Today, for the first time, someone committed money on something I created

As a developer who now works as project manager, I feel a need to code. I also feel a need to have my own projects to compensate the frustrations of working in a big company.

10 years ago, I started an open-source project that got nowhere. This was a very ambitious low-code platform. While I was proud of the result, it was kind of too-little too-late in an area invested by the big guys. Plus, doing enterprise sales as a side job did not really work for me. While I could convince some colleagues to use the technology at work, this was for free, and I did not make any sales from it elsewhere.

So 1-year ago, I started a new much more approachable project: building a small strategy game, similar to titles like 'Planet Base' or 'Dawn of Man' that were done by small teams.

I also found my niche: a realistic space colony game where you build a settlement using current technology starting in the 1970s

After 1 year, I launched a Kickstarter campaign today. This is only the beginning, but I am very proud that people committed around $300 on the campaign so far. This is small (~15% of the final goal), and of course, I am worried if I will make the funding goal or not.

But still, people are ready to pay some money for what I created. This feels so great.