Hi, I’m David —a solo indie game developer based in Winnipeg, Canada. I’m the creator behind Remnants of R’lyeh, a Lovecraftian-inspired first-person horror shooter. With a background in digital art, storytelling, and programming, I’ve been pouring my passion into this project as a one-person studio, aiming to bring something unique to the survival horror genre.
Remnants of R’lyeh is a first-person survival horror game set in the mysterious depths of the ocean, drawing inspiration from H.P. Lovecraft’s Cthulhu Mythos, as well as games like BioShock and Silent Hill. Players take on the role of Jason, a diver who survives a shipwreck only to stumble upon a lost underwater city twisted by cosmic forces.
The idea really grew from my own fascination with Lovecraftian horror—the fear of the unknown, the abyss, and things beyond human understanding. I wanted to create a game world where players constantly feel small, vulnerable, and curious, mixing in both psychological and survival elements. It’s also a tribute to the kind of atmospheric, narrative-rich games I grew up loving.
It’s been a wild ride! Developing a game solo is equal parts exhilarating and exhausting.
Most of the time, I’m switching hats between coding, 3D modeling, sound design, and writing. The creative freedom is awesome, but the workload can get overwhelming—especially when you’re aiming for a high level of polish.
I chose Unity as the engine, mainly because of its flexibility and the huge community support. Unity makes it accessible to prototype mechanics quickly, iterate on art, and handle both the 3D and horror elements I wanted to blend together.
The biggest challenge has definitely been balancing ambition with reality. It’s tempting to dream up massive, intricate systems and visual effects, but as a solo developer, I’ve had to make a lot of tough calls on what to prioritize. Polish and focus are key.
Another hurdle is just keeping motivated through the long, sometimes lonely stretches. There are days when you doubt everything, but then you see a new mechanic come to life, or get positive feedback from a play tester, and it fires you up again.
Definitely! Start small and don’t be afraid to cut features. Finish something tiny first—you’ll learn a ton just by shipping. Also, build a feedback loop with other devs and players as soon as you can. Don’t isolate yourself, even if you’re solo.
Keep your scope realistic, document everything (seriously, future you will thank you), and remember to take breaks. Game development is a marathon, not a sprint. And finally—never lose sight of why you started the project in the first place.
Just that I’m super grateful for all the support from the indie dev community, playtesters, and everyone cheering me on. If you’re passionate about making games, don’t wait for the “perfect” time—just start. Every small step adds up. Thanks for having me, Rob!
-David
❤️
