Cosy video games are on an unstoppable rise. Will they unleash a darker side?

Non-violent games about cooking, farming or tidying now rival the more traditional video game pursuits of shooting and fighting in popularity. So what will the #cozy genre tackle next?In 2017, a game design thinktank called Project Horseshoe gathered a group of developers together to define the concept of cosiness in video games. Games, of course, have had non-violent elements since the medium was invented. Early life simulators such as 1985’s Little Computer People, a low-stakes game in which the player interacts with a man living his unremarkable life in a house, could fit the bill; then there was the proliferation of social farming simulations after 1996’s chibi-adorable Harvest Moon.But the resulting report, Coziness in Games: An Exploration of Safety, Softness, and Satisfied Needs, is probably the first organised effort to define a then-emerging genre. The group zeroed in on three core things: safety, abundance, and softness. Cosy games (cozy in US spelling) don’t have high-risk scenarios: “There is no impending loss of threat,” they wrote. They must have a sense of abundance: “Nothing is lacking, pressing or imminent.” And a soft aesthetic wraps everything up like a warm hug. Continue reading...

Comments

Culture

Billie Eilish: ‘I don't enjoy the physical act of writing music, it makes me feel dumb’

Evening Standard

Comments

Culture

Billie Eilish: ‘I don't enjoy the physical act of writing music, it makes me feel dumb’

Superman’s huge Rotten Tomatoes score doesn’t match what critics are really saying - what's really going on?

Bob Dylan to return to UK and Ireland for 13-date tour

Nature Theater of Oklahoma: No President - renegade ballerinas and cannibalism

Fleur East on stepping into Tina Turner’s shoes in the West End: ‘It’s an honour and a responsibility’

A favourite feel-good show for millions is suddenly axed – and 'devastated fans' aren't having it

2023’s biggest and most explosive blockbuster is streaming this weekend

The Summer I Turned Pretty’s Lola Tung issues six-word plea to fans ahead of final season

Gary Coleman’s ex-wife claims she had ‘no choice’ but to take actor off life support

New twist in Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie legal battle as he demands her private messages

Gregg Wallace criticised by disability charities for autism defence amid BBC sacking

Bob Dylan announces 2025 UK and Ireland tour dates

Where is the Broadway backlash against producer Scott Rudin’s return?

Dark period drama that ‘instantly hooked’ viewers is now streaming on Netflix

In his most important role yet, Idris Elba is pulling up this summer - and you can meet him

Lewis Capaldi re-sale outrage as touts offer London O2 tickets for 14 times face value after tour sells out

Ed Sheeran launches exhibition of his Cosmic Carpark Paintings in London

How to get tickets as Paul McCartney, 83, announces North America tour

Wet Leg prove they’re more than a flash in the pan with second album Moisturizer

Over and Over (and over again) at Sadler’s Wells East:

Gill Hicks: Still Alive and Kicking — a poignant jazz performance from a 7/7 survivor

Richard Ashcroft: I’m happy Oasis are getting chance to have victory lap

Lewis Capaldi's emotional message to fans after UK and Ireland tour sells out

Lewis Capaldi says tour sellout is the ‘most incredible, surreal feeling’

The Merry Wives of Windsor at Shakespeare’s Globe: rare London revival is a treat

Australian singer Delta Goodrem reflects on ‘fairytale’ wedding to Matthew Copley

Netflix’s new director working on ‘boundary-pushing’ psychological thriller after film streamed 185,000,000 times

Big Bang Theory fans brand ‘multiverse armageddon’ spin-off show ‘ridiculous’

Frank Barrie death: Former EastEnders star and prolific theatre actor dies aged 88

Refunds issued to The Salt Path fans after author Raynor Winn pulls out of tour

Night at the Museum to be rebooted by less than 20 years after release of first film

When it comes to the Salt Path scandal, we only have ourselves to blame

Statue unveiled in Liverpool to mark Ringo Starr’s 85th birthday

Superman star David Corenswet reveals why director James Gunn told him to ‘shut up’ on set

Nadine Shah among musicians planning to support next Kneecap court hearing

Too Much on Netflix review: Lena Dunham loses her generation-shaping voice

Life lessons from the women over 50 running Hollywood

Inside The Salt Path scandal as author Raynor Winn calls allegations ‘highly misleading’

It’s great to have Lena Dunham’s inimitable voice back on TV, but Too Much feels strangely limited

Heartfelt tribute paid to Liam Payne in opening episode of One Direction star’s final project

Michelle Yeoh confirmed for new version of one of the most successful movies ever

Bobby Brazier opens up about acting future after quitting EastEnders

The Salt Path author breaks silence on ‘devastating’ claims over husband’s illness

The 20 most hated TV finales of all time, from The Sopranos to How I Met Your Mother

James Gunn responds to criticism over ‘immigrant’ Superman: ‘It’s about kindness’

Superman star David Corenswet reveals why director James Gunn told him to ‘shut up’ on set

Oasis fans given warning ahead of Manchester stadium shows

HBO cancels ‘the most underrated’ show of 2025 after just one season

Former Love Island USA contestant Cierra Ortega apologises for racial slur

17 awful performances by great actors, from Tom Hanks to Robert De Niro

Kesha reveals she suffered ‘brutal’ ACL tear mid-concert. Here’s what happened next

Olivia Rodrigo’s guitarist shares sweet way she supports her crew on tour

Superman Returns was a super-flop – but it didn’t deserve the hate

Michael Douglas ‘has no intention’ of acting again after six-decade career

Game of Thrones star Sophie Turner says HBO series was her ‘sex education’

James Gunn’s Superman reboot will make you believe in superhero movies again

Dolly Parton shares update on new music after her husband’s death

Bob Vylan frontman urges fans to stop IDF chants in first gig since Glastonbury controversy

Ozzy Osbourne’s final Black Sabbath concert raised $190 million for charity

Joe Locke set for West End after shooting Heartstopper movie