From Nokia Engineer to Indie Game Creator | Building DeCodex
Mar 25, 2025
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Áron Csatlós, a Hungarian software engineer and creator of the cryptography puzzle game DeCodex, shares his journey from Nokia to indie game development. He discusses his inspirations for DeCodex and the importance of building in public to engage players. Áron delves into his innovative project Ground Kids, a tool that combines fitness and gaming for children. He highlights effective marketing strategies and the rise of community collaboration in indie games. Áron also reflects on the gaming culture in Hungary and his exciting future projects.
Áron Csatlós emphasizes the importance of building in public, which fosters community engagement and enhances project visibility among fellow developers.
The evolution of Decodex illustrates how feedback-driven development can significantly improve user engagement and create a unique gaming experience.
Deep dives
DecoDex: A Unique Puzzle Experience
DecoDex is a free daily cryptography puzzle game that requires players to guess quotes from famous individuals, providing a unique and interactive experience. Players can also delve into past puzzles for additional challenges, enhancing the game's replayability. The inspiration behind DecoDex came from the creator's observation of similar games, leading him to identify key elements that could improve user engagement and screen time. By incorporating a better user interface and ensuring mobile compatibility, DecoDex aims to capture the attention of quote enthusiasts and gamers alike.
The Development Journey of Ground Kids
Ground Kids is an AI-powered tool designed to create personalized training plans based on users’ fitness levels. Although initially lacking traction, the creator decided to pivot after gathering feedback and focusing on engagement in public development. The project exemplifies a shift in strategy towards smaller, more manageable goals that allowed for quicker iterations and user response. This approach ultimately fueled further development and refinements, demonstrating the importance of adaptability in the planning and execution of tech projects.
Building in Public: Community and Collaboration
The concept of building in public has played a significant role in the creator's approach to development, allowing him to share progress and gather feedback from a community of fellow developers. By connecting with other game creators on platforms like Discord, he has fostered a space for collaboration and idea exchange, enhancing his project's visibility and growth. This strategy not only encourages accountability but also provides valuable insights into what resonates with users. As a result, participating in a supportive developer community can greatly influence the success and evolution of gaming projects.
In this episode of the Hey, good Game podcast, host Joseph Rueter interviews Áron Csatlós, a software engineer from Hungary and the creator of the cryptography puzzle game Decodex, which is available at playdecodecks.com. Áron shares his journey from working at Nokia for over a decade to creating various games and AI-powered tools, including Ground Kids, a personalized training plan generator. The discussion covers Áron's inspirations, development practices like building in public, and his strategies for engaging players. Áron also talks about his favorite games, including chess and League of Legends, and provides insights into his future game development plans.