Yggdrasil Slots

Named after the mythical tree connecting the nine worlds in Norse mythology, Yggdrasil has lived up to its ambitious namesake since its founding in 2013. The company has established itself as one of the most innovative slot developers in the industry, known for visually stunning games with unique mechanics and features. Their revolutionary YGS Masters program has further expanded their influence by partnering with independent studios to create diverse, high-quality content.

Founded: 2013

Headquarters: Malta

Games: 200+

Last Updated:

About Yggdrasil

Yggdrasil was founded in 2013 by Fredrik Elmqvist, former CEO of NetEnt, with a vision to create innovative, high-quality slots that pushed the boundaries of what was possible in online gaming. The company's name, taken from Norse mythology, reflects their ambitious goal to connect different worlds of gaming experience.

Their early releases like Jokerizer and Winterberries established their reputation for visual excellence, but it was the Vikings series, beginning with Vikings Go Wild in 2015, that truly put them on the map. This series, which now includes multiple titles, showcased their ability to create engaging gameplay mechanics tied to compelling themes.

In 2018, Yggdrasil launched their YGS Masters program, a revolutionary approach that partners with independent studios to create games using Yggdrasil's technology and distribution network. This program has brought diverse creative voices into their portfolio while maintaining their high quality standards, significantly expanding their game offerings.

The company has continued to innovate with proprietary mechanics like Splitz, Gigablox, and MultiMAX, which offer unique gameplay experiences not found elsewhere. In 2020, they were acquired by Cherry AB, though they continue to operate with creative independence under their established brand.

What Makes Yggdrasil Special

Proprietary Mechanics

Yggdrasil has developed several innovative game mechanics that have become their signature features. The Splitz mechanic, introduced in Temple Stacks, allows symbols to split into multiple instances, creating thousands of potential ways to win. GigaBlox, featured in games like Hades GigaBlox, creates massive symbols that can be up to 6x6 in size, dominating the reels and creating dramatic win potential. The MultiMAX series, including Raptor DoubleMAX, features multipliers that compound rather than simply add together, creating exponential win growth. These proprietary mechanics aren't just gimmicks – they're thoughtfully integrated into the games' themes and overall design, enhancing the player experience while creating unique gameplay not found elsewhere. By developing and trademarking these mechanics, Yggdrasil has created distinctive experiences that players specifically seek out.

Visual Excellence

Yggdrasil's games are immediately recognizable for their outstanding visual quality, which often rivals animated films rather than typical slot graphics. Their art team creates richly detailed environments with atmospheric lighting, fluid animations, and character designs that convey personality and emotion. Games like Valley of the Gods showcase their ability to create immersive ancient worlds, while Cazino Cosmos demonstrates their skill with stylized steampunk aesthetics. The Vikings series features particularly impressive character animation, with berserker transformations that feel genuinely exciting. What sets their approach apart is how these visuals enhance rather than distract from gameplay – animations celebrate wins without unnecessary delays, and visual effects clearly communicate game mechanics. This commitment to visual excellence extends to their user interface, which maintains a consistent, intuitive design while adapting to each game's theme.

YGS Masters Program

Yggdrasil's YGS Masters program has revolutionized how slot content is developed and distributed. This initiative partners with independent studios, allowing them to create games using Yggdrasil's technology and distribution network while maintaining their creative vision. Partners include Northern Lights, Dreamtech, and 4ThePlayer, each bringing unique styles and ideas to the Yggdrasil ecosystem. This approach benefits everyone involved – the partner studios gain access to Yggdrasil's established distribution channels and technical infrastructure, Yggdrasil expands their portfolio with diverse content without expanding their internal team, and players get a wider variety of high-quality games. The program maintains quality through Yggdrasil's strict standards while encouraging innovation from fresh perspectives. This collaborative model has been so successful that other providers have begun implementing similar programs, but Yggdrasil's remains the gold standard for balancing quality control with creative freedom.

Key Features

Splitz Mechanic

Symbols that can split into up to 12 identical symbols, creating thousands of ways to win

GigaBlox

Massive symbols up to 6x6 in size that dominate the reels and create dramatic win potential

MultiMAX

Multipliers that compound rather than add, creating exponential win growth potential

GATI Technology

Standardized development toolkit that powers their YGS Masters program and enables rapid deployment

My Personal Experience

"I've been playing Yggdrasil slots since around 2015, and they've consistently impressed me with their innovation and quality. Vikings Go Berzerk was the first game that really hooked me - the way the Vikings transform into berserkers during free spins creates such a satisfying progression as you fill those rage meters. Had an incredible session last year where I triggered the Ragnarök free spins with all Vikings starting as berserkers - ended up with a 1,500x win that I still remember vividly. Valley of the Gods is another favorite - the way blocked tiles clear as you win and the scarab collections build up creates this perfect sense of momentum. Their newer mechanics like Splitz and GigaBlox are genuinely exciting innovations rather than gimmicks. Hades GigaBlox in particular is brilliant - landing those massive 6x6 symbols feels so impactful, especially when it's a high-paying symbol or wild. What impresses me most about Yggdrasil is how they balance visual excellence with solid gameplay mechanics. Their games look gorgeous but never sacrifice playability for aesthetics. The animations enhance the experience rather than slowing it down with unnecessary flourishes. If you're new to Yggdrasil, I'd recommend starting with Vikings Go Berzerk for a taste of their classic style, then trying Hades GigaBlox to experience their newer innovations."

- Alex, Slot Enthusiast since 2012

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between the Vikings series games?

The Vikings series includes four main titles – Vikings Go Wild, Vikings Go Berzerk, Vikings Go To Hell, and Vikings Go Berzerk Reloaded – each evolving the core concept while maintaining the Viking theme. All games feature the signature rage meter mechanic, where Vikings collect rage points that eventually transform them into berserkers with enhanced abilities. Vikings Go Wild (the original) introduced the concept with a straightforward implementation. Vikings Go Berzerk added the Ragnarök free spins feature and treasure chests with enhanced rewards. Vikings Go To Hell took the Vikings on a journey to the underworld, adding boss fights and multiple levels to the free spins. Vikings Go Berzerk Reloaded is a modern reimagining of the second game with enhanced graphics, additional features, and higher win potential. Each game increases in volatility and complexity, with the later titles offering more features and higher potential rewards for players willing to take on the additional risk.

How does the Splitz mechanic work?

The Splitz mechanic, featured in games like Temple Stacks and Neon Rush, introduces special symbols that can split into multiple instances of the same symbol. When Splitz symbols land on the reels, they reveal between 3 and 12 identical symbols in a single position. This dramatically increases the number of ways to win, as each split creates additional matching symbols. For example, if you get Splitz symbols on multiple reels that all reveal the same high-paying symbol, you could potentially create thousands of winning combinations in a single spin. The mechanic creates exciting moments of anticipation as players watch the symbols split and reveal their contents. Different Yggdrasil games implement variations of the mechanic – some guarantee that Splitz symbols always reveal the same symbol type, while others might reveal mixed symbols or special features like wilds or multipliers.

What is the YGS Masters program?

The YGS (Yggdrasil Gaming Solutions) Masters program is Yggdrasil's initiative to partner with independent game studios, allowing them to create slots using Yggdrasil's technology and distribution network. Partner studios like Northern Lights, Dreamtech, and 4ThePlayer develop games with their own creative vision while leveraging Yggdrasil's GATI (Game Adaptation Tools & Interface) technology for standardized development and rapid deployment. This program benefits everyone involved – partner studios gain access to Yggdrasil's established distribution channels and technical infrastructure, Yggdrasil expands their portfolio with diverse content, and players get a wider variety of high-quality games. All YGS Masters games must meet Yggdrasil's strict quality standards, ensuring consistent excellence across the portfolio. The program has been highly successful, with many of the most popular recent releases coming from partner studios rather than Yggdrasil's internal team.

Are Yggdrasil slots mobile-friendly?

Yes, Yggdrasil slots are exceptionally well-optimized for mobile play. Since 2014, they've developed all their games using HTML5 technology, ensuring seamless performance across desktop and mobile devices without requiring separate versions. Their iSENSE 2.0+ platform was specifically designed with mobile in mind, featuring responsive layouts that adapt to different screen sizes and orientations. The user interface elements are thoughtfully positioned for thumb-friendly operation, with appropriately sized buttons and clear visibility of important game information. Even their most visually complex games maintain smooth performance on mobile devices, with optimized file sizes that reduce loading times and data usage. This mobile-first approach extends to their game mechanics as well – features like GigaBlox and Splitz are designed to create impact even on smaller screens, ensuring the full experience translates to mobile play.