Valley of the Dead – Interview with Yggdrasil Gaming

Interview with Jose Simon Kadala

Yggdrasil Gaming are one of the most recognisable names in the online slot industry, known for consistently delivering innovative and captivating games.

This team's catalogue is a diverse one, exploring a range of themes and features to suit a variety of players. Their latest release, Valley of the Dead, delves into an atmospheric world where players can reap the souls of fortune.

Introducing new GEMs BoltLock and OnlyWins, Valley of the Dead delivers thrilling mechanics and immersive visuals – just the right balance of innovation and familiarity.

We sat down with Jose Simon Kadala, Commercial Director at Yggdrasil Gaming, to chat some more about this release.

Valley of the Dead Base Game

Chloe: Hi Jose, thanks for talking to us! Can you tell us a little bit more about Valley of the Dead?

Jose: Valley of the Dead is our brand new game that launched just a few days ago, on the 21st of November.

We are quite excited about this game, having been based on the underworld and inspired by one of the most successful Yggdrasil games, Valley of the Gods.

Chloe: This is one of the more unique releases we’ve seen this year. Was it your intention from the beginning to create something so different?

Jose: Yes, we wanted to create something that truly stands out in the competitive slot market. Our focus was on giving players a completely new kind of experience by introducing an innovative mechanic – OnlyWins.

Valley of the Dead was designed to feel both familiar and simultaneously intriguing, delivering a new twist on a fan-favourite.

[The] approach is all about balancing value with excitement, ensuring that every moment in Valley of the Dead counts.

Chloe: What was the inspiration behind the OnlyWins mechanic that has been introduced in this release?

Jose: During the creative stage of the game we thought we wanted to give the players the opportunity to avoid dead spins so they would immediately get to the juicy part of the game.

Thanks to OnlyWins, players can get the initial win with every spin, triggering another respin to try and unlock all the grid.

Chloe: There’s no free spins feature in Valley of the Dead, which means there’s no option for players to purchase their way into a feature. Was the addition of Multi OnlyWins a direct response to this?

Jose: Correct, we understand that there are a lot of players who like to purchase their way into the Bonus Round…So we thought about a way to go around that and help players trigger the Free Spins mode faster by just activating OnlyWins.

It only costs 4.4x their bet – lower than your usual Bonus round!

Chloe: With re-spins, blockers and extra lives it certainly feels like Valley of the Dead offers value for money in the length of time spins can take. Was this intentional?

Jose: We wanted to ensure that every session feels rewarding for all players, even for those just getting started.

By designing mechanics like blockers and Extra Lives, we extended the gameplay experience and increased the chances for players to feel like they’re getting more out of every spin.

This approach is all about balancing value with excitement, ensuring that every moment in Valley of the Dead counts.

It’s a game that keeps players engaged from the first spin to the last.

Chloe: There’s a certain simplicity in Valley of the Dead. Was there a point where there were additional features, and if so was it tough to decide which to keep?

Jose: Absolutely, there were a few features that didn’t make it to the final version of the game.

The challenge was finding the right balance between innovation, accessibility, and staying true to the ‘Valley’ series. We wanted to introduce new GEMs like OnlyWins while keeping the game easy to understand and fun to play.

Simplifying the design was key to ensuring players could quickly grasp the thrilling mechanics and enjoy the experience.
 
You may see some other next-level features in upcoming games that stemmed from the ideas we had when we created this game!

Chloe: We love the audio-visuals in Valley of the Dead. How did the team come up with the theme for this one? Do you think it would have worked as well with a ‘lighter’ setting?

Jose: The theme was inspired by the mystique of ancient rituals and the allure of the underworld, blending it with a sense of adventure.

Our art and sound teams worked hard to create a dark yet inviting atmosphere, with every visual and audio cue enhancing the gameplay.

A ‘lighter’ setting might have worked, but we feel the darker theme adds more depth and drama, perfectly complementing the mechanics and gameplay.

Chloe: Do you think we will see the OnlyWins mechanic making a return in future games?

Jose: Definitely! OnlyWins has already shown great potential in delivering unique and engaging gameplay.

We’re excited about exploring how this new GEM can evolve and be integrated into new titles, leveling it up with fresh surprises.

Chloe: Can you tell us your favourite thing about Valley of the Dead?

Jose: My favourite aspect has to be how seamlessly the OnlyWins mechanic works together with the blockers to create a dynamic and rewarding experience.

The way each win unlocks new possibilities makes every spin exciting, and the visuals and sounds tie everything together perfectly.

It’s a game that keeps players engaged from the first spin to the last and you are just chasing the Bonus Round.

Chloe: What game are you most excited about in the Yggdrasil Gaming roadmap right now?

Jose: While I would love to reveal more, can tell you that for 2025 we are taking Yggdrasil to another level with the creation of the nine Yggdrasil worlds.

Edgier games are definitely on the horizon, and new mechanics will be giving people lots more to speak about!