How I built a Reddit social engine to 6.1k users with $0 server costs

The Concept

I wanted to test a hypothesis: Can we build a high-stakes social game that lives entirely within a social platform's feed? No downloads, no new accounts, zero friction. That’s how Troll Defuse was born—a psychological "trap-based" game built on Reddit Devvit.

The Tech Stack (The "Zero-Maintenance" Way)

As a Senior Engineer, I’m obsessed with efficiency and scaling at zero cost.

• Platform: Built natively on Reddit Devvit, allowing the game to run directly in the feed.

• Database: Cloudflare D1 (SQLite) for edge-based, high-performance data storage.

• State Management: Cloudflare KV for low-latency player status and session handling.

• Result: A professional-grade, serverless architecture that costs $0/month to run, regardless of traffic spikes.

The Growth (0 to 6.1k Organic Users)

We reached 6,100+ users in 90 days with zero marketing spend. The secret isn't fancy graphics; it's Social Friction. We created a game loop where players outsmart each other through bluffing and logic.

• Engagement: Peak interaction rates hit 80%.

• Validation: P2P "Honor" tipping is already active, proving users are willing to pay for social reputation.

What’s Next & The "Ask"

The technical foundation is rock solid. I've proved the PMF (Product-Market Fit) and built the "Honor Economy."

I’m now looking for a Growth-focused Co-founder or considering a Partial/Full Exit ($**k asking). I’m looking for an operator who can lead the business side while I focus on scaling the engine to other platforms like Telegram Mini Apps.

If you are into lean startups and high-stakes social gaming, let's talk in the comments or via DM.