Video Game Dictionary - What is Cozy Gaming?

Cozy Gaming

IPA: ˈkəʊzi ˈɡeɪmɪŋ

Definition

Cozy Gaming is a slang term that refers to a style of gaming that focuses on therapeutic, comforting experiences. This is different from other video or mobile games that place an emphasis on competition or mature themes.

Examples of cozy games include Stardew Valley, Animal Crossing: New Horizons, The Sims, A Short Hike, and Journey.

Cozy games differ from typical mainstream games in a variety of ways:

A focus on relaxation - They help you to unwind, often avoiding intense or overly competitive gameplay.

Conflict-free storylines - The challenges presented in cozy games are usually less stress-inducing and confrontational, moving away from mature themes of death, violence, or conflict.

Different pacing and intent - Cozy games usually offer more casual gameplay with less time-sensitive objectives. This means that players can enjoy a more comforting and mindful experience. These types of games cater to those who may not want an adrenaline-fuelled challenge.

The earliest games in the genre date back to the 2000s with the release of The Sims, however, cozy games were being discussed more prevalently online in the 2010s. The origin of the term “cozy game” isn’t necessarily known, as the term was seen as a somewhat unofficial genre until recently. One of the earliest known uses of the specific term “cozy game” is from 2016, where a Reddit user on r/patientgamers created a thread titled ‘What's the most comfy/cozy game you've played?’. Since then, usage of the term has grown in popularity.

In the 2020s, the term gained greater traction due to the COVID-19 pandemic when there was an increased desire for comforting games. However, the term became ubiquitous in 2024. Between January and October 2024, Google Trends reported strong growth in the use of “cozy games”, reaching peak popularity in October.

The rise in interest in cozy gaming might also be due to influencers streaming and posting their cozy gaming setup as an aesthetic. The increased growth from the 2016s to now emphasizes how the genre has become a fixture in modern gaming.

Example Usage

“Cozy gaming is my happy place. Just give me some snacks, a warm drink, and a blanket.”

“I’ve been really stressed lately, so I’ve been turning to cozy gaming."