With a reputation for crafting standout slots like Jammin’ Jars, Razor Shark, and of course Wild Swarm, Push Gaming has consistently kept players buzzing. Their latest release, Wild Swarm Triple Hive, reimagines a fan-favorite formula – this time with a fresh medieval twist and a reworked feature set that includes the 3 Pots mechanic, collectible bees, and an all-new jackpot wheel.
We sat down with Ihor Lozinskiy, Head of Studio at Push Gaming, to talk about what sets Triple Hive apart, the decision to move away from progression-based features, and what players can expect from the studio’s upcoming releases.
Bigwinboard (Daniel): Wild Swarm Triple Hive builds on the foundations of its predecessors, what made this game ripe for another sequel, and what were the key learnings from the first two games that you’ve taken into this one?
We don’t really consider Wild Swarm Triple Hive a direct sequel – or a “triquel” if we’re speaking in cinema terms. It’s more of a spin-off. We took the 3 Pots mechanic and blended it with familiar features and some fresh additions.
The earlier Wild Swarm titles had a lot going on, especially with the progression elements. In Triple Hive, we’ve dialed that back a bit. Our goal has always been to keep Wild Swarm fast-paced and action-packed, and I think with this one, we’ve managed to make it feel even more engaging and sticky.
Bigwinboard (Daniel): What was it about the 3 Pots mechanic that proved so popular amongst players, and how much of a pivotal role does it play this new release?
The 3 Pots mechanic removes the traditional progression element but keeps the same overarching goal – triggering all three features, basically Swarm Mode. Now, though, they can activate at any point. This change takes away some of the linearity, but in return, it adds more unpredictability and excitement through the potential for multiple features triggering simultaneously.
Bigwinboard (Daniel): The theme blends the iconic Wild Swarm bees with medieval elements, quite the unique mix! How did the team decide to go in this direction, and will we see other classic Push Gaming titles combine themes in future sequels?
Blending the medieval theme with Wild Swarm felt like low-hanging fruit, honestly. Wild Swarm 2 already had a bit of a royal look, so it wasn’t a huge leap. We think the characters mesh really well with the new setting. Who knows, maybe next time it’s Wild Swarm: Wild West, or K-Pop Jammin Jars. Never say never!
Bigwinboard (Daniel): LOL, can’t wait to see that! Collectible Bees play a big role in Wild Swam Triple Hive. Can you talk us through each bee and what their relevance is to the bonus features.
Yeah, so in the base game, you’ll sometimes see a Wild Honey symbol with a little bee attached to it. There are four different bees, and each one helps you build towards one of the three Hive features.
You’ve got the red, green, and yellow bees – each one flies into its own hive: Jackpot, Multiplier, and Sticky. Then there’s the Queen Bee, who’s kind of the big deal – she can fly into any hive and give it a major boost, often triggering a feature right away.
Collecting bees is the key to triggering the bonuses, and if you’re lucky, you can even get two or three of them to go off at the same time, which really cranks up the excitement.
Bigwinboard (Daniel): The Wheel Feature and Jackpot Prizes are quite fun additions, just how important of a role do these features play in your releases, and are they pivotal elements for a game to be a long-term success?
The Wheel Feature is actually a reimagining of an older mechanic. We moved away from the pick feature because it was starting to feel a bit old-school. The tombola-style wheel adds a fresh layer of novelty and excitement.
Jackpots are a fantastic addition. They feel impactful and are always visible on screen. What’s great is they can be triggered at any time, through any feature, which keeps players constantly engaged.
Bigwinboard (Daniel): There’s been a trend of games layering on complexity without necessarily boosting engagement. How did you strike a balance between depth and approachability in Wild Swam Triple Hive?
Complexity in slot design can be incredibly entertaining, but it has to be well-tuned. It’s also not always easy to sell, either internally or to players. The best complex games spark the imagination. Players should be able to instantly see the potential: “If this and this line up – boom, that’s huge!” We designed Triple Hive to give that immediate understanding while still offering depth and potential for big moments.
Bigwinboard (Daniel): Looking past Wild Swam Triple Hive, can you give our audience an insight into what games are coming our way later in the year, and why they should be excited for what’s on the horizon?
Bamboo Ways is a game I’m particularly proud of. It’s the mechanical sibling of Razor Ways, let’s say, but under the hood, it’s a completely different beast. We’ve fine-tuned it heavily, with strong math and polished gameplay. I’m genuinely excited for players to get their hands on it.
