Barry Watts.

JavaScript / ReactJS / TypeScript / PIXI.js/ Tailwind / Styled Components / RESTful APIs / GraphQL / PHP / MySQL / Senior / Lead /

I am front-end engineer specialising in building JavaScript features, games, websites and deploying great digital experiences.

Hi, I'm Barry — a developer with a passion for building things that live on the web.

My journey began in 1999 when I took a HND in Software Engineering, inspired by a (slightly over-ambitious) idea to solve the football offside rule. While the solution was flawed, the process taught me something far more valuable: the importance of deep investigation and truly understanding a problem before diving into code.

Since then, I've had the privilege of working with startups, agencies, and large corporations across a wide range of industries — from fintech to iGaming. These experiences have shaped my approach to development: blending creativity, curiosity, and efficiency.

Lately, my focus has shifted toward helping teams adopt a smarter way of working. I believe in moving from simply "working hard" to "working smart" — and ideally, "working hard-smart." When that mindset clicks, productivity and motivation tend to follow.

Some things I have created recently:

• 

  RAW IGaming - Precious Monkeys

  Developed for RAW iGaming, Precious Monkeys is a high-energy, browser-based slot designed to deliver engaging gameplay and rich bonus mechanics. The client wanted a visually striking, immersive experience that would keep players returning. I built the front end using TypeScript and PIXI.js, implementing custom reel animations, symbol logic, and state management while optimizing the responsive UI for smooth performance across desktop and mobile devices. Each spin triggers the temple’s mischievous guardians, unlocking coin-filled features, wild win boosts, mystery multipliers, cash bag collectors, and Monkey Mayhem Free Spins, giving players the chance to win up to 6,000x their bet. The combination of stunning visuals, authentic sound, and layered mechanics created a thrilling treasure-hunt-style experience that successfully met the client’s goal of delivering both excitement and player engagement.

  • TypeScript
  • PIXI.js
• 

  RAW IGaming - I Am Spartacus

  Developed a responsive, browser-based slot game themed around Roman gladiators. I built the front end using TypeScript and PIXI.js, implementing custom reel animations, symbol logic, and state management. The responsive UI was optimized for lightning-fast performance on both desktop and mobile devices. The game’s main mechanic challenges players to free the slaves to activate the free spins round, tying gameplay directly to the narrative and enhancing player engagement.

  • TypeScript
  • PIXI.js
• 

  FanDual - Kick of Destiny 2

  With more than 10 million Canadians tuning in to the Super Bowl, this app turned a simple yes/no prediction into a major moment for FanDuel’s North American marketing strategy. Players could win a share of $10 million by guessing whether Rob Gronkowski would make a field goal. A live TV commercial aired just 15 minutes before kickoff of Super Bowl LVIII, and the campaign ran flawlessly—leaving FanDuel highly satisfied with the outcome.

  • Vanilla JavaScript
  • SCSS
• 

  GMM - Beat the drop

  The concept behind Beat the Drop was to create a high-stakes prediction game tied to the Euro Championship. Players begin with a virtual balance of one million Turkish Lira and are challenged to manage it across 22 matches. For each fixture, they must decide whether to stake their entire balance on a single team or divide it across both sides in any proportion. This dynamic wagering mechanic introduced real tension, as every decision could drastically alter their remaining balance. At the end of the 22 matches, whatever funds the player managed to hold onto became their prize. The format combined the thrill of sports betting with the strategy of risk management, encouraging players to think carefully about every prediction while maintaining a sense of excitement throughout the tournament.

  • Vanilla JavaScript
  • SCSS
• 

  Playstar - Skittleball

  The client approached us with a clear vision: to recreate the fun and energy of Skittleball, a popular North American arcade game. Best described as a hybrid of skittles and pinball, the original arcade version combined skill, timing, and chance in a way that kept players coming back for more. My task was not only to replicate the mechanics of this nostalgic game but also to translate its charm into a modern, digital experience. This meant balancing authenticity with accessibility—capturing the fast-paced excitement of the arcade while ensuring the gameplay felt fresh, intuitive, and engaging for today’s audience.

  • PIXI.js
  • Vanilla JavaScript
  • SCSS
• 

  Playstar - Star Picks

  The project brief was to create a progressive concentration-style game that kept users engaged over time. At its core, the game presents players with a layout of facedown cards. Each day, users are given the chance to flip over a set number of cards marked with stars. The goal is to uncover and collect the specific stars required to complete the prize box. Once the necessary stars are matched, the player is awarded the corresponding prize. This mechanic was designed to encourage daily return play, blending the familiar memory-game format with a rewarding progression system that built anticipation and excitement over multiple sessions.

  • Vanilla JavaScript
  • PIXI.js
  • SCSS