HopFrog

HopFrog is basically the indie game studio run by Mariano Cavallero, a guy who clearly loves pixel art, crafting, and making games you can get completely lost in for hours — no regrets. They’re the masterminds behind Forager, the game that’s like if Minecraft, Stardew Valley, and a treasure-hunting squirrel had a baby. You start out with almost nothing, but somehow you end up running a crazy empire of farms, machines, and magic — and probably forgetting to eat.

HopFrog started small, like really small — think “one dude with a dream and a pixel editor” small. But that didn’t stop them from making a game so addictive that players kept coming back like zombies after brain snacks. The secret? Simple, satisfying gameplay loops that make you feel like a genius builder and a treasure hunter, all while looking cute as heck in 2D pixel form.

What’s cool about HopFrog is they actually listen to their players. If the community screams “Hey, can we get more loot?” or “Make the monsters scarier, please!” the studio jumps on it like a gamer on a limited-time loot drop. They keep updating Forager to keep it fresh and fun, which is why the player base is still buzzing long after launch.

Besides Forager, they’ve dabbled in smaller projects, but honestly, their bread and butter is crafting those “just one more level” moments that keep you scrolling your inventory and planning your next move — all while avoiding real-life responsibilities.

So, if you’re into games that hook you with cute graphics, clever crafting, and the feeling of being a tiny god of your own pixel kingdom, HopFrog is the indie studio to thank — or blame, depending on how much sleep you lost last weekend.