Why I built Ludota

I have had a video game backlog for years. Games to start, games left halfway, new releases to keep an eye on. All of it scattered across platforms, stores and subscriptions.

For a long time I used Trello to keep it in order: a board with columns, cards and labels to tell apart the games to buy, the games to start and the platforms to play them on.

It worked, but it had its limits. I had to create every card by hand, put release dates in the titles and invent labels for information that deserved a place of its own. Keeping track of play sessions was awkward too.

I looked for an alternative among the many apps for video games. I tried several, but almost all of them centre on the catalogue, ratings, reviews and social features.

They are good tools for building a library or a play diary. I was after something more specific: a board that helps me choose what to play, without spending time managing it.

After a few attempts, I decided to build Ludota.

The idea behind Ludota

A board to organise your backlog.

Ludota puts the games you want to start and the ones you are still working through front and centre.

Add a game in a few seconds, pick its column and move it whenever you like. The game's details are already there, with nothing to copy by hand.

Speed comes first. If updating your backlog becomes a chore, sooner or later you stop doing it.

I want Ludota to stay a simple tool, with few features but useful ones. I chose to focus on managing the backlog and to leave out feeds, reviews and ads.

You are in control of your privacy. Your profile is private by default, but you can choose to make it public. Notes, tags and purchases always stay private.

How I built Ludota

Ludota is a personal project that I work on in my spare time.

I have worked as a web developer for years, and I held Ludota to the same standards as my professional work: automated tests, code review, attention to security, respect for privacy and solid performance on phones too.

To write the code I used Claude Code, an AI programming assistant.

The product decisions, the design and the architecture are my own. I defined the features, directed the assistant's work and checked every change before it went live.

AI sped the project up. Every line of code that ships has been through my review.

For game information, Ludota uses data from IGDB, including titles, covers and release dates. The project is independent and not affiliated with IGDB, Twitch, publishers or gaming platforms.

Why it is called Ludota

Ludota is Esperanto: from ludi, “to play”, it means “that which is to be played”. In other words, a backlog.

Contact

Ludota is a personal project, open to ideas and improvements.

To report a bug, share an idea or leave some criticism, write to me at hello@ludota.com.

— Giuseppe