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When Play ‘n GO released Book of Dead in 2016, little did they know it would become one of the most played slot games of all time at online slot sites.
Fast forward 10 years and the release of Book of Dead GO Collect is around the corner (on the 26th of February 2026). In this exclusive Q&A-style interview, I talk to Magnus Wallentin, Games Ambassador at Play ‘n GO, about what to expect from the game, the new bonus features, player psychology and future Book of Dead releases.
Q: Book of Dead has been the gold standard ‘Book of’ slot for years. When you sat down to make Book of Dead GO Collect as a part of the 10-year celebrations of the franchise, what were the absolute non-negotiables that had to go into this game?
MW: “Our goal was to reimagine Book of Dead for today’s players while staying true to what made the original such a success. We kept the iconic core features that fans love, but modernised the experience with fresh mechanics and a more dynamic presentation.
To elevate the gameplay, we introduced GO Collect, added a Hold & Win feature, and built in a new gamble mechanic. These elements bring more variety, energy, and excitement to the game, while still respecting the spirit of the classic. Ultimately, we wanted to deliver a version of Book of Dead that feels both familiar and completely new.”
Q: Book of Dead GO Collect it’s a brand-new entry in the series, not a sequel. From your perspective, what makes something feel like a true continuation versus a new chapter, and why was that the right call for an anniversary release?
MW: “For me, a continuation is when you build directly on what came before, the story, the mechanics, that exact experience players already know. A new chapter is different. It keeps the soul of the game but gives you room to rethink things and bring in modern ideas.
With Book of Dead GO Collect, we didn’t want to just make a sequel that adds one or two new things on top of the original. Since this is an anniversary release, it felt like the right moment to celebrate the classic while also pushing it forward. That’s why we focused on reimagining it: keeping the iconic elements players love, but introducing new mechanics like GO Collect, Hold & Win, and the updated gamble system.
It lets the game feel familiar, but fresh. A proper celebration of where Book of Dead has been, and where it can go next.”
Q: Can you talk our readers through the GO Collect feature, how it works, and what impact Gold Staters have on gameplay?
MW: “GO Collect is a brand‑new feature built around the Gold Stater symbol overlay. Whenever a symbol lands with a Gold Stater attached, there’s a chance to trigger the Hold & Win feature, which adds an extra layer of anticipation to every spin.
Each Gold Stater that appears is also visually collected into the golden ceremonial bowl beside the reels. This gives players a real sense of progression and keeps the feature feeling active and rewarding throughout the session.”
Q: The game has two big headline features, Tomb Scatter Free Spins with expanding symbols, and the Treasure Vault. Both mainstays in most popular slots. As a creator and slots fan, do you have an affinity towards one feature over the other, or do you think Free Spins and Hold & Spin features belong together?
MW: “I don’t really see Free Spins and Hold & Spin as competing features. They serve different purposes, and that’s exactly why they work so well together. Free Spins with expanding symbols is the classic ‘main event’, it’s what players are ultimately working toward and what gives the game its big, iconic moments.
With GO Collect, we’ve added the Treasure Vault as almost a side quest. It can trigger on any spin through the Gold Staters, which keeps the base game exciting because you always feel like something extra could happen. It has great potential too, with the fixed jackpots and the option to double any winnings through the gamble feature.
So for me, it’s not about choosing one over the other. It’s about how they complement each other and create a more dynamic experience overall.”
Q: Book of Dead GO Collect features an optional Treasure Gamble feature. Firstly, how does this differ from previous Gamble features in the franchise, and what have you learned about player psychology when you offer them a “walk away or press your luck” moment?
MW: “We removed the gamble feature from the original Book of Dead, where you could wager any win by guessing the next card in a deck. A correct color doubled your winnings, and a correct suit gave you four times the amount. Instead, Book of Dead GO Collect has a single spin round that players can choose to activate at the end of the Hold & Win round.
During this single spin, the goal is to land more Brilliant Staters than Broken Staters. Both symbols can appear as doubles, which adds a bit more suspense to the outcome.
I see the benefit in this approach, because it gives players a chance to swing the momentum and potentially turn the tides in their favour. It also makes the choice feel more impactful, since it only appears at the very end of the Hold & Win round and nowhere else in the game.”
Q: Aside from this particular game, what would you say your favourite Book of Dead title has been over the last decade?
MW: “Fate of Dead Blitzways is definitely my favourite. It keeps the core theme but adds a dynamic, modern style of gameplay with a lot of potential! I really like the shifting reel configurations, which make every spin feel fresh, and the wild‑creating, growing multipliers add a great sense of momentum and excitement.
Q: Can you see the Book of Dead franchise continuing for another decade, and if so how do you think the franchise might evolve over that time?
MW: “I can absolutely see the Book of Dead franchise continuing for another decade, especially from a storytelling perspective. The world we’ve built around these games still has so much room to grow. The core characters and the ancient‑mystery theme are strong enough to support new chapters, new discoveries, and even new heroes and villains. There are still plenty of unexplored locations, artifacts, and story threads that can give future games their own identity while staying connected to the larger universe.
As the franchise evolves, I think we’ll see a deeper sense of continuity between titles. Small narrative links, shared symbols, or recurring events can make it feel like every game adds a new piece to a bigger story. Even light storytelling, when paired with fresh mechanics and modern features, can create a stronger sense of progression across the whole series. If we keep expanding the lore while bringing in new gameplay ideas, the franchise can stay both familiar and exciting for a long time to come.”
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