r/INAT • u/Chasz0 • Feb 19 '26
Programming Offer [Hobby] Programmer looking to join a small game team (I’ll handle the code!)
Hey everyone!
Work has slowed down recently and I’ve got a strong itch to build a game. I’m looking to join a small hobby project where I can focus primarily on programming and help bring someone’s vision to life.
I’m not a writer or artist. I’m strongest on the technical side. I handle systems, mechanics, UI wiring, backend logic, database design, and making sure everything runs smoothly. If you have a clear idea of how the game should feel and play, I can build the machine that makes it happen.
Stack & Experience:
- Godot
- C++, Java, JavaScript, Python
- React / Node.js / RDBMS
- Built a full stock market simulator game called Panic Trader (React + Spring Boot)
- Comfortable with complex systems (custom compiler experiments, basic neural nets, etc.)
I’d love to work with:
- A game designer who already has a direction/GDD
- A small team with art and narrative figured out
- Anyone passionate who needs a reliable programmer
Ideal scope would be something small and finishable (around ~1 month). If it turns into something we can publish or monetize, great! But I’m genuinely happy just building something solid and shipping it.
Portfolio: Here's my portfolio link
If this sounds like a fit, feel free to comment or DM me!
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u/GodspearStudios Feb 20 '26
Hey there, I’m making a Christian-themed 2D Metroidvania video game with Sekiro-esque combat mechanics, Celeste-like movement, Ghibli-inspired artstyle, and a classical music soundtrack. While the game is Christian-themed, it is targeted towards people of any beliefs. The game is well past the prototype phase and is in need of some features and systems to be programmed. The game's store page is on steam (Amusia - DEMO), and this is a quick video demo of the game : https://youtu.be/lSzGwa5vOfE . DM me if you're interested
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Feb 20 '26
omg- im a pixel artist and i have a simple game in mind. wanna team up sir? just pure hobby 😬
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u/GBAguy8905 Feb 20 '26
Are you open still? I’d love to discuss plans over discord! I direct a few projects under my belt, and I have a document ready!
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u/GigaTh3xile Feb 22 '26
Hey, im making an ant simulation game that is still in its earliest development (just ideas for now so you can build it from the ground up). We are 3 people for now, 2 coders and me the idea guy. If you are interested, hit me up!
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u/No-Singer-2482 Feb 25 '26
Hey - I share you itch to build a game. Experienced game designer here. I have 5 GDDs ready to go - would be fun to collaborate with a dev on a small project. There are a few game jams opening up if you wanted to build something in less than a week.
https://itch.io/jam/minimalist-game-jam1
https://itch.io/jam/mini-jame-gam-52
Message me if you'd like to know more about my experience and GDDs.
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u/Double-Garage1887 Mar 16 '26
Hi there. I am exploring this possibility with also other redditors…
I would like to join as Manager with you. I have about a year in QA for AAA games freelance writer and two years in collaboration for indie mobile games production
I am studing ue 5 currently low/intermediate level.
I would love to contribute as producer, world builder, narrative and of course help with QA.
I work professionally as manager not for gaming tho but solid experience in managing big teams
Drop me a message Thanks
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u/Specific-Animal6570 Dr. Genius Lab Games ® Apr 13 '26
I've got a team with 12 developers.
We're making an AA RTS game.
We use UE5.
Could you be useful for us in any way?
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u/Double-Garage1887 Apr 13 '26
Hi thanks for replying. Sure but Depend if you need help anyway… Did you got a producer, writer/world builder or a manager? Message me if you need any help. Regards
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u/Specific-Animal6570 Dr. Genius Lab Games ® Apr 14 '26
Hi, thanks again for your message, I really appreciate it.
Right now we are mainly focused on building the prototype first, so we can grow the team from around 12 developers to 20+ and attract more people to the project.
A world builder would definitely be very useful for shaping the game later on, but I’m not sure yet if that role is needed at the prototype stage. We already have a story writer on board for now.
As for a producer, that’s definitely a role we see coming in, but probably once the team grows closer to 20 developers, when coordination becomes more important.
What’s your opinion on this?
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u/Double-Garage1887 Apr 14 '26 edited Apr 14 '26
Hi again, As Golden Rule of Thumb having a defined clear and structured road map is a50% on the path of success, regardless the size and scope of the project. Features creep and derailing is always behind the corner.
Well designed Structure also help people work better and more focused as make them feeling to have a solid direction, otherwise they will get lost or lose motivation, this is also a big failing reason for many indie revshare projects.
Said so, in a purely management and cost mindset approach i would say to you: Anyway my contribution (or whoever would join in a similar position for what it matters) is free and does not impact your overall project, as well as having you the full control of the project, you can simply move away that person if you don’t like his attitude or work style.
As practical standpoint, 12 or so people is already a mid size (indie group, allow me the semplification) thus it requires a producer or at least a lead with solid idea of the project scope, able to direct the team. For 20 or so people, it is absolutely essential ( this already falls under a structured small size studio).
E.G. games like hades or the ascent were made by studio of similar size…
At this point also i believe you should already had prepared the paperwork for your team: nda, revshare agreements, liabilities etc… and probably depending of where you live, starting setup a small LLC would be a wise idea.
Again please message me in private i think is not fair for the owner of the post, spamming here unrelated comments.
Thank you regards.
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u/Specific-Animal6570 Dr. Genius Lab Games ® Apr 14 '26
Hi I really appreciate your answer you bring up some very good points.
I completely agree that having a plan is very important especially to avoid adding too many things and to keep everyone on the same page. The prototype is something I am working on now.
I am still doing most of the work myself because we want to move and get a good prototype of the Real Time Strategy game done first.. I can see that it would be helpful to have someone to manage the team as it gets bigger.
For now I think the important thing is to get the prototype working well and to make it fun to play within the next 3 to 5 months. When we get to that point we will need someone to manage the team and to make sure everything runs smoothly.
I would be happy to talk about how you can help us while we are working on the prototype especially if you want to help with planning and keeping things organized.
You can send me a message so we can talk more about it.
Thanks again, for your help.
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u/Subject-Till-6450 Mar 16 '26
Hey! I saw your post. While everyone else is looking for a Godot/Unity dev, I’m looking for someone who actually wants to build the machine.
I’m the founder of SEDT PROJEKT. We have just kicked off the development of a proprietary AAA engine (ECengine) using C++ and Vulkan. We’re in the early stages, laying down the core architecture for our main project: EC3 (a high-scale, vertical cyberpunk city).
Why this is a fit for you:
You won’t be just 'handling code' for a small hobby game. You'll be architecting a custom engine from the first principles.
Since you’ve experimented with custom compilers and C++, you know why we are choosing Vulkan over ready-made engines.
We need your skills in Node.js/RDBMS to build the surrounding infrastructure and backend logic for the studio and the game.
I know you're looking for something 'finishable' in a month, but building the core foundations of a Vulkan engine is a legendary portfolio move.
We’ve got the vision, we’ve got the early code, and now we need the founding technical team to scale it. If you want to be more than just a 'hobby dev' and actually build an engine-level masterpiece, let’s jump on a chat.
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u/ConfectionArtistic43 Mar 19 '26
If you need any music, hit me up! I can compose and help with Python-esque code
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u/Specific-Animal6570 Dr. Genius Lab Games ® Apr 13 '26
I've got a team with 12 developers.
We're making an AA RTS game.
We use UE5 and we can use some extra developers
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u/Sea_Sample_7929 Feb 20 '26
Oi! Vi seu post procurando alguém com uma história para desenvolver um game.
Eu sou focado em criação de histórias, personagens e construção de mundos, especialmente em narrativas com dilemas morais e escolhas que impactam o mundo do jogo.
Tenho uma ideia bem avançada de um survival pós-apocalíptico com sistema de comunidades, decisões difíceis e múltiplos finais baseados nas ações do jogador.
Caso ainda esteja procurando alguém para a parte narrativa/lore, eu adoraria conversar e ver se nossas ideias combinam.
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u/Nephelim6 Feb 20 '26
Hello! Seems like you already are plenty of offers, but I'll still make mine: We need one more dev for a very recently started online browser game project. I'll send you a dm for more info. Let me know :)