I’m 20. I saved $16k to build an EdTech startup disguised as a Sci-Fi game. Phase 1 is live, and I need your brutal business feedback on scaling.

Hey everyone. I’m a 20-year-old solo dev and founder. While studying, I realized traditional financial education is completely broken. Nobody wants to read textbooks about inflation or compound interest.

So, I hustled. I saved up around $16,000 from scholarships and side gigs, and instead of spending it, I used my coding skills to build the foundation of a new ecosystem.

I just launched Phase 1: Libernova: Space Tycoon.

On the surface, it’s a mobile sci-fi idle game. But under the hood, it’s a brutal financial literacy simulator. I implemented real-world mechanics:

• Compound Debt: Players take cash advances, but interest eats them alive if they aren't careful.
• Credit Scores: Defaulting on loans locks them out of the global market.
• Real Inflation: Holding cash is a penalty. Prices of assets rise over time, forcing players to invest.

The Ultimate Vision: This isn't just a game; it's a Trojan Horse. My goal is to build an entire gamified financial ecosystem (MBD Novus) that eventually bridges the gap between gaming and real financial literacy.

Why I need your help (Feedback Request): I know how to code, and I know how to save money. But I need your expertise on scaling.

1. Positioning: Should I market this to users strictly as a "Game" or lean heavily into the "Educational/Financial Tool" angle?
2. User Acquisition: For an economy-heavy mobile game with an educational twist, where would you spend your first $1,000 in marketing?
3. Monetization vs Growth: It's free right now. Should I focus purely on user retention and community building first, or introduce a premium model early to test the waters?

You can find the game on the Google Play Store by searching Libernova: Space Tycoon (or check the direct link in my Reddit bio if it's still indexing).

Tear my strategy apart. I’m ready for the brutal truth. Thank you!