Indie Game Lunch Hour Letting Data Guide—Without Killing the Soul of Your Game
Dec 17, 2025
In this discussion, Fernando Dominguez Sarmiento, the creative director at Lemon Chili and mind behind Super Farming Boy, dives into the art of marrying data with creativity in game design. He breaks down how analytics can enhance user experience and marketing without stifling originality. Nando shares insights on identifying trends, A/B testing for better onboarding, and the risks of algorithmic audience lock-in. With his diverse background in film and live gaming events, he emphasizes the importance of iteration and player feedback to create engaging experiences.
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Let Data Guide Creative Decisions
- Use data to spot patterns, then apply creative solutions rather than copycatting what already works.
- Treat data as guidance, not a script; interpret causes and invent original responses.
Track Tutorial Funnels First
- Tag tutorial steps and funnel events to find where drop-off spikes occur and investigate those moments first.
- Prioritize fixing bugs, memory issues, or unclear communication before redesigning core features.
Spin-Off From A High-Retention Mini-Game
- Super Farming Boy spun out from a successful mini-game inside BoopKids after it showed strong retention in analytics.
- They chose farming because the genre supports high retention and can convert to free-to-play if needed.