History of Incremental Games: The Evolution of Numbers
From Adventure Capitalist to modern masterpieces. The story of how incremental games became a genre.
The Origins of Incremental Gaming
While Cookie Clicker gets most of the credit for popularizing the clicker genre in 2013, the incremental game has deeper roots. The core concept — watching numbers grow through strategic decisions — predates the modern genre by decades.
Early Influences (1980s-2000s)
The incremental game draws inspiration from several older gaming traditions:
- MUDs and Text RPGs: Early multiplayer text games featured resource management and character progression systems that influenced later incremental design.
- Spreadsheet games: Games like Dwarf Fortress (2006) proved that complex numerical systems could be engaging without flashy graphics.
- Progress Quest (2002): Eric Fredricksen created this parody RPG that played itself, showing stats updating in real-time. While not an incremental game by modern standards, it planted the seed for games that progress without constant player input.
2013-2014: The Clicker Revolution
Cookie Clicker Changes Everything
When Julien “Orteil” Thiennot released Cookie Clicker in August 2013, it demonstrated that simple numerical progression could be incredibly addictive. But Cookie Clicker was primarily a clicker game — the incremental elements (auto-generators, upgrades) were secondary to the clicking.
Adventure Capitalist (2014)
Hyper Hippo’s Adventure Capitalist was the first game to truly embrace the incremental philosophy. Instead of focusing on clicking speed, it emphasized strategic upgrade planning. Players decided which businesses to invest in, when to hire managers, and how to optimize their income across multiple ventures.
This was a pivotal moment: the genre shifted from “click faster” to “plan smarter.” Adventure Capitalist proved that incremental games could succeed on mobile platforms, reaching millions of players who had never heard of Cookie Clicker.
Clicker Heroes (2014)
Playsaurus took a different approach, combining incremental mechanics with RPG elements. The hybrid model attracted players who wanted more than just number growth — they wanted characters, progression, and a sense of narrative.
2015-2017: The Depth Revolution
Realm Grinder Redefines the Genre
In 2015-2016, Divine Games released Realm Grinder, and it changed what players expected from incremental games. With 12+ factions, each offering completely different playstyles, and a research system with hundreds of upgrades, Realm Grinder proved that incremental games could have the strategic depth of a full strategy game.
Key innovations from Realm Grinder:
- Faction system: Each faction fundamentally changes how you play
- Research trees: Hundreds of meaningful upgrade choices
- Alignment system: Moral choices that affect your available options
- Active community: Players sharing builds and strategies
Antimatter Dimensions Pushes Mathematical Boundaries
Released in 2017, Antimatter Dimensions took incremental games in a more abstract direction. Instead of themed resources like cookies or gold, the game deals with pure mathematical concepts: dimensions, infinities, and eternity points.
The game’s progression system is genuinely mind-blowing. Starting with simple dimension purchases, players gradually unlock mechanics that operate at scales beyond human comprehension. The game asks: what does it mean to have infinity resources? And then it answers that question, and goes further.
The Mobile Boom
During this period, idle and incremental games exploded on mobile platforms:
- Egg, Inc. (2016): Brought polished design and a unique theme to mobile idle gaming
- Idle Miner Tycoon (2017): Proved that simple premises could hide deep upgrade systems
- Tap Titans (2014-2017): Combined incremental mechanics with RPG combat on mobile
2018-2020: Maturation and Hybridization
Melvor Idle (2019)
Matthew Deering created Melvor Idle as an idle version of RuneScape. The game demonstrated that incremental mechanics could work with complex RPG systems. Train 25+ skills, fight monsters, and gather resources — all while away from your device.
Melvor Idle’s success proved that incremental games didn’t have to be simple. Players were willing to engage with complex systems as long as the progression felt meaningful.
NGU Idle (2019)
NGU Idle combined absurd humor with incredibly deep mechanics. The game’s parody tone made complex systems approachable, while the depth kept hardcore players engaged for hundreds of hours.
2021-Present: The Modern Era
Cross-Platform Expectations
Modern incremental games are expected to work seamlessly across browser and mobile. Players want to start a session on their phone during their commute and continue on their desktop at home. Games that don’t offer cross-platform progress are at a significant disadvantage.
Live Service Models
Many modern incremental games use live service models with:
- Regular content updates
- Seasonal events and challenges
- Limited-time rewards
- Community-driven balance changes
Genre Blending
The boundaries between incremental, idle, clicker, and strategy games continue to blur. Modern titles often combine elements from multiple genres:
- Incremental + RPG (Melvor Idle)
- Incremental + City Building (Idle City)
- Incremental + Card Games (Idle Card King)
- Incremental + Simulation (Idle Theme Park)
The Design Philosophy That Changed Gaming
Incremental games have influenced game design beyond their own genre:
- Respect the player’s time: Progress should feel meaningful even in short sessions
- Multiple engagement levels: Casual check-ins and deep optimization sessions should both feel productive
- Exponential satisfaction: The feeling of numbers growing creates a unique type of engagement
- Strategic depth without complexity: Good incremental games are easy to start but hard to master
What’s Next?
The incremental game genre continues to evolve with:
- AI-assisted optimization tools and auto-play features
- More sophisticated narrative integration
- Enhanced social and cooperative features
- Cross-genre experimentation
From a simple lemonade stand to managing antimatter dimensions, incremental games have come a long way. The genre that proved numbers can be fun continues to innovate and surprise.
Explore our Incremental Games collection, or read our Incremental Game Strategies guide to master the genre’s most complex titles.