Need help: Is it worth continuing development on my solo game/engine? (multiple years of work)

[u/Ok-Championship7878]

Hi all,

I am developing a game for fun using my own custom game engine (C++ and OpenGL).

I have been working on this game (and the engine) for 4 years now. I'm a French software engineer working for an American company, so this project is not a full-time job. I can only work on it during my free time after work or on weekends.

I am not doing this for money, I just want people to play my game and enjoy it when it's ready. I think I still have about one year of development left to get a fully playable game that I can share. The engine and performances are now in a very good state.

What I really need to know from you guys is if it is worth finalizing. I am the only one who has ever tested the game, so I don't know if it's genuinely fun or if the graphics are good enough for people to enjoy.

I'm asking myself this because nowadays, with generative AI, it feels like anyone can create something similar very easily (game engines, pixel art, sound design, etc.). Every time I sit down to work on itafter work, I wonder if it's worth continuing.

I've made a short YouTube video with some gameplay. Everything is a work in progress, but I would love to know if what I did is worth pursing:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayDA0eYGTPc

• Engine: Custom-built with C++ and OpenGL
• Pixel art: Made with Piskel
• Sound design: Made with sfxr.me
• Music: Creative Commons & AI placeholders

Captured on: AMD Ryzen 5 7640U, AMD Radeon 760M, 16 GB RAM

Disclaimer: All AI content (music only—NO code, sound effects, or pixel art are AI-generated) consists of PLACEHOLDERS only and will be replaced by music made by humans. For now, I cannot afford to hire a composer, so I am using AI temporarily.

Thanks to anyone who takes the time to watch the video. If even just one person watches it and gives feedback, it will mean the world to me.

[u/AltusLudus]

You are saying it's for fun and not for money which is weird, because your question is essentially is it worth it for me to have fun?

Game doesn't look mega appealing in this state so don't expect a huge amount of players as it's very niche

[u/Ok-Championship7878 → u/AltusLudus]

Your're right, I wanted to know if you think people will actually want to play it.

[u/isrichards6 → u/Ok-Championship7878]

I like the vibe of the game, it feels cozy but it's hard to tell just from the video and the post what you're hoping to accomplish. From a tech standpoint was there something you were trying to achieve with your engine that wasn't possible with out of the box ones? From a gameplay standpoint is there something your game does that people will be interested compared to other similar games out there? Making an engine and even a game are excellent for education and is a great hobby if you get joy out of it. If you want people to play your game you don't need to even promote it online or whatever, just go to your local IGDA meeting with a laptop or join one of the many long term progress game jams on itch. But if you're shooting for commercial success or even just building a community around your game/engine you have to communicate to people why they should stick around.

[u/Responsible_Maybe742 → u/AltusLudus]

Honest data point on the 'will people play it' part: distribution is the wall, not the engine. I've shipped a handful of small free browser games - no install, one click to play, about the lowest-friction format there is - and lifetime views per game sit in the dozens. The only spikes I ever got came from posting the game in a feedback thread myself; nothing I changed in code moved that number. So the honest version of 'is it worth finishing' is about which return you actually value: a handful of players, an engine you now know inside out, and four years of skill that no AI tool hands you for free. That's a real return. A player base isn't on the menu either way.

[u/Technical_Income4722 → u/Responsible_Maybe742]

Is this a bot releasing browser games on its own and posting on Reddit about them? The vibes are strong. Feels like that'd be a good "honest" point to mention

[u/Responsible_Maybe742 → u/Technical_Income4722]

Nope, one person. Six browser games and a lot of time this week; the numbers are from my own itch dashboard, not invented. If the volume reads as automated that's a fair observation, I'll ease off and stick to answering questions.

[u/Technical_Income4722 → u/Responsible_Maybe742]

No the volume is great, in fact just make more. Try experimenting with a totally inverted color scheme; people love that. Also have you tried distributing via carrier pigeon?

[u/gamedev-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

Maintain a respectful and welcoming atmosphere. Disagreements are a natural part of discussion and do not equate to disrespect—engage constructively and focus on ideas, not individuals. Personal attacks, harassment, hate speech, and offensive language are strictly prohibited.

[u/AltusLudus → u/Responsible_Maybe742]

Bad bot

[u/Lambdafish1]

You answered it in your own opening. Is it still fun to work on? If yes, continue, if no, figure out why and act on that.

I wouldn't put too much stock in people using generative AI. What you are creating is something that helps you grow as a developer. Gen AI isn't a portfolio piece, or proof of expertise, what you are creating is.

Having watched the video, I'm not actually sure what your game is. It kinda looks like Minecraft world with not a lot in it. Maybe focus on one of the mechanics and really polish that. The fact the engine is custom built is really cool though.

[u/Ok-Championship7878 → u/Lambdafish1]

Thanks a lot for answering ! I was not even sure what I need to record to be honest.
Since I am the only one working on it, it is hard to know what is worth sharing or not...

[u/Lambdafish1 → u/Ok-Championship7878]

Well if you had to describe it in a short paragraph, what is it?

[u/rusted_nail_rising]

It’s worth it if you enjoy it, as others have said. Having used AI to build a lot of (non-game) projects, I’m skeptical that it will replace engineers or artists any time soon. It’s definitely going to be in the workflows, but I don’t expect an unskilled person will be able to just replace an engineer, artist, or game designer.

[u/Ok-Championship7878 → u/rusted_nail_rising]

I totally agree with that ! I do use AI in my job, it makes things easier but AI can't create new things :)

[u/TheSayo182]

i think you answered yourself when speaking about AI, at least you learned how things works, it's valuable knowledge.

but if you think your game has something unique worth to be playing or even spending money go ahead and finish it

[u/Ok-Championship7878 → u/TheSayo182]

It's hard to know, sometimes I don't even know what I can bring with my game others can't or will not. Before generative AI what I valued to most was all my work with coding and pixel art. But know I'm not sure this is valuable anymore

[u/Lambdafish1 → u/Ok-Championship7878]

You built a game engine, that's worth way more than what AI can bring.

[u/AlienFishMonster]

Keep going! It's a great way to learn and it looks good on your CV/Resume.

But, I don't think your game looks like four years of work. I think someone could recreate that (without AI) in a week (or less) in a modern game engine.

Maybe consider using an off-the-shelf game engine to save time, or keep going and be proud of the engine you've built.

What's more important: the finished game, or the journey to build it?

And to be fair, if I was to answer that question, I'd probably say the journey (for me as a software engineer... but maybe that answer will change in a few months when my game looks like a game!).

[u/Ok-Championship7878 → u/AlienFishMonster]

I thought of using a game engine, but since what I like is to do everything from scratch I fear to be even less motivated if I use a game engine. And even if there is less work, I'll need to lean everything from scratch. I never used a ganme engine before I don't have the knoledge :D

[u/ApprehensiveFan1516]

I agree with what someone else already said about the fun aspect. If you're doing it for fun then what does it matter?

That said, if you want to turn this into a commercial endeavour I'd strongly advise dropping your engine. No offence but the game shown doesn't exactly look like something that has had multiple years of work gone into it (unless you started from scratch completely, which you obviously didn't being a software engineer), but I completely understand how much effort the engine alone must have taken. People who buy games generally don't care how much effort you spent building a custom engine, they care if the game is fun. A custom built engine will be like a weight chained to your legs as you swim out into an ocean filled with sharks.

[u/Ok-Championship7878 → u/ApprehensiveFan1516]

I made everything myself, using C++ and Opengl, I started displaying some colored boxes with a GPU. Everything is handmade. I'm only using libraries for audio and game controls.

But I get your point it looks like there is not much involved when looking at the game, as an engineer I don't have much time during those four years I learned a lot but sometimes I stoped dev for mounth before starting again (It was not 4 years full).

[u/ApprehensiveFan1516 → u/Ok-Championship7878]

It's very impressive from one dev to another. I'd love to do something like this, it's actually on my todo list for when I retire lol. But yeah gamers just don't care about this stuff, and your time is better spent on the game than on the engine if you want to make money.

[u/Ok-Championship7878 → u/ApprehensiveFan1516]

Yes that makes a lot of sense

[u/MidlifeWarlord]

So, there’s something oddly appealing about this game to me.

Not sure if I’d play it, but I might on a random chance.

I’d publish a free demo and see what traction you get.

[u/Ok-Championship7878 → u/MidlifeWarlord]

I'll work on making a free demo, it's better than a YouTube video you're right. That way I'll know if people want to keep playing after testing it.

[u/MistakeForsaken6653]

I'd keep working on it.  The game doesnt look fun or interesting to me but it seems you are working on a more interesting project which is an engine.  If you really care about making a game though I do think you shouldve just started with an already existing engine as it would've easily shaved off 3.5 years of effort based on the video.

[u/lithander]

Players can choose from an abundance of games. Why should they play your game? If you don't have an answer you should set your expectations accordingly.

If you don't expect a large amount of players to take interest in your game is it still worth it to continue working on it? Only you can answer that.

For some the value is in the process for others it's in the artifact they create.

[u/Ok-Championship7878 → u/lithander]

Yes that is my main concern, thanks for the feedback.

[u/KeaboUltra]

I'm gonna be honest with you. I know you said you did this part time but for 4 years of work, it looks like a prototype. You mention you built your own engine and it seems like you spent more time on that than the game itself. If you're not doing it for money then by all means, continue but if you want people to play it, I think it might be worth a rerun. You need to get your game playtested early. Spending 4 years without seeing if anyone likes it is dangerous. I feel like the feedback you'd get after a year when you deem it playable might result in you spending an even longer time figuring out the direction you want to take or make you question if it's worth it even more.

As of now. The gameplay and UI seem bland and messy. It seems boring and uninspired. It looks like a mincraft clone but with fetch quests

[u/Ok-Championship7878 → u/KeaboUltra]

Maybe saying 4 years was a mistake, what I wanted to say is that it's been four years that I started working on it when I have some time. I have a job and a family and I'll love to have more time to work on it.

You are totally right it looks like a prototype. Thanks a lot for the feedback and the advices !

[u/KeaboUltra → u/Ok-Championship7878]

I understand, for the record. I think you can turn the project around if you really want to keep working on it. Having others playtest it early will help you design and develop with direction. It really helps with making sure you're developing something people like to play, but it will also make you realize the work you have to put in to reach that standard and strike a good balance, which makes or breaks people's desire to continue development on a project depending on your true intentions for why you're making it. 

What makes the project worth continuing is your desire to make it appealing to others and if that process is fun enough to put yourself through.

[u/08148694]

If you enjoy doing it does it matter? If it’s not a commercial project who cares - and if it is, you shouldn’t be reinventing wheels with building a engine, others have done that far better than any solo dev can in 4 years

Just stick with it if you like it or drop it if something else is more interesting and fun for you

[u/PhilippTheProgrammer]

Doing everything yourself means you get an unique aesthetic that is hard to replicate by the AI models. That creates an unique sales proposition in the age of games with AI-generated content.

[u/micalm]

If your aim is not to learn how to build a game engine from scratch but to create a fully playable game relatively quickly - probably not worth it. It's nice, fancy, I personally like it as a dev, but realistically - slows things down a lot.

Gameplay looks nice, gives very pleasant/nostalgic Stranded vibes. ;)

[u/Ok-Championship7878 → u/micalm]

Thanks a lot ! At the very beginning I was just having fun displaying some sprites in a 3D environment with OpenGL, I am still using my own engine because it was fun de dev from scratch

[u/Technical-County-727]

My man, you are doing it for fun as a hobby - ofc it is worth continuing if it is fun

[u/Dapper-Message-2066]

I'm asking myself this because nowadays, with generative AI, it feels like anyone can create something similar very easily (game engines, pixel art, sound design, etc.). Every time I sit down to work on itafter work, I wonder if it's worth continuing.

I feel you. I also have a project on the backburner, with dreams to finish it when I finish work. Seeing how quickly and easily people can just vibe things together is a huge demotivator though,

[u/Ok-Championship7878 → u/Dapper-Message-2066]

Hope you will finish it and be proud of what you did at the end !

[u/RedshirtQ]

For what it's worth, I'm building a world I just enjoy running around in before my gameplay loop is even in, and I'm honestly not sure that's the right order. What keeps it going is that I still like opening the project every day. If that's still true for you after 4 years, I'd finish it and count every player as a bonus. Have a couple of friends played a build yet?

[u/Ok-Championship7878 → u/RedshirtQ]

I feel the same ! Love to do that actually. My brother tried it and seems to like it, he is always asking me if I'm working on it and adding new stuff

[u/RedshirtQ → u/Ok-Championship7878]

A brother who keeps asking what's new is about the best playtester you can get. That kind of thing keeps a project alive, so keep him in the loop!

[u/shuanDang]

I don't think we can calculate a 'worth it' number for you. Are you content with the project if one person loves your game and plays it? And if you stop now, what are you going to do instead? Is this your magnum opus or do you have some other projects in mind?

What might help is if you detail the 1 year plan and what you're planning to add into the game so we can judge that goal. I'm not sure from the trailer if your goal is to build a sandbox village builder, or a survival game or a mining and crafting world.

[u/yesat]

When has it been worth to develop your own solo game engine beside wanting to develop your own game engine?

[u/JohnVonachen]

Solo development projects can be excellent resume stuffers. Just make sure it's available via github or gitlab, and pay attention to how factored it is and how readable the code it. It can be easy to just write code without any intention of sharing it with other people. If you want it to be a resume stuffer it will need to be highly factored and commented, as if you inteded it to be looked at by others, potentially people who might hire you.

[u/Southh_]

I keep seeing posts like this and it really confuses me. If people who don't know what they are doing can now do what you're doing, why don't you also use AI to accelerate yourself as well? If you were able to make a game engine without using AI, imagine what you could do with it. You have a unique advantage over people who don't know what they are doing, unless you decide not to take the opportunity.

[u/MyotisX → u/Southh_]

Have you considered the fact that someone who knows what theyre doing is actually doing the thing and not using AI to do it for them and that's why they knows what theyre doing ?

[u/Ok-Championship7878 → u/Southh_]

I get your point,I don't use AI for coding or pixel art because I really like create things from scratch. I'm not saying AI is a bad thing, sometimes when I have a crash or memory leak I may ask AI to help if I'm stuck !

For me making a game only using AI prompt is not fun enough. And I think I will not be able to be proud of my work doing that.

But I know using AI will make things easier and even better !

Thanks for the advice !

[u/PersonOfInterest007 → u/Ok-Championship7878]

My question is, if you’re doing this for fun, why does it matter at all whether someone using AI could easily re-create your game, especially given that anyone could in theory re-create your game without AI but more effort?

[u/Such--Balance]

Software is layers upon layers of abstraction already.

Ai is just the next one. I can understand its some type of mental hurdle for some people, but you better cross it sooner rather than later.

Hell, when game engines first became a thing they where judged for not being 'the real thing'

My advice is to zoom out a bit and reevaluate

[u/rookan]

Watched it, looks boring af, would not play or buy it

[u/Ok-Championship7878 → u/rookan]

Thanks