Engaging with comfortable video games like Pokemon and Tetris can potentially enhance mental health, according to players who have pursued the activity as a coping mechanism. Gaming seems to function as a secular meditation for many.
Growing up, Danii experienced challenges in feeling at home in her own skin. However, her interaction with comfortable gaming afforded her a lifeline. Cosy games such as Animal Crossing, Unpacking and Stardew Valley differ from conventional games in several ways. They are usually accompanied by soothing activities, cute characters and a higher degree of creative freedom for players. A lot of gamers have claimed that they experience a positive impact on their mental health as a result of these games.
Mental health recommendations indicate that cosy video gaming can have immense therapeutic aspects for individuals dealing with mental health disturbances. Practising mindfulness is another advantage of these games. Danii Wills, a mother of five children, who is 32 and lives in Rhondda Cynon Taf, has been dealing with anxiety and depression. Recently, she has also been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). In her early years, she was introduced to gaming and eventually, she developed an interest in role-playing games like Pokemon Red and The Sims. These are considered by many to be cosy games.
Danii expressed that gaming with others online and having prolonged discussions provided her with a sense of community. She argued that gaming did help her to survive, particularly through her worst years of hardship.
In terms of game experience, cosy games provide an engaging atmosphere of daily routines, community-building or mysteries solving, as opposed to combat and competition. The setting is often more relaxed, with players making use of lights and blankets to create a comfortable atmosphere. During the recent Coronavirus pandemic, celebrities started sharing their experiences with the cosy games they were playing, including the brand new game in the Animal Crossing series which subsequently grew in popularity.
An important element of these games is users’ ability to create their own characters and virtual islands. The Nintendo South Wales group expressed that playing cosy games has endowed their members with a sense of community and even a crucial lifeline for some. Ben Ayling, a 38-year-old member of the community from Cardiff, who has been diagnosed with schizophrenia and other medical conditions. He has used gaming as an escape from the struggles of his previous life on the streets and drug dependencies.
Interestingly, online gaming allowed others to discuss their mental health experiences openly. Lindsey Lawrence, a 37-year-old, uses games like Tetris when she is dealing with the discomfort of her medical condition, fibromyalgia. According to her, a cosy game is more than pixels on a screen; it’s something that stirs warmth and happiness from within.
Many of the cosy gaming communities have a solid online presence. Graphic designer Zoe Phare, who had experienced bullying in school, found solace in attaching herself to the characters within the games. Now, as she counters her overactive mind by avoiding mindless scrolling, gaming allows her to focus on a particular thing, helping her to feel at ease.
Cosy games are, for the most part, more affordable than other video games and many are created by small game development teams. They can be played on desktops, laptops, or gaming consoles like the Nintendo Switch and Xbox. Players usually enhance their gaming experience with colourful lighting, wired or wireless speakers, and noise-cancelling headphones. They often personalise their consoles and spaces, displaying tributes to their favourite games. The cost might range from £200 to £4,000.
Nevertheless, some players like Danii enjoy a less extravagant cosy gaming environment on her sofa, wrapped in her favourite blanket, immersed in gaming while sipping on a hot cup of coffee. To her, the few hours she gets to relax and stay free of worries through cosy gaming make a world of difference.
