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Game Product Owner Oscar Persson reveals creative decisions behind Beast Gains' innovative Feature Trail system and animal-themed character cast.
Mar 19, 2026 · 8 min read

Relax Gaming has provided fresh insights into its upcoming Beast Gains slot through an extensive interview with Game Product Owner Oscar Persson, conducted by Fruity Slots. The discussion reveals the strategic thinking behind the game's innovative mechanics and character design ahead of its 5th March release.
The Beast Gains slot continues the distinctive animal-themed approach established in previous Relax Gaming x CasinoGrounds collaborations, deliberately stepping away from traditional character archetypes found in series like Money Train. Persson explained the reasoning behind this creative direction, tracing it back to the original Beast Mode concept.
"Back when we created the first Beast Mode, the idea was to build a cast of strong, memorable characters that players could associate with the different features. We were also inspired by the kind of animated films being released at the time, like Zootopia, where each character has a clear personality and role."
— Oscar Persson, Game Product Owner at Relax Gaming
The character development strategy carried forward into Net Gains, creating narrative continuity that distinguishes the series from more conventional slot designs. This approach has shaped the identity of the collaboration series, providing players with familiar faces while introducing evolved gameplay mechanics.
[IMG_Beast_Gains_Characters]
Animal-Themed Character Strategy
Beast Gains continues the distinctive animal-themed approach established in previous Relax Gaming x CasinoGrounds collaborations, deliberately moving away from traditional character archetypes. The character development strategy draws inspiration from animated films like Zootopia, where each character has a clear personality and defined role in the gameplay experience.
One of Beast Gains' most significant innovations lies in its Feature Trail system, designed to maintain player engagement throughout base gameplay rather than relegating excitement solely to bonus rounds. This represents a strategic response to industry-wide challenges around base game retention.
"Yeah, a lot of games today are very focused on the Free Spins, so it's always a challenge to find the right balance. You want to avoid the base game feeling dry like a desert, but at the same time the bonus still needs to feel valuable and exciting when it lands."
— Oscar Persson, Game Product Owner at Relax Gaming
The Feature Trail addresses this balance by creating anticipation on every spin, allowing players to see upcoming events and build excitement for future features. The system can unlock a comprehensive range of upgrades including extra wilds, mystery moments, collectors, coins, and multiplier boosts.
Feature Trail Mechanics
The Feature Trail packages familiar mechanics from previous games in the series, making the variety of outcomes feel cohesive rather than overwhelming for players.
[IMG_Feature_Trail_Interface]
Base Game Engagement Innovation
The Feature Trail system represents a strategic solution to industry-wide challenges around base game retention. By creating anticipation on every spin and allowing players to see upcoming events, it maintains excitement throughout the entire gaming session rather than relegating engagement solely to bonus rounds.
Persson revealed how Relax Gaming balances analytical insights with creative innovation when developing new mechanics. While player data informs many design decisions, the studio maintains a willingness to take calculated risks to create breakthrough experiences.
"There's definitely data behind many of the decisions we make. It's a great tool for understanding what already resonates with players and which mechanics consistently perform well. But if you want to create the next big thing, you also have to be willing to take some risks, trust your instincts, and sometimes go on feeling rather than just numbers."
— Oscar Persson, Game Product Owner at Relax Gaming
The multiplier ladder mechanic exemplifies this data-informed approach, having proven successful across multiple Relax Gaming titles including Bill & Coin 1 and 2, Ancient Tumble, Beast Mode, and now Beast Gains. This consistency influenced the bonus selection structure, ensuring familiar elements alongside innovative features.
Balancing Data and Innovation
Relax Gaming's approach demonstrates how studios can leverage player data while maintaining creative innovation. The multiplier ladder mechanic's proven success across multiple titles including Bill & Coin 1 and 2, Ancient Tumble, and Beast Mode influenced its inclusion in Beast Gains, showing how data-informed decisions can guide feature selection.
Beast Gains implements a three-tier Free Spins system, with each option offering distinct gameplay experiences. This structure reflects both player preference data and the studio's commitment to providing choice within bonus rounds.
The bonus selection design ensures at least one familiar option while introducing alternative approaches, catering to different player preferences and risk tolerances. The inclusion of gamble elements adds an additional layer for players seeking higher-risk scenarios.
[IMG_Bonus_Selection_Screen]
3
Free Spins Bonus Tiers
March 5th
Release Date
5
Previous Collaboration Games Referenced
The ongoing Relax Gaming x CasinoGrounds partnership presents unique challenges in maintaining recognizable elements while delivering genuine innovation. Persson emphasized the importance of evolution over simple reskinning when developing sequels.
"A great sequel shouldn't stray too far from the original, but it still needs to introduce enough new ideas to feel exciting and worthwhile for players. The goal is to build on what already worked, making thoughtful improvements and adjustments so it feels like a true evolution rather than just a reskin."
— Oscar Persson, Game Product Owner at Relax Gaming
This approach allows returning players to understand core mechanics immediately while experiencing enhanced features and refined gameplay elements.
For newcomers to the Relax Gaming x CasinoGrounds collaboration series, Persson highlighted key elements that define the Beast Gains experience beyond traditional bonus-focused gameplay.
"I'd describe it as a game built from the best of both worlds, combining Relax's experience in design and execution with CasinoGrounds' deep understanding of what players enjoy watching and playing."
— Oscar Persson, Game Product Owner at Relax Gaming
The game positions itself as continuously engaging rather than requiring players to wait through base gameplay for bonus activation. The Feature Trail system ensures constant activity, while the three bonus options provide strategic choice during Free Spins rounds.
Beast Gains positions itself as continuously engaging rather than requiring players to wait through base gameplay for bonus activation, representing a shift toward value distribution across entire gaming sessions.
Beast Gains represents Relax Gaming's continued investment in collaboration-based content that leverages both technical expertise and community insights. The game's design philosophy addresses current market challenges around player retention and engagement distribution across all gameplay phases.
The Feature Trail innovation particularly signals the studio's response to industry trends favoring bonus-heavy mechanics, instead creating value throughout the entire gaming session. This approach may influence future slot design across the broader market.
The insights from Beast Gains development reveal evolving dynamics in studio-streamer collaborations within the iGaming sector. The emphasis on combining technical execution with community understanding suggests a maturing approach to content partnerships that goes beyond simple licensing arrangements.
Relax Gaming's willingness to balance data-driven decisions with creative risk-taking provides a framework for other studios navigating similar collaborative opportunities. The success of recurring mechanics like the multiplier ladder across multiple titles demonstrates the value of building recognizable gameplay signatures.
The 5th March release will serve as a key indicator for the continued viability of the animal-themed character approach and the Feature Trail innovation's market reception.
Beast Gains features an innovative Feature Trail system that maintains player engagement throughout base gameplay rather than focusing excitement solely on bonus rounds. The system creates anticipation on every spin by allowing players to see upcoming events and build excitement for future features.
Beast Gains implements a three-tier Free Spins system where each option offers distinct gameplay experiences. This structure provides player choice within bonus rounds and includes gamble elements for those seeking higher-risk scenarios.
The Feature Trail is a system that packages familiar mechanics to create ongoing base game excitement. It can unlock a comprehensive range of upgrades including extra wilds, mystery moments, collectors, coins, and multiplier boosts.
While player data informs many design decisions and helps understand what resonates with players, Relax Gaming maintains willingness to take calculated risks. The studio trusts instincts and feelings alongside numbers when creating potentially breakthrough experiences.
The partnership combines Relax Gaming's technical expertise in design and execution with CasinoGrounds' deep understanding of what players enjoy watching and playing. This collaboration approach goes beyond simple licensing to create genuinely evolved gameplay experiences.
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