About Fishing with Kenny

A labor of love, pixel by pixel

Hi, I'm Josh

I'm a solo indie game developer who believes that the best games come from personal experiences. Fishing with Kenny is my first and only game project, born from wanting to preserve and share the precious memories of fishing trips with my grandfather.

As a developer, I wear many hats—programmer, pixel artist, storyteller, and game designer. I've crafted the code, art, and story with intention and care, while the beautiful, heartfelt music that brings the world to life was lovingly composed by Daniel Gauthier.

Josh Holtz

My Background

I've been in tech since 2015, currently working as Engineering Manager of Paywalls and Monetization at RevenueCat. I'm also the lead maintainer of fastlane tools, helping millions of developers automate their mobile app deployments. When I'm not shipping code, I organize Deep Dish Swift, bringing the iOS community together in Chicago.

Here's the thing—I never had any interest in making games. But when the idea for Fishing with Kenny came to me, something clicked. This wasn't just about making a game; it was about preserving memories and sharing a piece of my grandfather with the world. Suddenly, I found myself learning Excalibur.js, pixel art, and game design, driven by a story that needed to be told.

When I'm not coding or working on the game, you can find me fishing (of course!), spending time with family, or exploring new places with my camera. These real-world experiences often find their way into the game.

Why I Make Games

Games have the unique power to let us share experiences and emotions in ways that other mediums can't. Through Fishing with Kenny, I hope to give players a glimpse into the peaceful, meaningful moments that shaped who I am today.

This isn't just about catching virtual fish—it's about family, patience, wisdom, and the simple joy of being present in the moment. If my game can help someone slow down and appreciate these things, then I've succeeded.

Want to Follow Along?

Check out the development blog for regular updates on progress, design decisions, and behind-the-scenes peeks at how the game is coming together.