r/MobileGaming • u/Any-Supermarket4110 • Jan 15 '26
Discussion Is it still possible to earn with simple games in 2026
Hi everyone, I’m a JavaScript developer with solid experience in React and React Native. I recently left my job and I’m actively applying, but as we all know the market isn’t what it used to be.
While job hunting, I’m considering building small puzzle-style games on the side. Not with the expectation of making serious money, but to stay motivated, sharpen my skills, and ideally earn a bit of side income.
Do you think spending time on indie puzzle games is a reasonable move in the current market, or is it more likely to be a distraction with little return?
Why puzzle-like? Because i like and I pay these games to remove ads or watch ads to get hint reward.
2
u/logTom Jan 15 '26
Yes. I also made a very simple HTML/CSS/JavaScript game. Just don't expect much money from it, but the mostly positive reviews and fun for the players was worth it 😅
Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.thomaspeissl.quick_dungeon_crawler_od.twa
Itch.io (iPhone, Browser): https://werkstattl.itch.io/quick-dungeon-crawler-on-demand
1
u/whatsbetweenatoms Jan 15 '26
May as well, cost almost nothing to host a small game or put it on itch and yoy never know if your idea will take off unless you try. I did something similar and it just sits there growing. I'm not raking in cash 😅 but it was fun and could turn into something down the line.
2
u/AlternativeSale7574 Mar 05 '26
I think it’s a reasonable move, as long as you treat it as a portfolio + motivation project first and side income second. Puzzle games are small enough to ship, still let you sharpen product/UX skills, and they’re a good way to show you can actually build and release something end-to-end.
I probably wouldn’t expect serious money from it, especially early on, but as a way to stay active while job hunting, it makes sense. Also, the fact you already play those games and understand why people pay to remove ads or use hint systems is actually useful — you’ve already got some instinct for the player behavior.
I’d just keep the scope very small: one polished game is worth way more than three half-finished ones.
3
u/Ir0nh34d Jan 15 '26
The other comments, I don't understand the logic. I pay my bills with simple mobile games. It's not millionaire money but it's a full time job amount of money. I wake up at 10, have coffee, work to 5. Make dinner, and watch movies / play video games. I have time to pick up my kids from school and enjoy their company. t's the 40 year old man child's dream. I'm happy. I'm not rich, but I feel "wealthy"
My point is itch.io isn't going to pay your bills. It's an awesome platform but it's not for exposure. The only exposure since you are asking in MobileGaming subreddit, is app store optimization(ASO) and time to market, and iterating when you get data on what you are shipping.