Meet Jess Yu, solo developer of a bunny haven

It’s not every day you get to escape to an island paradise full of lovable bunnies, but thanks to Usagi Shima, serenity is right around the corner. Adorable, soothing, and undeniably charming, Usagi Shima is the result of developer Jess Yu’s commitment to creating a stress-free idle game that players can cozy up with.

We caught up with Jess to ask about her inspirations, the challenges that come with being a solo dev, and what’s next in the cards for Studio Rabbiko.

Jess Yu: I actually started my career as a software developer in the tech industry, but I always had a deep love for art, games, and animals - especially rabbits! As a kid, I dreamed about being a game developer, but somewhere along the way I forgot about that dream and focused on “getting a real job.”

I began to feel creatively unfulfilled, and missed making things that felt personal and expressive. Almost on a whim, I started working on a small bunny game in my spare time. It felt like reconnecting with a part of myself - picking up a dream I’d quietly set aside. I started developing Usagi Shima as a little side project, working on it in the evenings, on weekends, whenever I could.

I saved up all the money I could from my full-time job and, after about a year and a half, I took the leap to develop it full-time. It was an enormous risk, and I’m incredibly lucky that it worked out in the end.

Usagi Shima was heavily inspired by my childhood love of pet simulation games like Neopets, the Petz series, and Tamagotchi, as well as modern titles like Animal Crossing and Neko Atsume.

I also loved drawing animals and making up characters as a kid. My sisters and I grew up with a lot of rabbits in our childhood home and they brought me comfort growing up, so it felt natural to center the game around them. I think their gentle personalities and adorable mannerisms really lend themselves well to a cozy, relaxing game atmosphere.

I also drew a lot of inspiration from Ōkunoshima, a real-life rabbit island in Japan! When I first learned about it, I thought it would be the perfect setting to base the game on.

I tried to be intentional with every design decision, from the warm color palette, to the gentle animations, the soothing music, and the ambient nature sounds. I also tried to keep the UI simple, and avoided anything that would overly pressure the player.

I wanted Usagi Shima to feel like a quiet little retreat – not stressful or demanding – where players could just relax and enjoy cute moments at their own pace.

The idle mechanics were designed to give players room to breathe, while the collectible and customizable elements encourage players to keep coming back. I focused on creating little moments of delight that the players could look forward to, like discovering a new bunny or decorating their personal island!

That’s such a hard question! If I had to pick, I’d probably say Yuzu – the little yellow bunny with a leaf on their head, inspired by the citrus fruit of the same name. Yuzu was one of the first bunnies I added to the game, and I think they really capture the sweet, playful charm I wanted all the bunnies in the game to have.

I also have a soft spot for Panko, the shrimp tempura bunny. I just love the bunnies whose designs are inspired by food. They’re so fun, and a little bit silly in the best way.

I did all the art and development myself. I hand-drew all the bunnies and other assets. I’ve loved drawing since I was little – burning through sketchbooks with animals, comics, and made-up characters. Although I never formally studied art, it’s always been a big part of my life. Making Usagi Shima was a way to reconnect with that childhood passion.