Thunderkick unveils Carnival Queen 2 with expanding reels and 25,000x win cap
Thunderkick has launched Carnival Queen 2, a sequel slot featuring a new expanding reel structure and an uncapped multiplier offering up to 25,000x wins.
Stockholm-based studio Thunderkick has released Carnival Queen 2, a follow-up to its Mardi Gras-themed slot, introducing a redesigned reel structure paired with an infinite multiplier mechanic.
The game uses a new grid layout in which each reel’s height can randomly vary between two and seven symbols, generating between 5,040 and a maximum of 117,649 ways to win.
Avalanche and Exploding Wild mechanics return
The sequel retains the Avalanche feature from the original title, with winning symbols replaced and the multiplier increasing by 1x each time, with no upper limit as long as new combinations continue to land.
The Exploding Wild mechanic also returns, now affecting both the base game and bonus round. It clears all symbols vertically plus one random symbol from each other reel, while also expanding the height of its own reel to increase the number of active paylines.
A bonus round of 12 free spins is triggered by landing three scatter symbols. During this round, both reel height and multiplier levels are carried over between spins rather than resetting, allowing win potential to build further.
Building on a six-year-old title
According to Thunderkick, the release forms part of its strategy of developing sequels to established game franchises to sustain player engagement and support long-term value for operators.
Johannes Polbring, Game Product Owner at Thunderkick, said the original Carnival Queen, launched more than six years ago, continues to perform well within the studio’s portfolio, prompting the decision to update it. He said the sequel adds more base game action and a new expanding grid structure while keeping the carnival atmosphere that made the first game popular.
Thunderkick, founded in 2012 and based in Stockholm, employs more than 80 staff and develops titles in-house for distribution via its own Remote Gaming Server. Its games are available with operators including Bet365, William Hill, LeoVegas, 888 Casino, Mr Green, PokerStars Casino, ComeOn, Unibet and Betsson.