A Growing Genre in the Industry
As a 90s kid who grew up with an older brother, video games have always been part of my life. I remember bonding with my brother over our love for Nintendo, specifically as it was the only game council we could afford. I loved feeling like we had something in common and being able to beat his ass playing mortal combat was always a plus. After a few years of playing video games, we became teenagers, and the only games I cared about were the mind games boys would play on me. I felt disconnected from the new games my brother was playing, as most were violent and made for men. I also battled with being criticized by friends and family, who would consider playing video games a "waste of time”. Today Gaming has become a multibillion-dollar industry, and some of those "lazy" teenagers who grew up playing video games are making millions of dollars. And with the industry's growth, new gaming categories have been resurfacing. One of them, and my personal favorite, is "Cozy Gaming," which reignited my love for video games once again.
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But what are Cozy Games? These games generally feature cute characters who engage in player activities such as farming, gathering, and nurturing. Still, the essential nature of Cozy Gaming is helping other people through non-violent means, often by nurture and generosity. Self-expression is core to the games' progression goals, which tend to be open-ended*. The games' paste is slow and often features relaxing sounds and beautiful imagery, making them the perfect combination for coziness.
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This category is not new, but its popularity grew during the Covid Pandemic, a time which shifted cultural behaviors in a space like video games. In times of stress and loneliness, people found calm in games such as Animal Crossing New Horizon which became the most popular cozy game of all time. Also, findings suggest that playing these games helps satisfy various psychological needs-autonomy, relatedness, and competence-as described by Self-Determination Theory. I personally love this category because it has helped me relax, helps my anxiety, and provides a way for me to disconnect from the world. Today more people are enjoying these games, and a new community of Gamers and influencers has been representing the category. One of my personal favorites is Cozy K, whose popularity has grown so much that she quit her job to focus on her Gamer career.
So, if you're someone who is looking for a wholesome way to relax and unwind after a stressful day, I recommend you try Cozy Gaming. Here are some of my favorite games to get you started:
Animal Crossing New Horizon: The most popular Cozy Game of all time, you have to start with this one! You’ll escape to a deserted island and create your own paradise as you explore and create.
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SpiritFarer: You will play as Stella, ferrymaster to the deceased, a Spiritfarer. Building a boat to explore the world, then you’ll befriend and care for spirits before finally releasing them into the afterlife.
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Night In the Woods: You’ll play as College dropout Mae Borowski who returns home to the crumbling former mining town of Possum Springs seeking to resume her aimless former life and reconnect with the friends she left behind.
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Disney Dreamlight Valley: This is a hybrid between a life-sim and an adventure game rich with quests, exploration, and engaging activities featuring Disney and Pixar characters, both old and new.
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Little Misfortune: An interactive story, focused on exploration and characters, both sweet and dark, where your choices have consequences.
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