A look at the best video games made by one single person

Here at JS13kGames, we believe that anyone with a creative mind and a rugged determination can develop games with the potential to revolutionize the medium. Over the years, incredibly talented game designers have taken part in JS13K, with Minecraft’s Markus “Notch” Persson chief among them. Today, we look at various sources of inspiration that have elevated their craft by developing masterpieces single-handedly.

Minecraft

When he released the first public build for a sandbox game in 2009, Swedish game designer Markus Persson could not have imagined the impact his creation would have on the gaming medium. Surpassing classics such as Tetris and GTA V, Minecraft is nothing less than the best-selling game in history. Ported on nearly every platform, from mobile devices to home consoles, what was originally a simple browser game has sold over 300 million copies worldwide.

Minecraft continues to captivate millions of players eager to build their virtual empires and push the boundaries of creativity by recreating iconic gaming locations like Hyrule Castle and Mondstadt, Genshin Impact’s main city. This cultural phenomenon has transcended its original medium, as Minecraft is getting a movie adaptation in 2025. While its creator quickly gave other programmers’ control over the game’s development, it is fair to remember that it was one man who started it all.

Undertale

Undertale is one of those indie darlings that garner universal acclaim. This RPG-adventure-puzzle-hybrid was entirely developed by American creator Toby Fox. Save for different character designs and artwork, handled by guest designers like Tommy Chang, Fox forged this entire world from scratch, including the game’s morally grey script much praised for both its complexity and heartfelt charm.

This indie gem never shies away from challenging conventional gaming norms, while its compact length and branching paths encourage replayability. Fox’s standout soundtrack only elevates this pixelated adventure. Composed with the help of FL Studio, this musical score has been performed by professional orchestras in a string of symphonic concerts all over the world – quite a feat for a self-taught musician.

Cuphead

When it comes to video games made by only one person, Cuphead is somewhat of a cheat as it took the combined efforts of two brothers to bring this visually striking run-and-gun to life. Canadian creators Chad and Jared Moldenhauer got inspired by the golden age of Hollywood animation, such as early Disney films, to devise this slightly surrealist universe roamed by two teacup-headed siblings fighting several casino-themed bosses to repay their debt to the Devil.

Both brothers fashioned every in-game asset by hand in a beautifully imperfect, cartoonish design enhanced by detailed watercolor backdrops. Though this challenging boss battler leans heavily into its vintage 1930s visuals, it also captures the musical essence of the era through a game’s soundtrack performed by a full jazz ensemble. Since its launch, this indie hit has spawned a DLC expansion and a Netflix series – but it has remained a family affair to its core.

Stardew Valley

Stardew Valley has been one of the defining success stories of the last decades in indie gaming. The commitment of its independent creator is one the main factors driving its success to this day, as American game developer Eric “ConcernedApe” Barone keeps showering fans with massive bug patches and updates for free – a rarity in a gaming world increasingly saturated with paid downloadable content and microtransactions. Part of this success also lies in the game’s accessibility, as this farming simulation caters to players both seasoned and casual. Farmers have much more to do than merely planting vegetables as countless seasonal events and quests await them.

By working as a team in multiplayer mode, which can accommodate 8 participants, they may quickly access exciting locations, such as a secret desert casino filled with slot machines unlocking exclusive rewards. In a fun turnaround, Stardew Valley might arguably have served as an inspiration for real software developers in iGaming. Gamers can easily claim free spins to try the best online slots. Such bonuses are often part of welcome packages made for newcomers. Once registered, users may explore options like Story of Farmer or Happy Farmer to be reminded of their time in the valley. Top-rated slots work smoothly on both desktop and mobile.

Whether made to be played on a web browser or a next-gen console, developing a game takes years of hard work. And the visionary creators above have shown all developers a way to make their gaming dreams a reality.

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