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.
Tech I've been working with recently:
JavaScript (ES6+), TypeScript, React, Tailwind CSS, GraphQL, PIXI.js
With over two decades of experience in web and game development, I’m a highly skilled front-end and full-stack developer specializing in building immersive, high-performance applications for the gaming and iGaming industries.
From leading front-end teams at the Rank Group to developing cutting-edge pay-to-play titles with Pixi.js and TypeScript at RAW iGaming, my work blends technical depth with a strong user experience focus.
I’ve delivered scalable solutions using modern stacks — React, Gatsby, Laravel, GraphQL, and more—across diverse markets and teams. Known for clean code, collaborative leadership, and an eye for detail, I bring both creative and architectural value to every project I take on.
Some things I have created recently:
RAW IGaming - I Am Spartacus
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. I optimized the responsive UI for lightning-fast performance on both desktop and mobile. The aim of the game is to free the slaves to activate the free spins round
- TypeScript
- PIXI.js
FanDual - Kick of Destiny 2
With over 10 million viewers of the Super Bowl in Canada, this app was a simple yes/no game but an important part of FanDuel's North American marketing strategy. Users had the chance to win a share of $10 million simply by selecting if they thought Rob Gronkowski would make a field goal. They aired a commercial live on TV 15 minutes before the kickoff of Super Bowl LVIII. The campaign ran without a hitch, and FanDuel was extremely pleased with the result.
- Vanilla JavaScript
- SCSS
GMM - Beat the drop
Can you 'Beat the Drop', Starting with one million Turkish Lira, a user was asked to decide a result of a Euro Championship Match. The user could select to bet all their balance or divide it between the two teams on any denomination split. After 22 selected games have been played, if the player has any funds remaining, that is their prize
- Vanilla JavaScript
- SCSS
Playstar - Skittleball
The request from the client was to make a game that mirrored a popular North American arcade game called skittleball, the game is a cross between skittles and pinball
- PIXI.js
- Vanilla JavaScript
- SCSS
Playstar - Star Picks
A progressive concentration game, the user is presented with a layout of cards, each day they get to turn over a number of stars, when they have matched the required stars in the prize box, they receive that prize
- Vanilla JavaScript
- PIXI.js
- SCSS