English
Svenska
Norsk
Suomi
Q&A with Pantel Spyrou about Mustang Rush
Mustang Rush is a new exciting slot by Mancala Gaming. We talked with their Head of Studio, Pantel Spyrou about the Wild West themed game. Stop horsing around and read this exclusive interview to learn all there is to know about Mustang Rush!
Interview Participants
- Interviewer: Markus Björk, Head Writer at Slotsoo
- Interviewee: Pantel Spyrou, Head of Studio at Mancala Gaming
Hi Pantel Spyrou and thanks for taking the time to answer our questions. In this interview, we will mainly be talking about your new game Mustang Rush. Why a Wild West themed slot in 2025?
Thanks for having me! The Wild West is timeless—it taps into adventure, freedom, and high-stakes action. With Mustang Rush, we wanted to bring a fresh, modern spin to a classic theme players still love in 2025. We combined striking visuals, dynamic features, and a fast-paced game flow to deliver that true frontier thrill.
You certainly do games with very varied themes. What is the difference between a good and a bad game theme? Are there any themes you try to avoid?
There are no strictly good or bad themes—it all depends on the players, the markets, and the target groups. A theme that resonates deeply in one region might flop in another.
What truly matters is how the theme complements the gameplay, creates emotional engagement, and offers a memorable experience. We tend to avoid themes that are too abstract, overly niche, or culturally sensitive, as they can disconnect players instead of drawing them in.
Could you walk us through the planning and development process. How long does it usually take for Mancala Gaming slots to be launched, from the moment the idea was born?
The development journey starts with a strong idea backed by market research. From there, it evolves through concept creation, art direction, game mechanics, and math modeling.
The timeline really depends on the complexity of the game, the theme, and the features involved. We often fine-tune through A/B testing and player feedback to ensure the final product is polished, engaging, and ready to perform across different markets.
Next, could you summarize all the special features that this game offers. How would you describe Mustang Rush in three words at gunpoint?
Mustang Rush is packed with exciting features—Hold and Earn, powerful wild multipliers, and fixed jackpots that keep the adrenaline high. It’s designed for players who love fast, rewarding gameplay with a classic twist.
Three words? Untamed. Wild . Rewarding . 🙂
Let’s talk about the pay symbols. The horse obviously has the highest value, followed by a male and female cowboy. Then there is also the wild symbol, which is another horse, and an eagle. How do you decide which value each symbol should have?
In Mustang Rush, symbol values are carefully assigned to enhance both the thematic experience and gameplay dynamics. The majestic horse leads as the highest-paying symbol, embodying the spirit of the Wild West. Supporting characters, such as the male and female cowboys, follow in value, enriching the narrative.
The wild symbol, represented by another horse, introduces stacked multipliers that can significantly boost wins. An eagle symbol adds to the thematic depth. This hierarchy ensures that each symbol’s value aligns with its role in the game, creating an intuitive and engaging player experience.
“During the first week of release, one lucky player hit the max win”
Mustang Rush offers four fixed jackpots with different values. Introduce them to us please. What do you need to do to win them and what are the odds?
Mustang Rush features four fixed jackpots: Mini, Minor, Major, and Grand. These are tied to the Hold and Earn feature, where landing special coin symbols can trigger jackpot wins. During this feature, each coin may carry a jackpot label—collecting it instantly awards that prize.
As for the odds—they’re influenced by bet size and RNG mechanics, so while jackpots can hit at any moment, bigger bets slightly improve the chances. It keeps things exciting and full of potential with every spin.
We’re also thrilled to share that during the first week of release, one lucky player hit the max win on a high bet—a fantastic moment that we love to see. Watching our players score big is always the best reward!
It is possible to buy the jackpot game for 40 times your bet. Are the winning chances the same if you buy it compared to if you unlock it organically?
Yeah!! Great question! Yes—the winning chances are exactly the same whether you buy the Hold and Earn feature or unlock it organically. The math behind the feature doesn’t change. The Buy Bonus just offers a shortcut for players who want to jump straight into the action.
Talking about jackpots, your newest release Ocean Legacy doesn’t offer them. How do you decide which game should feature jackpots and which shouldn’t?
At Mancala Gaming, integrating jackpots into our slots depends on the game’s concept and target audience. For instance, Power of Zeus offers four progressive jackpots, enhancing the excitement with potential wins up to 53,000x the bet. Similarly, Lucky Forest features five progressive jackpots, providing players with multiple opportunities for significant rewards.
Conversely, games like Ocean Legacy focus on immersive gameplay and unique mechanics where jackpots might not align with the overall experience. Our goal is to ensure that each game’s features, including the presence or absence of jackpots, enhance the overall player experience and align with the game’s theme and mechanics.
The grand jackpot in Mustang Rush is a lot higher than the base game’s max win 5105x, but it is still a far cry from some of the biggest jackpot slots. Will you introduce progressive jackpots in the future?
Definitely. We’ve already seen great success with progressive jackpots in titles like Power of Zeus, Lucky Forest, and Majestic Wolf: Hold and Earn. While Mustang Rush focuses on fixed jackpots to suit its fast-paced gameplay, progressive systems remain a key part of our strategy moving forward.
We’re not just following trends—we’re also working on innovative ideas that we believe can truly shift the standards of the iGaming industry. Exciting things are coming!
