PLEASE START US OFF BY INTRODUCING YOURSELF:

Hello! I’m Ruby Ursus, the solo developer behind Sulo the Sidekick.

I have a background in mechanical design engineering and over 10 years of experience in R&D. During that time, I had the opportunity to see how VR, AR, and XR technologies can speed up development processes, and I think it’s incredibly exciting technology.

That experience sparked my interest in game development, because making the most of immersive technologies really requires the ability to create content for them. I believe these skills will be in high demand in the future, so I took a couple of years of part-time study leave to dive into learning them properly.

My studies began in the fall of 2023. I spent the first year focusing on visual game design, and this year I've been learning programming. Sulo the Sidekick is my passion project, where I get to bring all of that together..

TELL US ABOUT SULO.

Sulo the Sidekick is a gamified wellness buddy. It’s a bit like Tamagotchi, but with a focus on your well-being too.

Sulo lives on your desktop. He builds his career while you do your own thing, and rests when you rest. If you push yourself too hard, he gets tired and might even burn out – just like you. He’s a gentle reflection of your habits.

You can use Sulo’s earnings to buy stress-reducing items and some of them even offer helpful tips for real life. Certain items also unlock features like a Pomodoro timer to help with focus and breaks, or a water bottle that Sulo drinks from regularly to remind you to stay hydrated.

The idea came from my own need. I wanted a tool like this for myself but couldn’t find one that checked all the boxes, so I decided to make it.

HOW HAS THE DEVELOPMENT JOURNEY BEEN

This is the first game I’ve made as a solo developer, and also my first commercial project. I originally thought the scope was pretty reasonable, but working alone really adds up in terms of time and effort!

Along the way, I also took part in the Bit1 competition, where the best Finnish student game is selected each year. It was a great experience, though it did take some extra energy on top of development. I didn’t win, but I did receive an honourable mention for “Best Potential for B2B Sales,” and got some really valuable pitching experience in the process.

WHICH GAME ENGINE DID YOU CHOOSE AND WHY?

I chose Unity for this project because it’s the engine I’ve been studying. I did consider switching to Godot, but due to time constraints, I decided to stick with Unity and focus on getting the most out of what I already know.

WHAT'S BEEN YOUR BIGGEST DEVELOPMENT HURDLE SO FAR?

The biggest hurdle has been trying to create my first commercial product as a solo developer under a limited timeline. It takes a lot of discipline to stay focused on one thing at a time, especially when there are so many different aspects to handle, from coding and art to marketing and planning.

There’s always more to do than time allows, and it can be tough to prioritize. Luckily, my livelihood doesn’t depend on this project, which helps take some of the pressure off and lets me focus on learning and creating something meaningful.

ADVICE FOR FELLOW DEVS?

Focus on having fun and try to enjoy what you do. When you’re working on your own project, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by everything that needs to be done. But if you can stay curious and keep a playful mindset, the process becomes much more rewarding.

Not everything has to be perfect or go according to plan. It’s okay to experiment, make mistakes, and learn as you go. That’s part of the journey!

ANY FINAL THOUGHTS?

If you think having a little wellness buddy on your desktop sounds like something you’d enjoy, please consider wishlisting Sulo the Sidekick on Steam!

It really helps keep me motivated and makes a big difference for a solo dev.

Thanks for the support!

Ruby ❤️

Sulo the Sidekick on Steam