Focus On: Yggdrasil Gaming

For the latest instalment of our Focus On series, we're looking at Yggdrasil Gaming, an innovative and fast-growing developer of slots with more than its share of big hits. To see what Yggdrasil’s secrets of success are, we thought we’d climb a little higher up the tree of life!

Introduction

Conceived in 2012 by ex-NetEnt CEO Fredrik Elmqvist, Yggdrasil Gaming is backed by many seasoned professionals. By applying their experience and expertise, the team behind Yggdrasil has managed to grow the company rapidly, garnering an impressive array of awards, and producing some of the finest games of the past decade. 

As, succinctly put, in their own words, the Yggdrasil team members “thrive on innovation and have been pushing boundaries in the gaming industry for over a decade”. This is no bluff; Yggdrasil Gaming has the awards and ratings to confidently back this claim up.

Yggdrasil’s games aren’t hard to come across. You’ll find them on most casino sites in most territories. The library is expansive and varied. Whereas some developers prioritise quantity at the expense of quality, or vice versa, Yggdrasil manages to deliver both.

Background 

Yggdrasil Gaming received its first licence, from the Malta Gaming Authority, in 2014. Within just two years, it had opened other international offices and acquired several other licences, including one from the UK Gambling Commission. This rapid expansion proved to be a sign of things to come.

In July 2015, Yggdrasil released Vikings Go Wild, which was popular enough with players to spawn a franchise which is still receiving new instalments almost a decade later. A steady stream of popular releases followed.

In 2018, Yggdrasil added table games to its catalogue and announced that it would begin providing bingo. In this same year, it also launched the YGG Masters program, which helps Yggdrasil’s growing list of partners to bring their products to market. 

To this day, Yggdrasil continues to partner with many independent up-and-coming developers. In some ways, it functions as a studio through which they can release their games, and share in Yggdrasil’s popular mechanics such as GigaBlox.

In 2020, Yggdrasil ramped up its output, continuing to expand and innovate. It added more than 40 games to its library in 2021, including those released through the YGG Masters program. More than 60 were added in 2021.

In 2022 and 2023, Yggdrasil scored big at the EGR and IGA awards. They also managed to maintain their impressive game output despite a few leadership changes. 

The fact that Yggdrasil continues to grow and expand at such an impressive rate, with no sign of slowing, suggests that this already-legendary developer’s best days may still lie ahead.

Developer highlights

Every developer has the things that make them stand out, and Yggdrasil has many! Here are some of the key points of difference that separate Yggdrasil and its games from the noise:

Production value

Yggdrasil’s slots are more than just easy on the eye. Some of them are so visually impressive that they can feel more like a high-end video game than an online slot game. The Yggdrasil team puts a huge amount of work into the visuals, and it really pays off. 

There’s a lot of variety here too. As the website states, “Yggdrasil values a diverse portfolio, offering games with global flavours across various themes and mechanics.” The attention to detail given to the visuals and soundtracks is a big part of effectively executing these themes.

Players who are unforgiving when it comes to graphics and production value are safe with Yggdrasil. But that’s not to say that these slots are superficial – there’s plenty going on under the hood too!

Narrative focus

There really aren’t many developers out there who seem to have the same handle on storytelling as Yggdrasil. Narrative is crucial to creating engaging games with longevity and appeal, and Yggdrasil’s are virtually unrivalled in this respect. 

Whereas many slots lack an engaging storyline, Yggdrasil seems to be more greatly inspired by cinema and AAA video games. This approach is one of the things that makes Yggdrasil’s titles some of the most polished and premium-feeling slots out there.

Impressive trophy cabinet

Since its launch, Yggdrasil has moved quickly and confidently into the big leagues, landing various awards along the way. Yggdrasil is in double digits in terms of its industry awards, and they're prestigious ones too. Here are a few highlights:

• EGR Rising Star (2015)
• EGR Slot Provider of the Year (2017)
• IGA Innovator of the Year (four times in a row!)
• EGR Innovator in RNG Casino Software (2019)
• EGR Nordics Platform Supplier of the Year (2022)

And that’s nowhere near the full list. Yggdrasil’s awards help to distinguish it and highlight its focus on innovation. It’s likely that the Yggdrasil team will continue to win big at these world-class awards ceremonies.

The Vikings Go series

It’s fair to say that some slots series outstay their welcome, but that’s not the case with Yggdrasil. Rather than milking its IP for all its worth, Yggdrasil has taken a more restrained and calculated approach to franchises. The result of this is the brilliantly brutal Vikings Go series.

In the Vikings Go games, which began with Vikings Go Wild, players get a combination of unfiltered chaos, engaging game mechanics, and the excellent visuals that characterise many of Yggdrasil’s offerings. The full series has continued to expand and now includes:

• Vikings Go Wild (2015)
• Vikings Go Berserk (2016)
• Vikings Go To Hell (2018)
• Vikings Go Berserk Reloaded (2021)
• Vikings Go To Valhalla (2022)

It’s safe to assume that Vikings Go is performing well, because Yggdrasil has since started to add other sequel instalments to its library, including Winterberries 2.

Fruitful partnerships

The YGG Masters program, launched by Yggdrasil in 2018, enables independent slot game developers to contribute to the Yggdrasil library. Among the excellent devs who have partnered with Yggdrasil and made their mark through the YGG Masters program are:

• Peter & Sons (Xibalba, Dragon Blox GigaBlox, Valkyries)
• ReelPlay (Money Mariachi Infinity Reels, the Hypernova series, West Coast Cash)
• Reflex Gaming (Krazy Klimber, Hillbilly Vegas, 3021 AD The Bounty Hunter GigaBlox)

Yggdrasil functions as a full-blown games studio, allowing its partners access to its experience and expertise, as well as a “range of products, services, tools, and support to effectively scale their businesses”.

Landmark games

Yggdrasil Gaming has produced an impressive catalogue of slots, but there are a few that stand out for us.

Vikings Go Wild

One of Yggdrasil’s earliest titles and still well worth players’ time, Vikings Go Wild spawned a highly successful franchise. The game’s success is largely down to its chaotic and gripping mechanics, as well as the fact that it doesn’t shy away from a bit of savagery. It’s clear when playing Vikings Go Wild that the graphics of Yggdrasil’s games have come a long way since, but this 2015 game still looks better than some modern ones!

The RTP is a reasonable 96.3% and the volatility is balanced, offering a decent level of return and a rewarding player experience. Scatter symbols unlock up to 24 free spins, and there are additional treasure chests to be won and opened. Vikings Go Wild begins with an animation that provides context for the story, and it’s a solid example of Yggdrasil’s refusal to ignore the importance of narrative.

Name:

Vikings Go Wild

Developer:

Yggdrasil

RTP:

96.30%

Max payout:

1,900x stake

Volatility:

Medium

Reels:

5

Win lines:

25

Theme:

Action, Viking

Release date:

27th Jul 2015

Of Sabers and Monsters

Yggdrasil produced a huge number of games in the early 2020s, and this is one of the very best. Of Sabers and Monsters is a volatile 6-reel slot with 4,096 ways to win and a max win of 18,350x the stake. In terms of design, Of Sabers and Monsters combines ancient mythology with Russian lore. With Yggdrasil’s usual focus on quality, the end result is something a bit different.

Of Sabers and Monsters took inspiration from previous Yggdrasil successes, such as Vikings Go To Hell, and managed to improve on them. It makes use of engaging gamification mechanics, enabling the player to level-up their heroes and trigger some respins. There are also two separate free spin bonuses, and multiple different ways to reach the max win.

Name:

Of Sabers and Monsters

Developer:

Yggdrasil

RTP:

96.00%

Max payout:

18,350x stake

Volatility:

High

Reels:

6

Win lines:

4,096

Theme:

Action, Adventure

Release date:

8th Sep 2022

Florageddon!

Inspired by The Little Shop of Horrors with a generous pinch of The Day of the Triffids, Florageddon! gives the player the responsibility of saving humanity from a scourge of flesh-eating flora. The spooky vibes are further enhanced by a well-chosen and atmospheric soundtrack. This is definitely one for the horror fans! 

As players navigate this world of carnivorous plants, they benefit from a host of different features including free spins, dropdowns, multipliers and modifiers. The max win is worth 20,000x your stake, and there are 243 ways to win. Florageddon! combines the premium experience we’ve come to expect from Yggdrasil with a generous win potential.

Name:

Florageddon!

Developer:

Yggdrasil

RTP:

96.00%

Max payout:

20,000x stake

Volatility:

High

Reels:

5

Win lines:

243

Theme:

Horror

Release date:

24th Oct 2022

Alternative games

If you’ve already played Yggdrasil Gaming’s landmark titles, or if you just want to try something a bit different, here’s a selection of excellent alternatives.

Gold Frontier Jackpots FastPot5

Yggdrasil absolutely nailed this Western-themed slot, mainly because they’ve included instant win jackpots! Gold Frontier Jackpots FastPot5 has a range of other bonus features too. Scatter symbols unlock decent win multipliers or jackpot free spins. Jackpot free spins can be used to collect gemstones, and if you collect enough gemstones of the same colour, you’ll unlock the corresponding jackpot. These are worth up to €15,000!

We were pleasantly surprised by Gold Frontier Jackpots FastPot5 when it was released and reviewed in May 2024. Fans of a lower volatility and more frequent wins will likely appreciate this one. That said, there’s scope for some big wins too! In Yggdrasil’s own words: 

“FastPot5 games have five quick hitting jackpots” that grow “by a small, predetermined contribution each time the game is played”. 

Name:

Gold Frontier Jackpots Fastpot5

Developer:

Yggdrasil

RTP:

94.00%

Max payout:

1,256x stake

Volatility:

Low

Jackpot:

5 Progressive Prizes

Reels:

5

Win lines:

20

Theme:

Action, Adventure, Wild West

Release date:

23rd May 2024

Gods vs GigaBlox

Gods vs GigaBlox is a volatile 6x6 slot with 50 ways to win, a 10,225x max win, and Yggdrasil’s unique GigaBlox mechanic. GigaBlox is a feature that crops up again and again in Yggdrasil’s newer games. It introduces oversized symbols that stack like blocks on the reels, up to 6x6. Building ‘blox’ can unlock massive wins. 

Gods vs GigaBlox pits various deities against one another, which has a novel entertainment value to it, and the graphics are, as expected, pretty jaw-dropping. The ‘versus’ mode will enrich the experience for players in some territories, but even without this feature, this slot has some serious entertainment value.

Name:

Gods vs Gigablox

Developer:

Yggdrasil

RTP:

96.00%

Max payout:

10,225x stake

Volatility:

High

Reels:

6

Win lines:

50

Theme:

Mythical

Release date:

5th Dec 2022

Winterberries 2

This 2023 sequel to 2016’s Winterberries leverages the ever-popular food theme. It improves on the previous game by adding some new mechanics, bigger wins, and giving it a design overhaul. Playing Winterberries 2 is a relaxing, unthreatening experience, and sometimes this is just what you want! 

The calm, however, is contrasted by the excitement of the multiple bonus features. These include free spins, respins, bonus buys (for non-UK players), and multipliers. Aside from the lush visuals and tranquil tone, Winterberries 2 has a generous max win of 10,000x your stake. It’s also extremely volatile, so wins come infrequently but when they do arrive, they’re significant.

Name:

Winterberries 2

Developer:

Yggdrasil

RTP:

96.00%

Max payout:

10,000x stake

Volatility:

High

Reels:

5

Win lines:

20

Theme:

Food

Release date:

28th Feb 2023

Where to play

As we’ve mentioned, Yggdrasil is a prolific global company, and its games can be found on many great casino sites. Here are a few that we’d recommend: 

Summary

Yggdrasil Gaming has become a bit of a juggernaut thanks to the experienced individuals who work behind the scenes. Its games set themselves apart from the competition in many ways – in their unique mechanics, their tasteful tone and their variety, but most of all in the sheer quality of the production. High-end graphics and attention to detail are hallmarks of the Yggdrasil library.

With the help of its excellent partners, there are sure to be more awards coming Yggdrasil’s way in the near future. If history’s anything to go by, Yggdrasil will continue to produce high-quality slots whilst maintaining its focus on innovation, and we can’t wait to see what the result will be!