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So my friend run off with his programming experience and I can't finish our game anymore.
r/IndieDev
7/10/2025
Content Summary
A game developer seeks advice after their programmer collaborator left, leaving them with unfinished game assets. The post discusses options including selling assets on marketplaces (Itch.io, Unity Asset Store), finding new collaborators through developer communities, learning visual scripting tools like Unreal Blueprints, or pivoting to smaller projects. Many commenters offer collaboration opportunities and suggest monetization strategies while discussing the challenges of team-based indie development.
Opinion Analysis
Mainstream opinions suggest asset monetization through marketplaces or finding new collaborators. There's strong support for learning visual scripting (Blueprints) as alternative to traditional programming. Debate exists about custom engine development vs using established tools - some praise efficiency of modern engines while others acknowledge niche uses for custom solutions. Controversial viewpoint: Some argue coding is easily learnable with modern tools, while others emphasize specialization challenges. Community emphasizes early prototyping and playtesting as crucial for motivation.
SAAS TOOLS
| SaaS | URL | Category | Features/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unity | https://unity.com | Game Engine | Mentioned in comment asking if team uses Unity |
| Unreal Engine (Blueprints) | https://www.unrealengine.com | Game Engine | Visual scripting system praised for accessibility |
| Godot | https://godotengine.org | Game Engine | Mentioned in context of current project |
| Itch.io | https://itch.io | Asset Marketplace | Suggested for selling asset packs |
| Fab | https://fab.com | Asset Marketplace | Suggested as alternative marketplace |
| Unity Asset Store | https://assetstore.unity.com | Asset Marketplace | Suggested for asset sales |
USER NEEDS
Pain Points:
- Difficulty finding reliable collaborators
- Burnout from full-time jobs affecting side projects
- Lack of programming skills to complete projects
- Challenges in playtesting early prototypes
Problems to Solve:
- Completing unfinished game projects
- Monetizing existing game assets
- Finding new collaborators/team members
- Learning programming/implementation skills
Potential Solutions:
- Selling assets on marketplaces (Itch, Unity Store, Fab)
- Partnering with other developers through communities (r/INAT)
- Learning visual scripting systems (Unreal Blueprints)
- Crowdfunding to hire professional help
- Using AI-assisted coding tools
GROWTH FACTORS
Effective Strategies:
- Creating accessible visual scripting systems (e.g., Unreal Blueprints)
- Building active developer communities and marketplace platforms
Marketing & Acquisition:
- Organic outreach through developer communities like Reddit
- Leveraging asset marketplaces to reach target users
Monetization & Product:
- Offering tiered asset pack pricing
- Supporting collaboration needs of indie developers
User Engagement:
- Facilitating collaborator matching between developers
- Providing learning resources and tutorials (e.g., Blueprints system)