Cozy game
A video game genre focused on relaxation and non-violence.
Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons
A cozy game (or cosy game in Commonwealth English) is a type of video game focused on non-violence and relaxation. It grew out of the life simulation genre, and typically involves activities like gathering and growing plants, or caring for other characters. These games often have open-ended goals that let players express themselves. Though developers point to earlier titles such as *Little Computer People* (1985) and *The Sims* (2000) as possible precursors, the term became widely used after *Stardew Valley* (2016) and *Animal Crossing: New Horizons* (2020), with many games since adopting it in their marketing.
Colin Campbell of GamesIndustry.biz described cozy games as ones where players take part in farming, gathering, growing, and nurturing, helping other characters through non-violent means. He noted that self-expression is central, progression is usually open-ended, and the genre is defined more by the feeling it gives players than by specific mechanics like first-person shooting or turn-based strategy. CNN’s Carli Velocci called cozy games “a broad genre” that includes everything from farming sims to city builders, all sharing a hard-to-define comforting feeling. Wired’s Louryn Strampe said they are “meant to evoke feelings of warmth, comfort, and peace.” This vague definition has caused some disagreement among fans about which games truly count as cozy.
Campbell observed that cozy games often feature cute characters, such as anthropomorphic animals or childlike humans, and that disagreeable non-playable characters are usually played for comedy. Jess Rutland of Game Developer added that cozy games offer satisfying but not overly tough gameplay, complementary colors, and mindful music. Campbell suggested in 2022 that the genre was starting to move beyond “gather and grow” themes, citing *A Short Hike* (2019) as an example. Rutland noted that cozy games are the most accessible genre for people who don’t consider themselves gamers, and are easier for small independent developers to create.
Some developers trace the style back to life simulation games like *Little Computer People* (1985), *Harvest Moon* (1996), *The Sims* (2000), and *Boku no Natsuyasumi* (2000). In 2018, Vice suggested that “coziness could … be one of the most significant game design trends of recent years,” pointing to its blend of escapism and appeal to players who don’t want action-
- field
- Video game genre
- known_for
- Non-violent, relaxing gameplay emphasizing gathering, growing, nurturing, and self-expression
- origin_derived_from
- Life simulation genre
- early_examples
- Little Computer People (1985), The Sims (2000)
- popularized_by
- Stardew Valley (2016), Animal Crossing: New Horizons (2020)
Lore & Background
Colin Campbell of GamesIndustry.biz described cozy games as video games that generally have players functioning in activities such as farming, gathering, growing and nurturing, and assisting other characters through non-violent acts. Campbell summarized that the core of the games was self-expression, that progression goals are generally open-ended, and that they are generally defined by their impact on the player's feelings. According to CNN's Carli Velocci, cozy games are 'a broad genre that encompasses a lot of types of games, from farming sims to city builders, but they all elicit a special feeling that can be hard to explain.' Similarly, Wired's Louryn Strampe described the genre as 'meant to evoke feelings of warmth, comfort, and peace.' The vague definition has led to disagreement and confusion among fans of the genre regarding what games qualify as 'cozy.'
Campbell found that cozy games often feature cute characters such as anthropomorphic animals or child-like humans. Non-playable characters who are disagreeable are often played for comic effect. Jess Rutland of Game Developer suggested that cozy games involved satisfying but not overly challenging gameplay, complementary colors, and mindful music. Campbell suggested in 2022 that cozy games were aiming to move beyond 'gather and grow' themed gameplays, citing A Short Hike (2019) as an example. Rutland stated that cozy games were the most accessible genre to people who did not consider themselves to be gamers and are easier for smaller independent developers to create.
Reader's Guide
The cozy game genre has grown significantly in cultural influence and market presence. The release of Nintendo's Animal Crossing: New Horizons (2020) during the COVID-19 lockdowns led to increased popularity; Campbell found only 'a handful' of the 'dozens' of games described as 'cozy' on digital distributor Steam were released before 2020. Alexandre Stroukoff, one of the founders of Alblune who created the game The Spirit and the Mouse, said in 2022 that 'People get depressed, and they need to relax. This has always existed in gaming, but it was a less marketable idea in the past. Now, we recognize that it's an important part of playing games.' Merchandise from cozy games such as Animal Crossing expanded beyond selling from dedicated websites to being connected with brands such as LEGO, Puma and Build-A-Bear. In 2023, the first official line of The Sims merchandise was released to an overwhelming response which led to nearly all items selling out in less than a day. Rutland noted the influence of the cozy aesthetic inspired by games on social media, including the #CozyDeskSetup hashtag's annual usage doubling in March 2024. These setups echoed elements from the games such as calming lighting, pastel, or muted tone furniture and accessories from popular cozy video game franchises.
Did You Know?
- The term 'cozy game' became more common following the release of Stardew Valley (2016) and Animal Crossing: New Horizons (2020).
- Colin Campbell of GamesIndustry.biz described cozy games as defined by their impact on the player's feelings rather than by specific gameplay mechanics.
- The vague definition of cozy games has led to disagreement and confusion among fans regarding what games qualify as 'cozy'.
- In 2023, the first official line of The Sims merchandise sold out in less than a day.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a cozy game?
A cozy game is a video game genre built around calm, non-violent play that prioritizes relaxation over competition or conflict. It typically centers on nurturing activities like tending gardens, collecting items, or looking after characters.
Where did the cozy game genre come from?
Cozy games evolved out of the broader life-simulation genre, with developers often citing titles like Little Computer People (1985) and The Sims (2000) as early forerunners. The specific label, however, only caught on in mainstream conversation after Stardew Valley (2016) and Animal Crossing: New Horizons (2020) brought the style to a much wider audience.
What kinds of activities do cozy games usually involve?
Players typically gather resources, grow and harvest plants, decorate spaces, and care for NPCs or pets. Goals are usually open-ended, giving players freedom to express themselves through creative choices rather than hitting a single win condition.
Why did the term 'cozy game' become so popular?
Before the mid-2010s, similar titles were usually filed under life simulation or sandbox categories. Stardew Valley and Animal Crossing: New Horizons gave players a shared vocabulary for that gentle, low-stress experience, and the genre label stuck from there.
What makes cozy games different from other relaxing genres?
While many games can feel mellow, cozy games specifically reject violence, time pressure, and failure states as core mechanics. The design philosophy treats the player's comfort and self-expression as the primary objective rather than progression or score.
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