Unpacking: How cosy games are shaking up the gaming industry | BBC News

Whether you’re playing it for yourself or watching on streaming services like Twitch or YouTube, cosy games are having a bit of a moment.

That includes titles from massive global studios like Animal Crossing, as well as hundreds of indie hits.

So what makes a game cosy, and how do the people who make them find the balance between relaxing and too easy.

BBC Newsbeat spoke to the team behind the BAFTA award-winning Unpacking about what’s next for the industry and how they’re leaning into cosy and cute for the future of their studio.

#BBCNews

[PPpaladin]

congrats bbc you finally made a video game related article that's have quality and actually grasp a portion of players prespective and talk about, and not just talking about big company games with big PR advertising. just don't be 1 year behined the trend next time unpacking was a 2023 success

[b.visconti]

My son and his wife have always enjoyed playing all kinds of games with their kids..Not on the internet only but card board games too..the kids are 18 an 17 and still sit down to play games with their parents..I feel this has helped keep them close and laugh together..Amazing ❤

[fargosnow]

I’ve always had a very exciting life and even though I’m now retired I don’t want games that overstimulate me. Overstimulation is for real life. I went for years without cozy games after the initial ones disappeared. I played Stardew Valley for over 1000 hours before I started finding other cozy games. It makes my retirement much nicer.

[Raprada]

I love games like this, modern AAA games are very “grindy” with artificially limited events and dailies that makes it feel like a chore. In a way, relaxing games are closer to the original objective of games: to provide a means of relaxation, unwind, and mind stimulation.

[yunantheobserver]

Times today are turbulent and unstable...now to unwind, people needs a sense of stability and serenity.

[ScottishAtheist]

Honestly as I get older sometimes I just want to chill. These wholesome simple “cosy”:games have their place. There’s a lot of indie games like this in VR and it’s a nice break from zombies and shooters.

[utubebroadcaster]

I miss the days of The Sims when you'd trap your characters in a room with no doors...

[CyborgZeta]

The best "cozy" games are puzzle games like Tetris, Columns, or Lumines. In my opinion.

[callummctavish]

not gonna investigate into the fact the rise in demand for cozy games might be due to people being unable to have cozy lives due to a failing economy? Seriously given that most games allow people to live out a fantasy which they can control. So just having a comfortable life where one can just have the basic luxury of decorating a home at a fair price of supply and demand is now only acceptable through video games doesn't raise any question for the news? Come on journalist, speak truth to power now.

[Pintheshadows]

Amnesia: The Bunker is a nice cosy game. I recommend it if you are looking to relax.

[richardkent]

Ira a game about unpacking boxes training you all to work for Amazon.

[MissJIF]

You had me at Tampopo!🥰🥰😋😋😋💕 Food me!
Won't say no to an unboxing either, very relaxing.

[razerow]

I cringed so hard. They aren’t a fad because the term is new but the concept isn’t. Minecraft is creative is a cozy game. Most racings games are “cozy” games in the modern era with games like forza horizon replacing racing with exploring beautiful vistas in iconic cars. Sims is arguably a cozy game. And so are games such as point and click games.

The fact is this means “girl” games. Or games that women seem to like that confuses narrative for ludology. Which is actually telling about the current gender obsessed world. Cozy games have always existed it’s just stereoptypical girl games have hijacked it and now are claiming it’s a whole new genre just because it’s unpacking boxes at different stages of your life. That is no different to someone editing vinyl decals on a car. Or someone placing furniture in a house in the sims. Or someone designing a quaint village in Minecraft.

[reezdog]

Old Gameboy. Gameboy Colour and Gameboy Advance games are very cozy. The Zelda games are really cozy but expansive. I guess a cozy game is also easy and not hard.

[GeorginaJett]

THESE ARE DESIGNED FOR THE YOUNGER GENERATION, WHO CAN NEVER AFFORD THEIR OWN HOUSES SO THE GAMING INDUSTRIES FURTHER TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT FACT. GRIM PSYCHOLOGY

[JK_JK_JK_JK]

Does it have a Battle Royale Mode?!?! 🤔🧐😕

[Mosthanin]

การต่อต้าน การบ่อนทำลาย จากระบบทั้งสิ้น
การชี้นำกฎระเบียบ อยู่ในกฎระเบียบนั้นของฉันคือ

[Unitedparin]

These gamers need to fix their own house first

[notjustforhackers]

Yeah, you really should leave gaming alone BBC.... the hilarity around "Dustborn" is all the evidence we need. Back to reporting "News" guys.

[auro]

bbc plays real game in ukraine and israel borders