Why has the average session length for Brawl Stars players decreased from 25 minutes to 18 minutes in the last month?

Introduction

The recent decrease in average session length for Brawl Stars players from 25 minutes to 18 minutes over the last month is a significant concern that requires immediate attention. This 28% drop in engagement could have far-reaching implications for player retention, monetization, and overall game health. I'll approach this issue systematically, focusing on identifying the root cause, validating hypotheses, and developing both short-term and long-term solutions.

Step 1

Clarifying Questions (3 minutes)

• Looking at the timing, I'm thinking there might have been a recent update. Has there been any significant game update or feature release in the past month?

Why it matters: Updates can significantly impact player behavior. Expected answer: Yes, there was a major update. Impact on approach: If yes, we'd focus on the update's content and player reception.

• Considering user segments, I'm curious about the distribution. Has this decrease been uniform across all player segments, or are certain groups more affected?

Why it matters: Helps identify if the issue is global or segment-specific. Expected answer: The decrease varies across segments. Impact on approach: If varied, we'd prioritize investigating the most affected segments.

• Regarding performance metrics, I'm wondering about other engagement indicators. Have we seen similar declines in daily active users or match participation rates?

Why it matters: Provides context on whether this is an isolated metric issue or a broader engagement problem. Expected answer: Other metrics have remained stable. Impact on approach: If isolated, we'd focus on session-specific factors rather than overall game appeal.

• Thinking about external factors, I'm considering competitive releases. Have any major competing games launched or had significant updates in this timeframe?

Why it matters: External competition can draw players away or change gaming habits. Expected answer: No significant competitive changes. Impact on approach: If no, we'd focus more on internal factors and game-specific issues.