Solo Developer with Two Kids and a Wacom Tablet: Crafting “The Abandoned Planet”

Sure thing, let’s dive into this whirlwind. So, imagine trying to balance a full-time gig while juggling two young kids, one of whom decided to arrive right as I was in the thick of things. Yeah, that’s how The Abandoned Planet was born—from the chaos of a Florida bedroom that moonlights as an office, nursery, and everything in between. Picture this: my toddler providing “assistance” as I sketch out rooms and corridors in a well-loved Moleskine, dodging fruit snacks to type on my laptop. What was supposed to be a quick passion project spiraled into a two-and-a-half-year saga of coding marathons, artistic endeavors, and dreaming up an alien number system. Why? Just because, I guess.

Now, every pixel you see in The Abandoned Planet danced from my Wacom tablet. It was like breathing life into my little art piece. And let me tell you, the game’s movement has this 90s retro feel—yep, D-Pad nostalgia—but sharp and snappy. We’re talking cryptic symbols and weird objects that evoke an old-school adventure vibe, yet it’s modernly twisted. It’s like if a 90s game woke up in the body of today’s tech.

Step inside: five acts, over 300 areas, mysterious cutscenes that break into the game, and by break, I mean in a way that keeps you guessing. Plus, who doesn’t love a game that’s fully voiced in English, with a twist of alien tongue? Weirdly fun, I promise.

Anyway—ah, I’m sidetracking—so, The Abandoned Planet isn’t a solo gig; it’s part of a series with Dexter Stardust: Adventures in Outer Space. My (possibly caffeine-fueled) development sessions are all over those puzzle twists and alien markings. If unraveling a dying civilization wrapped in an eccentric DIY project sounds like a good time, escape to The Abandoned Planet this weekend.

Oh, about the game: there’s this whole deal where an astronaut winds up stranded on some distant planet, thanks to a pesky wormhole—and where is everyone? The mystery is what you make of it, really. It’s got the vibe of Myst and Riven, stirred with some LucasArts from the 90s. Think: pixel art that’s chunky but somehow beautiful, tons of places to poke around, all topped off with voice acting in 11—yes, eleven—languages.

And, maybe you noticed, the game caught the essence of those classic point-and-click adventures. Anyway, if you happen to find it on sale at $13.49—like I did—consider it a little nudge from the universe to dive in. Trust me, your inner adventurer won’t regret it.