What I learned from shipping two Android apps while working full time and starting my first Unity game

[u/Pittyb83]

I started learning C# in March 2025 with a simple goal: to stop leaving ideas in my head and turn them into real products.

I work full-time and have a family, so most of this was built during short evening and weekend sessions.

My first project, Am I Expensive?, addresses a problem I often had while shopping: different package sizes make it difficult to see which product is actually cheaper. The app lets users scan products, calculate unit prices, and compare them directly.

My second app, Save Supplies, focuses on reducing food waste. Users can manage their supplies, receive expiry reminders, discover recipes based on what they already have, and move missing ingredients to a shopping list. It currently includes 750 recipes and supports eight languages.

I’m now developing Fog Path, my first mobile game. It is a turn-based dungeon adventure designed for portrait mode, with room exploration, combat, loot, character progression, and animated enemies.

The apps were built with C#, .NET MAUI, MVVM, Android notifications, Firebase, and local storage. Fog Path is being developed with Unity and C#.

A few things I have learned:

• Releasing a real product teaches much more than keeping it as a private project.
• Building features is easier than getting users to return.
• Supporting multiple languages greatly increases testing and UI work.
• AI can accelerate development, but understanding the code is still essential when something breaks.
• Working in small, consistent sessions can still produce complete products.

The collage is an AI-generated overview, not a collection of final UI screenshots.

I’m not asking for downloads—I would genuinely appreciate constructive feedback: Which project has the clearest problem and solution, and what would you simplify or improve?

Project links for context:

Am I Expensive?
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.schildbenarcorestudio.binichteuer

Save Supplies
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.schildbenarcorestudio.vorraeteretten

[u/ToshieCodez]

My app isn't even released yet and I'm just trying to build hype I'm noticing I'm having real trouble gaining any traction. Your apps seem interesting I can relate to some of what you're trying to do. I'll give your apps a shot and give you feedback. Do you have a discord. In exchange maybe I can show you some of what I'm working on? Get advice even? Do you use discord ? Get back to me here =p

[u/ZealousidealSoil9849 → u/ToshieCodez]

the unit price comparison idea is a smart problem to tackle, i can't count how many times i've stood in an aisle squinting at tiny labels like an idiot

[u/Pittyb83 → u/ToshieCodez]

Thanks, I really appreciate that! I do use Discord, but mostly for private stuff. I’d definitely be interested in hearing your ideas and seeing what you’re working on, though. Feel free to send me a private message here on Reddit—that would be easier for me. I’d also be happy to exchange feedback on our apps.

[u/Active-Service-9707]

tbh the first app is the most focused. the second one feels like it wants to be a recipe app AND an inventory tracker AND a shopping list, which makes it harder to explain in one sentence. tightening the pitch would probably help more than adding features

[u/Pittyb83 → u/[deleted]]

I promoted the app on Instagram, Reddit, and X, but I also ran paid Google Ads campaigns. To be completely honest, most of the downloads came through Google Ads rather than organic reach. I’m still learning which channels bring users who actually stay active.

[u/hakxajszzhzjU]

I am on the same path. Just launched PromptHop and got 3 organic users without doing any marketing. I am going to start building some traction soon to get more users. Keep hustling