Today we’re joined by Tom King, Senior Business Development Manager, working closely with Linko Studios™ on product positioning and innovative products at Games Global.
Q1. First and foremost, thank you for taking the time to talk to us here at Demo Slot! As a newly launched studio, there’s plenty for our readers to discover! Can you start off by introducing us to Linko Studios™.
Thank you for having me! Sure, let’s get into it. Linko Studios™ was born directly from years of conversations with operators across different markets. We kept hearing the same thing: games were getting more complex, but not necessarily more fun. Some players wanted simpler gameplay without losing pace and entertainment value, while operators were looking for products that could appeal to a wide range of audiences, not just experienced slot players.
That combination of feedback pushed us to rethink the format. Instead of adding more layers, we asked: what would happen if we simplified the core experience while still offering clear feature moments throughout the game? That’s how our proprietary new slot-style game format was conceived, easy to enter, fast to understand, but designed with math and mechanics that deliver engaging and dynamic gameplay.
Q2. You’re preparing to launch your first title, Linko 5™. It clearly takes a different approach compared to many traditional online slots. Could you explain the core mechanics of the game and how they work during gameplay?
The simplest way to explain Linko 5™ is that it’s designed to be instantly understood the moment you press spin. It plays on a familiar 5×5 grid with fixed paylines, but the big difference is the win rule: any five symbols on a payline wins, even if they don’t match. That changes the feel straight away, because you’re not waiting for perfect combinations.
Payouts are just as clear. When a line hits, the win is based on the coin values you can see on that line, so players can follow exactly where the prize comes from as it lands.
Q3. Every new game starts with an initial idea. What was the original concept behind Linko 5™, and how did that idea influence the overall direction of the project?
The original concept behind Linko 5™ was less about launching a single title and more about creating a new way this style of slot can work and then building a studio that can develop that format properly over time. That’s why the names are so closely linked: Linko Studios™ was built around the Linko 5™ mechanic and the gameplay structure it introduces.
Our north star was simple feedback we kept hearing: keep gameplay easy to follow, keep the rhythm moving, and make the base game just as exciting as the bonus. That shaped the entire project, influencing how outcomes are communicated clearly and how feature moments are introduced without adding complexity.
Q4. While Linko 5™ introduces a distinctive structure, it also includes familiar elements such as free spins and a wheel feature. How did you decide which traditional features to include alongside the game’s newer mechanics?
The wheel feature and free spins bonus round will feel familiar to players whilst offering their own unique twists. For us, the decision came down to one thing: not letting supporting features distract from what makes Linko 5™ different. The core mechanic already introduces a new way to play, so we focused on feature formats that are easy to understand and add impact, without introducing a learning curve.
That’s why the Linko Wheel is central. It’s where we concentrate the bigger moments, including multipliers, collect style features, wilds and jackpots. Free spins give a familiar change of pace, but they’re designed to stay in the same Linko rhythm.
So overall, we didn’t pick features to tick boxes. We picked the ones that naturally fit the Linko format and let us deliver bigger peaks, without losing the clarity that the game is built on.
Q5. One of the key ideas behind Linko 5™ appears to be keeping the gameplay clear and easy to follow, particularly with the “any five symbols” win rule. How important were clarity and accessibility when designing the game?
Very important. If someone doesn’t understand how a game works, it may be difficult to interact with it. With Linko 5™, we focused on balancing simplicity with feature variety by ensuring the base game includes multiple clearly presented mechanics at different stages of the experience, such as the Power Up! feature and the Linko Wheel.
Each element is designed to be easy to recognise and understand, so players can follow what’s happening on screen.
Q6. When developing Linko 5™, did you have a particular type of experience in mind, or was the goal to create something that could appeal to a broad audience?
We approached development with a broad range of familiarity levels in mind. For those who are less experienced with slots, the priority was readability, being able to see what’s happening and understand why a win has occurred.
We also wanted to focus on providing variety through features and maintaining a consistent pace throughout the session. The overall goal was broad appeal, while still offering enough depth through mechanics and feature combinations to make the experience feel considered rather than simplified.
Q7. Looking ahead, how do you see Linko Studios’ future releases taking shape? Can we expect a range of different concepts, or will upcoming titles continue to build on the foundations introduced in Linko 5™?
We have plans to continue growing Linko as a brand within iGaming, and we’re currently exploring new themes and mechanics while reviewing early learnings from the first release. Taking time to assess those insights is important before making any long-term decisions.
That said, future titles will continue to reflect the same Linko principles: gameplay that’s easy to follow, a consistent pace, and feature moments that are clearly presented without adding unnecessary complexity. Each release will build on that foundation.
Q8. Finally, thank you again for your time. Is there anything you’d like to add about Linko Studios™ or Linko 5™ that we haven’t covered?
Absolutely, and thank you for having us. We’d also like to acknowledge the operator partners who supported the initial rollout and took the time to share constructive feedback, which has been invaluable as we establish the Linko format.
We’re pleased to see Linko 5™ now available across multiple markets and look forward to continuing to develop the studio and the format with future releases. Our focus remains on building recognition for Linko as a clear and approachable gameplay style that operators can confidently offer.