A Player-First Vision: Andre Villandberg on Bullshark's Unpredictable Slots and the Hacksaw Partnership

The online slot market is fiercely competitive, with new studios constantly vying for players' attention. Bullshark Games, however, has quickly carved out a distinct identity with its high-energy, unpredictable, and player-centric designs. Partnered with industry disruptor Hacksaw Gaming, Bullshark is focused on bringing "risk and personality" back to slot design.

We had the privilege of sitting down with Founder Andre Villandberg to discuss the studio's founding philosophy, the creative process behind titles like Age of Seth and Gem Ghosts, and how their strategic use of Hacksaw's OpenRGS platform is key to their global expansion.

On Founding Philosophy & USP

Can you start by telling us a bit about the founding philosophy of Bullshark Games? What gap in the market did you aim to fill when you first started, and how has that initial vision evolved?

Bullshark Games was founded on a very simple idea: we build the kind of games we'd actually want to play. As players ourselves, we felt the market was saturated with reskins and safe bets. What we wanted were games that felt unpredictable, high-energy, and fun, not just visually, but in terms of mechanics and pacing. The initial vision was to bring more personality and risk back into slot design. Over time, that's evolved into a full commitment to player-first development. We're still early in our journey, but the philosophy hasn't changed.

The slot market is highly competitive. What do you see as Bullshark Games' core unique selling proposition (USP) that differentiates your slots from the rest of the industry?

We focus on momentum, unpredictability, and progressive features that make each spin feel like part of a bigger story. A Bullshark game should never feel flat. We design for emotion and excitement, whether that's through escalating mechanics, chaotic bonus rounds, or surprise twists. We're not here to be the safest option, but we aim to be the most memorable one.

The Hacksaw Gaming Partnership

Bullshark Games has been recognized as one of the early partners of Hacksaw Gaming, a company that has significantly disrupted the market. How has this close relationship influenced your development strategy, and in what specific ways has Hacksaw Gaming's expertise or platform contributed to your growth and market presence?

Partnering with Hacksaw Gaming has been huge for us. Their OpenRGS platform has allowed us to focus on what we do best, by building great games, while they handle the heavy lifting around integration, compliance, and distribution. It's helped us scale faster and get into regulated markets without slowing down development. On top of that, working closely with a team that shares our mindset about innovation and quality has kept us sharp.

Game Design & Creative Process

Looking five years ahead, what is your ultimate goal for Bullshark Games in terms of market share, geographical reach, or brand recognition?

We want to be known as the studio that consistently delivers fun, high-energy slots with real replay value. Whether you're a streamer, a casino player, or an operator, our games should stand out as something worth spinning. Market-wise, our aim is to keep expanding our footprint globally without getting tied down to any one region. We're less focused on dominating a single market and more focused on building a brand that players recognize and return to.

What does the typical creative process look like for a new slot game at Bullshark Games, from initial concept to launch?

It usually starts with either a mechanic we're excited to explore or a theme that sparks a gameplay idea. From there, we prototype fast and test early, if it's not fun by the first few sessions, we go back to the drawing board. Once the core gameplay loop is solid, we layer in features, visuals, and pacing. We iterate a lot, even up until final testing, based on both internal feedback and early external insights.

Volatility, RTP, and mechanics are crucial. How do you balance mathematical fairness with player entertainment and long-term engagement when designing a new title?

For us, volatility is a tool, not just a label. We try to match the math profile to the emotional tone of the game. If it's meant to feel tense and high-stakes, the volatility needs to support that. At the same time, we build games that respect the player. There needs to be enough excitement in the base game and enough potential in the bonus to keep players engaged, whether they're in for a few spins or a full session.

Are there any specific themes, features, or unique mechanics that you feel Bullshark Games is becoming known for? Which of your recent titles best represents your current creative direction?

Progressive elements and explosive bonus rounds are definitely becoming part of our signature. Age of Seth is a great example of this. It has clear progression, a high ceiling, and chaotic surprises that perfectly reflect our style. We also lean into strong themes with personality, games like Clover Club or Gem Ghosts show our willingness to experiment visually while keeping gameplay sharp.

Technology and Market Strategy

How important is incorporating new technologies, such as AI for personalization or advanced graphics rendering, into your development roadmap?

Right now, our focus is still very much on gameplay. We're experimenting with AI for things like asset generation and prototyping, but the core experience still comes down to human creativity. Down the line, personalization and dynamic content could absolutely play a bigger role, especially as we explore more player-driven progression systems.

The shift to mobile gaming is complete. What steps does Bullshark Games take to ensure a seamless, high-quality experience across all devices and operating systems?

We design for mobile first. Everything from UI placement to animation pacing is optimized for mobile devices as that's where the majority of our audience is. But we also make sure the desktop experience holds up, especially for streamers and content creators. Clean visuals, responsive input, and fast loading times are all non-negotiable.

Which geographical markets are currently the most important for Bullshark Games, and where do you see the biggest potential for expansion in the near future?

Right now, we're strongest in parts of Europe and Latin America. We're certified in places like Romania, Georgia, the Netherlands, Ontario, and Greece through Hacksaw's OpenRGS. As for future expansion, we're open to any regulated market where players are looking for fresh, exciting games. The geography matters less to us than the opportunity to make an impact.

The regulatory landscape is constantly changing. How does Bullshark Games approach compliance and ensure its games meet the rigorous standards of various international jurisdictions?

Thanks to our partnership with Hacksaw, we're able to focus on creativity while leveraging their infrastructure to stay compliant across multiple jurisdictions. All our games are certified by independent labs like GLI, and we always build with regulatory requirements in mind from day one. It's part of our process, not an afterthought.

On Player Feedback & Feature Design

In what ways does player feedback influence the iteration and development of your existing and future titles?

Player feedback is gold. We watch streams, read community posts, and test with live players when possible. It's not just about fixing bugs, it's about understanding what players feel when they spin. That feedback loop has helped us refine pacing, balance bonuses, and improve feature clarity. Sometimes the smallest tweak based on feedback makes the biggest difference.

We've seen trends like 'gamification' and 'social casino' elements enter the market. How does Bullshark Games view the intersection of traditional slots and these newer interactive elements?

We see a lot of potential there, especially around engagement and retention. But for now, we're more focused on layering depth into the core slot experience rather than bolting on extras. Features like progression systems, mystery rewards, and unlockable bonuses can deliver the same engagement benefits while keeping the integrity of the game intact.

What was the core philosophy behind structuring the feature in Gem Ghosts with exactly three chances, and how critical was that added layer of unpredictability from the 'Mystery Draw' in achieving your goal of player persistence and heightened excitement?

We wanted to create a format where each spin mattered. Giving players three re-spins guaranteed some excitement, but the magic happens when they realize it's not just three static chances, every wild collected changes the board. The 'Mystery Draw' adds another layer: it gives you that "what if?" moment that keeps players coming back. It's about pacing and surprise, and the feedback has been great.

Gem Ghosts - Multiplier Wilds in Free Spins

What's Next

If you had to choose one message for the industry — operators, affiliates, and players — about what they can expect from Bullshark Games in the next 12 months, what would it be?

We're just getting started. The second half of the year is packed with games that twist familiar mechanics into something fresh. Whether you're a fan of high volatility, progressive features, or bold new themes, we've got something coming that'll grab your attention. Expect risk, personality, and a few surprises.

We want to extend a huge thank you to Andre Villandberg for taking the time to share such candid insights into Bullshark Games' vision and strategy.

From their clear focus on "momentum and unpredictability" to their mobile-first development, it's clear the studio is built on a solid foundation of player-first principles. With a promise of "risk, personality, and a few surprises" on the horizon, we will be eagerly watching to see what Bullshark Games delivers next.