PearFiction Studios

History

PearFiction Studios began its journey in 2014 as a small mobile game developer, publishing around a dozen casual titles for iOS and Android and attracting over 5 million players in its first two years. In December 2015, the team released PowerUp Slots, a social casino experiment that quickly climbed to the #5 spot in the US App Store's casino category, validating the studio's slot mechanics and design philosophy. This success prompted a strategic pivot in 2016 toward real-money gaming, and the company built a new HTML5/JavaScript game framework optimised for both mobile and desktop play, with a distinctive portrait-first approach.

In 2017, PearFiction entered exclusive development and distribution agreements with RNG Foundry Limited (for integration onto Microgaming's Quickfire platform) and with Leander Games (for a four-game deal featuring Gustavo El Luchador, Outerspace Invaders, FishNChips, and PugsLife). The studio's first commercial slot, Gustavo El Luchador, launched in Q1 2018 on the Leander platform. A milestone arrived in February 2021 with the release of Chicago Gold, a 1920s mafia-themed slot that debuted exclusively on Microgaming's platform and became one of the top-performing debut titles for that operator network, establishing PearFiction as a serious contender in the premium slots space.

Business Model and Platform

PearFiction operates exclusively through Games Global, following the 2022 asset sale from Microgaming. The studio handles all aspects of game creation in-house—from concept and math modeling to art, animation, music, and development—using its proprietary HTML5/JavaScript framework. This mobile-first, portrait-oriented design maximises screen real estate and player immersion. The company's revenue model is based on licensing its slots to online casino operators via Games Global's aggregation platform.

Key Products

PearFiction's portfolio includes a range of themed video slots. Notable titles include Chicago Gold (1920s mafia theme, launched February 2021), Gustavo El Luchador (luchador-themed, first commercial RMG slot, Q1 2018), Outerspace Invaders (space theme), FishNChips (casual fish-and-chips theme), and PugsLife (pug-themed). More recent releases include Volted Up Wild Surge (electrified wild mechanics) and the TopLoot Payout feature mechanic, introduced in June 2026. The studio also developed the social casino game PowerUp Slots in 2015, which served as a testbed for its slot mechanics.

Market Position and Team

PearFiction is a boutique studio competing in the premium slot space, known for polished graphics, whimsical themes, and robust math models. The company employs around 40 people, with leadership based in Montreal and remote talent across various countries. Thierry Semoff, founder and CEO, oversees game design and production, while Melanie Gauthier serves as General Manager and Chief Talent Officer. The studio is privately held and maintains a small, agile team structure, allowing for creative control and rapid iteration.