Booming Games Interview: Shields of Gold Valkyrie Hold and Win

games

25.09.2025

Online Casino Reports recently sat down with Craig Asling, Director of Games at Booming Games, to discuss the studio’s latest release - Shields of Gold: Valkyrie Hold and Win. In this exclusive interview, Craig shares insights into the inspiration behind the game, its standout features, and what’s next for Booming Games.

You can read the full original interview on Online Casino Reports’ website.

In this Q&A, Asling shares how the Norse-inspired slot blends classic themes with fresh in-game mechanics, what makes the Wild Transform and Hold and Win features stand out, and how they’ve designed the game to appeal to a wide range of players.

Q: To begin with, can you introduce Shields of Gold: Valkyrie Hold and Win to our readers and explain how it fits into Booming Games’ expanding portfolio?

A: Shields of Gold: Valkyrie Hold and Win is our latest Norse-inspired slot, blending a timeless theme with fresh mechanics to create an immersive and rewarding experience.

It’s a perfect example of how we continue to expand our portfolio by pairing proven player favourites with innovative twists, delivering titles that feel familiar yet stand out in a competitive market.

Q: One of the title’s standout features is the Wild Transform mechanic. Can you walk us through how this feature works and why it adds an extra dynamic to gameplay?

A: The Wild Transform is a brand-new feature we’re particularly excited about. At any moment, Shield symbols landing on reels one and two, along with Wilds on the remaining reels, can transform, awarding instant win cash prizes or even triggering the Hold and Win Bonus.

This mechanic also plays a key role in Free Spins, where player choice determines whether they’ll see more Shields for frequent Wild Transforms, or an increased number of Wilds on reel five for epic win potential. It’s a feature that keeps players engaged with every spin.

Q: Hold and Win Respins also offers an intriguing twist to bonus play. Why do you believe players will be drawn in by this twist on the classic mechanic?

A: Hold and Win has become a fan-favourite video slot mechanic, and we wanted to build on that popularity with our own take. In Shields of Gold, players not only chase the thrill of filling the reels with Shields but also benefit from the added excitement of the Wild Transform leading into the feature.

It’s a mechanic that feels familiar, but with enough innovation to keep it fresh and rewarding. On top of triggering this, the unlocked Shield guarantees one of the Prize Pot values, offering up to 100x just for one symbol!

Q: Vikings are a timeless theme in slots. How did you approach the design of Shields of Gold: Valkyrie Hold and Win to ensure it stands out from other Norse-inspired releases?

A: We know the Viking theme is popular, so our focus was on authenticity paired with creativity. The Valkyrie as the Wild takes centre stage, bringing an intriguing character-driven approach that differentiates us from more traditional Viking slots.

Combined with high-quality visuals and unique gameplay mechanics, the game delivers a distinctive experience that stands out in a crowded genre.

Q: Visuals and audio play a huge role in immersion. Can you share how your team approached the soundtrack and animations to keep players engaged?

A: Our teams worked to ensure every detail, from the dramatic soundtrack to the flowing animations, played their crucial role in supporting the striking mythological theme.

The music builds anticipation during key moments like Wild Transforms and Hold and Win triggers, while the animations give weight to the Shields and Valkyrie. Together, they create an almost cinematic experience that draws players into the world of the game.

Q: Many players look closely at volatility and hit frequency when choosing a slot. How would you describe the balance in Shields of Gold: Valkyrie Hold and Win, and what type of player do you think it will appeal to most?

A: The game strikes a balanced bonus feature profile, appealing to both casual players and thrill-seekers. Frequent features like Wild Transforms keep the action lively, while the Free Spins and Hold and Win offer high win potential for those who enjoy volatility. It’s designed to be accessible yet exciting, ensuring there’s something for everyone.

Q: Free Spins leads with a dual-option approach. What inspired this inclusion?

A: Giving players greater freedom of choice adds an extra layer of engagement. Some prefer steady, more frequent wins, while others love chasing bigger risks for bigger rewards.

By allowing players to choose between more Shields for Wild Transforms or more Wilds on reel five, we’ve put strategy in their hands, making Free Spins a personalised and dynamic experience.

Q: Responsible entertainment is increasingly valued by players. How does Booming Games ensure that its slots deliver excitement while keeping player well-being in mind?

A: Responsible gaming is central to everything we do. All of our titles are designed with compliance at the forefront, meeting strict regulatory standards across markets.

Beyond that, we focus on clear gameplay, transparent mechanics, and features that prioritise entertainment without misleading players. Our goal is always to create exciting, fun experiences within a safe and responsible framework.

Q: Finally, looking ahead, are there any upcoming titles from Booming Games that you’re particularly excited about that you can share a sneak peek of?

A: Absolutely! Our roadmap for the coming months is jam-packed with captivating content. While I can’t reveal everything just yet, players can look forward to more bold mechanics, fresh themes, and high-quality online slots that push our portfolio even further.

Each upcoming title is built with the same love and philosophy as Shields of Gold - combining proven engagement with innovative features that surprise and delight.

If this bold and adventure-filled slot has sparked your imagination, you can play it (along with the rest of the Booming Games library) at our recommended online casinos!

Don’t forget to take advantage of the welcome bonuses available through our safe links, giving you extra spins and more time to enjoy this hot new Norse adventure.

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04.11.2026

Booming Games Announce Darja Roos as New Chief Financial Officer

Rapidly-expanding software provider continues to strengthen its C-level team by appointing experienced financial leader to key executive role

Malta, 04 November 2026: Booming Games, the Malta-based software provider known for its innovative suite of high-quality slots, promotional tools and back-office solutions, has welcomed Darja Roos to its growing C-level team as Chief Financial Officer.

A vastly experienced name in the world of iGaming, fintech and international businesses, Darja joins the company having already held a number of senior finance and board-level positions, enabling her to add extensive knowledge of governance, reporting and regulations to the new role.

Having most recently served as CFO of Yolo Group, following a senior finance role at GAN/Coolbet, Darja brings a strong combination of operational finance expertise and international business experience that will prove invaluable to Booming Games’ ongoing growth.

As new CFO, Darja will be responsible for leading the company’s financial function while also overseeing accounting, reporting, auditing and compliance. She will work closely with Eric Saliba and the wider Finance team in Malta, partnering with other members of the senior leadership team to support sound financial decision-making and the continued expansion of the business.

With Darja’s appointment following hot on the heels of Ally McIvor taking over as Chief of Sales, the move is reflective of Booming Games’ strategy of bringing experienced people into key roles, and further reinforces the company’s ambition to build a stronger, more sustainable organisation.

Darja Roos, Chief Financial Officer at Booming Games, said: “I’m delighted to be joining Booming Games as CFO and believe the 20+ years’ experience I’ve accumulated across iGaming, fintech and international business will enable me to bring a unique perspective to the role. With a strong team already in place and some very ambitious plans for the future, it’s an exciting chance for us to build a stronger, more efficient financial function, and I can’t wait to get started.”

Ramona Petrina, Chief of Staff at Booming Games, said: “Darja brings exactly the blend of iGaming, governance and international finance experience we need at this stage of our growth. Alongside Eric and the Finance team, she’ll play a key role in building on our existing foundations and supporting our continued growth. We’re delighted to welcome her to the leadership team.”

games

29.10.2026

Join a Pair of Coin-Crazy Leprechauns in Greedy for Gold Power Hit 10,000 by Booming Games

Popular software provider’s Irish-themed slot takes players on a magical trip to the Emerald Isle, where four local prize pots can lead to golden wins of over 10,000x

Malta, 29 October 2026: Get ready to join the leprechaun duo Finn and Fergus in their greatest adventure yet in ‘Greedy For Gold Power Hit 10,000’ – the action-packed, Irish-themed slot from Booming Games where a special coin acollection feature can award grand prizes of over 10,000x!

Played across an unconventional expanding reel set that offers an initial 576 ways to win, Greedy For Gold Power Hit 10,000 is built around its special leprechaun collector symbols on reels 1 and 5. Whenever one of these appears, it will collect the multiplier values of all coins present on reels 2, 3 and 4, and if two arrive at once, players will also receive the total coin prize an additional time.

Should six coins appear during a base game spin with no collector symbol present, players will also be treated to a complimentary respin to give them a second chance to gather up their prizes, and on random spins, the Reel Frenzy bonus can also add an extra multiplier to each column win.

This exciting collection mechanic also plays an important role in the slot’s main Free Spins feature, which is triggered by landing three scatter symbols on the central reels, but may also randomly activate when just one scatter is present. When this happens, players will receive an initial 10 Free Spins on an expanded set of reels that now boasts a staggering 1,944 ways to win!

During Free Spins, collector symbols will gather up coin values just as they did in the base game, only now they’ll remain active for three spins, nudging down one reel space after each round. If a subsequent coin win is awarded while a collector symbol is still in play, it will shift up to the top of its reel and the process will begin again, increasing the payout potential of each and every spin.

Landing three further scatters during the feature will also award an extra 10 Free Spins, and the Reel Frenzy bonus will continue to appear at random each round – though if players want to buy into Free Spins directly, they can opt to do so with Reel Frenzy always active for an increased bet.

As a final incentive, during both the base game and Free Spins, players may also come across jackpot coins in addition to their regular counterparts. If one of these is collected, players will win the corresponding jackpot prize, with these amounts growing progressively bigger in the base game for every pot symbol that appears and always being set to the maximum value in the feature.

Craig Asling Director of Games at Booming Games said: “Booming Games’ coin-crazy leprechaun, Finn, returns this month in Greedy For Gold Power Hit 10,000 – an all-new Irish adventure that boasts bigger wins than ever before! Built around an exciting coin collection mechanic that’s enhanced by reel boosts and four big jackpot prizes, the game offers players a fun and fast-paced experience that’s guaranteed to deliver maximum engagement for operators.”

company

28.10.2026

Booming Games Appoint Ally McIvor as Chief of Sales

Rapidly-expanding software provider appoints experienced commercial director to new role aimed at bolstering the business with dedicated senior leadership in sales

Malta, 28 October 2026: Booming Games, the Malta-based B2B iGaming provider known for its extensive portfolio of 200+ feature-packed slots, has announced it has appointed Ally McIvor as Chief of Sales – a new role designed to add senior leadership to the brand’s commercial function.

Joining Booming Games off the back of a decorated career in iGaming that has seen her hold key commercial, partnership and operations roles for the likes of Microgaming, Games Global and iSoftBet, Ally’s arrival will give the provider the perfect mix of gaming industry knowledge, senior leadership and hands-on customer experience required to take its operations to all-new heights.

From hunting out new business opportunities to cultivating existing relationships, Ally has established an impeccable track record for winning and keeping customers, and this unique blend of commercial drive and relationship-led thinking will prove a major asset to Booming Games as it looks to establish a sales strategy capable of keeping up with its evolving ambitions.

In her new role, Ally will be responsible for heading up Booming Game’s entire sales team, with every colleague reporting directly to her. With this being a deliberate move by the business to add dedicated senior leadership to the department for the first time, the idea behind the appointment is to make sales Ally’s sole focus and ensure that this function is as efficient as it can possibly be.

Moving forward, Ally will be reporting to Booming Game’s Chief Commercial Officer, Michael Waterfield, and the pair will work side-by-side to turn the business’s commercial strategy into a sharper, more ambitious sales operation that’s focused not just on winning more deals, but also on forming the right partnerships and making sure that they provide ongoing value over the years.

Having already made her bow at SBC Lisbon last month, Ally has been thrust straight into action, meeting customers and partners and getting to know the team, but for everyone else, there will be plenty of opportunities to spend some time with her over the coming months and learn more about the world-class commercial leadership team that Booming Games has now put together.

Ally McIvor, Chief of Sales at Booming Games, said: “Booming Games is a rapidly-expanding software provider that deserves a sales strategy to match its lofty ambitions. In my role as Chief of Sales, I intend to add dedicated leadership to the team by drawing on everything I’ve learned from my 7+ years in iGaming, helping us grow by identifying the opportunities that others miss while providing the kind of hands-on customer instinct you can only get from doing it yourself.”

Michael Waterfield, Chief Commercial Officer at Booming Games, said: “With Ally joining as Chief of Sales, we now have a world-class commercial leadership team in place that’s built for the ambitions we hold at Booming Games and the pace we intend to set. I’m genuinely excited to be working with her moving forward and have no doubt the experience she’ll add will sharpen how we pursue priority markets and operators and allow us to maximise every potential opportunity.”


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