In the world of game development, there's often a temptation to build complex systems, especially as best practices and industry standards evolve. However, for my latest project 4CoinsBattle, a casual mobile game built in Flutter, I took a different approach. I wanted to see what would happen if I stripped down the development process to its essentials, prioritizing simplicity over structure. Here’s what I learned along the way and why simplicity was the best decision I could have made.

1. Minimalism in Code and Structure

The guiding principle for 4CoinsBattle was to keep everything as straightforward as possible. From the game mechanics to the code architecture, I aimed to maintain a minimalist approach. The result? Not only was development more enjoyable, but it also allowed me to stay flexible with the code.

When you’re working on a casual game, this flexibility is invaluable. It means less time spent on debugging complex layers and more time focused on polishing the gameplay itself. Minimalism kept the workflow efficient and the code manageable—perfect for a one-person project like mine.

2. Choosing Cubit for State Management

For state management, I went with Cubit, a lightweight, simple-to-use package in the Flutter ecosystem. Typically, I’d use a more complex setup, involving multiple UseCases and Repositories to separate different concerns. But for the first time in the last five years, I decided to skip those layers entirely.

Why? Because a casual game doesn’t always need the overhead of multiple abstractions. Cubit’s simplicity allowed me to keep state management straightforward, without worrying about layers of logic that would add little value to the project.

This setup also sped up the development process. By avoiding complex structures, I could work directly on the game features and logic, saving time and energy that would otherwise be spent on maintaining and debugging extra code.

3. Direct Calls with Facade Classes for Services

Instead of introducing the usual architectural layers, I let each Cubit make direct calls. However, I still wanted to ensure that my app stayed independent of specific libraries, so I created Facade classes for each service.

These Facades acted as simple wrappers around my services, ensuring that if I ever needed to swap out a service or library, I wouldn’t have to rework my entire codebase. Facades provided just enough structure to keep things organized and modular while avoiding the overhead that usually comes with more layered approaches.

This move allowed 4CoinsBattle to be both modular and flexible, qualities that are particularly helpful for indie developers working on tight schedules.

4. Embracing Simplicity for Efficiency

This stripped-down approach was refreshing. In the indie dev world, it's easy to feel pressured into following all the established patterns and best practices. But sometimes, those structures just don’t fit the project you’re working on—especially if it’s a casual game with a straightforward design.

Choosing simplicity for 4CoinsBattle meant that I could dedicate more time to the things that mattered: gameplay, polish, and user experience. Instead of spending hours on code architecture, I could make the game itself shine.

Final Thoughts: Why Simple Can Be Better

Working on 4CoinsBattle reminded me that sometimes, less is more. By focusing on what was essential and leaving out the rest, I was able to create a fun, casual game without the usual development headaches. Indie game development often requires wearing many hats, and keeping things simple can make it easier to juggle those responsibilities.

For developers, especially those in the indie scene, simplicity isn’t just about having cleaner code. It’s about building something that’s manageable, adaptable, and ultimately more enjoyable to work on. As I look back on this project, I feel more convinced than ever that simplicity should be a tool in every developer’s kit.

If you’re an indie developer or just looking to try a different approach in your next project, consider stripping things back. You might find, as I did with 4CoinsBattle, that simplicity is exactly what you need to bring your vision to life without overcomplicating the process.

If you want to see the app in action you can download it HERE 🤓