Studio unveils Power Recharge and Retrigger Boost mechanics to enhance bonus round

Independent slots studio Thunderkick has launched Midas Golden Touch 3, the latest addition to its successful series that elevates gameplay to new heights with fresh features and greater player control.

The famous King Midas graces the opulent reels once more, where between one and five wilds on a payline boost wins with multipliers from 2x up to 32x. The Gift of Midas feature also returns in the base game, randomly distributing one to five wilds or scatters across the reels.

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Similarly to its predecessors, landing three or more scatters in the new release activates the bonus round, this time with five free spins. However, in the third instalment, the number of triggering scatters determines the starting Epic Wild Multiplier: three, four, or five award a 2x, 5x or 10x base multiplier respectively.

Thunderkick has revamped the bonus round with an all-new Power Recharge mechanic, which is activated at the end of every respin sequence, increasing the Epic Wild Multiplier by 1x and adding two extra spins to the meter.

The studio has also introduced a Retrigger Boost, which resets the number of free spins to five and increases the Epic Wild Multiplier by between 3x and 8x when three to five additional scatters land, unlocking 15,000x win potential.

Thunderkick has continued to align with a trend toward heightened player control within gameplay, with the integration of six bonus buy and ante bet options catering to a variety of playstyles and further refining the user experience.

Johannes Polbring, Game Product Owner at Thunderkick, said: “It has been over half a decade since we launched the original Midas Golden Touch, and the brand has continued to resonate with players across the globe since.

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“Our goal was to push the boundaries with Midas Golden Touch 3 to make it the most entertaining release to date. By introducing two distinct ways to build the Epic Wild Multiplier, we have delivered a game that harnesses the popular aspects of the franchise while introducing refreshed gameplay to appeal to both new and existing players.”

Waterhouse VC, an investment fund specialising in the technology layer of the global gambling industry, has secured an option in Maincard, a “Shopify of Online Betting” platform targeting the launch of fully customisable licensed online betting sites in under 30 minutes.

Maincard targets the $1 trillion iGaming market by replacing months of development work, cumbersome licensing and complex integrations with a subscription-style workflow. Crypto-native founders, influencers and digital communities can spin up branded betting sites, monetise their audiences and retain full upside ownership from day one.

“iGaming still suffers from high startup costs and significant technical and regulatory friction,” said Tom Waterhouse, Chief Investment Officer of Waterhouse VC. “We’re seeing strong potential in platforms that can streamline development, similar to how Shopify revolutionised e-commerce. The sector is ripe for innovation that allows new entrants to focus on player acquisition and retention rather than backend development.”

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“Waterhouse VC’s deep domain knowledge and network will accelerate our go-to-market,” said Valerii Makovetskii, Founder and CEO of Maincard. “We’ve developed strong technical foundations with our crypto-friendly payments gateway already powering third-party casinos. The next step is to make launching a betting site as easy as launching an online storefront.”

The investment aligns with Waterhouse VC’s approach of identifying promising B2B technology companies serving the wagering industry and negotiating options to acquire stakes in these businesses.

Maincard platform vision:

•     Launch in <30 minutes — drag-and-drop, no code required
•     End-to-end compliance — licensing, KYC/AML, fraud, payments, customer support and marketing handled by Maincard
•     15,000+ casino games & 1,000+ sportsbook markets out of the box

Maincard is currently raising USD $3M to scale its sales team and launch multiple brands from the waiting list by the end of Q3 2025.

Play’n GO launches Bucking Rider, the latest arcade-style crash game to feature the studio’s proprietary Crashback™ mechanic. Designed to bring excitement and simplicity to all players, this title is a calculated buck from the norm – inviting players to test their nerve on a wild bull ride that can soar up to 5000x the bet.

Bucking Rider swaps traditional slot reels for fast-paced decision-making. As the multiplier ticks up from 1x to a potential 5000x, players must choose the perfect moment to cash out – or risk getting thrown as the bull bucks the rider. And with the Crashback™ feature now making a return, there’s a second shot on the line. If players cash out, the ride keeps going allowing them to hop back in for a shot at an even bigger multiplier.

The game’s dusty rodeo aesthetic and snappy animations bring the tension of a live arena to players. There’s no need to chase symbols or paylines – Bucking Rider is about pure risk versus reward, putting the reins directly in the player’s hands.

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This release builds on the foundations laid by Miner Donkey Rider, and looks to be yet another fantastic release featuring an innovative new mechanic continuing Play’n GO’s drive to push genre boundaries, as with games like Legacy of Gems Blitzways™. Fans of arcade-style titles and casino newcomers alike will find Bucking Rider a striking mix of skill, timing and spectacle.

George Olekszy, Head of Game Retention at Play’n GO, said: “Bucking Rider is designed to shake things up. With the Crashback™ feature, players aren’t just watching – they’re making split-second decisions that can turn into serious rewards. It’s a bold format that expands what a casino game can be.”

This isn’t just another ride – it’s a test of nerve, and one players will want to take again and again.