Introduction by Daniel (BWB): Hello Terence, it's always a pleasure to speak with you! Our last conversation revolved around the ten-year milestone of Immortal Romance. Celebrating the memorable 10-year milestone of Immortal Romance . Could you give our audience some background about yourself, your gaming studio, and your recent activities over the last half-year?
Terence from Stormcraft: Thank you, Daniel, I'm always glad to engage in our conversations. For those unfamiliar, I'm the mastermind behind the scenes at Stormcraft Studios, where I serve as the founder and Executive Producer. Stormcraft Studios , focusing exclusively on providing captivating online slot game content to Games Global . Although our main hub is in South Africa, we are supported by an international team of experts dedicated to our creative vision and strategies.
Looking back, I'm grateful for witnessing the inception of online gaming in 1996. Reflecting on my 26-year journey in this field, I'm amazed by how far we've come. My amazing teams and I have designed numerous standout slots, some pioneering the industry; like the first-ever online slot Fantastic Sevens, first online progressive jackpot Cash Splash, the five-reel video slot innovator Winning Wizards, the first licensed slot Lara Croft: Tomb Raider™, brand slot Thunderstruck (known for pioneering the free spins feature in online slots), Thunderstruck 2 (a game facilitating player progress retention), Mega Moolah (boasting a top-tier progressive jackpot of €1 million), and Immortal Romance (introducing a multitrack original soundtrack in online slots). Collaborating with iconic movie and entertainment production companies has been another career highlight, most recently partnering for our third Jurassic Park™ game release at the year's start. NBC Universal The recent half-year for Stormcraft has been energized and dynamic. Notably, the reunion of our team in a brand-new, purpose-designed studio space was exhilarating. We've poured effort into ensuring our workspace reflects our brand's identity and ideals, as I strongly believe an environment significantly influences one's performance. Jurassic Park Gold During this interview, we can delve into some of the exciting projects Stormcraft is undertaking. Among these is our new technology stack designed to make our wildest ideas viable and support both industry and business demands. Currently, we're testing in real-world conditions with fantastic outcomes seen in stability, flexibility, and faster game loading. Immense credit goes to our Tech Team for their outstanding achievements!
Daniel (BWB): As we approach the memorable 20-year mark of the Thunderstruck franchise (it's hard to believe how quickly the time has flown!), could you walk us through its origin story and factors behind its prolonged success?
“I'm a firm advocate for the influence of both conscious and subconscious environments on our pursuit of excellence.”
Terence (SCS): It's surreal to reflect on two decades gone since the original Thunderstruck's release. It's as clear as yesterday for me working on it. Unbeknownst to us at the time, we were crafting a phenomenon that would still be a major player in the industry two decades later.
Our goal with the game was to pioneer an online slot featuring free spins, which hadn't been done before. After extensive playtesting and research, we defined its features. For its theme, I combined my Scandinavian heritage with a desire for a captivating and dynamic protagonist, choosing Thor from Norse mythology as the emblematic wild symbol. The original took off spectacularly, stimulating further game developments based on its engine and mechanics, yet none matched its original impact. It dominated industry sales for over six years—we always anticipated a sequel and bided our time to strike.
Amid the trend for multi bonus games, we incorporated several innovative and exclusive features into Thunderstruck II—a game requiring over eighteen months of development. Each free spin bonus in our game harbored unique traits, needing meticulous integration and balance. Uniquely, these bonuses had to be unlocked progressively by the players. To preserve the player's progress, we engineered a groundbreaking save feature that didn't exist even offline. This innovation became reality when Thunderstruck II launched in 2010.
Thunderstruck II's phenomenal reception not only raised industry standards but also inspired a stream of Norse-themed slots. It's gratifying to have ignited this trend! Crafting a successful slot involves much more than a catchy theme—it's about assembling and harmonizing a multitude of components. And let’s not forget…the timing is crucial!
Daniel (BWB): A year has passed since
was unveiled, and you're already embarking on your next Thunderstruck adventure—what insights can you share about Stormchaser? Any hints on new mechanics and features for our readers?
Base game preview of Thunderstruck Stormchaser (2022) Thunderstruck® Wild Lightning Terence (SCS): Thunderstruck® Stormchaser stands as the latest saga in the Thunderstruck® legacy, featuring a beautifully designed 1024 ways slot game with Rolling Reels™ available in both the base and free spins modes. Thor resumes his role as the wild, substituting all except scatter and new multiplier symbols. These add up to boost total winnings post-spin under our Multi-Chase™ innovation, with the potential for significant victories thanks to the 20x multiplier. Adding to the thrill, the famed Wildstorm feature returns, randomly activating during the base game to turn up to five reels wild, giving opportunities for up to 10,000x wins.
The newly engineered Wildstorm feature integration within free spins excites us. Players gather Wildstorm tokens from both the wheel and scatter symbols landing during free spins. Collecting ample tokens can allow lucky players up to three Wildstorm activations post-free spins, with Thyra the Wildstorm goddess potentially turning five reels wild. As part of our engagement strategy, we've released the
Thunderstruck® Stormchaser teaser on YouTube—watch it here
Showcasing the Thunderstruck Stormchaser (2022) free spins mode Daniel (BWB): The Thunderstruck® Wild Lightning soundtrack left an indelible mark (and the vinyl record is such a cherished gift!). Are there more auditory marvels in store from your talented musicians? .
spin-samurai-app.com features an in-depth conversation with Terence Igesund from the exclusive Stormcraft Studios about their latest creation, THUNDERSTRUCK STORMCHASER.
Daniel from Bigwinboard (BWB) begins a discussion with Terence by thanking him for participating. Earlier in the year, they revisited the 10-year journey of their game, Immortal Romance. Terence is asked to share about his personal background and recent achievements.
A one-on-one exclusive interview with Stormcraft Studios' Terence Igesund about their newest game, THUNDERSTRUCK STORMCHASER.
Daniel from BWB expresses gratitude to Terence for the interview, noting their previous discussion about the significant milestone of Immortal Romance and asks for a summary of Terence's work and recent activities. Instagram , YouTube , and LinkedIn Recalling the impressive 10-year milestone of Immortal Romance.
Terence, the visionary behind Stormcraft Studios, shares his excitement about reconnecting with Daniel. He provides insights into founding his studio and being at the forefront of online gaming since 1996. Specializing in exclusive online slots, they have a global presence rooted in South Africa.
Stormcraft Studios, under Terence's leadership, offers online slot content specifically for major gaming platforms. With a global team and headquarters in South Africa, they focus on innovation and industry trends.
Since 1996, Terence has been a pioneer in the online gaming landscape, reflecting on 26 years of innovative developments. He reminisces about landmark creations such as Fantastic Sevens and the original Thunderstruck, each defining moments in the online slot realm.
The evolution of gaming through industry classics—starting with premieres like Fantastic Sevens and groundbreaking titles like Thunderstruck-has defined Terence's career.
Having pioneered innovations like multi-track soundtracks and online progressive jackpots, Terence notes collaborations within the entertainment sphere, including a joint venture for a new Jurassic Park™ game released earlier this year.
These past six months marked a rejuvenation for Stormcraft, moving into a bespoke studio space reflecting its ethos. Terence believes that an inspiring environment is pivotal for outstanding achievements and describes welcoming the team back with visionary initiatives.
Terence acknowledges the buzz around ongoing projects at Stormcraft, highlighting an innovative technology stack their tech team developed. Testing in real-world scenarios has confirmed significant improvements that will drive future success.
Daniel from BWB alludes to the upcoming 20th anniversary of the Thunderstruck series, reflecting on its enduring legacy. He inquires about the franchise's timeless appeal and anticipates future directions.
Reflecting on two decades of Thunderstruck, Terence shares how the game became iconic with a groundbreaking free spins feature when first launched. Inspired by Scandinavian lore and mythology, it set a high standard, influencing countless others.
Innovation led Thunderstruck into a multi-bonus future, with sequentially unlocking features and groundbreaking player progression systems. This legacy propelled Thunderstruck II beyond expectations.
