Welcome to Existent Unicorn, the creative playground of a slightly (but proudly) older indie game developer based in Zlín, Czech Republic. I’m Josef, the guy behind the keyboard, the code, and the coffee-stained notepad. While my schoolmates were busy mastering Prince of Persia and Golden Axe on their 386s, I was already diving into the mysteries of programming. Picture this: a borrowed Atari 130XL, a young mind brimming with ideas, and… a pencil and paper.

Back then, we didn’t have fancy programming classes (or even our own computers), so I improvised. I dreamt up a game with tanks and started scribbling on paper, figuring out how to tell a computer what a "tank" is. “Well,” I thought, “a tank is just a bunch of pixels, right? And it needs to have properties, like color and size.” That’s how I stumbled upon what looked a lot like object-oriented programming (OOP) — but don’t worry, I’m not claiming to have invented OOP (though it felt pretty groundbreaking to a kid in the '80s!).

Our Games: A Labor of Love and Pixels

At Existent Unicorn, we’re driven by a passion for creating unique, engaging game experiences that push the boundaries of what indie games can be. Let me introduce you to our two main projects that are currently in the works:

Survival Master

Imagine a world where time is not just a linear path but a tool you can manipulate. Welcome to Survival Master, our flagship game that combines sci-fi survival with time-bending mechanics. Inspired by classics like Factorio but with a twist: what if your future self could travel back in time to help your past self? In Survival Master, you’ll navigate a hostile alien environment, gather resources, build bases, and manage your survival—all while strategizing how to use time travel to your advantage. It’s a game that challenges you to think ahead (or behind) and test your survival skills in ways you’ve never imagined. We’re excited about this one because, to our knowledge, it’s the first time in game history that your future actions directly impact your past gameplay—talk about a mind-bending experience!

Office: Coffee & Deadlines (OCD)

If you’ve ever worked in an office—or just watched enough of The Office—you’ll find something to love in Office: Coffee & Deadlines, or as we like to call it, OCD. This isn’t your average simulator. It’s a tongue-in-cheek look at the highs and lows of life in a typical IT office. From the coffee machine that’s always out of water to the colleague who just doesn’t get you, OCD brings all the everyday office struggles to life in a humorous, yet relatable way. You’ll deal with everything from HR drama to budget constraints, all while trying to keep your sanity intact (and your coffee cup full). It's not just a game—it's an experience that captures the essence of modern office life with a healthy dose of satire and strategy.

Why We Do What We Do

Game development is more than just a career or a hobby—it’s a form of art. It’s a dream for many (it was mine too, once upon a QBASIC line). My goal is to encourage everyone—young blood, old hands, and those in-between—to start their journey in game development. If a working father like me, who’s balancing the challenges of time management and battling burnout, can do it, so can you! I’m here to share all the knowledge I’ve accumulated over the years, from the quirks of C# performance and design patterns (SOLID, DRY, KISS, you name it) to the practical realities of managing an indie studio.

Keeping It Real (and Bilingual!)

At Existent Unicorn, we understand that diving into game development can be intimidating, especially for Czech speakers who might find some of the technical jargon challenging. That’s why everything here is bilingual—Czech and English. However, if you’re tuning into our YouTube channel, be prepared for my best Czech (with potential English subtitles). It’s all about breaking down barriers and making game development accessible to everyone, no matter where you’re from or what language you speak.

Join the Community

At Existent Unicorn, we believe that game development is a journey best shared with others. That’s why we’re building a vibrant community on our Discord server, where you can chat with fellow developers, share your progress, and get real-time feedback. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, there’s a place for you here!

Don’t forget to check out our YouTube channel for tutorials, behind-the-scenes looks, and the occasional rambling about why coffee is a developer’s best friend (with English subtitles if my Czech gets too intense). Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to stay updated on our latest projects, sneak peeks, and—of course—some daily doses of developer humor.

And if you’re feeling extra supportive, consider joining us on Patreon. While we’re not about asking for money, your support helps keep the coffee flowing and the pixels glowing. Plus, you'll get exclusive access to content and a few other surprises!

Stay Tuned!

We’re constantly evolving, just like the games we create. From the flickering screens of the 80s to the dynamic worlds we build today, Existent Unicorn is all about the journey. So stick around, grab a coffee (or tea if that's your thing), hop onto our Discord server, and let’s make something awesome together.

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, or join our community on Discord.

Explore more of our tutorials, articles, and game development insights here.