Topboss Group x High Limit Studio – Fivefold the Gold™ Q&A

High Limit Studio is back with Fivefold the Gold™, the latest game in its popular Fold the Gold™ series. The Sydney-based studio says this is the biggest step forward for the series so far. As a result, we wanted to find out what goes into building a game like this.

We caught up with Adrian Wotton, Co-Studio Head and Creative Director at High Limit Studio. Adrian has more than 25 years of experience designing slot games. In this Q&A, he talks us through the new Lucky Levels™ feature and the four Free Spins modes. He also explains how the team approached the game’s look and sound. Finally, he gives us a hint of what could be next for the series.

Thanks for joining us, Adrian – to begin, could you introduce yourself, explain your role at High Limit Studio and give us an insight into what you do day-to-day?

I’m Adrian Wotton, Co-Studio Head and Creative Director at High Limit Studio. I’ve spent more than 25 years designing slot games, across both land-based and online gaming. Day-to-day, I’m involved in everything from the first game idea and mechanic through to art direction and the final player experience. I spend most of my time asking, “Is this fun?”

What defines a High Limit Studio release, and how has the studio’s approach to game design evolved since it was founded in 2021?

We want our games to be easy to understand, exciting to play and to have a strong identity. We’ve become much more focused on creating mechanics and brands that we can build on rather than treating every release as a standalone idea. When we revisit a mechanic, we look for ways to expand and extend the experience in order to provide something new.

High Limit Studio describes Fivefold the Gold™ as the biggest evolution of the series yet. What lessons did you take from Fourfold the Gold™, and how have they shaped this new instalment?

Fourfold the Gold™ gave us a foundation for developing the series’ progression mechanics. With Fivefold the Gold™, we wanted that journey to be much bigger. Lucky Levels™ keeps adding new possibilities as you progress, so the game you start playing isn’t quite the same game you’re playing later. Fivefold the Gold™ is really about the journey, not just the destination.

Lucky Levels™ introduces new mechanics as the game progresses, through to the Minimum Win feature and eventually the Super Wheel Bonus. What does that progression add to the overall experience?

Lucky Levels™ gives the game a structure in which additional mechanics are introduced at different stages. Each Lucky Level adds something tangible, culminating in some of the game’s strongest features. We wanted progression to feel meaningful – each level actually changes how the game plays, rather than just tracking how far along you are.

In the base game, Coins either pay out straight away through Express Collect™, or go into the Pot, which can award the Wheel Bonus at random. How did you arrive at that split?

We liked the tension that’s built between “win it now” and “build something for later.” Express Collect™ gives Coins immediate value, while the Pot creates intrigue knowing even non-winning Coins contribute towards another winning opportunity. It’s a simple split mechanically, but it gives every Coin that lands a little more value.

The game offers four distinct Free Spins modes, including the new Upgrade Free Spins alongside Sticky, Repeat Win and Multiplier Free Spins. How did you give each one its own identity and a genuinely different style of play?

The rule was simple: if we’re offering four Free Spins modes, they need to feel like four different experiences. Sticky is about building the screen, Repeat Win is about getting another shot at a great result, Multiplier is about escalating value, and Upgrade is about improving what you have. We wanted players to have favourites – creating more passion about which one they want to land!

Beyond the features and mechanics, how did the team approach the look, sound and personality of Fivefold the Gold™?

We wanted it to feel unmistakably part of the Fold the Gold™ series, but bigger, brighter and more celebratory. There’s a lot happening mechanically, so visually our job was actually to keep things clear and let the important moments shine.

And the sound had to carry that personality too. It’s a bright, playful game, so the audio leans the same way – there’s character in the quiet moments as well as the loud ones. When something big happens, we want the whole game to feel like it knows something big just happened.

With the series progressing from Twofold the Gold™ all the way through to Fivefold the Gold™, where could you take the franchise next, and what else should players look out for from High Limit Studio?

We’ve gone from Twofold the Gold™ to Fivefold the Gold™. I can’t give too much away, but it’s safe to assume there will be more Fold the Gold™! More broadly, High Limit Studio is focused on building recognisable brands and exploring how their mechanics can evolve. Whether it’s the Fold the Gold™ series, Boomstick Bill™, Beef Up the Bonus™ or Bucket of Bonus Bass™. For us, the question is never just “What’s next?” – it’s “How do we make the next one better than the last?”

About High Limit Studio

About Heather Gartland

Heather's background in banking and extensive experience in senior management positions has been instrumental in her success as a business owner and content writer in the iGaming industry. Her ability to manage teams and develop strategies has allowed her to grow her business, which now includes over 140 online gaming websites.

Read more about the Author...