About Outdoor Devs

Independent software developer based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada — building AI-powered applications, indie games, and open-source developer tools.

Who I Am

I'm Steve Mulligan, the developer behind Outdoor Devs. I'm an independent software developer in Ottawa, Canada with a passion for building things that are useful, fun, or both. My work spans conversational AI, real-time translation, language learning technology, indie games, and open-source infrastructure tools.

I believe in shipping software that solves real problems. Whether it's helping people communicate across languages with Live Translate Live, making trivia nights more fun with Brain Fu, or giving developers better commit messages with NullCommits — every project starts with a question: can I make this better?

When I'm not writing code, you'll find me somewhere outdoors in the Ottawa-Gatineau region. The name "Outdoor Devs" isn't just branding — it reflects how I work best: clear head, fresh perspective, then build.

What I Build

AI & NLP

Conversational AI agents, real-time translation, speech-to-text, and custom AI chatbot development services for businesses across Canada.

Language Technology

AI-powered tools for language learning, ESL conversation practice, and multilingual communication — from concept to production.

Indie Games

Games for Steam, iOS, and mobile — from AI-driven companions in Shouldermen to the fast-paced trivia of Brain Fu and the whimsical world of Dandelopia.

Developer Tools

Open-source utilities like NullCommits (AI commit messages) and LatestRelayer (budget live streaming relay) — built for developers, by a developer.

Web Applications

Full-stack web development with a focus on performance, accessibility, and clean architecture. From static sites to real-time AI-powered platforms.

Infrastructure

Self-hosted streaming servers, budget VPS deployments, and open-source infrastructure tools for indie developers and small teams.

Featured Projects

Here are a few highlights from my project portfolio:

  • Shouldermen — An indie Steam game with AI-driven companions and emergent gameplay
  • Live Translate Live — Real-time AI translation for live speech and multilingual communication
  • Word Exchange Plaza — AI-powered language learning and ESL conversation practice
  • NullCommits — AI-powered git commit message generator
  • LatestRelayer — Open-source live streaming relay for budget servers
View All Projects

Get in Touch

I'm always open to interesting conversations about AI development, game design, or new project ideas. The best way to reach me is through LinkedIn.

Connect on LinkedIn