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Life & fun · September 24, 2024

18 months after big tech layoff, my indie game is nearing release

Howdy, long time HN'er. Spent ~20 years in FAANG and startups, got the pink slip during a big layoff wave in spring 2023. That's ok, I was about to quit anyway :) Finally got back to a lifelong goal of mine, making an "indie" game. (Indie is subjective, but you get the drift.) So, here it is: Ballionaire, a "fast-paced pachinko roguelike where strategy meets physics to create outrageous wealth!" My influences were: Plinko(TM), Luck Be A Landlord, and Totally Accurate Battle Simulator. I was really fortunate because localthunk, the dev behind Balatro, noticed my game during its first month of…

18 months after big tech layoff, my indie game is nearing release launched on September 24, 2024 with 5 votes, #2,535 of 5,281 launches that month and more than 50% of that year's launches. The site was still online in September 2026, 2 years on.

Visit store.steampowered.com ↗Alternatives

What it does

BALLIONAIRE is a fast-paced, kinetic roguelike where strategy meets physics to create outrageous wealth! Find and exploit game-breaking synergies as you theorycraft your way to victory. Welcome to the autobonker genre!

“A pachinko-roguelike that properly rewards strategic play. Terrific.” 8 – PCGamer “VERDICT: RECOMMENDED” VICE “building a brilliant board of pegs that leaves you rolling in cash feels amazing...” 8 – God is a Geek Ballionaire is a physics-driven roguelike full of kinetic chaos! Build the perfect pachinko board and trigger insane combos. Break the game with rule-bending boons. Overcome arduous tribulations as you climb the ranks of the Ballionaires. Bonk Your Way to Victory : Drop a ball to bonk triggers, earn money, and spawn more balls! Draft new triggers each round to increase the chaos and your earnings! Build an overpowered scoring engine or an unstoppable spawn spammer! Or maybe both?…from store.steampowered.com

In the maker’s words, at launch

Howdy, long time HN'er. Spent ~20 years in FAANG and startups, got the pink slip during a big layoff wave in spring 2023. That's ok, I was about to quit anyway :) Finally got back to a lifelong goal of mine, making an "indie" game. (Indie is subjective, but you get the drift.) So, here it is: Ballionaire, a…

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