I got laid off from Meta and created a minor hit on Steam

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I was at FB/Meta from late 2013 to early 2023, mostly working in the compiler/runtime spaces. I got hit in the spring 2023 layoff wave. I immediately started making games in my newfound free time (a lifelong interest, and I even worked in AA(A?) back ca. ~2000), and in October 2023 I stumbled upon the idea of a roguelike pachinko/plinko game inspired by Luck Be A Landlord. Things snowballed quickly, I started talking to publishers, then worked like crazy through all of 2024, almost the hardest I've ever worked in my career, and launched the game in December 2024. It's sold ~200,000 units in its first 10 weeks on Steam. So it's no Balatro, but I'd still say it did very well :) AMA? (my game is Ballionaire: https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/2667120/view/5264614... )

Visit product View on Hacker NewsFeb 26, 2025

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Indie HackersFits the IH revenue-focused audience · Strong signals: created, started · Missing: supports, reddit linkedin, podcasting

92%92% predicted probability of success on Indie Hackers, based on ML models trained on real launch data.

best fitHighest predicted score across all platforms for this description.

Hacker NewsStrong engagement from HN community · Strong signals: ide, 000, io · Missing: https docs, excited, just released

57%57% predicted probability of success on Hacker News, based on ML models trained on real launch data.

nativeThis product was originally launched on this platform.

TrustMRRFits verified-revenue profile · Missing: mobile apps, ios, personal

51%51% predicted probability of success on TrustMRR, based on ML models trained on real launch data.

Product HuntUnlikely to reach the leaderboard · Strong signals: new · Missing: mac, agents, macos

45%45% predicted probability of success on Product Hunt, based on ML models trained on real launch data.

AppSumoMay struggle as an AppSumo deal · Missing: plus, platform, intuitive

34%34% predicted probability of success on AppSumo, based on ML models trained on real launch data.

Acquire.comPre-revenue stage for this audience · Missing: arr, mrr, revenue

11%11% predicted probability of success on Acquire.com, based on ML models trained on real launch data.

BetaListMay not resonate with beta-testers · Missing: web3, chat, crypto

0%0% predicted probability of success on BetaList, based on ML models trained on real launch data.

Correct prediction on native model

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