The world of video games is massive and constantly expanding as different genres of games and players come together to form connections. One genre of video games is rapidly expanding due to the network of players who have come together to play them: cozy games.
Cozy games are categorized as low-stress, non-violent and low-stakes. The games are typically simulation-style games and often feature cute characters inside an aesthetic world. Cozy games are mainly non-competitive since you do not play against anyone. Ultimately, the goal of a cozy game lies directly in its name: making you feel relaxed and destressed.
The cozy game genre rose in popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic, when many were isolated inside and turned to activities and online games to feel connected and provide an escape from a dark reality. One of the most popular cozy games, “Animal Crossing: New Horizons,” helped the genre rise in popularity. The game was released in 2020 and sold over 47 million copies worldwide.
Since the pandemic, the genre has continued to grow, with older games like “Stardew Valley" and newer titles such as “Unpacking” gaining popularity and appearing more frequently in mainstream media.
With the rise of cozy games, a clique of avid players has formed around it. The subreddit r/CozyGamers, created in 2021, now has over 250,000 members who share pictures, stories and advice focused on cozy games. The community surrounding cozy games is accepting as each user turns to cozy games for a different reason.
Velma Chavez, a sophomore studying media arts production who works at the Esports Arena, discussed how cozy games can be fun for young adults to escape daily life.
“Growing up, it was a lot of shooter-based games that were popular, think of Call of Duty and Apex,” Chavez said. “Gen Z was the main audience for those games and now we want things that are easier as our lives are a lot more stressful because we’re growing up.”
The calming effects of cozy games have also shown positive results when studied. Michael Wong, a psychiatry student who conducted a study on cozy games in 2021, spoke with Rolling Stone about the neurological effects of cozy gaming.
The study found undergraduate students who spent 20 minutes playing a cozy game experienced the same calming sensations as those who engaged in 20 minutes of mindfulness activity. This relaxing nature has helped cozy games foster a thriving and distinct group of players who embrace gentleness and inclusivity. Furthermore, no prior video game knowledge is needed to start, which increases the accessibility of this space.
Hanna Popp, a junior studying chemistry, said the calming nature of cozy games is why she prefers them to other video game options.
“One of the big things about video games for me is too many things going on, and it stresses me out,” Popp said. “So having a game where there's not many things to do is nice and relaxing to me.”
Often, players who enjoy cozy games are overlooked as true members of the gaming community due to the absence of intense gameplay. The cozy game genre is also popular among women, with 55% of online mentions of cozy games coming from female authors. With a genre so well-liked by women, there is also a pervasive element of sexism in the space.
Video games and the gaming industry have a long history of gendered marketing and sexism in the community, often marketing video games as feminine or masculine based on content and difficulty. Cozy games are one genre of gaming that has received a prejudiced mark, more so as it continues to rise in popularity.
“In the gaming industry, there is a stigmatization against simplistic games because they’re seen as more feminine and ‘easier’ games,” Chavez said. “It causes a huge rift in the gaming community because it’s just truly sexist.”
The success of the genre demonstrates to game developers the importance of accessibility for gamers, with gaming trends seemingly following the genre's lead in future product development. Some gamers find the simplistic aspect of cozy games does not undermine the genre's legitimacy; rather, it creates opportunities for gamers who previously felt excluded.
No matter what type of game a player chooses, there is a space where they can feel welcome. For cozy gamers, the cozy game circle is one example of peaceful inclusivity.
