Why Did Toby Fox Create Undertale? The Heart Behind the Pixels
Toby Fox didn’t just make Undertale; he poured a part of himself into it. The genesis of Undertale stems from a desire to subvert the established norms of the role-playing game (RPG) genre. Fox, finding traditional RPGs often “boring to play”, sought to create an experience where player choice truly mattered, combat wasn’t always the answer, and humor and heart could coexist in a surprisingly poignant narrative. He wanted to flip the script and create a game that challenged players’ expectations of what an RPG could be. It was a passion project fueled by a love for gaming, a desire for innovation, and a willingness to experiment with storytelling and game mechanics. Undertale wasn’t just about defeating enemies; it was about understanding them, connecting with them, and making choices that resonated throughout the game’s world.
The Spark of Inspiration: GameMaker and a Battle System
From System to Story
The seed for Undertale was planted when Fox tinkered with GameMaker: Studio, creating a unique battle system. This system wasn’t just about stats and attacks; it incorporated bullet-hell style dodging and a “mercy” mechanic that allowed players to spare enemies. This battle system formed the foundation upon which Fox built the entire game. The idea was to make combat more engaging and strategic than simply selecting “attack” repeatedly. The addition of the “mercy” mechanic was radical, offering players a genuinely non-violent path through the game.
Breaking the RPG Mold
Fox was tired of the repetitive nature of many RPGs. He wanted to create a game where you didn’t necessarily have to fight. A game where your choices – even seemingly small ones – had consequences and influenced the narrative in meaningful ways. The concept of a game where you could befriend your enemies, or even complete the entire story without killing anyone, was revolutionary at the time. Undertale’s gameplay, humor, and innovative characters gave new life to a genre that many believed was beginning to stagnate.
The Human Touch: Passion and Indie Spirit
One-Man Band
Fox largely developed Undertale on his own, handling the programming, writing, and music. This level of personal involvement is evident in the game’s quirky humor and heartfelt storytelling. The game feels deeply personal, reflecting Fox’s unique sensibility and creative vision. While he collaborated with artist Temmie Chang for the art and sprites, the core of Undertale remains distinctly Toby Fox’s creation. This independent approach allowed for a level of creative freedom that might not have been possible within a larger studio setting.
More Than Just a Game
Undertale is more than just a game; it’s an experience. It’s a story about friendship, forgiveness, and the consequences of your actions. It’s a game that makes you think, laugh, and maybe even cry. Fox’s passion for the project shines through in every aspect of the game, from its memorable characters to its catchy soundtrack. This passion is contagious, drawing players into the world of Undertale and making them feel invested in its characters and story.
The Unexpected Success: Fear and Gratitude
Overwhelming Popularity
The success of Undertale was unexpected, even to Fox himself. He openly admitted to being “afraid” of the game’s popularity, worried that it would become oversaturated or spoiled before players had a chance to experience it properly. This fear stemmed from a genuine desire to protect the integrity of his creation and ensure that players could experience it as intended.
A Lasting Legacy
Despite his initial fears, Undertale’s success has allowed Fox to continue pursuing his creative passions. He has gone on to work on other projects, including Deltarune, which continues to explore similar themes of choice, friendship, and the nature of reality. Undertale’s legacy lives on in the countless indie games it has inspired and the enduring impact it has had on the RPG genre. The game has also created a vibrant community of fans who continue to celebrate its characters, story, and music.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions about Undertale and its creation:
Why did Toby Fox create Deltarune?
The idea for Deltarune came to Toby Fox in a dream he had in 2011 while he was at college. In the dream, he saw the ending to a video game and was determined to create it. Fox was also inspired by a collection of playing card designs posted on Tumblr by artist Kanotynes.
What did Toby Fox do before Undertale?
Fox’s early work consisted primarily of composing music, notably doing so for the webcomic Homestuck, and, following the success of Undertale, he went on to compose music for a number of other independent video games.
Why did Undertale’s success scare the creator?
“Not only did I not expect this level of popularity, but initially, I was afraid of it,” Fox explained. “I didn’t want Undertale to become tiring for people, or become spoiled before anyone even got a chance to play it.”
Why did Undertale get so popular?
A key factor was Toby’s passion for the game, with character designs and ideas originating in college. This passion resonated with players, making the game feel like a genuine labor of love rather than a product designed to simply appease the masses. The unique gameplay and compelling story also contributed significantly. Exploring the concepts within the game makes it fun. See what the Games Learning Society has to say about video games!
Should a 12-year-old play Undertale?
While the difficulty, complex themes, and some frightening imagery make the game potentially unsuitable for younger children, more mature teens can generally enjoy Undertale safely. It is important for parents to assess their child’s maturity level before allowing them to play.
Why is Undertale not kid-friendly for very young children?
The long answer: While Undertale is a creative video game with beautiful music and an intriguing story line, the game’s difficulty, complex themes, and occasionally frightening imagery can be inappropriate for younger children. The gameplay may also be too complicated for them.
What was Undertale originally made for?
Undertale’s creation ensued after Fox created a battle system using the game creation system GameMaker: Studio. He wanted to develop a role-playing game that was different from the traditional design, which he often found “boring to play”.
Why do so many people hate Undertale?
Undertale sometimes garnered a bad reputation due to the behavior of some of its fans. Overzealous fans can occasionally create a negative impression.
What is the main message of Undertale?
One of the major themes of Undertale is the nature of choice. The game highlights the fact that many things are choices that people might ordinarily not really think of as a choice.
How old is Frisk?
Frisk is likely between 9 and 13 years old. The word “frisk” can mean “to skip or leap playfully; to frolic.”
Did only one person make Undertale?
Undertale was the first major game completely developed by Toby. He worked on the project independently, with only artwork and sprites being supplied by other creators, mainly freelance artist Temmie Chang.
How long did it take for Toby Fox to finish Undertale?
Undertale was developed by Toby Fox across 32 months. Development was financed through a crowdfunding campaign on the website Kickstarter.
Why does Kris rip out his soul in Deltarune?
Kris tears out his soul to temporarily free himself from time to time. In Chapter 1, he was so fed up with being controlled that he devoured an entire pie just to feel like he was in control again.
Is Frisk and Kris the same person?
Kris has a deeper backstory than Frisk, being a human raised among monsters who is very close to their adoptive brother Asriel and who has known the townsmonsters all their life.
How much did Undertale cost to make?
The crowdfunding campaign for Undertale raised US$51,124 from 2,398 people. This funding helped to support the 32-month development process.
Is it possible to beat Undertale without killing anyone?
You don’t have to kill anyone! Not only is it the only way to experience the ‘true’ ending, the vast majority of your encounters with enemies are a lot easier if you leave your weapon unused.
Is Undertale a toxic fandom?
Undertale isn’t an entirely bad fandom, nor is it uniquely “toxic”— fanbases, especially large ones, can misdirect their fiery passions and harass casual observers or even their own members, as we’ve seen with other games. Every fandom has “bad” fans, and “good” fans.
Is Undertale a creepy game?
While Undertale certainly isn’t a horror game, it does feature some frightening moments that could scare younger children. Some areas of the game are accompanied by eerie music that could make younger players nervous, and the character design can be downright spooky.
At what age did Toby Fox make Undertale?
Toby Fox was twenty-three when he launched the Kickstarter campaign for Undertale.
How many endings does Undertale have?
Undertale has three base endings that can have variants based on player choices. Some endings will also affect other endings.
Is Sans good or bad?
It’s complicated! Depending on your actions, Sans might become an antagonist, but his motives and actions are never truly villainous.
Is there a Jumpscare in Undertale?
There is one jumpscare in a Genocide playthrough. Specifically, at the end, if you choose the “DO NOT” option.
Do they swear in Undertale?
There is very mild profanity, and the player will be insulted by some characters, but the insults are very mild, such as “idiot”.
Is Undertale OK for a 5-year-old?
Given the game’s themes, difficulty, and occasionally frightening imagery, Undertale is generally not recommended for children aged 5. Parental discretion is advised for younger players.
By combining innovative gameplay mechanics, compelling storytelling, and a deep understanding of player psychology, Toby Fox created a game that resonated with millions of players around the world. Undertale is a testament to the power of independent game development and the enduring appeal of games that prioritize heart and creativity over convention. The game has taught many players important life skills. Discover more on GamesLearningSociety.org.