In an era dominated by complex mechanics, cascading reels, and multi-layered bonus structures, ENJOY Gaming found one of its biggest hits in the power of simplicity. Built on a classic 3×3 layout, Diamond Slam proved that traditional slot design still commands massive commercial appeal—and now, the studio is doubling down with its sequel, Diamond Slam: Xtra Power. We spoke with Product Owner Taras Stepovyi about refining a proven formula, adding high-impact features like Stepper and Lucky Slam, and how ENJOY plans to tackle the shrinking perception of jackpot payouts.
Slot design has spent the past decade chasing complexity in the form of cascading reels, multi-layered bonus buys and themes stretched across ever more elaborate mechanics. Yet amid that arms race, one of ENJOY Gaming’s most consistent performers has been a title built on the opposite premise. Diamond Slam, with its classic 3×3 layout and stripped-back symbols, has become one of the studio’s top-performing releases, evidence that a significant share of the player base still responds to simplicity done well.
That performance is the foundation for Diamond Slam: Xtra Power, a sequel designed not to reinvent the format but to sharpen it. Product Owner Taras Stepovyi explains why classic mechanics continue to hold commercial weight, what data told the studio to change and what to leave alone, and how new features like Stepper and Lucky Slam were built to intensify the experience without disturbing what already worked. He also looks ahead to how ENJOY plans to address a challenge facing the wider jackpot category: payouts that feel smaller with each passing year.
The original Diamond Slam game has proven to be one of ENJOY’s top-performing releases. Why is there still a strong demand for classic-style slots within the digital space?
With hundreds of new titles hitting the market every day, many built around increasingly elaborate themes, there’s a large segment of players who simply relate more to an old-school look and feel, especially when it comes with a modern twist. That was our exact philosophy when developing Diamond Slam: stay true to the classic style while bringing something new to the table.
- Can you share any insights into Diamond Slam’s player base? Are these players coming back to classic mechanics, or are they new to slots altogether?
What we’re seeing is that players consistently gravitate toward a more classic approach: traditional 3×3 or 5×3 reels, familiar fruit and gem symbols, and simple mechanics. That simplicity also lowers the barrier to entry. Even players new to slots find it easier to get to grips with a game that isn’t layered with features and non-intuitive triggers. If you want to relax and have fun without a learning curve, that’s exactly what Diamond Slam delivers.
The company’s goal with Xtra Power was to enhance what players loved with the original title rather than reinventing the game. How did you decide which elements to build on and leave others untouched?
The first rule of game development is not to fix what isn’t broken, but to strengthen what could be better. We constantly track how our games perform and where there’s room to improve. Diamond Slam quickly became our top performer, so the core logic was never in question. Instead, our focus shifted to other areas, particularly how often the Bonus game triggers, and how we could make that moment more exciting when it does?
The Stepper and Lucky Slam features are two of the key additions to the gameplay. How do they work exactly and complement the core Diamond Slam experience?
Stepper gives players an extra chance to trigger the Bonus game. Say a spin lands two of the three symbols needed to trigger it. In the original game, that was the end of it; close, but not close enough, and it was on to the next spin. With Stepper, players get a second chance without staking another spin: the symbols shift down the reels, and if the third bonus symbol lands at the top, the Bonus game is triggered.
Lucky Slam works differently. During Free Spins, it adds two to four Diamond Slam or Bonus symbols to the reels. That not only boosts wins directly but also awards extra spins, meaning more time in the Bonus game and more chances at our biggest jackpots.
Looking ahead, how are you looking to evolve the Diamond Slam series with future releases?
The goal for the next instalment is the same as it was for Xtra Power: keep improving the player experience. Having strengthened the Bonus game and its triggers in this release, our attention is turning to a challenge that affects the wider jackpot category: payouts that feel smaller year on year, which can dull the excitement of hitting them. We’re exploring a feature that would increase payout value, so that a Mini jackpot could reward players with more than a Major once did. It’s designed to be genuinely exciting, and we’re looking forward to seeing how players respond.
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