Best way to transfer a project from an Arduino to a microcontroller

Projects General Guidance
1

I've made a simple game involving a 7-segment display, two tactile switches and three resistors. A total of 11 input/output pins on my Arduino are used. I now want to simplify my game and minimize its size. This calls for somehow replacing my Arduino with a standalone microcontroller (or something similar) that I can plug into my breadboard, and eventually a perfboard when I finalize my project. I really have no idea how to go about accomplishing this.

What's the best way to do this?
How do you personally simplify and minimize the size of your projects? When you feel like your Arduino takes up too much space, or when you simply want your projects to work without being connected to an Arduino, what do you do?

2

This may help:

I had an Atmega328 on a perfboard with minimal components.

3

Nice post Nick!

4

If I'm understanding you correctly and you just want to get rid of the arduino board, just google "atmega328 standalone" or "atmega328 breadboard." Once your chip is programmed you only need to invest the chip. Then buy a new chip and stick it in your arduino.