Bullshark Games might be new, but they’ve already made a name for themselves. Founded in 2023 by former semi poker pro Andre Villandberg, this Tallinn-based studio isn’t following the usual playbook. Their games feel different and that’s the point.
Bullshark isn’t about pumping out safe, forgettable slots. Their motto, “From Players to Players,” actually means something. You can tell these games are made by people who’ve sat on the other side of the screen, who know what a good slot should feel like. There’s grit, there’s risk, and there’s real thought behind how their games play.
We love the excitement of never knowing when a big win will land, and that's the feeling we aim for in our games. A player could be down thousands of bets, and then everything turns around with a single spin. That kind of comeback just isn't possible in lower volatility slots, and we believe that unpredictability is what makes a great game.– As founder and CEO Andre Villandberg from Bullshark Games puts it:
The company's core philosophy is refreshingly straightforward: create games they would want to play themselves. This ”player-first” mentality influences every aspect of their development process.
At Bullshark Games, we approach slot development with a player-first mindset, ensuring that every game offers something fresh and exciting.– Andre Villandberg, Founder and CEO of Bullshark Games
This approach extends beyond mere marketing rhetoric – it's evident in their game mechanics, which prioritize unpredictability and the potential for dramatic comebacks, elements that Villandberg and his team value as players themselves.
Bullshark Games might be a small team compared to the big names in the industry, but what they lack in size, they make up for in talent and focus. Based in Tallinn, Estonia, the studio brings together a tight-knit group of developers, artists, sound designers, and mathematicians each with deep roots in the iGaming world.
At the core of the team is Andre Villandberg, founder and CEO, and Madis Raus, the studio’s Chief Product Officer.
Despite being a relatively young studio, Bullshark Games has already built an impressive portfolio of high-volatility slots, each with distinctive themes and mechanics. Their catalog currently includes over 15 unique titles, with several standout releases that have helped establish their reputation for innovative gameplay.
Other titles in their growing catalog include Amazing Miceketeers, Merlin's Mania, Pickle Rick's Adventure, and Valhalla Wild Winter, showcasing the studio's versatility across different themes and concepts.
Bullshark Games has established a clear identity through consistent characteristics across their portfolio:
High Volatility
Every Bullshark release embraces high-volatility mathematics, creating the potential for dramatic swings and massive wins that the team values as players themselves.
Unpredictable Gameplay
The studio deliberately designs games where big wins can occur unexpectedly, avoiding the ”readable script” problem where players can sense when a significant payout is approaching.
Innovative Features
From expanding roaming wilds to growing grid multipliers and unique mechanics like the Shootout feature, each game introduces distinctive elements that enhance the core gameplay.
Diverse Themes
While maintaining consistent mathematical principles, Bullshark explores varied thematic territory, from Egyptian mythology to junkyard aesthetics and mafia underworlds.
Strong Visual Identity
Each release features distinctive art direction and sound design, with games like Empress of the Shadows particularly noted for their atmospheric presentation.
Perhaps Bullshark Games' most significant innovation isn't technological but philosophical—their genuine ”players-first” approach to game design. In an industry where development decisions are often driven primarily by metrics and market research, Bullshark’s team creates games they would genuinely want to play themselves.
This perspective manifests in several ways:
Comeback Potential
Their games are specifically designed to allow players who are down significantly to potentially turn everything around with a single spin, creating dramatic moments that keep sessions exciting.
Avoiding Predictability
The team deliberately avoids creating games where players can “read the script” and sense when a big win is coming, ensuring each spin maintains genuine suspense.
Testing Through Play
Games undergo extensive testing by the team themselves, with Villandberg noting that he's personally hit max wins and 5,000x+ payouts during production testing of titles like Junkyard Kings.
While Bullshark Games hasn’t yet introduced industry-changing mechanics on the scale of Megaways or Infinity Reels, they've developed several distinctive features that set their games apart:
In February 2025, Bullshark Games announced a pivotal partnership with Hacksaw Gaming, becoming only the second studio to join Hacksaw’s OpenRGS platform. This strategic alliance significantly expanded Bullshark’s distribution capabilities while allowing them to focus on their core strength: game development.
The OpenRGS platform provides several key advantages:
Their first release through this partnership was MafiaClash in November 2024, with more titles planned for the OpenRGS platform.
Other Strategic Partnerships
SlotCatalog Nomination
The studio has been shortlisted for ”Rookie of the Year” at the SBC Awards Europe 2025, a significant acknowledgment for such a young company.
Slotsoo Awards Win
In 2025, Bullshark Games won the Slotsoo Award for Bonus Buyers
Bullshark Games has made a solid early impression in an industry that’s anything but easy to break into. In a short time, they’ve managed to carve out a recognizable identity built around high-volatility gameplay, a player-first mindset, and a clear focus on original features over recycled ideas.
Their games aren’t trying to appeal to everyone, and that’s part of the appeal. By leaning into unpredictability, comeback moments, and distinct mechanics, they’ve attracted a growing group of players and streamers who appreciate something a bit different.
That said, it’s still early days. While award nominations, streamer interest, and a growing player base are all positive signs, the real test will be how Bullshark adapts and evolves as the market shifts.
For now, they’re a studio worth watching. Whether they’ll grow into one of the major players in the space or remain a niche favorite, we’ll have to wait and see what the future holds for Bullshark Games.
Holy Heist
20 000x
Piggy Cluster Hunt
15 000x
Paper Biker
15 000x
Ancient Paws
15 000x
Amazing Miceketeers
12 000x
Pickle Bandits
12 000x
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