slow kraken
🎮 Hi everyone!
I’m a 3D Environment Artist and I want to create a 2D platformer with RPG elements and a cartoon style like Paper Mario, set in my own universe. I’m looking for advice to validate the idea and start building a community.
My goal: make a minimal playable prototype using AI during the little free time I have on weekends:
- 1 character with basic actions
- 1 simple enemy
- HUD with health bar
- Small level section
💡 I plan to release it as a free beta or at a symbolic price (1€ / “Buy me a coffee”) to test the idea, gain visibility, and start building a community.
The long-term goal is to gradually expand the game, adding content little by little.
My questions:
1️⃣ How is the 2D game industry today? Is there still an audience for indie platformers?
2️⃣ How can I gain visibility starting from zero and without a team? Social media, Discord, forums…?
3️⃣ Do donation or micro-payment systems work for small prototypes?
4️⃣ Best strategy: free beta to get feedback/reviews, or symbolic price from the start?
5️⃣ Which engine would you recommend: Unity or Godot? Why is Godot so popular for 2D?
Any advice or shared experiences would be super helpful 🙏