Mancala Gaming Interview at ICE 2026: From Player to Creator
We had the pleasure to video interview Nikita Gorshkov, the CEO & Founder of Mancala Gaming. The video is also available on YouTube.
We had the pleasure to video interview Nikita Gorshkov, the CEO & Founder of Mancala Gaming. The video is also available on YouTube.
Nikita Gorshkov is the CEO and Founder of Mancala Gaming. When talking about what defines the company, the focus quickly narrows down to one thing: the products themselves.
The goal is not complexity for its own sake, but enjoyment. The games are built around emotion, anticipation, and the moments that keep players engaged from spin to spin.
“It is always about the enjoyment and the near misses. It is about that rush when you are about to win.”
A key difference is the personal connection behind the games. The products are shaped by real playing experience, not just design theory.
Game development is driven by the idea of creating something that feels exciting to play, not only impressive to present.
“Making a product that I personally enjoy and want to play has always been a dream of mine.”
Despite developing modern online slot games, the design mindset leans toward classic casino values. There is a strong preference for hold and win mechanics and gameplay that feels familiar to land based players.
The experience aims to recreate the atmosphere of a real casino floor. Even though the games are online, the pacing, structure, and mechanics are inspired by land based operations.
This approach results in games that feel grounded and recognizable, while still offering new twists.
Among the current portfolio, one title stands out as a personal favorite.
“My favorite is one of our latest releases called Serengeti Sunrise. It is a hold and win game with expanded wilds on a single reel. It is just a lot of fun.”
At ICE Barcelona 2026, Mancala Gaming presents a booth and showcase built around a very specific and bold theme. One of the highlighted titles draws inspiration from a well known horror franchise.
The intention is to explore areas that are rarely touched within slot game design. This includes darker visuals, stronger atmosphere, and themes that stand out immediately.
“It is a lot of blood and a lot of gore. That is not something you usually find. From the theme perspective, it is quite unique.”
Innovation is not limited to visuals alone. The way the game behaves also challenges expectations.
The reels themselves do not spin in the traditional sense, creating a different rhythm and feel designed to surprise and engage players.
At the time of the interview, Mancala Gaming’s portfolio is centered on slot games. That focus is about to broaden.
In 2026, the company is expanding into new verticals. Crash games and Instant games are being added as a new branch under the Mancala Gaming brand.
This expansion introduces more variety while keeping the same design philosophy at the core.
The rollout of these new verticals is planned throughout 2026.
The journey behind Mancala Gaming spans seven intense years. It started with a simple idea and a table in Starbucks.
From there, the company grew step by step, shaped by the people who joined along the way and helped build the studio.
Survival was the defining challenge in the early years.
“The biggest challenge was to survive.”
Staying alive in a highly competitive industry required constant effort, resilience, and long term thinking.
Looking ahead, 2026 is a year of acceleration. Production is expanding, and the studio is increasing its output.
The plan is to release at least four new games every month, effectively doubling production.
Even with higher volume, priorities remain unchanged.
“It is always about quality, never about quantity.”
The ability to scale production is the result of years of preparation, allowing the studio to deliver consistently without sacrificing standards.
Player feedback plays a central role in ongoing development. Communication channels are in place where players can share opinions, reactions, and expectations.
This feedback also feeds into promotions and bonuses, delivered through partner operators.
“It is not about the operator. It is about the player.”
Over time, listening closely to players has shaped the evolution of Mancala Gaming’s products.
For players who have not yet tried Mancala Gaming titles, the message is simple and confident.
“The question is when, not if. You just have to spin.”
A personal gambling background continues to influence how games are approached.
The biggest win did not come from slots, but from Blackjack.
During a single land based Blackjack session, a side bet resulted in a win of roughly 400 times the original buy in.
The session ended strongly overall, making it a standout moment.
The interview concludes with thanks on both sides and a positive note from ICE Barcelona 2026.