20+ years in the gambling industry including 13+ years playing and reviewing slots.
Founded in 2016, Stormcraft Studios is a slot provider based in South Africa that is responsible for blockbuster slot games, including Immortal Romance, Thunderstruck 2 and Mega Moolah (to name a few). Iconic and popular, their games can be found at the overwhelming majority of online slot sites.
The exclusive Q&A-style interview with Founder and Executive Producer, Terence Igesund, looks at their beginnings, mobile play, the slots creation process, Immortal Romance and Thunderstruck 2, sequels as well as upcoming releases.
Q: Can you tell us a little about Stormcraft Studios and the journey since it was founded?
TI: “Stormcraft Studios was established in 2016 and was built on a 20-year legacy of online gaming experience. In fact, the original team of veterans that came together had over 400 years of industry experience collectively. From the very beginning, our mission has been to forge legendary gaming experiences: games that aren't just visually striking or technically sound, but that resonate emotionally with players around the world.
We’re a team of passionate artisans and innovators, crafting games that are as commercially viable as they are creatively fulfilling. Based in South Africa, with specialists located all around the world, Stormcraft continues to push boundaries by blending storytelling, gameplay, and entertainment into unforgettable slot experiences.”
Q: What percentage of players play on mobile vs desktop/tablet devices? Has this influenced your design in any way?
TI: “Roughly 87% of our players now engage with our games via mobile devices. This mobile-first reality significantly influenced our approach to game design several years ago, where we began conceptualising and designing portrait, as opposed to landscape.
Every visual, animation, and interface is optimised for a vertical layout to ensure an immersive, touch-friendly experience that feels native to modern players on the go.”
Q: How are new slot games created? What’s the process?
TI: “It often begins with a spark of inspiration. Sometimes it’s a story, a mechanic, or even a visual idea. But underpinning that is always a question: what’s trending, and how can we offer something truly unique?
From concept to launch, our process includes narrative development, art direction, and precise mathematical modelling. Each game goes through meticulous balancing and fine-tuning to ensure it offers a high level of usability and entertainment.
Business and industry feedback, along with direct input from streamers and operators, also play a huge role in shaping the final product.”
Q: What are Stormcraft Studios’ most popular slot games? Are Immortal Romance and Thunderstruck 2 the two standout games?
TI: “While Immortal Romance and Thunderstruck 2 are undoubtedly iconic, the Thunderstruck and Immortal franchises as a whole continue to perform exceptionally well. Titles like Thunderstruck Wild Lightning and Thunderstruck Stormchaser have carved their own legacy, with the franchise constantly evolving to meet player demands.
When we launched Immortal Romance 2, the game broke several commercial records and continues to perform very well a year later. It has been lauded by operators and players alike for its evolved mechanics, deeper narrative, and a soundtrack that furthers the emotional connection players have with the characters. It set a new benchmark for cinematic storytelling within the slot genre.”
Q: Are there any plans for more sequels to those two iconic slots?
TI: “Yes, and we're just getting started. We're about to release Immortal Romance: Vein of Gold as well as a King Millions version of the game, expanding the Immortal universe even further. On the Thunderstruck side, we’ve just launched Thunderstruck FlyX, a crash-style game, and there are several future brand extensions planned.”
Q: Can you tell us a little about the upcoming Avalon III?
TI: “Avalon III is already out on exclusive and is performing well. It’s a rich, immersive return to the world of Arthurian mythology, featuring Arthur and Merlin in stunning detail and complexity. We’re incredibly proud of this release: it’s a showcase of the artistry and innovation we strive for, and we can’t wait for more players to experience it.”
Q: What else can we expect from Stormcraft Studios in 2025?
TI: “We have a thrilling roadmap lined up for 2025. Expect the return of beloved characters like Jungle Jim, more dynamic Thunderstruck content, and even the resurrection of legacy brands that we believe are ready for a renaissance.
We're focused on creating innovative game mechanics, while always keeping entertainment at the core of our game creation philosophy.”
Q: Do you have a particular favourite slot from Stormcraft Studios? If so, why?
TI: “When asked a question like this, my mind always jumps to Immortal Romance 2. It was a deeply personal project with hundreds of hours of my time dedicated to not just the creative direction of the project, but also writing the backstory and character narratives, as well as the lyrics for all the songs on the soundtrack. Immortal Romance 2 is the perfect manifestation of Stormcraft’s core values of Innovation, Craftsmanship and Entertainment.”
