Introduction
Ever skipped downloading a game because it was “too big”? You're definitely not the only one. In a world where every single megabyte counts, smaller apps are silently winning the download race, especially in regions where storage and performance are still major constraints.
This entire realization began when we published our game Carrom Karrom and noticed something very peculiar in the analytics. Devices launched almost a decade ago were still actively downloading and playing our game. In a time where tech is racing ahead, bigger storage, higher megapixels, advanced batteries, users in many parts of the world still rely on older, slower, and limited devices as their primary daily driver.
How It All Started
We began the development of Carrom Karrom nearly two years ago. It wasn’t even supposed to be a big project, just a redesign of an already existing game on the Play Store. The original version was extremely basic: a single play button leading to a two-player mode. Meanwhile, the world had already moved on to feature-packed carrom games with multiplayer battles, online rooms, HD visuals, and rich colorful graphics.
But we didn’t have that luxury. We had limitations — budget constraints, time, resources, which unexpectedly pushed us into creating something small, clean, and extremely lightweight. And ironically, that became our biggest advantage.
(Play Store Screenshot: Taken on Sunday, 13 July 2025 — Stats referenced below)
The Development Process
I’ve genuinely lost count of how many days we spent grinding on this project. From refining the UI to fixing gameplay physics to polishing the tiny details that make a game feel intuitive, everything was built with a mindset of simplicity first.
Since I was already comfortable with Figma, the entire game’s visual identity, assets, and layout were designed from scratch piece by piece. The programming and physics were implemented using the Godot Game Engine, a powerful open-source engine that allowed us to work efficiently without crossing our budget limits.
- Figma – complete UI/UX + asset creation
- Godot Engine – game logic, physics, interactions
- AWS – powering online gameplay
(Stats of the game Carrom Karrom as of 2024 (Most Probably))
Unexpected Growth & Stats
Fast forward to 2025, and the game has crossed 10,000+ downloads with over 100+ reviews and an impressive 4.9/5 rating. For a lightweight game built with tight constraints, this was a big win.
The interesting part came when we dove deeper into device analytics. Instead of focusing on the usual metrics, we looked at device model release dates. And what we found was eye-opening — most of the devices were 7–10 years old. Budget devices, limited storage, low RAM, outdated chipsets — yet these were the users downloading and enjoying our game.
This reinforced a simple yet powerful truth: your app size directly affects your user base. Especially in South Asia, Africa, and similar regions, small-size apps reduce barriers and place you in a wider market segment.
Industry-Wide Patterns
This isn’t new, but many developers underestimate it. Giants like Facebook, Instagram, and PUBG didn’t release “Lite” versions for fun — these were strategic decisions. They understood that lightweight apps create inclusion by reaching millions of users who want the same experiences but don’t have flagship hardware.
Lighter apps often:
- Load faster on older devices
- Respond more smoothly with less RAM
- Reduce user frustration (a major HCI principle)
- Consume less data & storage
And it’s not just about numbers, it’s about accessibility. Small-size apps make digital experiences more inclusive and available to a larger audience.
About the Developer
This project wouldn’t have been possible without the contribution of the developer who built the entire game logic, implemented the multiplayer features, and deployed the system to production. He handled everything from coding the core mechanics to integrating real-time online play using AWS services, ensuring smooth performance and scalability for players worldwide.
He also published the final build to the Play Store and managed the backend infrastructure, including server setup, database configuration, and deployment pipelines.
You can explore more of his work here: Sagar Devkota
Game Link: Carrom-Karrom Game
Moving Forward
We’re continuously working on optimizing Carrom Karrom even further. With every update, our goal is to maintain our lightweight identity while enhancing features, responsiveness, and overall experience.
If you’ve faced similar challenges during app or game development, I’d genuinely love to hear your thoughts. The reality is simple: sometimes limitations force you to build something better than what you originally planned.
#GameDevelopment #MobileApps #UserExperience #DataAnalysis #Tech