Why I Built a Stress-Free Offline Bubble Shooter at My Kitchen Table (No Timers, No Data Tracking)

shivaya — Wed, 11 Nov 2026 07:21:44 +0000

After sharing my story about getting laid off, divorced, and starting my solo studio Shivaya from my kitchen table, several people asked what kind of apps I’ve been building late at night.

Today, I want to introduce one of my favorite projects: Mega Giant Cat: Bubble Shooter.

Why Another Bubble Shooter?

When you're raising a toddler alone on a tight budget and coding until midnight, you quickly realize how exhausting modern mobile games can be. So many casual games rely on anxiety-inducing countdown timers, limited stamina bars, and mandatory internet connections just to play a 3-minute round.

I wanted to create the exact opposite: a cozy, comforting pocket escape.

What Makes Mega Giant Cat Different

Zero Stress Pacing: There are no nerve-wracking clocks ticking down. You can play one shot, put your phone down to check on your kid, and pick it right back up.
Wholesome Giant Cat Companion: A giant adorable cat reacts to your combos and celebrates your victories—pure visual dopamine after a long day.
True Offline Play: Designed to run lightweight and completely offline. No Wi-Fi or cellular data required.
Privacy Respecting: Zero personal data collected or shared with third parties.

Try It Out & Share Your Feedback

If you need a quick, relaxing mental break today, I’d be honored if you gave it a try on Android:

👉 **[Download Mega Giant Cat: Bubble Shooter on Google Play

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.aistudio.bubblezen.relaxx

As a solo developer still learning and iterating every night at the kitchen table, I’d love to hear any feedback on the level difficulty, booster mechanics, or UI. Thanks for playing! 🐱🫧

• After a layoff and divorce, I built an app studio at my kitchen table

shivaya — Wed, 11 Nov 2026 07:08:06 +0000

I’m sharing this today not to look back at what I lost, but to celebrate what love and resilience can build when you refuse to give up.

Twelve months ago, my life was completely reset. I lost my job in a layoff, and shortly after, my marriage ended. Suddenly, I was raising my 2-year-old on my own with a tight budget. There were plenty of days when I skipped meals just to make sure my kid had everything they needed.

In those quiet moments at the kitchen table, watching my toddler smile without a care in the world, something shifted inside me. Instead of feeling defeated, I felt an overwhelming surge of purpose. That little kid gave me a superpower I didn't know I had.

Turning a Kitchen Table Into a Studio

I decided I wasn't going to wait for someone else to hand us a lifeline—I was going to build one with my own two hands.

Every night after tucking my kid in, I turned my kitchen table into a workspace. Fueled by hope, cheap coffee, and the joy of building something meaningful, I spent four hours coding. One app turned into two, and two turned into a small collection. Every bug I fixed and every feature I shipped was a small victory for our future.

Meet Shivaya

I named my solo studio Shivaya. To me, Shivaya stands for renewal, inner strength, and the beauty of starting fresh. Every single app under Shivaya was born out of late-night determination and pure love for my kid.

Today, seeing our apps live on Google Play fills me with gratitude:
👉 Check out Shivaya apps on Google Play

We don't have big investors or a fancy office, just unstoppable momentum and a bright road ahead.

If you’re starting over right now, please know this: rock bottom isn't the end of your story—it’s the solid foundation you get to rebuild on. You are stronger than you think. ✨

Fellow solo devs and builders—how do you manage your late-night coding schedule alongside family life? Would love to hear your thoughts or feedback on our apps in the comments!

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.aistudio.fontcraft.vkzpqr&pli=1