“Rusty’s Retirement,” an idle farming sim developed by solo developer Jordan Morris, has been a significant success story in the gaming world this year. The game, which allows players to manage farming robots that plant, water, and harvest crops, was well-received for its charm and simplicity.
Despite being one of over 11,000 games released on Steam in 2024, it managed to stand out in a crowded market, achieving an impressive milestone of 200,000 sales within the first few weeks of its release. For Morris, this success has been life-changing.
As the year progressed, the game continued to thrive despite the influx of new releases. Morris noted that his game remained competitive, even among the thousands of other titles on Steam. According to Steam250, a site that ranks games based on popularity and user reviews, “Rusty’s Retirement” was listed among the top 50 best-reviewed games of the year. This accomplishment is particularly noteworthy given the high volume of games released in 2024.
At the time of writing, “Rusty’s Retirement” held the 39th spot on Steam250’s list of top-rated games. This ranking fluctuates, but the game’s position in the top 50 has been a significant achievement for Morris. He expressed pride in this accomplishment, describing it as his biggest life achievement to date. The game’s success has not only validated his efforts but also highlighted the potential for the idle gaming genre.
Looking forward, the success of “Rusty’s Retirement” has set a high bar for other games in the idle genre. Morris now watches to see if any new titles can challenge the success of his creation. Regardless, the game’s impact and Morris’s personal success story stand as a testament to the potential for indie developers to make a mark in the highly competitive gaming industry.
