When we think of video games, we necessarily think of FIFA in Call of Duty , the two titles that sell the most each year. But gaming is not just the competition of one and the violence of the other, far from it. It is also, often even, sweetness and emotion. A niche that took off during confinement in the wake of Animal Crossing . Nintendo's idyllic community simulator has won over 13 million players! A crazy success for this game, as joyful as it is soothing. What give ideas to other creators.
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Soft games
Inspired by the concept of Animal Crossing , and the success that goes with it, several independent studios came together in 2019 under the banner of "Wholesome Games" ("benevolent games in good French). , they organized a presentation conference this week of 50 new soft games, in a video broadcast live on Youtube.
The magic formula of "benevolent games" is based on a few very simple ingredients: no or little violence, no clock running, the impossibility of losing, more emotion than action, a fanciful, even dreamlike universe, often populated by animals and finally, very important, the most relaxing music possible. Often designed with limited means, sometimes even in crowdfunding, these are not the most beautiful games, nor the most impressive. But they do good and it is already a lot.
Cute animals everywhere
In this large batch, some titles hold attention. Kind Words is probably the one that best represents the concept of "benevolent games": in a cozy environment, with relaxing music, you just have to write nice words to send to other players. A bit silly perhaps but already a success since since the release in September 2019, more than a million comforting letters have been sent.
In a more wacky genre, with its retro design, Snacko puts us in the fur of two cats landed on a desert island. The objective, clearly inspired by Animal Crossing , is to develop a community from scratch by managing your resources. So you have to plant your vegetables, run your farm, build buildings and roads… Expected release in 2021.
Animals and fantasy always with Calico , a game in which a group of young girls with magical powers must manage ... a cat bar. We will therefore have to go in search of the cutest felines to make customers want to come and relax in their company. An experience full of purrs and sweetness, which is due out in October. And when the cat is not there, the mice dance. In this case the one embodied in The Spirit and the Mouse (2021). Like the film Ratatouille , she must solve human problems without being seen to help them get better.
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The shape but also the substance
But not all comfort games are as whimsical. They sometimes tackle darker themes such as anxiety, depression, even mourning like Spiritfarer . Stella, the main character, is a "passer" responsible for accompanying the souls of the deceased to the beyond. Presented as a "cozy management game", it raised strong expectations among players and will necessarily be very scrutinized when it is released, scheduled for the second half of 2020.
Finally, calm games like these can serve as a gateway to other forms of culture. So goes Mondo Museum , a simulator in which you will have to create, fill and manage the museum of your dreams. Whether you are focused on natural sciences or on masterpieces, you are free to develop your own 2.0 collection. Opening of the exhibition at the end of the year.