Thrills and comforts of cozy gaming
The feeling of cozy is not the absence of threats, but being safe from them. Hiding under a soft blanket when it rains outside, gathering by a fire in the middle of the forest, watching a horror movie from the safety of our home. Even in Thomas More’s Utopia, the perfect city was not one without enemies, but one safeguarded from attacks.
When our universal needs for food, warmth and safety are met and we enjoy a moment of respite. No more fight or flight, it’s time to huddle and cuddle.
We all want to feel cozy
Since the pandemic, there’s cozy content everywhere. We see it in YouTube vlogs and TV shows. We see it in hobbies and video games. We’ve always enjoyed casual play, but in a post-pandemic world, the tag ‘cozy’ has become increasingly popular – and with good reason.
Games, like other types of entertainment, are all about escapism. When the world seems to be cracking or when we start to feel overwhelmed, there’s a need to escape, to find the comfort of somewhere safe.
Even more, cozy games are great for nurturing communities and inclusive of underrepresented groups, allowing various kinds of social interactions. They are considered a lifeline for neurodivergent people.
With the rise in popularity of cozy content, gaming platforms like Steam, PlayStation or Xbox have curated entire libraries of titles. We can also find dedicated streaming channels on Twitch or YouTube, and lots of social communities formed around what’s cozy in the game industry.
This phenomenon also spills beyond the screen. Comfort is sensory, so the experience is made full by cozying up our real-life environment with gaming setups and accessories bearing this tag.
Not a genre, but…?
We see entire libraries under this category, however, ‘cozy’ is not a genre of its own. So, what is it? Initially, cozy games were associated with life simulations, especially if the topics focused on slow activities such as farming, fishing, cooking, gardening. Titles like Stardew Valley, Palia, Animal Crossing: New Horizons or Tales of the Shire are great examples of this. Games with low-stakes and no combat are also tagged as ‘cozy’ more often than not (e.g. Journey, Stray).
And this is not always the case. For a player who enjoys Rogue-likes or Souls-likes, usually perceived as being high-difficulty games, that harsh type of gameplay loop can actually be soothing.
Everyone has their own definition of what cozy means, there is no universal term. It’s not a genre, rather an added characteristic that games from all genres could potentially have.
Often, it’s referred to as a subgenre, which seems to make a lot of sense. We can have cozy RPGs, simulators, mysteries and more. Even horror games could fit in this category, if we think of titles like Cult of the Lamb, Little Nightmares or the upcoming Reanimal. The boundaries are only set by our imagination.
Traits of cozy gaming
Although we’ve established that ultimately, each person has their own definition of what cozy means, we can think of some elements which commonly contribute to a game being perceived within this subgenre. Thrills that draw us in and comforts that keep us coming back.
Thrills
🍪Visually-pleasing: A predominance of visually-pleasing aesthetics. We see stylized art, nostalgic references, bright or warm colors, miniaturized characters, cartoonish features and other similar aspects in the art direction.
🍪Escapism: A break from the real world or an enhancement of it. The player can escape into a romanticized or a softened version of reality. In the case of simulation games, they get to interact with a calming activity they might not be able to experience otherwise.
🍪Nostalgia-inducing: As we’ve already discussed in a past article, nostalgia is a great tool for immersion. Nostalgic elements can contribute to building a meaningful relationship with the game and creating an uplifting experience.
🍪Wholesome encounters: Interactions are usually lighthearted or touch upon deep topics with a positive spin. Encounters can revolve around found family, friendship, collaboration, exploration, wonderment, caretaking, etc.
🍪Creativity: Cozy games frequently start from passion projects and personal interests. They can be associated with high creativity due to their unique visuals, storytelling or a gameplay that brings unexpected topics to the gaming world.
Comforts
🧺Predictability: Predictable games from which we know what to expect. We perceive as cozy games that keep us well inside our comfort zone (even though the meaning of this ‘comfort zone’ may be different for each player).
🧺Routine: A routine doesn’t mean repetitive and boring actions, routine creates familiarity. Moving slowly or even standing still allows us time to process, to feel, to wonder and safely engage with the game and all that it brings.
🧺Inclusiveness: The culture of cozy gaming is inclusive and extremely diverse. Being part of a welcoming community where unconditional companionship is possible has a positive psychological impact and contributes to our wellbeing.
🧺Feeling in control: To feel cozy is to be safe and in control. This can include jumping in and out of the action at any point, having empowering abilities or being asked to accomplish activities within our grasp.
🧺Creature comforts: When our needs are met, it creates a safe space. Think of an attic filled with baked goods and supplies for the winter, it makes the thought of harsh weather much more bearable, right?
🧺Stress-free: If the gameplay is not frustrating and stress-inducing, we might view it as cozy. This applies to casual gaming and also to more complex games, if the player doesn’t feel the pressure of high-stakes.
Some players enjoy taking care of cute animals and growing their garden. Others enjoy the grind and find it calming. Others like exploration and traveling vast distances. There is not one set of rules that defines cozy gaming. Cozy is about the feeling, the vibe of it all.
Let’s take a well-deserved break
There’s value in cozy games. They help us relax or be closer to our friends, they can support our emotional journey as we process our feelings. And generally, they can contribute to our wellbeing. Gaming is about fun and, although ‘fun’ can mean many things, one of them is this – to take a break from the daily concerns and find refuge in a distant world filled with wander and positivity.
