30 Games That Started as Indie Projects and Sold Millions

The landscape of video games shifted dramatically over the last two decades as independent developers began producing titles that rivaled major studio releases. Small teams and solo creators utilized digital distribution platforms to reach global audiences without the need for massive marketing budgets. These success stories often began as passion projects or experiments before capturing the attention of millions of players. The following list highlights games that originated from humble indie beginnings and achieved massive commercial success.

‘Minecraft’ (2011)

Markus Persson created this sandbox game that allows players to build 3D worlds using textured cubes. It started as a small personal project before exploding into a global phenomenon. Players explore procedurally generated terrains while gathering raw materials to craft tools and structures. The game offers both a creative mode for unlimited building and a survival mode requiring health management. Microsoft acquired the intellectual property for billions following its massive commercial success.

‘Stardew Valley’ (2016)

Eric Barone developed this farming simulation game entirely on his own over nearly four years. Players inherit a dilapidated farm plot from their grandfather and work to restore it to glory. The gameplay involves planting crops and raising livestock while befriending local townspeople. It draws heavy inspiration from the classic ‘Harvest Moon’ series but adds modern mechanics and multiplayer features. The title has sold millions of copies across various platforms since its initial release.

‘Among Us’ (2018)

Innersloth developed this multiplayer social deduction game that focuses on teamwork and betrayal. Crewmates work together to complete tasks on a spaceship while Impostors attempt to eliminate them without being caught. The game remained relatively obscure for two years before gaining immense popularity during the pandemic. Streamers and content creators helped propel the title to millions of downloads across mobile and PC platforms. Its simple mechanics allow for accessible gameplay for people of all ages.

‘Terraria’ (2011)

Re-Logic developed this action-adventure sandbox game that focuses on exploration and crafting in a 2D procedurally generated world. Players mine for resources to build structures and craft equipment to fight various monsters. The game features a distinct day and night cycle that affects enemy spawn rates and types. Regular updates have expanded the content significantly with new bosses and biomes over the last decade. It stands as one of the best-selling PC games of all time.

‘Undertale’ (2015)

Toby Fox created this role-playing game where players control a human child who has fallen into an underground world of monsters. The combat system features a unique mechanic allowing players to spare enemies rather than kill them. Choices made during encounters significantly alter the story outcome and dialogue interactions. It features an 8-bit visual style and a widely acclaimed chiptune soundtrack composed by the developer. The game garnered a massive cult following for its subversion of traditional RPG tropes.

‘Hollow Knight’ (2017)

Team Cherry developed this 2D action-adventure game set in the ruined underground kingdom of Hallownest. Players control a nameless knight who explores a vast interconnected world filled with insects and heroes. The gameplay emphasizes skill-based combat and precise platforming mechanics. Extensive lore is delivered through environmental storytelling and obscure dialogue from non-player characters. Its commercial performance helped fund a highly anticipated sequel.

‘Rocket League’ (2015)

Psyonix developed this vehicular soccer game as a sequel to their earlier title ‘Supersonic Acrobatic Rocket-Powered Battle-Cars’. Players control rocket-powered cars to hit a giant ball into the opposing team’s goal. The physics-based gameplay allows for aerial maneuvers and high-speed competitive matches. It launched with a cross-platform play initiative that boosted its player base significantly. Epic Games eventually acquired the studio after the game established itself as a major esport.

‘Celeste’ (2018)

Maddy Thorson and a small team created this platformer that follows a young woman named Madeline as she attempts to climb a mountain. The game combines challenging precision platforming with a narrative about overcoming anxiety and depression. Players navigate through hundreds of handcrafted screens filled with deadly obstacles. An assist mode allows players to adjust the difficulty to their preference without penalty. It received universal acclaim for its tight controls and touching story.

‘Cuphead’ (2017)

Studio MDHR created this run-and-gun action game known for its extreme difficulty and unique art style. The visuals were hand-drawn and inked to emulate the rubber hose animation style of the 1930s. Players control the titular character or his brother Mugman as they fight through a series of elaborate boss battles to repay a debt to the devil. The game features a jazz soundtrack recorded with a live orchestra. It sold millions of units and inspired an animated television series.

‘Hades’ (2020)

Supergiant Games developed this roguelike dungeon crawler rooted in Greek mythology. Players control Zagreus as he attempts to escape the Underworld and reach Mount Olympus. Each run through the procedural dungeons offers different power-ups granted by the Olympian gods. The narrative advances even when the player fails a run and returns to the central hub. It received numerous awards for its art direction and integrated storytelling.

‘The Binding of Isaac’ (2011)

Edmund McMillen and Florian Himsl designed this roguelike game that explores dark and biblical themes. Players control a crying child named Isaac who navigates the monster-filled basement of his home. The gameplay involves dual-stick shooting mechanics and random item generation that alters character abilities. It features a high level of replayability due to the procedural generation of levels. The game has seen multiple expansions and remakes that expanded its item pool significantly.

‘Limbo’ (2010)

Playdead developed this puzzle-platformer presented in a stark black-and-white monochromatic visual style. The player guides a young boy through a dangerous environment in search of his sister. Puzzles often involve physics mechanics and trial-and-error gameplay where death is frequent. The sound design uses ambient noise rather than music to create an eerie atmosphere. It was a pioneer in the indie game boom on console marketplaces.

‘Braid’ (2008)

Jonathan Blow created this platformer that allows players to manipulate the flow of time to solve puzzles. The protagonist Tim travels through various worlds to rescue a princess while uncovering a cryptic narrative. Each world introduces a new time-based mechanic that alters how the player interacts with the environment. The art style resembles a moving painting with lush backgrounds. This title is often cited as one of the games that launched the modern indie revolution.

‘Super Meat Boy’ (2010)

Team Meat developed this tough-as-nails platformer where players control a cube of meat trying to save his girlfriend. The game requires precise timing to navigate levels filled with buzzsaws and other lethal hazards. Levels are short but demand repeated attempts to master the controls and physics. Instant respawns keep the gameplay fast-paced and addictive. It became a massive success on digital storefronts shortly after release.

‘Shovel Knight’ (2014)

Yacht Club Games developed this 2D side-scrolling platformer with an 8-bit retro aesthetic. Players control a knight who wields a shovel as a weapon to defeat the Order of No Quarter. The game mimics the gameplay style of classic NES titles while implementing modern design sensibilities. It was funded through a successful crowdfunding campaign before its release. The character has since appeared in numerous other indie games as a guest fighter.

‘Stray’ (2022)

BlueTwelve Studio developed this adventure game where players control a stray cat in a cyber-city inhabited by robots. The cat must solve puzzles and traverse the urban environment to find its way home. Detailed animations capture the realistic movements and behaviors of a feline protagonist. A small drone companion assists the player by interacting with technology and translating languages. The unique premise helped it reach millions of players on PlayStation and PC.

‘Valheim’ (2021)

Iron Gate Studio created this survival game set in a purgatorial world inspired by Norse mythology. Players must scavenge for resources to craft weapons and build shelters while battling legendary creatures. The game emphasizes cooperative multiplayer gameplay for up to ten people. It features a low-poly art style combined with modern lighting effects. The title sold millions of copies within weeks of entering early access.

‘Dead Cells’ (2018)

Motion Twin developed this roguelike-metroidvania hybrid that focuses on tough but fair combat. Players control a failed alchemic experiment trying to escape a sprawling and ever-changing island castle. Death is permanent and sends the player back to the start with only permanent upgrades retained. The fluid combat system encourages aggressive play using a variety of weapons. Regular content updates have kept the player base active for years.

‘Slay the Spire’ (2019)

Mega Crit Games developed this deck-building roguelike game that requires strategic planning. Players choose one of four characters and ascend a spire by battling enemies using a deck of cards. Each victory rewards the player with new cards or relics that enhance their abilities. The branching paths allow players to choose their route through combat and rest sites. It defined a new subgenre of card-battlers upon its release.

‘Vampire Survivors’ (2022)

Poncle developed this time survival game with minimalist gameplay and pixel art graphics. The player controls an automatically attacking character who must survive against waves of thousands of monsters. Defeated enemies drop experience gems that allow the player to level up and acquire new weapons. The goal is to survive for up to 30 minutes until Death inevitably ends the run. It became a viral hit due to its addictive loop and low price point.

‘Phasmophobia’ (2020)

Kinetic Games created this cooperative horror game where players act as ghost hunters. Teams of up to four players use equipment to identify the type of ghost haunting a location. The game features voice recognition technology that allows the ghost to respond to player speech. It gained massive popularity through streaming platforms for its terrifying yet often comedic moments. The title supports virtual reality for an even more immersive experience.

‘Rust’ (2013)

Facepunch Studios developed this multiplayer-only survival game where the only goal is to survive. Players start with nothing and must gather resources to build bases and craft firearms. The environment poses threats such as wild animals and radiation alongside hostile players. Raiding other player bases is a core component of the gameplay loop. It evolved from a ‘DayZ’ clone into one of the most played survival games on Steam.

‘RimWorld’ (2018)

Ludeon Studios developed this sci-fi colony simulation game driven by an intelligent AI storyteller. Players manage a group of survivors stranded on a procedurally generated planet. The AI generates random events such as pirate raids or electrical storms to challenge the colony. Complex systems govern the psychology and health of the individual colonists. The game has sold millions of copies and supports a vast modding community.

‘Factorio’ (2020)

Wube Software developed this simulation game focused on building and maintaining automated factories. Players mine resources and research technologies to build an industrial infrastructure on an alien planet. The complexity grows as players must optimize supply chains and defend against local wildlife attacks. The ultimate goal is to launch a rocket into space. It is highly regarded for its depth and the addictive nature of its optimization gameplay.

‘Don’t Starve’ (2013)

Klei Entertainment developed this open-world survival game with a distinctive gothic art style. Players control a scientist named Wilson who is trapped in a mysterious wilderness world. The game requires players to manage hunger and mental sanity while avoiding darkness. Permadeath adds a significant layer of difficulty to the exploration. A multiplayer standalone expansion titled ‘Don’t Starve Together’ further increased its popularity.

‘Subnautica’ (2018)

Unknown Worlds Entertainment created this survival adventure game set in an alien ocean. Players crash-land on the planet 4546B and must explore the depths to find resources and cure a disease. The game focuses on underwater exploration and vehicle construction rather than combat. The narrative unfolds through audio logs and environmental discoveries. It was praised for its atmospheric sound design and unique underwater setting.

‘No Man’s Sky’ (2016)

Hello Games developed this action-adventure survival game built around a procedurally generated deterministic universe. Players are free to explore quintillions of planets with unique flora and fauna. The launch was controversial due to missing features but the developers released numerous free updates to fulfill their vision. Expansions added base building and multiplayer missions to the core experience. It is now considered one of the greatest comeback stories in gaming history.

‘Five Nights at Freddy’s’ (2014)

Scott Cawthon developed this point-and-click survival horror game set in a fictional pizza restaurant. Players act as a night security guard who must monitor animatronic characters through security cameras. The animatronics become mobile at night and attempt to enter the security office. Limited power reserves force players to manage light and door usage carefully. The franchise spawned numerous sequels and a major motion picture.

‘Untitled Goose Game’ (2019)

House House developed this stealth puzzle game where players control a goose who bothers the inhabitants of an English village. The objective is to complete a to-do list that involves stealing items and causing general mischief. A dedicated honk button allows the player to startle NPCs and interact with the world. The game became a viral meme for its charming humor and low-stakes chaos. It sold over a million copies shortly after its widespread release.

‘Papers, Please’ (2013)

Lucas Pope developed this puzzle simulation game where the player acts as an immigration inspector. Set in the fictional dystopian country of Arstotzka, the player must review passports and documents for discrepancies. The gameplay involves making moral decisions that affect the inspector’s family and the fate of immigrants. The visual style utilizes pixel art to create a drab and oppressive atmosphere. It received critical acclaim for its unique concept and emotional storytelling.

Please share your favorite indie game experiences in the comments.