Cozy Games and Emotional Safety: Creating Comfort Without Conflict
The world is exhausting. Politics are polarizing. Social media is performative. Work is demanding. The news is relentless. And then you open Animal Crossing and spend two hours arranging flowers. This isn’t escapism. It’s sanctuary. Welcome to the rise of cozy games—narratives and experiences deliberately designed to create emotional safety without traditional conflict. And understanding why they work reveals profound insights about what audiences actually need from stories. What Makes a Game (or Story) “Cozy”? “Cozy” isn’t just an aesthetic (though cottagecore visuals and soft color palettes often feature). It’s a design philosophy prioritizing comfort, safety, and low-pressure engagement. ...