Thunderkick is exploring opportunities in the US market while continuing to focus on franchise and sequel-based slot titles, which have become central to its content strategy. Chief Commercial Officer Svante Sahlström highlighted at ICE that familiar game series remain a dominant trend for engaging players and driving retention.
“Sequels and franchises are far from a new phenomenon. However, they have undoubtedly risen in prominence across recent times as suppliers look for familiarity to capture the imagination of players,” Sahlström said. The studio’s portfolio includes the Wildos series, with a third installment in development, and other sequels such as Hot Turkey and War Potato, building on previous successes.
Franchises and Player Retention
Sahlström compared slot franchises to film sequels, noting, “If you like the first then you will want to see the second, and so on. You get a lot closer to the characters, you are getting more deeply familiarised and you want to get more out of it. It’s a natural thing, and it also raises an eyebrow when number two or three is coming, et cetera. It’s an easy step or threshold in marketing as well.”
Despite the focus on sequels, Thunderkick stresses balancing franchise games with standalone titles to maintain engagement. Sahlström explained, “For us as a B2B supplier, you need to balance that with new titles. You can always do another sequel if you want to, but you can’t always go for sequences.” He emphasized that evolving narratives and additional features, such as the “pot game” mechanic in Midas and 3 Wildos, help keep players invested.
The developer also considers ways to reward loyal players, noting, “We have to do something new, but for me personally, I would like to see cameo roles like in the movies. A kind of easter egg of something that would be rewarding for your truly loyal players.” Thunderkick views these elements as critical for retaining player attention across both social and regulated platforms.
US Expansion and Social Gaming
Looking beyond content, Thunderkick is assessing entry into regulated US markets, including New Jersey and Michigan. Sahlström noted that while the company currently operates social gaming platforms in these states, it is also evaluating real-money regulated opportunities. By integrating its existing social gameplay expertise with franchise-focused slots, the developer hopes to create a strong foothold in new territories.
Future game releases will integrate new functionalities to differentiate from prior titles while building on familiar mechanics. “Midas will be a three pot game. We are planning to introduce a number of three pot games. 3 Wildos will be the first one out, and then we’ll introduce more. Pot games will be the new game functionality for us,” Sahlström said.
As the company navigates its roadmap, franchise continuity, innovative mechanics, and selective entry into US regulated markets form the core of Thunderkick’s strategy to expand its player base while maintaining strong engagement in both social and real-money gaming spheres. Strategic timing, creative sequencing, and the careful introduction of new game elements remain central to sustaining long-term player loyalty.
Source:
“Thunderkick: are sequels and franchises the future of slots?”, thunderkick.com, March 9, 2026
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