Hey everyone! Today, I'm sharing my story of a passion project that didn't quite take off as expected. A year and a half ago, as a JavaScript developer, I decided to chase a long-held dream: building my very own browser-based MMORPG. In January 2024, I dived in headfirst, remarkably crafting an entire game world in just 10 days.
I wore every hat imaginable: scriptwriter, artist, and programmer. Everything was built from the ground up:
- Plot and Dialogue: I penned a story designed to keep players hooked for hours.
- Code: The entire stack was custom-built using Node.js, React, and MongoDB.
- Design: I personally drew and created all the game's graphics.
- UI/UX: I developed a unique UI kit, complete with custom buttons, windows, and animations.
- Mechanics: I designed a comprehensive combat system featuring both magic and swords, alongside quests and localization.
The final product filled me with immense pride; the game felt vibrant and well-crafted. However, creating the project was only half the battle. As it turned out, the real challenge was just beginning.
A Grand Launch... into Silence
I had absolutely no idea how to promote a game. My initial strategy? Sharing a link in a small Telegram chat of about a hundred people. Ten saw it, checked out the game, played for a bit, and then... nothing. That was the extent of it.
I didn't give up. In February 2024, I edited a video and uploaded it to YouTube. The first two days brought a glimmer of hope: 450 views! I thought, "This is it! The algorithms are picking it up!" But the surge quickly flatlined. In a year and a half, that video only accumulated 555 views. My subsequent two videos performed even worse, with just 276 and 47 views respectively.
I bought a domain, hosted the game, and waited. After a year and a half, the total player count stood at 30.
You might think, "That's so few!"
But my answer is, "That's thirty living people!" Thirty individuals who found the time to immerse themselves in something I poured my heart into, working completely alone.
A True Victory
My game includes a leaderboard with player statistics. And you know what I discovered? Three people completed my entire game! Can you believe it? Three strangers dedicated 2-3 hours of their lives to the world I built. That means they were genuinely engaged!
I saw them chatting within the game, logging in multiple times a day. One player even sent me a lengthy email with detailed feedback and fantastic ideas for improvement. That experience was truly invaluable.
What did I learn from all this? Promotion is crucial. But even more important is remembering why you started in the first place. My biggest reward wasn't the numbers in the statistics; it was the genuine connection I made with the few players I managed to reach.
Do what you love, and infuse it with your soul. Even if your creation is appreciated by a handful instead of thousands, the joy you'll feel will be profound and authentic. In upcoming articles, I'll share more about the development process, so be sure to subscribe!
I'd be thrilled to see you explore the world I created! You can play here: https://jobless.jsvar.com/
#MMORPG #React #GameDev #IndieGame #BrowserGame #OnlineGaming #JavaScript #FailedButNotForgotten