Few slot games have managed to build a lasting identity quite like Immortal Romance. What began as a gothic love story has grown into a universe with characters players genuinely care about – and that kind of longevity is rare in the genre.
To talk about the next chapter, we sat down with Terence Igesund, Founder and Executive Producer at Stormcraft Studios, the team behind some of the most recognisable narrative-driven slots of the past decade. With Immortal Romance: Sarah’s Secret Power Combo™, Stormcraft shifts the focus to a single character, blending story, music, and mechanics in a more personal way than before.
In this Q&A, Terence reflects on the unexpected longevity of Immortal Romance, why character-led storytelling matters, and how Stormcraft balances emotional depth with clear, accessible gameplay in an increasingly crowded market.
Bigwinboard (Daniel): Hi Terence, good to see you again and thank you for giving us the opportunity to speak with you! Let’s dive right in. When you first created Immortal Romanceâ„¢ all those years ago, did you ever imagine you’d still be telling stories in this universe over a decade later, or has the world grown beyond what you originally planned?
Terence Igesund: Firstly, just wanted to say it’s great to be chatting with you again Daniel so thank you for the opportunity. Thinking back to when I first conceptualized the world of Immortal Romance, I had a dream of elevating the entertainment experience of playing a slot game to an entirely different level, with the introduction of a compelling narrative and engaging characters. Our world and industry certainly has grown and evolved significantly including the way in which we consume media, and I have managed my expectations around storytelling accordingly.
Bigwinboard (Daniel): Like many players, I’ve always had my own favourite characters – for me, it was always Amber and Sarah. I really love the idea of expanding the Immortal Romanceâ„¢ universe by focusing on individual characters rather than trying to do everything at once. At what point did you realise this universe could support that kind of storytelling?
Terence Igesund: I remember exactly when I had the realization that taking Immortal Romance down a chaptalized path was the way to go. I was walking out of a cinema with stars in my eyes after being totally blown away by Star Wars: Rogue One. There have been many incredible spin offs across multiple entertainment franchises since then, and I am really excited about utilizing this strategy to reach deeper into my imagination and manifest more opportunities to expand the worlds of both Immortal and Thunderstruck.
Bigwinboard (Daniel): Immortal Romanceâ„¢ has developed a fan base that doesn’t just play the game, but genuinely cares about the characters – I’m living proof of that. Why do you think this storytelling focus has helped the series stand out within the slot genre?
Terence Igesund: I believe the answer is literally in your question Daniel. That genuine care that you refer to is a fundamental part of Stormcraft’s culture of quality. We live and breathe our values of craftsmanship and entertainment in our pursuit of forging unforgettable gaming experiences. From the marketing teaser videos, to the in game animations, to the lyrics of the songs… all of these are vehicles for narrative and storytelling. We are grateful that GGL recognise the business value of our craftsmanship and continue to encourage us to deliver more.
Bigwinboard (Daniel): The music has always been inseparable from the identity of Immortal Romanceâ„¢ . Do you think the soundtrack is part of why players form such strong emotional memories of the game?
Terence Igesund: It is undeniable that music has the ability to enhance our experienced reality. How many times have you heard an old song playing which instantly transports you back to a memorable moment in time. Music bypasses logic and speaks directly to emotion, and from the very first Immortal Romance game, the soundtrack has acted as an emotional anchor. It doesn’t just accompany gameplay; it sets mood, builds tension, and reinforces the gothic-romantic fantasy that defines the series.
For many players, hearing the Immortal Romance theme instantly transports them back into that world. That’s powerful. It creates familiarity, comfort, and anticipation all at once. In Sarah’s Secret, we were very conscious of that legacy. The music needed to feel recognisable to the series, while also deepening the emotional connection to Sarah’s story specifically. More intimate, more personal, and more immersive.
Bigwinboard (Daniel): From a development standpoint, what was the biggest challenge in translating Sarah’s transformation into something players could actually feel while playing, not just see on screen?
Terence Igesund: It’s one thing to show her story visually, but the real challenge is creating that player connection through the gameplay experience. To achieve that, we had to synchronize multiple layers of design, animation, sound, pacing, and reel mechanics. For example, subtle visual cues and musical shifts were integrated to mirror moments of tension and revelation. Even the timing of wins and bonus features was carefully tuned to echo her personal transformation, giving players that sense of immersion.
It was a delicate balance to ensure the gameplay remained dynamic and engaging, while also carrying the weight of the story. When done right, players don’t just see Sarah change, they feel it, and it elevates the experience from a slot game into a truly narrative-driven journey.
Bigwinboard (Daniel): There’s a lot going on mechanically under the surface in Immortal Romance: Sarah’s Secret Power Comboâ„¢, but the experience always feels clear and well-structured. How do you approach designing complex features without overwhelming the player?
Terence Igesund: Great question Daniel! The goal is always for players to not have to study the rules in order to enjoy the game, they should feel the flow of the base game and features intuitively. Our approach is to layer the mechanics gradually and use visual, audio, and pacing cues to guide the player.
At the same time, the underlying mechanics create depth and excitement for those who notice and engage with it. The key is that the player experiences flow; so they can enjoy the gameplay, watch the story unfold, and feel empowered by the experience instead of being overwhelmed by it.
Bigwinboard (Daniel): Every new release today inevitably sits in a very competitive market. When developing Immortal Romance: Sarah’s Secret Power Comboâ„¢, were you consciously targeting a particular market or player mindset, or did you let the creative vision take the lead and trust that the right audience would follow?
Terence Igesund: Stormcraft always takes a very player centric approach to creating content. Being the originators and custodians of various legacy brand franchises, the focus is on global market distribution and operator uptake. It’s important that the games are accessible and attractive to a broad demographic of players with a wide market appeal.
By leaning into the creative vision, we believe we created a game that will resonate with the right audience. Those who love story-driven, emotionally charged gameplay that always leaves a lasting impression.
Bigwinboard (Daniel): Finally, when longtime fans load up Immortal Romance: Sarah’s Secret Power Comboâ„¢ for the first time, what do you hope they feel – nostalgia, surprise, closure, or the sense that the story is far from over?
Terence Igesund: When fans load up Sarah’s Secret Power Comboâ„¢, we want them to feel the deep nostalgia for the Immortal Romance world they have come to know and love over the years. Nostalgia that comes from familiar elements of the franchise like the music, the gothic-romantic atmosphere, and the beloved characters of course.
Surprise should come from the new mechanics and evolving narrative which clearly shows that Sarah’s story is far from over, and Michael’s world is about to get very interesting in the next chapter of the saga.
Stormcraft Studios
Founded by industry veteran Terence Igesund, Stormcraft Studios is built on more than 30 years of iGaming experience and a commitment to quality over quantity. Stormcraft is known for its character-driven storytelling, high-fidelity visuals, original musical scores, and carefully crafted player experiences.
Operating with a multi-disciplinary team, Stormcraft focuses on delivering a limited number of blockbuster titles each year, including legendary game franchises such as Immortal Romance and Thunderstruck. With a strong emphasis on innovation, craftsmanship, and emotional engagement, Stormcraft Studios continues to establish itself as a distinctive and respected creative force within the global iGaming industry.
