What defines the genre of popular independent video games?

Popular independent video games are like colorful toy boxes that kids can open and play with, each one has its own special toys, but they all come from a big group of creative players.

These games are made by small teams or even just one person, kind of like how you might build a tower with blocks on your own. They often have silly ideas and fun stories that aren’t found in the bigger, more expensive video games you see in stores.

Creativity is key, these games let people try out new things without needing permission from big companies. Think of it like drawing pictures with crayons instead of using a fancy art studio.

Also, many of these games are free to play or very cheap, so more kids can enjoy them. Some even let you change how the game plays, like building your own secret hideout in a video game world!

These games often feel personal, almost like they were made just for you, and that's what makes them really special.