Socialpoint’s Akshay Bharadwaj talks striving to surprise and "the Barcelonian collaborative spirit"

Pocket Gamer Connects Barcelona is taking place now - a two-day event from June 3rd and 4th with plenty of expert speakers and opportunities to connect.

Ahead of the event, we spoke with Socialpoint head Akshay Bharadwaj about how development at this Barcelona-based studio has changed through the years, the unique challenges of older and newer mobile games, and the opportunities for developers in Barcelona right now.

PocketGamer.biz: With well over a decade's experience in the mobile games industry, how much has changed through the years in how Socialpoint develops games?

Akshay Bharadwaj: While Socialpoint has grown over the years - as has the mobile gaming industry - we still maintain the same ambitious mindset for developing games that engage and resonate with our audience.

Our studio is driven by collaboration across teams and passion for what we do: Delivering fun to our players while also having fun together ourselves.

What are some of the unique challenges to keeping older mobile games popular over the long term? How do you keep an older title like Dragon City, for example, relevant to modern audiences?

The growth of the mobile gaming sector is exciting, but it also means increased competition. At Socialpoint, we pride ourselves on maintaining audience engagement with games that, in some cases, have thrived for over a decade, such as Dragon City, Two Dots and Monster Legends.

The key is keeping these games fresh and exciting by adding new features and in-game events that not only resonate with our existing audience but also attract new players year after year.

There's no "secret recipe", just a creative, flexible and committed team that listens to its audience and consistently strives to surprise and delight them.

By comparison, is it easier or harder to launch successful new mobile games now? How is it different, and how have you adapted to those changes?

There is, and always will be, a challenge in launching new games, but we are an innovative studio and are empowered to try new things. The mobile game market has grown quite a bit in recent years, so the competition for new games can be steep, but, ultimately, the goal is the same: To create games that players want to return to.

Speaking of newer games, how has Top Troops been performing since its 2023 launch?

We’ve been excited by fan reception to Top Troops and the engaged community the game has fostered.

Is Socialpoint pleased with its current metrics? Was the combination of RPG, strategy and merge mechanics ultimately the right way to go?

We don’t share specifics on performance metrics, but we are pleased with the game’s reception from our audience.

Is your approach to live ops different in a game like Top Troops compared to Dragon City? Do newer titles need a larger team size?

Each game presents unique demands and challenges. As a game grows, the team size naturally expands, but to what degree, of course, depends on the specific needs of that particular game.

No matter the project, we are always driven by cross-functional collaboration. Every professional’s efforts are key to the success of games, whether they are working on a flagship title or a new release.

And what's the new game ideation process like at Socialpoint? How does an idea get the green light to enter development?

For new game ideation, we count on a highly talented and dedicated New Games team, who are always on the lookout for the next great idea. Still, we think great ideas can come from anywhere. That’s why we hold yearly Game Jams and Hackathons where all Socialpointers are encouraged to participate.

When it comes to the development process, we are very agile, willing to take swings but also quick to move on from things that might not be working to the standard we’d like in favour of more promising creative leads.

More generally, what are your thoughts on the current mobile games landscape?

I’m excited about the growth in mobile gaming, which makes up the majority of revenue across all sectors in the gaming industry, and how emerging technologies can innovate the process of game development while also being mindful and respectful of the dedication and expertise required of the people who actually create the games we all enjoy.

And how are things going for Socialpoint in this landscape?

Our games have been downloaded by more than 900 million players across the world. We are very pleased with the performance of our titles and thankful to our global audience for their continued support.

We just celebrated Dragon City’s 13th anniversary, and Two Dots’ and Monster Legends’ 11th anniversaries are around the corner. Those significant milestones are a clear testimony to the engagement of our fan base, who has been enjoying our games for over a decade now.

Lastly, what are your thoughts on the game dev scene in Barcelona right now? Are there any unique challenges or advantages for game developers here? Do you have any advice for new mobile startups in Barcelona?

Barcelona offers a unique combination of factors that make it a great place to work in gaming. The city has a deep pool of local talent thanks to excellent universities and specialised game development programmes.

Plus, it’s a magnet for international talent due to its multicultural atmosphere and its position as a gateway to Europe. There’s also meaningful support from the local government, which helps foster growth in the industry.

At Socialpoint, we believe that diversity in all its forms drives the most exciting innovation and we’re committed to giving back to the local ecosystem. With the opening of our new office last year, we are focused on creating jobs, nurturing talent and taking mindful green actions to ensure we’re not just building games, but building a sustainable and positive impact on the community.

My advice to new mobile startups is to embrace the Barcelonian collaborative spirit by getting immersed into the local ecosystem, fostering a people-centric culture where your talent can grow and thrive and staying true to your mission.