Who Is Maddy Thorson? Age, Biography and Wiki
Maddy Thorson, born on March 18, 1988, is a prominent Canadian video game developer best known for her work on indie titles such as "Celeste" and "TowerFall." As of 2025, Thorson is 37 years old and continues to influence the gaming industry with her innovative designs and storytelling. Thorson, who identifies as non-binary and uses they/them pronouns, has been vocal about various issues, including mental health and LGBTQ+ representation in gaming.
| Occupation | Game Designer |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | March 18, 1988 |
| Age | 37 Years |
| Birth Place | N/A |
| Horoscope | Pisces |
| Country |
Popularity
Maddy Thorson's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Maddy Thorson's precise height and weight are not publicly disclosed, which is typical for many celebrities who prioritize their work over personal disclosures. However, based on public appearances and interviews, Maddy has a lean physique that reflects an active lifestyle, likely supported by a passion for sports and outdoor activities.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
As of 2025, Maddy Thorson has remained relatively private regarding their dating life. There have been some speculations about their relationship status; however, Maddy has not confirmed any significant other publicly. Their focus appears to be on their career and contributing to the indie game community rather than on romantic relationships at this time.
When Thorson was around fourteen, her mother helped her acquire a copy of GameMaker, a software tool to help develop video games. Through working in GameMaker, she was connected to others in online forums who were also interested in making games, including Chevy Ray Johnston.
She developed a number of small pay-what-you-want games through GameMaker in high school and through college, including Jumper and several sequels, FLaiL, and An Untitled Story.
Several of her games were described as "masocore", masochistic games that were extremely difficult for the player to complete; Thorson felt her goal was not to make her games near-impossible but instead to make games that helped direct the player to improve themselves so that the player could beat the challenges she made for them.
Early games were published under the name Helix Games, but in April 2008, she rebranded it as Matt Makes Games, considering the name a more important brand for her work.
Net Worth and Salary
Maddy Thorson's estimated net worth in 2025 is around $5 million. This figure largely stems from their successful titles and contributions to the gaming industry over the years. Thorson's earnings can be attributed to game sales, royalties, and various speaking engagements, as well as collaborations within the indie scene. The significant success of "Celeste," in particular, has helped elevate their financial standing.
Career, Business and Investments
Maddy Thorson's career began in the indie gaming industry, where they quickly gained recognition for their distinctive art style and innovative game mechanics. Many consider "Celeste" a revolutionary title in terms of gameplay and storytelling, winning multiple awards, including Game of the Year.
In 2025, Maddy continues to work with their studio, Maddy Makes Games, and is involved in various side projects that highlight both meaning and artistry in gaming. Their commitment to social issues, such as mental health awareness, is reflected in the themes of their games, particularly in "Celeste." Additionally, Thorson has invested in up-and-coming indie developers, supporting the next generation of game designers.
Recognizing the potential success of the title, Johnston suggested that they get a house in Vancouver to bring in others to help, which they acquired around October 2012, calling it the "Indie House" and inviting other collaborators to join them. Thorson incorporated as Matt Makes Games Inc. shortly afterwards in November 2012.
Later, Holowka recognized Thorson as TowerFall main creator and relinquished his stake as a co-creator. Holowka remained on the game's development team as its composer. TowerFall was ultimately developed as an exclusive for the Ouya console.
Following its initial release in 2013, the team reissued the game in 2014 as TowerFall: Ascension for most other gaming platforms with additional features. TowerFall: Ascension was critically praised, and within a month had brought in over US$500,000.
In August 2015, Thorson and Noel Berry, another member of Matt Makes Games, had a four-day game jam to create a PICO-8 game about climbing a mountain with difficult jumping steps. When they completed this, they recognized the opportunity to flesh out the game into a full release, forming the basis of Celeste.
Full work on the game started around January 2016. The game was released across multiple platforms in January 2018. By the end of 2018, it had sold more than 500,000 copies, and received numerous industry awards.
Social Network
Maddy Thorson maintains an active presence on several social media platforms, including Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. They regularly engage with fans, provide insights into the development process of their games, and participate in various discussions surrounding game design and societal issues. Their social media serves as a platform for advocacy related to both gaming culture and mental health.
Thorson is transgender and uses she/her pronouns. By around 2020, she had adopted the name Maddy Thorson. In the Farewell DLC to the game Celeste, the final cutscene shows the character Madeline in her room with a rainbow flag and transgender flag. Thorson later confirmed that Madeline was trans in a blog post which also reflected on her own coming to terms with her gender identity.
Education
Maddy Thorson studied game design and computer programming, which laid the foundation for their successful career in video game development. Though specific educational institutions are not widely publicized, their expertise reflects a comprehensive understanding of both the technical aspects and artistic storytelling of games, which has played a significant role in their performance as a developer.
In summary, Maddy Thorson is a significant figure in the video game industry as of 2025, with an ongoing commitment to creative storytelling, social advocacy, and supporting the indie game community. Their contributions continue to inspire developers and players alike, making them a prominent name in the world of gaming.
Thorson went to college at Grande Prairie Regional College in Alberta, Canada, studying computer science, during which one summer she worked at HermitWorks Entertainment, a local video game development studio.
