ZZT

Epic MegaGames’ ZZT (1991) looks primitive—stick-figure graphics, ASCII art levels—but don’t be fooled. Beneath its barebones presentation lies one of the most important tools in indie game history. ZZT wasn’t just a game; it was a creation engine, letting players design their own worlds, puzzles, and adventures. Entire communities sprang up around custom levels, many of which were bizarre, brilliant, or both. It’s gaming’s equivalent of a sketchbook: simple, flexible, and endlessly creative. Without ZZT, we might never have had the indie boom that followed years later.