Javier Barnes — 15+ years in mobile games. Articles on F2P design, monetization, and game deconstructions.https://javierbarnes.com/https://javierbarnes.com/talks/building-great-liveops/https://javierbarnes.com/talks/building-great-liveops/A complete look at how to design, plan and run live operations that keep a game healthy: events, cadence, calendars and the teams behind them.Wed, 24 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.deconstructoroffun.com/blog/2024/1/7/clash-mini-faces-their-make-it-or-break-it-momenthttps://www.deconstructoroffun.com/blog/2024/1/7/clash-mini-faces-their-make-it-or-break-it-momentClash Mini, after two years in soft launch, has made transformative changes. Will the changes be enough to make this the sixth game ever launched globally by Supercell? Or will the game end up on the famous Supercell graveyard?Mon, 08 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.deconstructoroffun.com/blog/why-removing-loot-boxes-in-brawlstars-failedhttps://www.deconstructoroffun.com/blog/why-removing-loot-boxes-in-brawlstars-failedWe analyzed Brawl Stars' removing loot boxes before and after the box-removing update. But the real question was left unanswered: how would this affect the revenue? We look deeper in this update.Mon, 04 Sep 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.deconstructoroffun.com/blog/2023/5/2/is-clash-mini-good-enough-for-global-releasehttps://www.deconstructoroffun.com/blog/2023/5/2/is-clash-mini-good-enough-for-global-releaseIs Clash Mini good enough for a global release? An in-depth look at its soft launch performance.Tue, 02 May 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://javierbarnes.com/talks/keys-to-improve-retention/https://javierbarnes.com/talks/keys-to-improve-retention/An extended deep dive into the levers that move long-term retention in free-to-play games, with practical frameworks you can apply to your own title.Sat, 01 Apr 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.deconstructoroffun.com/blog/was-brawl-stars-ditching-loot-a-good-movehttps://www.deconstructoroffun.com/blog/was-brawl-stars-ditching-loot-a-good-moveOne of the biggest games removed loot boxes. Here's why they did it, what it led to and whether you should follow suit.Tue, 03 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://javierbarnes.com/talks/my-management-philosophy/https://javierbarnes.com/talks/my-management-philosophy/A personal essay on how I approach leading teams: the principles, values and practices behind my management style.Sun, 01 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.deconstructoroffun.com/blog/2022/11/24/marvel-snap-the-one-deconstruction-to-rule-them-allhttps://www.deconstructoroffun.com/blog/2022/11/24/marvel-snap-the-one-deconstruction-to-rule-them-allI’ve published a bunch of contents at DoF about Marvel Snap!Mon, 28 Nov 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.deconstructoroffun.com/blog/2022/9/17/clash-quest-the-unofficial-postmortemhttps://www.deconstructoroffun.com/blog/2022/9/17/clash-quest-the-unofficial-postmortemWe analyzed Clash Quest soft launch story at DoF. Here’s my personal take.Mon, 19 Sep 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.deconstructoroffun.com/blog/2022/6/4/battle-passes-analysishttps://www.deconstructoroffun.com/blog/2022/6/4/battle-passes-analysisDoF just published a deep analysis on Battle Passes where I deconstruct its key components, share some tips on how to balance them, and provide my ideas on how they may evolve.Mon, 06 Jun 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.deconstructoroffun.com/blog/2022/2/28/thetan-arenahttps://www.deconstructoroffun.com/blog/2022/2/28/thetan-arenaI team up with Ethan Levy from DoF to deconstruct this game that merges free-to-play with play-to-earn!Tue, 12 Apr 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.deconstructoroffun.com/blog/2022/1/14/clash-minihttps://www.deconstructoroffun.com/blog/2022/1/14/clash-miniSupercell’s take on autochess adds several innovations over their classic formula. But is it top-grossing material? Let’s find out…Tue, 18 Jan 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://javierbarnes.com/talks/principles-of-game-economy/https://javierbarnes.com/talks/principles-of-game-economy/The foundational principles behind a healthy game economy — sources, sinks, currencies and the balance that keeps players engaged and spending.Sat, 01 Jan 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.deconstructoroffun.com/blog/2021/11/21/pokemon-unite-9lc3jhttps://www.deconstructoroffun.com/blog/2021/11/21/pokemon-unite-9lc3jIt was destined to be the MOBA that everyone would play, but it ​failed to generate significant revenue or engage. We examine why.Mon, 22 Nov 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.deconstructoroffun.com/blog/2021/9/12/beatstarhttps://www.deconstructoroffun.com/blog/2021/9/12/beatstarA fun and well crafted music game where Supercell acts as publisher? DoF teams up with me to see if it can make it to the big leagues.Mon, 13 Sep 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.deconstructoroffun.com/blog/2021/8/29/everdale-by-supercellhttps://www.deconstructoroffun.com/blog/2021/8/29/everdale-by-supercellI team up with the top blog in mobile industry to analyze the latest game by Supercell… Can it be a $1B hit or not!?Mon, 30 Aug 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://javierbarnes.com/talks/fixing-f2p-economies/https://javierbarnes.com/talks/fixing-f2p-economies/A practical methodology to diagnose, fix and prevent the most common problems found in free-to-play game economies.Mon, 19 Jul 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://javierbarnes.com/blog/legends-of-runeterra-2/https://javierbarnes.com/blog/legends-of-runeterra-2/Second article about Legends of Runeterra, the CCG by Riot Games. Explores its gameplay mechanics, how it solved the problems of its closest competitors, and its key innovations.Wed, 14 Jul 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://javierbarnes.com/blog/legends-of-runeterra-1/https://javierbarnes.com/blog/legends-of-runeterra-1/First of a trilogy of articles that breaks down Legends of Runeterra, the CCG by Riot Games. This one reviews the genre market status, Runeterra’s position on it, and future perspectives.Wed, 30 Jun 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://javierbarnes.com/blog/autochess-status-and-design-analysis/https://javierbarnes.com/blog/autochess-status-and-design-analysis/Autochess was the hottest gaming trend in 2019, but not anymore. We explore its history, market status and audience, and the design flaws that stopped it from becoming the new MOBA.Wed, 10 Feb 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://javierbarnes.com/blog/game-currencies-types-and-usage/https://javierbarnes.com/blog/game-currencies-types-and-usage/Currencies are the pillar of every F2P in-game economy… But what types of currencies are out there, and which ones does your game need? Let’s find out!Wed, 13 Jan 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://javierbarnes.com/talks/design-masterclass-2021-part-3/https://javierbarnes.com/talks/design-masterclass-2021-part-3/Part three of the PG.biz game design masterclass, closing the series with monetization and live-game design.Sun, 03 Jan 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://javierbarnes.com/talks/design-masterclass-2021-part-2/https://javierbarnes.com/talks/design-masterclass-2021-part-2/Part two of the PG.biz game design masterclass, building on the fundamentals with deeper systems and progression design.Sat, 02 Jan 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://javierbarnes.com/talks/design-masterclass-2021-part-1/https://javierbarnes.com/talks/design-masterclass-2021-part-1/Part one of the PG.biz game design masterclass, covering the core fundamentals of designing successful free-to-play games.Fri, 01 Jan 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://javierbarnes.com/talks/f2p-content-fundamentals/https://javierbarnes.com/talks/f2p-content-fundamentals/Supplementary material on the fundamentals of content design and content cadence in free-to-play games.Fri, 01 Jan 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://javierbarnes.com/talks/pricing-items-in-f2p/https://javierbarnes.com/talks/pricing-items-in-f2p/How to price items and bundles in free-to-play games — the psychology, the math and the structures that maximize value for players and the business.Fri, 01 Jan 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://javierbarnes.com/blog/design-qa-1/https://javierbarnes.com/blog/design-qa-1/Set the currencies for your game, their unitary prices and how to avoid their future devaluation… If you’re struggling with any of these topics, I’m coming to your rescue!Tue, 29 Dec 2020 00:00:00 GMThttps://javierbarnes.com/blog/how-should-we-run-offers/https://javierbarnes.com/blog/how-should-we-run-offers/Should you run discounts on your IAPs? How? We answer that and share some tips on how to detect and avoid avoid negative effects from offers.Mon, 09 Nov 2020 00:00:00 GMThttps://javierbarnes.com/blog/iap-packs-in-mobile-f2p-analysis-and-design/https://javierbarnes.com/blog/iap-packs-in-mobile-f2p-analysis-and-design/Currency packs are the core of the monetization of any F2P mobile game. We share some of the key concepts, techniques and ferengi tricks involved with their creation and balancing.Wed, 07 Oct 2020 00:00:00 GMThttps://javierbarnes.com/blog/3-tips-to-boost-the-tech-quality-of-your-game/https://javierbarnes.com/blog/3-tips-to-boost-the-tech-quality-of-your-game/Many game teams ignore the impact of tech issues. We explain how to check their negative impact and deal with it without stopping production.Tue, 08 Sep 2020 00:00:00 GMThttps://javierbarnes.com/blog/releasing-mobile-f2p-hits-over-and-over/https://javierbarnes.com/blog/releasing-mobile-f2p-hits-over-and-over/All companies struggle to launch new hits. But some have a greater success ratio than others. What sets them apart?Wed, 19 Aug 2020 00:00:00 GMThttps://javierbarnes.com/blog/set-rotations-pt-2-clash-royale-proposal/https://javierbarnes.com/blog/set-rotations-pt-2-clash-royale-proposal/A static endgame and an inability to surprise players with new gameplay are factors seriously harming the performance of Clash Royale. Here we attempt to solve these issues by adapting the Set RotatioWed, 05 Aug 2020 00:00:00 GMThttps://javierbarnes.com/blog/set-rotations-pt-1-magic-the-gathering/https://javierbarnes.com/blog/set-rotations-pt-1-magic-the-gathering/We explain a content management structure that could boost both engagement and revenue on your title. Which Magic: The Gathering has used to monetize its audience in a sustainable way, for ~20 years.Thu, 23 Jul 2020 00:00:00 GMThttps://javierbarnes.com/talks/brawl-stars-deconstruction/https://javierbarnes.com/talks/brawl-stars-deconstruction/A detailed deconstruction of Brawl Stars: its systems, progression and monetization, and what makes the game tick.Tue, 01 Jan 2019 00:00:00 GMT