What characteristics define the success of a video game? Maybe a profitable financial run? Or a long-lasting shelf life? A recognizable franchise or brand? A huge budget? A big, AAA name attached to it? In recent years – particularly in the past decade – independent (or “indie” for short) developers and their games have been on the rise, reaching points of prominence in the gaming world that some AAA titles could only dream of attaining. Some of these games have even extended beyond the video game industry, branching out into different mediums – a feat that many of those AAA titles have not achieved. Here are the top five most well-known indie games that have sent shockwaves throughout the video game community.
[Related: Five Indie Games Definitely Worth Checking Out]
“Five Nights at Freddy’s” (2014)
With the recent trailer release for the upcoming “Five Nights at Freddy’s” movie from Blumhouse Productions, it is undeniable that the indie horror franchise created by Scott Cawthon has reached a new height in its own popularity.
What initially started as a response to criticism of Cawthon’s previous non-horror games being unintentionally scary in their designs, Cawthon decided to create a true horror game. From that first point-and-click horror game about fending off animatronics in a children’s pizzeria, the “Five Nights at Freddy’s” franchise was born – eventually becoming an umbrella of a series with over 10 games, more than 20 books and graphic novels and the aforementioned film releasing this coming October.
Cawthon released a statement in 2021 explaining his own retirement from video game development in order to focus on his family and that he would be effectively handing over the reins of his franchise to others. Despite this, he still remains involved in the ongoing series in a few capacities, including co-writing the screenplay for the movie adaptation.
“Stardew Valley” (2016)
“Stardew Valley” is a farming simulation, role-playing game developed by Eric Barone, also commonly known online by his alias “ConcernedApe.” In an attempt to better practice coding and build up his résumé, Barone worked on “Stardew Valley” as its sole developer and programmer for more than four years before releasing it on PC in 2016. Since then, “Stardew Valley” has received ports to the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and even mobile devices.
While the roots of Barone’s game found inspiration in the “Harvest Moon” and “Story of Seasons” games, “Stardew Valley” has far surpassed those games at the height of their popularity back in the ‘90s and early 2000’s. In fact, the majority of “cozy farming sims” released post “Stardew Valley” receive a comparison to the genre-redefining game from Barone at some point. If being the first game that comes to most people’s minds when considering a whole genre of video games isn’t a mark of massive success, who knows what is?
“Cuphead” (2017)
Not every developer should expect critical acclaim across the board and a Netflix animated show from their debut game. Well, that wasn’t at all the case for Studio MDHR’s first game “Cuphead.” Created by two brothers – Chad and Jared Moldenhauer – “Cuphead” is a run-and-gun, continuous boss rush about two brothers and their unlucky deal with the Devil.
One of the game’s key features is its distinct, defined flair. With a hand-drawn art direction heavily inspired by the “golden age” of American animation in the 1930s and a soundtrack that feels lifted straight out of the era of jazz music, the game oozes a style that is both retro and modern, and will surely stand the test of time for years to come.
“Undertale” (2015)
Every once in a while, “the” indie game comes along. No other indie game has become “the” indie game with such an immense effect on Internet fandom culture as “Undertale.” However, it is undeniable how impressive that a game that had and still carries so much impact was virtually created all by a single person, Toby Fox.
Even Fox himself – approaching the release of chapter one for his follow-up game “Deltarune” in 2018 – expressed that he felt as if expectations for whatever he developed following “Undertale” were so high they were practically unachievable. Instead, he would make, in his own words, “something else.”
Since then, Toby Fox has gone on to release chapter 2 of “Deltarune” with an unknown release schedule for when the following installments will be available. Additionally, he has gone on to compose soundtracks for a variety of other projects since his success with “Undertale.” Many even say that “Undertale” is worth playing for the iconic soundtrack alone.
However, it is in no way outlandish to claim that nothing will leave a mark in the same way “Undertale” did in the indie gaming space.
“Minecraft” (2011)
Who could ever forget the global phenomenon that was and still is “Minecraft.” Although Microsoft acquired the game in 2014 for a whopping $2.5 billion and has expanded it into the multi-game, multi-media franchise it is currently, it can not be forgotten that “Minecraft” started with one man.
With over 238 million copies sold worldwide and across several platforms and generations of consoles, “Minecraft” is the best-selling video game of all time. Although “Minecraft” creator and Mojang Studios founder – Markus “Notch” Persson – left his game entirely following Microsoft’s acquisition and a rabbit hole of drama, the game is still marching strong even today with one of the largest active communities in video games.
These five indie games were able to do what many AAA titles in recent years have tried and failed: leave a lasting impact that affects much of the video game industry, climb charts and expand far beyond their original source. From the best-selling video game of all time to live-action film adaptations, games from independent developers have proven themselves fully capable of bringing unique, creative experiences to the world of video games that can shake the foundation of the medium.
Featured Image Courtesy of stardewvalley.net.
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