The same goes for the video game industry, in which a game might seem already done or not worth playing. Yet some of these titles have gone on to become the biggest video games ever to exist, breaking records and transforming gaming experiences for millions. Sometimes, it's like searching for a great choice for an overall slots experience--the most unknown, underground pick may just end up being your go-to favorite.

Let's look at four video games that weren't expected to go mainstream but became major hits.

Among Us
Much of going viral is attributed to being at the right place at the right time, but it also owes a lot to the power of decision-making. The success of Among Us relied on both, triggered by price decreases and the events of the COVID-19 pandemic. This unique, whodunit-style online multiplayer game allows players to be colorful cartoon astronaut figures, either an Impostor or a Crewmate. Crewmates have to complete assigned tasks and try to figure out who the Impostors are, while Impostors must kill Crewmates but avoid acting suspiciously.

Despite its overwhelming popularity today, Among Us struggled following its release. The game only garnered 30 to 50 regular players, and the development team nearly gave up on the project numerous times; fortunately, they decided to cater to their intimate player base instead. Features like cross-platform play, sound effects, and new maps were eventually added. Then, they reduced the price of the game and later even made it free to play. COVID-19 hit, and it aligned perfectly with the fact that people were looking for ways to socialize and have fun while following the social distancing mandates. From there, Among Us became a mainstay in the gaming world, with streamers further propelling its popularity and memes solidifying it as a cultural phenomenon.

Final Fantasy
The original Final Fantasy, released in 1987, was Square Enix's saving grace. Facing bankruptcy, the developers were ready to call it quits and give up their dream of publishing video games until Final Fantasy came about. Japanese game designer Hironobu Sakaguchi dreamed of creating a role-playing game (RPG), but the Square team anticipated low sales and refused to let him take on the project. It wasn't until other RPGs saw success that they reconsidered--and thus, Final Fantasy, one of the most loved RPG games ever, was born.

Today, the Final Fantasy franchise has featured an incredible 16 main games, with some of the titles dipping into other genres like rhythm games, racing, third-person shooters, and more. It stands out because of its many references to the history and mythology of multiple cultures, as well as its focus on the deep personal lives of characters. Different installments of the game boast their own appeal; for example, some might have heavier storylines, while others might have more interesting characters or an amazing soundtrack. It's the combination of the iconic elements that make the Final Fantasy franchise and the differentiation between all the editions that have contributed to its longevity.

PUBG
PUBG's story is a lot different from that of Among Us and Final Fantasy. While Among Us struggled to gain a large player base initially and Final Fantasy saw gradual interest, PUBG (PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds) just wasn't equipped to handle the rapidly growing interest from the 80,000 players who were invited to the closed alpha and beta periods for the game. The developers were taking it slow, as, after all, they would have time to refine the game and deal with marketing after those periods were over. With the overwhelming interest, however, they realized they had trouble with quality control and dealing with such an unexpectedly large player base.

The game effectively made the battle royale genre what it is today, but developers had to handle the hard work and complexities that came with all that success. As a result, the game went through many ups and downs--though mostly ups. PUBG has become one of the most-played esports games, with lucrative prize pools ranging from $100,000 to $350,000.

Minecraft
Minecraft didn't struggle to find success in the gaming community, but it certainly didn't have the makings of a success story. This sandbox game was created over two years by Markus Persson using Java as a fun independent project. It later caught the eye of tech giants Microsoft and Xbox, who came together to offer a $2.5 billion deal to purchase Mojang (the company Persson worked for) and the rights to Minecraft. Overnight, Persson found himself on the Forbes World's Billionaires list, and Minecraft gained traction.

To this day, Minecraft still has an average monthly player base of over 170 million players and has evolved far beyond being just a video game. Not only has it crossed over into popular culture, with plenty of other media references, but it has also been used in diverse educational settings and has repopularized the sandbox genre. It's safe to say that Microsoft and Xbox anticipated Minecraft to become a big success--the extent of which, however, was perhaps beyond their expectations. Thanks to its accessibility and creative freedom, the game draws in players of all ages and from all walks of life, contributing to its massive player base.