!star H i s t o r y !star
Robert F. "Toby" Fox is an American independent game developer, composer, and designer. He became widely known for creating the role-playing game Undertale, which was released in 2015. Toby was responsible for almost every aspect of the game, including the music, writing, and programming. His hands-on approach and attention to detail helped make Undertale feel unique and personal, which contributed to its wide popularity.
Toby grew up interested in video games and music, and he learned to compose by experimenting with different software. He became part of online communities where fans shared game mods and music, which allowed him to develop his skills and gain experience in game development at a young age.
Before creating Undertale, Toby Fox contributed music and small projects to the webcomic Homestuck, created by Andrew Hussie. He composed several songs for the comic’s interactive game segments and fan projects, which helped him gain recognition in the online gaming and webcomic communities. These early contributions showcased his ability to create memorable and emotive music for storytelling.
Around 2008, Toby created the EarthBound Halloween Hack, a fan-made modification of the game EarthBound. This RPG Maker project was a short adventure with new characters, dialogue, and music. The hack demonstrated his skills in game design, storytelling, and composing original music. Even though it was a fan project, it was widely appreciated online and helped him develop the talents and confidence that would later make Undertale possible.
Undertale became a popular game because of its unique approach to storytelling. Players can choose how they interact with enemies, with options to fight, act, or show mercy. These choices influence the story and lead to multiple possible endings. The game was praised for its writing, humor, and especially its music, which Toby composed himself. The soundtrack combines a wide range of styles, from upbeat chiptune melodies to emotional and dramatic pieces, reflecting the different moods of the game.
Following the success of Undertale, Toby Fox began working on Deltarune, a game that shares some characters and themes with Undertale but tells a separate story. Deltarune is being released in chapters, and Toby continues to handle most of the design, story, and music. The game has been praised for building on the mechanics and storytelling of Undertale while introducing new elements and challenges.
Toby Fox met Temmie Chang, the main artist for both Undertale and Deltarune, through Tumblr. They began collaborating online, and Temmie went on to create much of the character art and visual design for Toby’s games. Their collaboration has been a key part of the visual style that made both games distinctive and memorable. In addition to Temmie, Toby has worked with other independent artists and collaborators on music, pixel art, and animations, showing his ability to manage creative projects while staying personally involved.
Toby Fox’s work has had a notable influence on indie gaming. Many players and creators admire his ability to combine engaging gameplay, humor, emotional storytelling, and memorable music. His games are often praised for encouraging players to make meaningful choices and for including playful, self-aware humor. His influence can be seen in other indie games that focus on narrative and player choice, and he is considered one of the most important indie developers of his generation.
In addition to his work in games and music, Toby Fox has also done some voice acting in animation. In 2023, he voiced a character named Jared on the animated television series We Baby Bears. In 2025, he voiced the character John Egbert in the animated pilot of Homestuck, a project based on the webcomic from the MS Paint Adventures universe that he had previously contributed music to earlier in his career. This voice work represents one of the ways he has expanded his creative involvement beyond game development and composition into other forms of storytelling.
Toby Fox became so popular that his character Sans from Undertale was included as a spirit in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Additionally, he contributed music to the official Pokémon games, including arranging tracks for Pokémon Sword and Shield. These achievements show how his work has influenced both the indie and mainstream gaming communities, and how his unique style and creativity have reached audiences beyond his own games.
Toby’s ability to combine music, storytelling, and game design in a personal and memorable way has made him a standout figure in independent gaming. His creative approach, collaborations with artists like Temmie Chang, and the continued popularity of his games demonstrate how an individual developer can have a lasting impact on the gaming world.
Check out Toby Fox's games: