keeping the game simple and easy to understand. Players should quickly grasp how it works and what they need to hit for an exciting win.

Bigwinboard (Daniel): Age of Seth is an upcoming game on Bullshark’s roadmap, can you tell us a little bit more about this title and why you think it’s going to be a hit?

Andre: Age of Seth is a game we’re really excited about. It has a few different features that work exceptionally well together. The game is simple, and while each feature on its own might not be groundbreaking, the way they interact during gameplay creates a thrilling experience with many different ways to land a big win.

We’ve played the game a lot, probably more than any of our other games, and every time we play it, we get excited all over again. There’s always a unique way it ends up in a close miss or a thrilling win.

Bigwinboard (Daniel): As a relatively new studio, what advice would you give to anyone else looking to take the same route you’ve taken?

Andre: Think carefully about what you want to do, why you want to do it, and how you plan to do it. There are already many studios out there, including some really good ones, so simply creating another average studio might not be worth the effort, and the chances of success can be pretty low.

However, if you have a unique idea, a solid plan, and a deep understanding of the industry, we definitely encourage you to give it a try.

Bigwinboard (Daniel): What does the future hold for Bullshark Games?

Andre: We plan to maintain a steady release schedule while experimenting with new mechanics and finding creative ways to combine proven elements in fresh ways. We’re not afraid to try new things, and while not everything will be perfect, each new game is unique and offers players a fresh experience to enjoy.

https://www.bigwinboard.com/built-to-bite-bullshark-games-enters-the-arena-with-intent/