Card Value Scanner for Pokemon
apps.apple.com
Scans Pokémon trading cards to identify them and estimate their value.
diff ~/p/adam-lyttle ~/p/derek-yu
Adam Lyttle vs Derek Yu
Products, revenue & stack compared side by side.
Indie game designer behind Spelunky, Spelunky 2 and UFO 50, founder of Mossmouth
@mossmouth United States
Adam Lyttle vs Derek Yu at a glance
Both Adam Lyttle and Derek Yu are bootstrapped. They overlap in Indie Game Makers. Adam is based in Melbourne, Australia, Derek in Los Angeles, United States. Adam started in 2020 and Derek in 2002. Adam Lyttle has 6 products listed on IndieMakerList vs Derek Yu's 6. Adam self-reports $70K/mo (as of 2026); Derek hasn't shared a revenue figure publicly. On X, Adam has about 59K followers and Derek about 59K.
Side-by-side comparison
- Based in
- Adam Lyttle: Melbourne, Australia
- Derek Yu: Los Angeles, United States
- Started
- Adam Lyttle: 2020 (6 yrs indie)
- Derek Yu: 2002 (24 yrs indie)
- Revenue (self-reported)
- Adam Lyttle: $70K/moself-reported, as of 2026 · source for Adam Lyttle's revenue
- Derek Yu: Not public
- Products listed
- Adam Lyttle: 6
- Derek Yu: 6
- Product status
- Adam Lyttle: 6 active
- Derek Yu: 6 active
- X followers
- Adam Lyttle: 59K
- Derek Yu: 59K
- Categories
- Adam Lyttle: Mobile App MakersIndie Game MakersCreators & Writers
- Derek Yu: Indie Game Makers
- Style
- Adam Lyttle: solobootstrappedbuilds in publicserial maker
- Derek Yu: bootstrapped
- Courses & resources
- Adam Lyttle: 2
- Derek Yu: 3
Revenue figures are self-reported by each maker and not audited; dates and scope differ. Highlighted categories are shared by both.
Top products
Swipe the cat
apps.apple.com
Casual game built around a viral TikTok trend.
PIANORUN
apps.apple.com
Game that teaches you to play piano notes.
Fish Identifier: AI Scanner
apps.apple.com
Identifies fish species from a photo using AI.
S
Spelunky
spelunkyworld.com
Roguelike cave-exploring platformer with procedurally generated levels; free original in 2008, HD remake in 2012.
Spelunky 2
mossmouth.com
Sequel to Spelunky set on the Moon, with deeper systems and online multiplayer.
UFO 50
50games.fun
Collection of 50 original single and multiplayer games styled as the library of a fictional 8-bit console maker.
Aquaria
bit-blot.com
Underwater exploration action-adventure co-created with Alec Holowka as Bit Blot.
Tech stack
No tools in common in their publicly listed stacks. See the indie maker tech stack.
SwiftSwiftUIRevenueCat
GameMaker
How they build
- Build a portfolio of simple apps instead of betting on one.
- Shipping volume is practice — one app a month teaches fast.
- Validate demand with keyword research before building.
- Create value first, then monetize with well-tested paywalls.
- Finishing a game matters more than starting one; protect momentum and cut scope to ship.
- Procedural generation and tight rules can create endless emergent stories.
- Make small prototypes and freeware first, then polish the ideas that stick.
- Building community around indie games helps everyone in the scene.
Learn from Adam and Derek
- [youtube] Adam Lyttle on YouTube
- [podcast] Launched #86: Swipe the cat – Adam Lyttle
- [book] Spelunky (Boss Fight Books)
- [template] Make Games essays
- [community] TIGSource forums
Adam Lyttle vs Derek Yu FAQ
Who makes more money, Adam Lyttle or Derek Yu?
Adam Lyttle self-reports $70K/mo (as of 2026). Derek Yu's revenue is not public, so a direct comparison isn't possible.
Who has built more products, Adam Lyttle or Derek Yu?
Adam Lyttle has 6 products listed (including Card Value Scanner for Pokemon, Swipe the cat and PIANORUN); Derek Yu has 6 products listed (including Spelunky, Spelunky 2 and UFO 50).
What tech stack do Adam Lyttle and Derek Yu use?
Adam Lyttle uses Swift, SwiftUI and RevenueCat. Derek Yu uses GameMaker. They don't list any tools in common.
Where are Adam Lyttle and Derek Yu based?
Adam Lyttle: Melbourne, Australia. Derek Yu: Los Angeles, United States.
Who has been an indie maker longer, Adam Lyttle or Derek Yu?
Adam Lyttle started in 2020 (6 years indie); Derek Yu started in 2002 (24 years indie).
Are Adam Lyttle and Derek Yu bootstrapped?
Yes, both are listed as bootstrapped founders on IndieMakerList.
Full profiles
Read the full story, timeline and links on Adam Lyttle's profile and Derek Yu's profile.
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