What Is Cozy Gaming and Why Is It Becoming Popular?

Not all games are violent, hec- their own island paradise and
tic and full of rage. Some are
just wholesome and cute, and
here’s why you might want to
try them.
During the COVID-19 pan-
demic, more and more people
have turned to video games
to cope with stress. One game
that has captured the hearts of
players is Animal Crossing, a
game where players can create
with others online. As the
interact with adorable, anthro-
pomorphic animals. The game
includes elements, like interior
design, crafting and fishing, to
encourage players to explore
and enjoy various activities.
With its charming visuals,
laid-back gameplay and social
aspects, Animal Crossing has
become a popular way for
people to escape the stresses
of the pandemic and connect
world becomes more hec-
tic and stressful, people are
turning to gaming as a way
to relax and unwind. While
many gamers prefer fast-paced
action and competitive play,
some are gravitating towards
a new trend known as “cozy
gaming”, where gamers seek
out more relaxed and comfort-
ing experiences.

(Below) Stardew Valley, a beloved

So, what is Cozy Gaming? Farming Simulator

Cozy gaming, also called

“comfort gaming”, is a type
of gameplay that emphasizes
relaxation, comfort and self-
care. These games typically
have a slower pace, calming
music and gentle gameplay
mechanics. They often feature
themes of nature, exploration
and relaxation and are de-
signed to help players unwind
and de-stress. Some examples
of cozy games, besides Animal
Crossing, include Stardew
Valley and Minecraft. These
games often have open-end-
ed gameplay, relaxing or cute
visuals and a focus on creat-
ing a cozy atmosphere for the
player.

February 2024 | What Is Cozy Gaming and Why Is It Becoming Popular? 1

 So, any benefits of Cozy Gaming?

Absolutely! For one, it’s a
great way to de-stress, as Cozy
gaming offers a counterpoint
to the often-chaotic world
of mainstream gaming. In
recent years, the video game
industry has become increas-
ingly focused on fast-paced
action, competitive play and
high-stakes gameplay. While
these games can be thrilling
and engaging, they can also
be stressful and overwhelm-
ing. Cozy games, on the other
hand, provide a welcome
respite from this intensity, al-
lowing players to unwind and
enjoy a more low-key gaming
experience.
Last, but not least, an- Cozy games provide an
other benefit is that Cozy easy and accessible way
Games are aboard the for people to engage in
mindfulness trend. Cozy self-care, offering a form
gaming aligns with a of escapism and relax-
growing trend toward ation that can be benefi-
mindfulness and self- cial for mental health.
care. In recent years,
there has been a renewed
focus on mental health
and wellness, with many
people seeking out activ-
ities that promote relax-
ation and stress relief.
Slime Rancher (Below)

Another is that it’s accessible

to non-gamers. While some
gamers may prefer high-in-
tensity gameplay, others may
be looking for a more relaxing
experience. Cozy games are
inclusive, offering a way for
players of all ages and skill
levels to enjoy the medium.
This accessibility is particu-
larly appealing to non-gamers
who may be intimidated by
more complex gameplay
mechanics, and by the price
of hardware, as many video
games nowadays require good
graphics, while cozy games
does not.

2 What Is Cozy Gaming and Why Is It Becoming Popular? | February 2024

 So, what are Cozy Games typically like?

For some, video games

are about loud noises,
intense competition, and
cutthroat leaderboards.
However, cozy games
embody the opposite feel-
ing. They’re mindless but
not uninvolved; inviting
but not harrying. They’re
meant to evoke feelings
of warmth, comfort, and
peace, with everyone able
to play the game at their
on sense of pace. They’re
games with minimal or
no sense of uregency, and
lax skill requirements.
(Top) Cult of the Lamb, a cozy game about craeting a cult. (not
as bad as it sounds) (Bottom) Spiritfarer, a cozy game exploring
grief

February 2024 | What Is Cozy Gaming and Why Is It Becoming Popular? 3

 Popular Cozy Games to Try
Stardew Valley is a farm-
ing simulation game
primarily inspired by
Story of Seasons, a series
by Marvelous and previ-
ously known as Harvest
Moon. At the start of
the game, players create
a character, who inher-
its a plot of land and a
small house once owned
by their grandfather in a
small village called Pelican
Town, located in the titu-
lar Stardew Valley. Players
may select from several
different farm types, each
with a unique theme and
different benefits and
drawbacks. The farmland
is initially overrun with
boulders, trees, stumps,
and weeds, and players
must work to clear the de-
bris in order to make way
for crops, buildings, and
various other placeable
items.
4 What Is Cozy Gaming and Why Is It Becoming Popular? | February 2024
Slime Rancher is a person-
al favorite, and a classic.
The game is played in an
open world and from a
first-person perspective.
The player controls a char-
acter named Beatrix LeB-
eau, a rancher who moves
to a planet far from Earth
called the Far Far Range
to live the life of a “slime
rancher”, which consists
of constructing her ranch
and exploring the world of
the Far Far Range in order
to collect, raise, feed, and
breed slimes. Slimes are
gelatinous living organ-
isms of various sizes and
characteristics.
The game’s main eco-
nomic aspect revolves
around feeding slimes the
appropriate food items so
that they produce “plorts”,
which can then be sold in
exchange for Newbucks,
which can be used to
purchase upgrades to the
rancher’s equipment or
farm buildings.
Journey is another pop-
ular choice for those
looking for a cozy gaming
experience. Developed
by thatgamecompany
and released in 2012, this
exploratory game is set in
a vast desert landscape.
Journey is a unique and
visually stunning game
that takes players on a
spiritual journey.
While the game does
not have a conventional
storyline or a set of ex-
plicit goals, it is designed
to elicit an emotional
response from players as
they explore the world and
interact with other players
online. The gameplay in-
volves navigating through
the desert, solving puzzles
and discovering hidden
areas and secrets.
Journey has been praised
for its minimalist yet
breathtaking art style, its
seamless integration of
multiplayer and its ability
to convey a sense of won-
der and awe.