Cozy games offer relaxation, inclusivity

… One of the most popular cozy games, “Animal Crossing: New Horizons,” helped the genre rise in popularity. The game was released in 2020 and sold over 47 million copies worldwide. 

Since the pandemic, the genre has continued to grow, with older games like “Stardew Valley" and newer titles such as “Unpacking” gaining popularity and appearing more frequently in mainstream media. 

With the rise of cozy games, a clique of avid players has formed around it. The subreddit r/CozyGamers, created in 2021, now has over 250,000 members who share pictures, stories and advice focused on cozy games. The community surrounding cozy games is accepting as each user turns to cozy games for a different reason.