When deciding whether to produce a sequel, studios, especially those with extensive portfolios, must go through a detailed selection process to choose a suitable candidate. Do you go with a top financial performer, a game that stirred the most buzz in player communities, or simply follow your gut as a game designer? Relax Gaming has already released numerous follow-ups to their successful slots, including Money Train 4, which closed the action-packed heist series, Wild Chapo 2, or Bill & Coin 2: Mummy Mischief.
Titles like these prove beyond a doubt that the studio has a solid understanding of what players expect from a game that builds on the original, staying true to its core while adding new, exciting twists. Today, we talk with Andy Payne, Product Owner, about another upcoming sequel, Snake Arena 2: Kinesis Unleashed, a continuation of Snake Arena (which was also remade into a Dream Drop version), a release from 2020 with mechanics inspired by the popular retro arcade game. Let's find out what sparked the creators' desire to reach so far back into their portfolio.
Hi Andy! We appreciate you taking the time to join us in this Q&A. Seeing Snake Arena 2 in the Relax Gaming roadmap was quite a surprise, given the original was released over 5 years ago. But before we dive into the sequel, let's talk briefly about the original.
1. Was Snake Arena a good performer? And how did it fare against other successful titles released at the same time?
AP: Snake Arena was a significant release for Relax, both in innovation and timing. It arrived just as we were beginning to establish our identity as a studio that does things differently. The introduction of our first direct bonus buy was a significant step forward and immediately set the game apart.
Players responded very well to its distinctive 8-bit aesthetic and Snake mechanic, offering something genuinely fresh at the time. It was bold, playful, and carried a nostalgic energy that connected with both casual and experienced players. This originality helped the game maintain engagement long after its launch.
Even now, years later, it continues to attract loyal fans and regularly performs in operator lobbies. That lasting appeal gave us the confidence to revisit it. However, we were very deliberate about the timing; we wanted to ensure that if we ever returned to Snake Arena, it would be for the right creative reasons, not merely because it had been successful commercially.
2. Was there a lot of confidence in the "snake" part from the start, and how it would translate to the online slot environment, stripped of any control by the player?
AP: Certainly, although it was definitely a calculated risk. The “snake” mechanic was unlike anything we had done before; it relied on tension, movement, and timing rather than direct player input. Our design team spent a lot of time exploring how to evoke that sense of control and anticipation without actually giving the player control of the snake.
We initially experimented with several prototypes that allowed directional movement, but ultimately chose a fixed path because it created a cleaner, more cinematic experience. By focusing on how the snake moved relative to the Slayer, we could craft those unpredictable “will it or won’t it” moments that make every round feel unique.
It’s fascinating to observe how players instinctively interact with the game. As soon as the snake appears, you can almost see them lean forward, scanning the grid and hoping for the snake’s next move to align perfectly. This reaction indicated that we had discovered a powerful mechanic capable of generating emotion, tension, and excitement without overly complicating the experience.
3. The sequel jumps forward in time to a futuristic setting inspired by the Dune franchise. What prompted that choice?
AP: We aimed to develop Snake Arena beyond its medieval roots while maintaining its intense energy. The original game had a heroic, castle-themed atmosphere that perfectly suited the initial concept, but in the sequel, we saw an opportunity to elevate the experience altogether.
The new setting is darker, grittier, and more mysterious, set around an abandoned silo in a forgotten era, where the snake has made its lair. Here, Slayers are both hunters and hunted, engaged in a relentless battle for Viperium vials, the rare substance that sustains the snake. It is an entirely new world, yet one that feels like a natural evolution of the universe we created.
We drew inspiration from science fiction and post-apocalyptic tales, exploring worlds of survival, adaptation, and transformation. Subtle references to Money Train appear through specific symbols, ensuring consistency across our wider portfolio. It is a daring reimagining that stays true to Relax’s DNA and leaves room for a third instalment if players welcome it.
4. What was your approach to the features? Obviously, the Snake mode had to remain, but it has changed quite a bit, with different movement sequences across the board and more special symbols added.
AP: The main challenge was developing the Snake mechanic without losing what made it so memorable. In Snake Arena 2, we concentrated even more on scale and intensity. The Snake no longer just moves across the grid; it now feels alive in a much more dynamic environment.
We designed the new Arena modes to create the same cinematic thrill players experience in Money Train. The suspense comes from the Snake physically collecting feature values, leading to moments where it narrowly misses a symbol or connects for a significant reward. This physical aspect really heightens the sense of anticipation.
In the Super Snake Arena mode, the action becomes even more intense. Symbols remain on the grid after activation, allowing effects to stack and chain, resulting in chaos that fills the screen and offers great win potential.
We brought back popular favourites like the Collector (Red Spider) and Collector/Payer (Red Spider & Green Chameleon). We introduced some powerful new ones, including the Triple Action symbol, a Payer/Collector/Payer combo that starts with a 10x boost, collects, and then pays out again.
And then there’s the Super Payer, the Golden Spider, which distributes the round total to every active symbol, often transforming a solid round into something truly spectacular. With so many feature interactions possible, no two rounds ever play the same way. That unpredictability is what keeps players coming back.
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“For me, it’s not about choosing between new ideas or sequels. It’s about finding the right creative purpose behind each project. As long as the motivation is genuine and player-focused, both options can be equally fulfilling.”
— Andy Payne, Product Owner at Relax Gaming
5. Are there any plans to make this into a Dream Drop slot?
AP: Not at launch. Dream Drop is a cornerstone of our portfolio, but we’re selective about where we apply it. It’s a product designed for balance, offering steady progression and accessibility across volatility tiers.
Snake Arena 2, however, is designed to be highly volatile and fast-paced. It relies on tension and explosive moments rather than gradual build-up, so it doesn’t quite align with what makes Dream Drop work best.
The original Snake Arena, with its lower variance and capped potential, was a perfect fit for the jackpot format. With Kinesis Unleashed, we aimed to let volatility flourish; it’s raw, fast, and intense, which suits this world perfectly.
6. What were the biggest challenges when designing a sequel to such a unique game?
AP: The most challenging part was honouring the original while still making daring, creative choices. Snake Arena had such a strong identity that any change risked alienating fans who loved the first one. We had to be very deliberate about every design decision, from the colour palette to the pacing of the features.
We began by pinpointing the emotional essence of the game: that ongoing cat-and-mouse chase between Snake and Slayer. Once we established that, we considered how to make every element feel more immersive and cinematic. That’s where the scale, movement, and atmospheric storytelling came into play.
Another major challenge was ensuring the sequel felt like a genuine evolution, not merely an upgrade. The team dedicated considerable time to fine-tuning the balance between nostalgia and innovation, enough to make fans feel at home but also eager about the new direction. When that balance falls into place, it’s remarkably satisfying.
7. As a game producer, do you find more satisfaction in working on fresh ideas or the challenge of combining the appeal of the original with new additions in a sequel?
AP: It’s a bit of both. Creating something entirely new is always exciting because you’re shaping a world from the ground up, but revisiting a game like Snake Arena offers its own kind of creative satisfaction. You get to analyse what players loved, learn from what could be improved, and then craft something that feels like both a tribute and an evolution.
When a sequel succeeds, it’s because you’ve managed to keep the essence of the original while making it feel fresh again. That’s a gratifying challenge as a designer. And sometimes, as was the case here, the sequel ends up gaining a life of its own, becoming something much larger than you initially imagined.
For me, it’s not about choosing between new ideas or sequels. It’s about finding the right creative purpose behind each project. As long as the motivation is genuine and player-focused, both options can be equally fulfilling.
8. Are there already plans to continue the series, or is it contingent solely on the performance of Snake Arena 2?
AP: We’ll need to wait and see how Kinesis Unleashed does, but the demand for sequels is higher than ever, and Snake Arena is an ideal candidate for expansion. The characters, the tension, and the world itself offer plenty of further exploration.
If the community responds positively, we’d love to develop it further. The ending of Snake Arena 2 leaves plenty of room for speculation about what might happen next, and I already have a few ideas in mind that could expand the universe even more.
Ultimately, it depends on the players. They’ve been the driving force behind this sequel, and if they want more, we’re more than ready to deliver.
Thank you for sharing your insights about the upcoming release. After our Q&A and hands-on session, we’re genuinely impressed with what Relax Gaming has created. We’re confident this release will perform brilliantly at launch and beyond.
