Mr. Gamble Q&A: PearFiction Studios’ Ajay Natarajan on VoltedUP, Feature-Driven Design, and What’s Next

In this exclusive Mr. Gamble Q&A, we sit down with Ajay Natarajan, Game Owner at PearFiction Studios, to talk about the studio’s upcoming release VoltedUP WildSurge™ and the thinking behind its layered mechanics and high-energy design.

From Ajay’s journey through the gambling industry to the creative philosophy shaping PearFiction’s games, the conversation explores how modern slot experiences are built, why feature balance matters more than ever, and what players and partners can expect from the studio heading into 2026.

Whether you’re following new releases closely or simply curious about how feature-rich slots come together behind the scenes, this interview offers a candid look into PearFiction’s creative process.

To start things off, can you introduce yourself and tell us a bit about your role at PearFiction Studios?

Hi, I’m Ajay Natarajan. I started my career in the gambling industry back in 2012 as a test engineer, but over time I discovered a real passion for designing innovative slot mechanics and combining them with strong art and animation. That interest naturally led me into game design and eventually into my current role as a Game Owner, where I truly feel at home.

At PearFiction Studios, being a Game Owner means wearing many hats: designer, project manager, and creative lead. I’m involved in everything from designing features and managing tasks to testing the game and ensuring smooth launches. My goal is always to bring all the pieces together into a high-quality player journey, and I’m lucky to work with an amazing team that has my back throughout the process.

This upcoming release marks another feature-rich title for the studio. How would you describe the game overall, and what were you aiming to achieve from a gameplay and design perspective?

It’s a high-energy slot built around escalation, momentum, and that feeling of things constantly ramping up. From the outset, we wanted it to feel electric, both visually and mechanically, which is why the retro power-station theme works so well as a backdrop for what’s happening behind the scenes.

What really sets the game apart is how all the features are connected. The core Wild mechanic, the LockNWin bonus, Bonus Choice, and the Funtastic Zone all work together rather than sitting in isolation. Nothing is there “just because”; every element feeds into the next, steadily intensifying as you play.

From a design perspective, the experience keeps evolving, opening up more space, more potential, and more ways for things to unfold, without ever feeling confusing. That sense of the game taking shape over time is key for us. It feels alive, unpredictable, and very much in line with the bold, feature-driven style PearFiction is known for.

The main Wild-based mechanic plays a central role in the experience. How does this feature develop as the game progresses?

It’s really the engine that drives the game. The system builds in stages as you play, gradually unlocking stronger Wild-focused effects over time. Early on, you’ll see electric zones converting symbols into Wilds, but as the charge builds, it escalates into Wild Columns, Rows, Crosses, Multipliers, Respins, and eventually full-screen Wild scenarios.

The goal was to make the game feel like it’s charging up, both visually and mechanically. Each stage adds more intensity without breaking the flow, keeping the experience intriguing and dynamic while still feeling structured. It’s all about momentum and that satisfying sense of escalation.

With so many mechanics working together, how do you approach finding the right balance when developing a feature-heavy slot?

Feature-rich games only work when every mechanic has a clear purpose. Adding features isn’t the hard part; knowing when to stop is. With this title, the focus was always on balance, clarity, and pacing. We wanted each feature to build on the last, not compete for attention or overwhelm the player.

A lot of time went into iteration and internal playtesting, constantly asking whether a mechanic genuinely added something engaging, or something unnecessarily complex. If it didn’t raise the voltage, it didn’t make the cut. That discipline is what allows the game to feel energetic and layered without ever becoming overwhelming or confusing.

The game features both a LockNWin-style bonus and Free Spins. How do these mechanics sit alongside each other in today’s slot design landscape?

Hold and Win-style mechanics have definitely become a staple in modern slot design, largely because they’re clear, engaging, and easy for players to understand. That said, traditional Free Spins are still very much an essential part of the experience; they offer a different kind of flow and rhythm that many players still enjoy.

For this release, we made a conscious decision to include both. Free Spins bring momentum and visual energy, particularly when paired with the Wild system, while the LockNWin bonus delivers a more structured sense of build-up and pacing. Offering both allows the game to appeal to different play styles without forcing players into a single experience.

Within the LockNWin feature, there are several moving parts. Is there one element that stands out to you most from a design point of view?

From a design perspective, the Funtastic Zone is probably the most satisfying element to see activate. What I like about it is how it builds over time and subtly shifts the rhythm of the feature. It doesn’t resolve everything in a single moment; instead, it adds a sense of build and gives the bonus a longer arc, making each spin feel meaningful.

Visually, it’s also very easy to read, which is important when you’re dealing with layered mechanics. Players can clearly see what’s happening and why it matters without needing to decode anything. As designers, we’re always drawn to features that create contrast and expectation while still feeling intuitive, and this one strikes that balance really well.

If you had to sum up the overall feel of VoltedUP WildSurge™ in a single sentence, how would you describe it?

“A high-voltage slot that builds momentum through layered mechanics and makes no attempt to hide its bold personality.”

Looking ahead, what can players and partners expect from PearFiction Studios in 2026?

2026 is shaping up to be very busy for us, in the best possible way. We spent much of 2025 quietly building a pretty ambitious roadmap, and it’s packed with new titles, new mechanics, and a whole cast of fresh characters and stories waiting to be unleashed.

There’s a strong evolution of what we already do well, bold features, big personalities, and games that don’t take themselves too seriously, but we’ve also got some brand-new ideas tucked up our sleeves that take us into places we haven’t explored before. Let’s just say there may be some familiar faces making a comeback… possibly looking a little older, a little angrier, or a little hungrier than before.

Add in a few comfort-food-style themes, a legacy title getting a well-deserved glow-up, and at least one character who really should be enjoying retirement by now, and you’ve got a year that’s shaping up to be unmistakably PearFiction.

That’s probably all I should say… before someone from the studio kitchen tells me I’ve said too much.

About PearFiction Studios

PearFiction Studios designs and develops engaging casino games for distribution across the Games Global platform, specialising in innovative, bespoke, and creatively driven online casino experiences. Known for strong visuals, polished production, and feature-focused gameplay, the studio’s titles are developed from early concept through to final release.