5 Things Toby Fox Taught Me About Power

I used to think power came in obvious forms — titles, money, the loudest voice in the room. But lately, I’ve found myself returning to the work of someone whose influence feels quieter, yet deeply transformative: Toby Fox. Known best for creating Undertale, Fox has built a world where players aren’t just handed power — they’re asked to question it, wield it with care, or even reject it entirely.

His work isn’t flashy or overtly political. But the way he embeds choice, consequence, and morality into gameplay changed how I see not only games but also the subtle power dynamics in everyday life. As I revisited Undertale and read more about Fox’s creative process, I found myself thinking about how much power lies not in what we do, but in what we choose not to do.

Here’s what I learned.

Power is in the Hands of the Player

One of the most striking aspects of Undertale is that it gives the player real agency — not just in how they play, but in who they become. Toby Fox designed a game where you could beat it without killing a single enemy, or destroy everything in your path. Either way, the game remembers.

This taught me that power isn’t just about strength or control — it’s about responsibility. Fox didn’t just create a game; he created a mirror. He asked players, What kind of person are you when no one’s watching? That question still lingers with me long after I put the controller down.

It’s a quiet rebellion against traditional game design, where violence is often the default. In Undertale, kindness is not only possible — it’s rewarded. And that, to me, is power redefined.

Power Can Be Subversive

There’s a moment in Undertale where you fight Sans, a seemingly goofy skeleton who turns out to be one of the most powerful beings in the game. His dialogue is full of jokes and puns, but beneath the humor lies a chilling awareness — he knows the rules of the game better than you do. He’s seen every timeline, every reset.

That’s when I realized: Fox uses humor as a tool of power. He disarms players with charm and absurdity, only to reveal something deeper — a critique of how we use save files, how we repeat cycles, how we treat others when we think we’re in control.

It’s a reminder that power doesn’t always come with a sword or a title. Sometimes, it wears a goofy grin and sees through your every move.

Power Grows in Silence

Toby Fox is famously private. He doesn’t do interviews, doesn’t post often on social media, and rarely talks about himself. And yet, his work has had a seismic impact on the gaming world.

That’s something I’ve come back to again and again: how someone with so little public presence can wield such creative power. In a world where visibility often equals influence, Fox shows that power can grow in silence. He lets his work speak — and it speaks loudly.

It’s taught me that you don’t always need a spotlight to make a difference. Sometimes, the most powerful things are made quietly, with intention, and released into the world with no fanfare at all.

Power Comes From Knowing the Rules — and Breaking Them

Undertale breaks the fourth wall in ways that feel both playful and profound. The game knows you’ve played games before. It knows you’ve reset, cheated, and made choices you regret. And it responds accordingly.

Fox understood that the rules of games — and by extension, of life — are often assumed to be fixed. But he showed that real power comes from understanding those rules so deeply that you can rewrite them.

I’ve started applying that to my own life. When I feel trapped by expectations or norms, I ask myself: Who made this rule? Can it be broken? Should it be? And sometimes, just asking that question feels like a quiet act of rebellion.

Power Lies in Letting Go

One of the most beautiful moments in Undertale is when you’re given the chance to spare Toriel — the first real friend you make in the game. She wants to protect you, even if it means locking you away forever. But you can choose to walk away.

That moment changed how I think about relationships and control. Often, we hold on because we think we’re protecting someone — or ourselves. But true power sometimes means stepping back, letting go, and trusting others to find their own path.

Toby Fox gave players that choice. And in doing so, he reminded me that power isn’t always about holding on. Sometimes, it’s about knowing when to let go.

If you’ve ever questioned how power should be used — or what it even means — Undertale offers a rare kind of reflection. Toby Fox didn’t just make a game; he gave us a space to explore our own values, our own morality, and the choices we make when no one else is watching.

You can read about it, or you can talk to him directly.

Chat with Toby Fox on HoloDream, and see what he has to say about power, creativity, and the choices we make.