PLEASE START US OFF BY INTRODUCING YOURSELF:

Hi! I'm Owlycode, a solo developer from southern France. I live in a region that is mostly known for its wine and rugbymen. I've been a self taught gamedev hobbyist since the 2000s, starting by running a browser-based strategy game as a teenager. Then, in the 2010s and my early adult life, I moved on to an endless tunnel of unfinished, over-scoped side projects while working as a web developer. I've been a regular Ludum Dare participant for the past 6 years with 13 entries (including 8 compos), and I'm now happy to be living the dream of being a full-time solo developer starting January 2024!

TELL US ABOUT GREENFEET HAVEN.

Greenfeet Haven is a top-down 2D colony sim focused on the pleasure of discovery. You are tasked with leading halflings and helping them build a prosperous settlement starting from nothing. It features a unique research mechanic where you actually have to figure out the game's recipes.

The game today has little in common with what it was supposed to be in the beginning. It initially started as an experiment with a new language and a new game engine. I had wanted for a long time to try making a colony sim inspired by Dwarf Fortress, like many before me. And it turned out that Bevy, a new promising game engine, looked like a perfect match for a system-heavy game. Concerning the art direction, I had no artistic background, so I picked a style that I was able to produce quickly enough. The original concept, before it was even called Greenfeet Haven, was darker and more political. But the bright palette and players feedback slowly moved the game toward something more lighthearted. I think it was a good decision, as it fits the game better.

HOW HAS THE DEVELOPMENT JOURNEY BEEN

It’s been an intense journey. Being solo requires you to learn a lot of things in a short amount of time, with nobody to check on you. It was daunting at first, and I made a host of mistakes that I’m still paying for today. Mostly bad game design choices, bad prioritization and overscoping.

The first few months were pure joy, finally doing what I had always dreamt of, and probably also being a bit ignorant of all the troubles ahead. Then came the end of 2024, which was more complicated. I finally realized the amount of work it would take to deliver the game as I envisioned it, and had to do the painful thing known as "reducing the scope.". Fellow gamedev warned me, but I’m quite stubborn, which can be a good quality in life, and also a fatal flaw.

Thankfully as I got older I became capable of self criticism which prevented the catastrophe. The beginning of 2025 has been much, much better, with the demo out since March 21 and a positive reception! I’m now seeing a path to releasing a finished game!

WHICH GAME ENGINE DID YOU CHOOSE AND WHY?

I chose Bevy, an ECS game engine using the Rust language. As I said earlier, it seemed really fitting for the kind of game I was making. The more I learned about it, the more I appreciated how it was designed. Even though it has no editor like Godot or Unity, it's a really satisfying engine to use for an experienced programmer. I have a solid software engineering background outside of game development, so in a few words, Bevy allows me to focus on my strengths, making code-heavy games.

WHAT'S BEEN YOUR BIGGEST DEVELOPMENT HURDLE SO FAR?

By far, it has been misunderstanding my weaknesses. We indies often say that marketing is our weak spot, and I thought that was mine too. Being a gamer and a developer made me feel overconfident that I could simply create a “good game.” But it turned out my main weakness was actually game design.

The first playtests of Greenfeet Haven were a huge reality check. The game wasn't good, nobody understood how it worked. I spent months fixing design issues on what was supposed to be an “about 6 months project.” As of today, things are going way better. Some people still don't like the game, but others outside my mom really do, this is new, and that is an incredible feeling!

ADVICE FOR FELLOW DEVS?

I'm a newcomer to gamedev and I'm not even successful yet, so please read this with a critical mind. I'd advise anyone to just get started. You'll never be fully ready, and the perfect opportunity doesn't exist. Just make sure you and your loved ones are safe. Have a backup plan, and a backup plan for the backup plan. Solo game dev is hard and precarious.

Things will fail or go in unexpected directions, that is almost certain. Don't forget to pause from time to time, analyze what you planned versus what happened, fix the problems, and keep going. Never blind yourself into thinking everything will go perfectly, but never doubt your ability to overcome the obstacles.

ANY FINAL THOUGHTS?

Many thanks to you for giving me the opportunity to share this story! I'd also like to thank the French indie gamedev community, which is truly a warm and welcoming place. If you're a hobbyist or an aspiring solo indie, don't hesitate to reach out to other successful indies. They are an endless mine of knowledge and wisdom. You can work solo, but that doesn't mean you have to be alone.

-Owlycode

Greenfeet Haven on Steam

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