Senior Multiplayer / Backend Developer – Indie Space MMO Shooter (Unity / FishNet)

We're an ambitious indie game studio building a multiplayer space MMO shooter combining large-scale space combat, flight physics, FPS gameplay, exploration, and procedurally generated content.

We're looking for an experienced multiplayer/backend developer who understands the technical challenges of building and scaling MMO games. We need someone who can take ownership of server-side development, optimize existing systems, and help us build the infrastructure needed to grow.

This is not an entry-level position. We're looking for someone who has actually worked on multiplayer games, preferably MMOs, and understands how to build systems that work beyond a handful of connected players.

What You'll Be Working On

• Server Architecture & Scaling: Building, optimizing, and scaling multiplayer server infrastructure to support growing player populations.
• MMO Networking: Handling synchronization, replication, server authority, latency, and performance across large multiplayer environments.
• Procedural Generation: Developing systems for procedurally generated space zones, environments, encounters, and persistent content.
• Flight Physics & FPS Systems: Supporting multiplayer spaceship movement, physics, combat, and seamless FPS gameplay with proper network synchronization.
• Server Merging & Zone Management: Developing systems for managing, merging, and transitioning between servers, zones, and player instances.
• Builds & Releases: Managing server builds, deployments, version updates, and new releases.
• Performance Optimization: Identifying bottlenecks, reducing server overhead, and designing scalable solutions.
• Existing Systems: Working within our current codebase, improving existing features, and integrating new functionality without breaking what already works.

What We're Looking For

• Strong experience with Unity, C#, and multiplayer game development.
• Previous experience developing MMOs or large-scale online multiplayer games.
• A solid understanding of authoritative servers, networking, synchronization, and multiplayer architecture.
• Experience with networked flight physics, space combat, and FPS mechanics. This is especially important for our project.
• Experience designing procedural generation systems.
• Ability to work with an existing codebase and collaborate with other developers.
• Someone who communicates clearly, follows direction, and executes against established development priorities.
• Someone who can work independently, troubleshoot complex problems, and deliver functional, production-ready solutions.

Huge Bonus: FishNet Experience

We're currently using FishNet for networking. If you've worked extensively with FishNet, that's a major advantage.

Experience with dedicated servers, persistence, matchmaking, instancing, or MMO infrastructure is also valuable.

AI-First Development Mindset — Required

We actively encourage the use of the latest AI models and development tools to accelerate coding, debugging, refactoring, testing, and problem-solving.

We believe AI-assisted development is a massive advantage for small indie studios competing with larger teams.

If you haven't embraced AI as part of your development workflow, this probably isn't the right opportunity for you.

We're not interested in developers who blindly copy AI-generated code either. We want experienced engineers who know how to use AI effectively, validate its output, and ship better software faster.

How We Work

We're a small indie team, which means everyone has an important role in moving the project forward.

We're looking for someone who:

• Follows direction: Can execute on the established vision rather than constantly trying to reinvent it.
• Takes ownership: Doesn't need to be micromanaged to complete tasks.
• Communicates: Keeps the team informed about progress, roadblocks, and technical concerns.
• Focuses on shipping: Understands that functional releases and measurable progress matter.
• Uses modern tools: Is comfortable adopting new technologies and AI-powered workflows to accelerate development.

We value creativity and technical input, but we also need someone who respects the project's direction and can turn requirements into working features.

How to Apply

Please send a DM with:

1. Your multiplayer/MMO development experience and games you've worked on.
2. Your experience with Unity, C#, and FishNet.
3. Any projects involving networked flight physics, FPS combat, or procedural generation.
4. How you're currently using AI in your development workflow.
5. Your availability and expected hourly rate.
6. Links to your portfolio, GitHub, or shipped projects, if available.

Bonus points if you can show us a multiplayer game you've actually helped ship.

We're building something ambitious and want developers who are excited about tackling the challenges of a persistent online space universe.

If that sounds like you, we'd love to hear from you.

Hey everyone!
I’m a solo game developer currently working on a 2D game with a dark atmosphere and a strong focus on world-building and unique ideas.
I’m looking for a 2D artist who would like to join me as a creative partner. I handle the programming and game development, while you would focus on the art. We’d work together on ideas and decisions throughout development.
To be transparent, I don’t have a budget to pay for the work right now, so this would be an unpaid collaboration. I’m looking for someone who genuinely likes the idea of building a game together and sharing the creative journey.
If you’re interested, feel free to reach out and share your portfolio. I’d love to see your work and talk about what we could create together!

Dm me for more info!