Axiom Verge
store.steampowered.com
Retro Metroidvania built entirely by one person, known for its glitch gun and secrets.
Tom Happ
Solo developer who made all the art, code and music of Axiom Verge
Tom Happ at a glance
- Known for
- Axiom Verge and Axiom Verge 2
- Based in
- Bell Canyon, United States
- Indie since
- 2010
- Active products
- Axiom Verge and Axiom Verge 2
Facts checked 2026-10-22
About Tom Happ
Thomas "Tom" Happ is an American game developer and the solo creator of Axiom Verge, a retro-style Metroidvania for which he did all the design, programming, art and music. Before going indie he was an engineer at Petroglyph Games and worked on titles such as End of Nations, NFL Street and Tiger Woods PGA Tour.
Happ started Axiom Verge as a side project in March 2010. It released in 2015, first on PlayStation 4 and then on PC, Wii U, Xbox One and Switch, with a Metacritic score of 84 on PS4 and lasting praise for its weapons, secrets and glitch-based mechanics. A sequel, Axiom Verge 2, followed in August 2021 with brighter, outdoor worlds and a story drawing on Sumerian culture.
Happ still works under Thomas Happ Games and has said in interviews that he is working on a third Axiom Verge game.
Products by Tom Happ
Axiom Verge 2
store.steampowered.com
Sequel with a new protagonist, a dual-world map and drone hacking.
Timeline
- 2010 — Started Axiom Verge as a side project while working at Petroglyph.
- 2015 — Released Axiom Verge on PS4, then PC.
- 2017 — Released the Switch version and the physical Multiverse Edition.
- 2021 — Released Axiom Verge 2.
How Tom builds
- Do every discipline yourself when the vision is personal.
- Reward exploration with hidden secrets.
- Work with the speedrunning community on official modes.
Tom Happ FAQ
Who is Tom Happ?
Thomas "Tom" Happ is an American game developer and the solo creator of Axiom Verge, a retro-style Metroidvania for which he did all the design, programming, art and music.
Who made Axiom Verge?
Axiom Verge was made entirely by Tom Happ, who handled the code, art, music and design. It released in 2015.
How long did Axiom Verge take to make?
Happ began it as a side project in March 2010 and released it about five years later, in spring 2015.
Where is Tom Happ from?
Tom Happ is American and lists Bell Canyon, California, as his location.
Is there an Axiom Verge 3?
Happ has said he is working on a third Axiom Verge game, but as of 2026 no release date has been announced.
What is Tom Happ doing now?
As of October 2026, Tom Happ's active products include Axiom Verge and Axiom Verge 2.
Similar indie makers
Derek Yu
@mossmouth United States59K followers
Indie game designer behind Spelunky, Spelunky 2 and UFO 50, founder of Mossmouth
Spelunky, Spelunky 2, UFO 50 +3
Jonathan Blow
@Jonathan_Blow United States161K followers
Designer of Braid and The Witness, creator of the Jai language, head of Thekla
Braid, The Witness, Order of the Sinking Star +2
Edmund McMillen
@EdmundMcmillen United States379K followers
Indie legend behind Super Meat Boy, The Binding of Isaac and Mewgenics
The Binding of Isaac, Super Meat Boy, Mewgenics +2
Bennett Foddy
@bfod United States87K followers
Australian designer of QWOP, Getting Over It and Baby Steps
Getting Over It with Bennett Foddy, Baby Steps, QWOP +1
Eric Barone
@ConcernedApe United States1.4M followers
Solo developer of Stardew Valley, now making Haunted Chocolatier
Stardew Valley, Haunted Chocolatier
Jason Rohrer
@jasonrohrer United States11K followers
Art-game pioneer behind Passage, The Castle Doctrine and One Hour One Life
One Hour One Life, The Castle Doctrine, Project December +1