Brawl Stars-utvecklare bryter tystnaden om Buffies, RNG och spelets framtid

After a lengthy break, Brawl Stars has brought back its popular “Time to Explain” podcast, a format that allows players and community content creators to ask direct questions while developers address them openly. A new episode has now been released—the first since September 2024—covering a wide range of topics, including Buffies, progression systems, and the overall state of the game.

Below are the key takeaways from the podcast, highlighting what players can expect going forward and how the development team views current systems.

Buffies and Their Long-Term Cost

The developers explained that Buffies were never designed as standalone additions. Internal data and shared graphs showed increased playtime, improved retention, and a low churn rate since their introduction, reinforcing the belief that Buffies are helping revitalize the game. According to the team, Buffies function as long-term chase items—something previous systems like Gears struggled to achieve despite being more balanced and affordable.

The pricing of Buffies was described as carefully planned rather than arbitrary, with a long-term outlook spanning the next three years. The goal is to continue expanding the Buffies system alongside new features and events in future updates.

Mega Pig and Club Engagement

Mega Pig was introduced to address low engagement in Club League by making rewards more accessible to casual players. While the system initially proved successful, the developers acknowledged that its novelty has faded over time. Rewards no longer feel as unique, particularly with the addition of systems such as Sushi and Chaos Drops.

The team also clarified that Club League rewards were redistributed across Starr Drops rather than being removed entirely. This change increased overall rewards for casual players, while having a smaller impact on progression for more dedicated players.

Records Did Not Meet Expectations

The development team openly admitted that the Records system failed to perform as intended. Internal data showed that Records did not significantly improve playtime or retention and ultimately underperformed, similar to the Masteries system it replaced.

One of the core issues identified was that both Masteries and Records primarily appealed to already-dedicated players, offering limited motivation for those at risk of leaving the game. Additionally, locking rewards behind these systems reduced their overall appeal. A new approach is currently in development.

Claw Machine RNG and Planned Improvements

The team revisited lessons learned from 2022, when removing random rewards led to a sharp decline in player retention. Randomized rewards were described as essential due to their surprise factor, even when their overall value matches fixed rewards. This philosophy influenced the inclusion of RNG elements in the Claw Machine.

That said, the developers acknowledged that the Claw Machine currently relies too heavily on randomness. Plans were revealed for a “lucky pull” mechanic, which will occasionally allow players to directly choose a Buffie of their choice.

Map Maker Rework Still Uncertain

While Map Maker remains popular, the team believes it has untapped potential. However, no finalized rework design has been approved yet. The developers stated that the right opportunity has not arrived to take such a major risk, though a rework is still planned for the future.

Why Voice Chat Remains a Sensitive Topic

Voice chat has been discussed internally multiple times, but serious safety concerns continue to block its implementation. Maintaining Brawl Stars as a safe environment would require extensive moderation and support systems beyond simply adding voice functionality, making it a complex and sensitive feature to introduce.

The podcast also covered additional topics, including the reasoning behind new monetization features, Buffies release plans, and future update strategies. Players interested in deeper insights are encouraged to watch the full episode for more detailed discussions.