Riptide Pirates 2 Kraken Riches Q&A (Nailed It! Games)
How would you describe this new sequel to players who adore the original game?
If you loved the first Riptide Pirates, this sequel is everything you enjoyed, but turned up several notches. We didn’t take anything away from the original. Every feature is still there, but we’ve layered on more content, more features, and more ways to play. From expanded bonus mechanics to multiple feature purchase options and a bonus gamble, there’s even more replayability whether you’re a brand-new player or a returning fan. It’s familiar in all the right ways, but with a lot more firepower.
Why did you decide to revive this game and give it a second release?
The first Riptide Pirates was one of our most popular titles, and we received a huge amount of feedback after its release – both from players and from streamers. That feedback directly inspired many of the sequel’s upgrades, like adding feature buy options, increasing the max win potential, and expanding the ways players can interact with the bonus game.
We also remember getting valuable input from Chipmonkz when we first presented the original game during ICE 2024. Some of the points raised back then made it into our development plan for Riptide Pirates 2, ensuring the sequel was not just a follow-up, but a real step forward in both gameplay and player engagement. It felt like there was still so much untapped potential in the original concept, so bringing it back in a bigger, bolder way was a natural decision.
Can you talk us through the overall creative process when developing design assets for a slot?
When we start working on a slot’s setting, the first thing we focus on is the emotion we want players to feel. Immersion is key, so we begin with mood boards and concept art, exploring different approaches until we find the best direction. From there, we move into rendering and polish, iterating multiple times until the visuals are exactly where we want them.
With Riptide Pirates 2, we decided to go darker compared to the first game – stormy seas, dramatic lighting, and the ominous presence of the Kraken looming in the background. The goal was to create an atmosphere of danger and excitement that draws players in from the first spin.
How important is it to bring life to the characters that appear in your games and do you think doing so gives a slot longevity?
It’s hugely important. All our top-performing games feature memorable characters. They bring emotion, personality, and a sense of connection to the gameplay. Just like in a film or video game, a well-crafted character can make the experience far more engaging. When players like and remember a character, they’re more likely to come back to the game, which is exactly what helps a slot stand the test of time.
What are the main differences between Riptide Pirates and Riptide Pirates 2, and how have these differences evolved the gameplay?
The sequel keeps all the core features players loved, but adds a lot more depth. The Kraken Bonus now allows up to five cannons instead of four, and you need four direct hits to take down the Kraken for the 10,000x jackpot. Treasure chests have been expanded from six to eight, each introducing unique modifiers to the game board.
Walking Wilds return, with the blue Riptide symbols working just like before, and a new golden skull symbol instantly filling the reel’s collection meter to trigger a Walking Wild immediately. We’ve also added multiple feature buy options and a bonus gamble to give players more control. The result is a game with bigger win potential, more variety, and even higher replayability than the original.
